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leibesleid OP t1_j7ld2vx wrote

Reply to comment by sillygoose1057 in do you like living in arlington? by leibesleid

I'd rather not share where in Europe because I am afraid of being identified by either of the companies which hired me ;-;. My family is from the same European country though; my parents moved to the States before I was born. I have lived there before and loved it. I was ready to move.

Unfortunately, the salary I was offered in Europe is less than half (in the native currency) what I was offered in Arlington (in dollars). I think I could barely make ends meet, with no money left to spend on frivolous things or save for old age :(.

I suppose I could return to my ancestral roots for a couple years and then move back to the States, but the US economy seems to be starting a downward spiral and I am afraid that the excellent offer I have now in Arlington will not be available in a couple years.

So basically, I love living in Europe too but I think it would be irresponsible. Arlington seems a nice place to live, especially compared to the low standard of living I would have in Europe. Thank you for the good wishes :,).

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SparkyMcMichael t1_j7nvw5g wrote

I moved to Arlington in my early 20’s while single and two decades later I’m now married raising my kids here. Living here is a privilege in so many ways and while it’s easy to get cynical we really do have access to the best of nearly everything.

From South Arlington you’re a short metro, bike, or car ride away from walking the monuments or world class museums. The parks in Arlington are well maintained and there are a surprising number of long walks through forested valleys. With a car, the Virginia countryside is breathtaking and within an hour’s drive. Shenandoah National Park is about an hours drive and tens of thousands of acres of national forest are accessible within two hours. There are a number of weekly farmers’ markets throughout the county - some year round.

I’m no longer a single 20-something, but what I most love about this area is the number of fascinating people with varied backgrounds and interests that congregate here. A lot of smart, down-to-earth people congregate here and a lot of creative people. A lot of people come here because they want to make the world a better place.

We do have a high cost of living, but not so high that a single person cannot make ends meet on a six-figure salary. I would avoid long commutes by car. Traffic is an issue if you live further out but is much less of a problem if you live in Arlington or Falls Church.

Europe is a big place. It is filled with some amazing cultures and cities and people. Depending on the specifics of where you’d be and the opportunities in the area it could be a tough decision.

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