Move to DC area?

[Poriomania]

Hi all

I'm currently in Chicago and there is an opportunity to move to the DC area for work. The GF and I had been thinking about TX, but this could be better. Something I had been looking forward to about TX is the outdoors activities, weather, and the generally central location to other places I would like to travel to out West and back East. What kinds of things like these could I look forward to in DC and the surrounding areas? The out West thing is obviously more difficult. Also, what is the cost of living around there?

Thanks
Gary

 

[Exiled]

Cost of living is expensive in DC relative to TX, but I suspect its comparable to Chicago. I lived in Northern VA for two years and hated it, too much traffic, insane real estate, and -in my case- a tough job market. Moved to Austin 7 years ago, great city to raise a family, cheap real estate, lots of outdoor stuff to do.

BIG CAVEAT: Unless you're into paying for wheeling, TX is offroad hell. 90% of the state is private land and the distances are daunting.

 

[76FJ40]

I lived in TX for 17 years before moving to NOVA 15 years ago. The people in TX are great, there's a lot of variety in the scenery, and the cost of living is relatively low. My only complaint is that it is too damn hot to be outdoors in the Summer (June through September).

NOVA sucks if yoiu live in close at all - too crowded, too many ass holes, too expensive, and horrible traffic. I moved farther out 12 years ago and haven't looked back. The weather is great; you can be outdoors year-round but you'll have to pay to wheel and travel to Crozet, PA, or TN. DC itself is a s*** hole so I wouldn't recommend it as a place to live.

 

[greytandy]

NOVA sucks if yoiu live in close at all - too crowded, too many ass holes, too expensive, and horrible traffic. I moved farther out 12 years ago and haven'y looked back. The weather is great; you can be outdoors year-round but you'll have to pay to wheel and travel to Crozet, PA, or TN. DC itself is a **** hole so I wouldn't recommend it as a place to live.

Very nice summation. I approve this response. I will only add that traffic is not horrible, it is a nightmare. If you move here you will need to schedule your life around it (if you have any sort of commute).

BTW, the KISS dog kicks ass!

 

[bkfj40]

I lived in TX for 17 years before moving to NOVA 145 years ago. .

wow...I knew Bob was old, but not 145 years old


Would your job be right in DC, or would it be on the outskirts? As mentioned, TX gets pretty hot a few months out of the year....


bk

 

[76FJ40]

BK - FYVM

Old AND wise

 

[greytandy]

Circa 1865 and 1870, respectively.

 

[76FJ40]

I dooooooo age well!

Oh Dave - FYVM too!

 

[Blue77FJ40]

Ah, tis the season... to spread the love!

 

[John Smith]

I was born in DC and have spent most of my life living in either DC or within the Beltway in MD. As everyone has already told you, the biggest problem we have in this area is traffic. If you do move here I suggest you live as close to your job as possible or telecommute from home. Too many people living very far from their place of employment along with explosive growth has turned our area into a traffic nightmare. Coming from Chicago you know what it is like living in or near a big city. Traffic and people come with the territory.

While the cost of living is very high for the DC Metro area it is also a job magnet and almost recession proof due to the Federal govt. presence. Along with a steady job market our area has a lot to offer depending on what you like. We have great music venues, arts, museums, major league sports, great food, etc. You are a few hours from the beaches or the mountains if you want to escape the city.

While it does not get as hot here as TX we do have our humidity. DC was built on a swap, it gets really humid here all summer long. If you are not used to humidity it is very different than the "dry" heat of AZ and other places. Having grown up here it does not bother me at all. Many can't stand it.

Let us know if you have any more specific questions.

 

[Poriomania]

GF and I both work in restaurants, if we go she would be working at the one on K street near the White House. Supposedly there is another in town where I could go. We haven't really heard all the details yet. I perfectly fine with heat and humidity, I'm looking for a little more of that after being in the midwest for ten years.

Can DC traffic be worse than Chicago's? I drive 14 miles to work and at off times it takes about twenty minutes door to door with parking. Peak times it's well over an hour. If I have to go at peak times, the train system here is pretty good if you live and work relatively near a stop, which I do.

I guess what I'm really looking for is a change that will let me be outdoors more. You can get out in the midwest, but it's not very interesting. I like the city and everything it offers, but I want to be somewhere I can get to the moutains or beach relatively quickly and not have it be crowded.

Thanks

Gary

 

[John Smith]

GF and I both work in restaurants, if we go she would be working at the one on K street near the White House. Supposedly there is another in town where I could go. We haven't really heard all the details yet. I perfectly fine with heat and humidity, I'm looking for a little more of that after being in the midwest for ten years.

Can DC traffic be worse than Chicago's? I drive 14 miles to work and at off times it takes about twenty minutes door to door with parking. Peak times it's well over an hour. If I have to go at peak times, the train system here is pretty good if you live and work relatively near a stop, which I do.

I guess what I'm really looking for is a change that will let me be outdoors more. You can get out in the midwest, but it's not very interesting. I like the city and everything it offers, but I want to be somewhere I can get to the moutains or beach relatively quickly and not have it be crowded.

Thanks

Gary

We have a pretty strong restaurant industry here as well as tourism industry. If you are working downtown you will probably want to live in DC proper or in a suburb with a Metro rail station nearby so you can commute to work that way. If you want to drive your car to work downtown you will either be paying for a monthly spot in a garage or surface lot.

According to this story and many others, our traffic and Chicago's are not even close. America's Most Congested Cities - Forbes.com

Worst Cities For Traffic - Forbes.com

 

[fjman]

well, heres my take as I drive into DC all the time.

