People don’t just randomly stop to talk to you for no reason. It’s because they want something from you - 99% of the time it’s a scam or beggars. Ignore and keep walking. You’re not obligated to give people money just because they ask you for it no matter how aggressive. You’re not obligated to be nice or polite. Ignore and walk away.

Former rural American here. As others have said, you’re going to be approached by randos. Just don’t respond, and keep on walking. They won’t be agitated with you.

Understand that people won’t greet you when you pass them by on the street. It isn’t because they’re rude, but they’re usually just very busy and don’t have idle time. It’s totally normal to pass people and not even make eye contact.

It’s actually pretty easy to find things in common with people who live or work here. People are generally polite and you should also understand that there are some pretty rural people who commute here for work, so you don’t always see the same city type folks.

DC has a ton of green space and trees, and I’ve never felt like I need to escape.

Take advantage of the walkability and public transit here. Rural America is very car dependent, and it’s so liberating to be somewhere with multiple modes of transport.

Good luck and enjoy the experience.

Act like you know what you're doing when you walk around.

Go do fun things and enjoy them for what they are. If you make friends along the way, great, if not, then enjoy what you went to for the sake of what it is.

If you’re friends invite you out always check the prices ahead of time. The level of wealth amongst seemingly average people dining in a seemingly average places was a shock to me. Don’t accidentally get stuck with a $300 bill for a few cocktails and some tapas.

Weird that most of the comments are about how to deal with panhandlers, etc. um, there’s a lot more to city life than that. First of all, it really matters where you live…what kind of lifestyle do you want? Quiet, suburban style? Hardcore urban? Something in the Middle? You should try to pick the right spot to live…. Also, there is SO MUCH to do, you need to really budget your time and $$$, but most important you need to really explore and research to find out what’s out there. Depending on your work/study situation & personality, it can be either really easy—or really hard—to make friends, especially good friends. DC is a great place for riding a bike and walking around, so definitely check it out.

It’s true everywhere, but you should keep some situational awareness of what’s going on around you. Try not to keep your head in your phone everywhere you go.

Also, you don’t have to greet everybody you see. In the city, that could be hundreds or even thousands of people just on your way to work. You show respect in a crowded environment like that by giving people their space and not engaging them unless it’s necessary or invited. Southern-style chitchat can easily be perceived as a time waster, or that you’re running a game.

On the other hand, there are exceptions to every rule, and that doesn’t mean you have to be mean like some sort of stereotypical New Yorker.

For better or for worse, people will ask what you do and talk about work in social settings. It’s also best to avoid politics and policy unless you also happen to be an expert. It’s likely whoever you’re speaking to already is.

PS- bring lots of money.

When you live with so few people, a community finds you. In a city, you have to make your community. In DC, there are casual sports leagues, religious or political orgs, community service groups, alumni associations, your future classmates, even certain types of gyms are geared towards groups. Find a hobby you enjoy with people you enjoy and lean into it. Then the city won’t feel so big. Also walk like youre in a rush at all times when alone🤣

Dc is probably the least big city of all the big cities in America. It’s very spead out and a lot of the population commutes, meaning outside of “rush hour”, you’ll notice significant drops in people around you, depending on where you live. The neighborhoods here are very different then one another, so it’s worth doing research into what you are looking for in a location. Grocery store? Metro stop? General city advice I’d give is when your out and about, just mind your business and you won’t really have any problems with ppl on the street. I’ll sometimes have some cash on me for unhoused folk though since your bound to be approached

Walk on the left, stand on the right. Be a decent human with some street smarts and you’ll be fine. Also, if you plan to walk a lot just keep your head on a swivel. Don’t expect that the cross walk will always be respected. It’s a city, there’s an assload of traffic, and people get impatient.

Hey!

VA guy whose been in dc since ‘90. Don’t worry. Just be your authentic self. People will be drawn to you or not.

DC is a larger city than you are used to but you can also think of DC as a collection of many smaller subgroups. You being you will naturally find one or more that you enjoy. Do what you love and meet friends that way.

Yeah, there will be scammers and complicated parking regulations and weird national protests and loud neighbors, but just take them in stride. Don’t avert your eyes and shun them. Most people respond well to being treated as people even if you don’t agree with them or pay them. :)

People talk a lot about crime and whatever else bugs them on this sub and, sure, maybe don’t walk alone with earbuds blasting tunes while drunk on a deserted street at 3am. But also don’t expect the worst from people. I’m no social genius and have managed just fine.

Be a part of it and it will become a part of you, and enjoy! Once you are here feel free to ask more specific questions. ‘Till then don’t worry too much. Over a million people successfully navigate this city every day. You will too.

the biggest shock will probably be how pretentious and irritating so many DC transplants are

I know a couple of people from the south who felt like they were intelligent when they were in their hometowns, then moved to DC where they felt extremely unintelligent, and then after staying in DC for a while realized that most DC people were faking it and they actually were intelligent after all

It’s been over two decades, but I moved to a city-city right after hs graduation from a town of 6,000. It’s gonna be culture shock. Every city has its own energy.

Everyone here already posted some really great replies! One big thing for me is that if someone is dodgy, acting weird on public transit, move seats/train cars if possible. I used to feel like it was bad of me to do so, but now idgaf, life is too short to deal with shady weirdos.

You don't need to do everything all at once. Sometimes, people feel like they should be always doing stuff because there is so much to do. If you are an extrovert who loves being busy, great! But it's also okay to just spend a night at home too.

Be careful about spending. Restaurants can eat up money fast. Stores and stuff are so close, that it can be easy to overspend.