Traffic sucks, sometimes.

I recently quit my day job with an insurance company and decided to go out on my own as a broker. While getting started in the insurance biz about 2 years ago, I worked at a restaurant downtown and now have gone back to the restaurant a couple of nights per week as I get up and running on my own.
I live in Fairfax and give myself an hour to get to the restaurant. Generally, 35-45 minutes is sufficient but..... BUT weird s*** happens (accidents on either side of 66,tickets being written on the shoulder, events, stupid silly rubbernecking is out of control). Saturday is actually the worst traffic. This is me leaving the 'burbs at 3pm against traffic flow. The west bound side of 66 is a parking lot!

I drive the 7-9 miles to tysons for meetings during the day. 10am meetings in Tysons still take atleast 30 minutes to get too. To be one with the traffic, one must plan around it.

Overall, its nice here though. As others have mentioned, the mountains and the beaches are not too far away. There are even some great parks nearby. I bring the dogs to Great Falls a lot and usually hit up the eastern shore a couple of times per year.

Jobs are pretty abundant here if you are in the restaurant industry. If you need a job, let me know what kind of place you want to work at and I can see who i know. I work at Oya ( OYA | Restaurant | Lounge | Asian | French | Washington DC ) mainly because they will let me work 2 nights a week whenever I want. Sometime the money is pretty awesome and sometimes just typical. Gotta push those $17 Grey Goose martinis I can safely say the full time guys make $1000-1500/week - sometimes 2K! There are probably 50 restaurants on K street alone! Which one is your GF planning to work at?

I can't say much for Texas as I have only been there twice. Once when I was a youngster living in Luisiana we went to a zoo in texas and once I got a very good tour of an airport from a chick from Austin during a lay over...... This has led me to believe girls from texas are very friendly and seem to take care of themselves....

Cost of living here is pretty high but you get used to it. I don't know what type of lifestyle you live, but I don't think Chicago is cheap either.
In Northern VA a 2 bedroom apartment will run you about 1400-1700 per month. Closer in arlington, probably closer to 2000 or more. DC prices are about the same depending on where you live in the city. I would generally recommend NW DC.
A beer in Dc will usually run you 5 bucks. Cocktails atleast $8-10.
If you're working in a restaurant, stay away from the Ruby Tuesdays and TGIFriday places. You won't make squat. Some of the local chains are good.
Clydes restaurant group is decent. Good money but your sole purpose for life will become Clydes.
Great American restaurants are always busy and ranked as one of the best DC area employers.
Otherwise, lots of smaller restaurant groups with successful restaurants. Lots of good steakhouses and hotel restaurants.
If I was to get back into this industry fiull time, I think I would try for Ray's the Steaks in Arlington. Fairly expensive (but not really for a steakhouse) and patrons are told they have the table 90 minutes and then must get up and leave. They are always on a wait and it seems like an easy place to work.
If you want high end fine dining, lots to choose from too.

So I need to stop typing and get to working. Let me know if you decide on DC and if you need a job.

Andrew

 

[Poriomania]

GF and I both manage at McCormick and Schmicks here in Chicago. We'd be doing the same in DC. We've decided to see what the company is willing to offer, and assuming the money is there and other details are taken care of we're going to make the move. So we'll see how that all plays out. Thanks for all the help, might be there in a couple of months.

Gary

 

[fjman]

Cool,
There are a couple of M&S s in DC. Gotta love the late night menu! Good luck with the move.

 

[H2o]

I agree with John S. DC has alot to offer. Living on the outside is good if you want alot of room, but it comes at a cost (sitting in traffic). I live in the city and commute to my job by bicycle. There are soooo many options when you live in the city and you will never get bored. Museums, restaurants, nightlife, art, shows, etc... Even on a budget, you can pretty much see free movies at the Smithsonian or other venues, free concerts...

Downside of the city can be crime (mostly breaking into cars). But my ford taurus and golf never got broken into in 10 years of city living (except for two minor hit and runs). My pickup truck who has a removable faceplate and draws attention got broken into 2 or 3 times in a couple weeks. Generally, if you use common sense, you will be fine. But even in the suburbs (in really nice neighborhoods) i have heard of some crazy stuff, like a vehicle getting completely stripped in the night.

Traffic is a problem and no matter what time, what day, you can find yourself in massive traffic problems, both in the city and outside. DC itself gets demonstrations, marches, celebrations, marathons, and the list goes on. Read the washington post to keep on top of street closings.

Hope to see you at one of our meetings.

 

[fjman]

I'm curious to see what the Texans would say to this. Did you post a similar thread in a forum based in Texas?

 

[wesintl]

I miss D.C.






Then I go back to visit and can't wait to get the F out.

John is one of the few lifers left

There are alot of positives to go with the negatives though.

 

[Poriomania]

I didn't post in the TX area, I lived in the Hill Country for a while and at least a little familiar with most of the bigger cities in TX. Currently DC would be the best in terms of a career move and there are also multiple stores in the area so we could both stay with the company. Not the best time to move and then find a job.

 

[breckbone]

My wife works in Chicago in the summers and we both agree that the traffic there is as bad or worse than what we've experienced in DC in the past 9 years. It just seemed more unpredictable and expansive. Took forever to get anywhere no matter what time of day.
I enjoy living in NOVA. Not far from DC and not far from the country. It's good for us to have a balance. Takes me 25 mns to get to work there and 20 mins to get to the middle of nowhere....relatively speaking. Is either one of your restaurants near the Kennedy Center? I'd love a good place nearby w/a good late-night menu....anyway, good luck w/your decision/move!