Start small. When I move to a new city, I like to spend the first week just exploring my neighborhood. I will then focus on getting to know new neighborhoods one by one. Try to walk a lot. It'll give you a better idea of the city than just taking the metro.

If you're walking late at night, stick to major roads with people walking about. Eye's on the streets are a big crime deterrent.

People are busy. You'll probably make friends through grad school, but outside of that, it can be hard. The best way to make friends is through shared hobbies/ classes. I do a sport and take a hobby class. Bumble BFF is nice too. It may take a while to build deep friendships, and a lot of them will feel flakey. You will build deep friendships, it'll just take a bit.

I have more, but I'll stop here. A lot of these are good tips. If you are a woman or nonbinary, I'd have some addition tips that I'll add tomorrow.

If you’re not comfortable with buses and metro, walking is a hell of a thing here. I recommend you set an exploration plan for yourself. If you love donuts, find the best donut place in each neighborhood and use getting there as practice and a way to see parts of the city along the way. Sometimes it’s overwhelming how much you can do here but it also means you’re not losing out because you can find whatever fits your fancy.

Take advantage of your student discount. Check out smaller, live music places that play genres you like. People are pretty friendly in those spaces.

Most important thing is to learn street smarts and being aware of your surroundings. When people on the street call out to you. Don't make eye contact and keep walking without reacting. Learn the areas of DC before exploring just anywhere. Meet some friends who show you around in the beginning because it's just safer that way.

Live IN DC PROPER. You won't regret it.

Theres been some really good points here on both spending and making friends.

I've been living in DC for a few years now and I still struggle with overspending just out of sheer proximity to so many stores and restaurants. It takes more discipline in the city to keep your spending in check as you're walking past shops, grocery stores, coffee shops, and restaurants on a daily basis. Much easier when you're driving past the few stores/restaurants in a given rural/suburban town. I'd recommend tracking this kind of spending if you can.

With regard to making friends: I think OP you're in a better spot than most adults moving here in the sense that you'll have a shared endeavor with people your own age (grad school) so definitely take advantage of that. I never went to grad school but the majority of my gf's friends in the city are her grad school friends and they are still quite close. We get together with them often for things like happy hours, friendsgivings, new years, etc.

For me, most of my friends have been made through my hobby (Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu) and outside of that I have a couple of buddies from work. The older you get the harder it is to make friends organically, so it's best to find your community by simply doing the things you enjoy doing and being open to friendships along the way.

Final word: DC is one of the most most unique and "manageable" cities in America. It's a special place so really soak in all of the culture and history here if you're into that sort of stuff. Regardless of that, as far as major cities go it is arguably the most walkable in the country, and we've got a great public transit system that can teleport you to wherever in the city you need to be. Walk and take public transit as much as you can: it'll not only save you money, but it will build your connection with the city and really allow you to explore it in a way that driving and ubers simply don't allow for.

P.S. feel free to DM me when you're here if you need a friend to chat with or just want to grab a drink/food. I'm always open to hang out and connect!

I grew up in a town with a smaller population than the first apartment building I lived in in DC. It’s actually a surprisingly manageable city. Metro is super straightforward, highly recommend Citymapper for navigation. Take time to explore, every neighborhood has a different feel and there’s something for everyone.

DC is not nearly as large of a city as you think- it’s a mid-sized city ranking with Mid-West cities

People think it’s bigger than it is because of its portrayal in media- that’s why it’s New York, Los Angeles, DC when it should be Oklahoma City, Fresno, DC in terms of population

With that said- DC has a much bigger metro area than most mid-level cities and the DMV does compete in metro area size

So, two things when you move here:

1. Don’t insert your rural culture into DC and be a dick because things are different. Every urbanite hates that but it’s especially disliked in DC due to the transient population and the myth of “the city owned by the people”- no, this is a local city with its own long time/generational residents and culture.

2. Don’t fall into the overcompensating “DC purist” bullshit that new residents fall into- you will sound unhinged when you start lecturing people on your opinions about why your NW neighborhood is the only real DC and start shit talking people who live in other quadrants or the DMV. Gentrification and economics have pushed a lot of people into MD and NoVa to survive- not because they want to be white picket fence suburbanites. You can have friends in Arlington or Silver Spring.

I'm already looking forward to the follow-up post on how things are going.

Besides all the other stuff noted, I want to say that New York City is a whole other beast. I lived in downtown Philadelphia (which I would say is possibly more busy that DC depending on time of day), and had no issues. I've travelled to many cities and have had no issues but I really don't like being in NYC for more than a couple days. It's a great city but it's dirty, and crowded (and I still think its great for most people) but definitely a bigger "culture" shock compared to DC.

Be situationally aware. At all times. Pay attention to your surroundings. Don’t stand toward the edge of the metro platform. Don’t engage with someone road raging on the beltway - or any road. If they pull a dick move, let it go. Someone’s always being asshole on the roads.

The most important rule in the district is, if using an escalator, stand on the right and walk on the left.

Sports leagues are good. DC Rugby lets people practice with no experience and even if you don't want to play going to their matches is a good way to make friends. They were advertising on the sub today so they shouldn't be hard to find. There's a ton of other intramural leagues as well.

Grad school is also still college so you'll still kind of have forced relations. A lot of feds are still hybrid/remote so DC can be a difficult place to meet new people. I would look towards your university first. If you need a friend, you can always DM for a drink.

You have a lot of company..students and just "people". You will learn and make friends..and thrive.

There is only one rule on the road in the DMV. Nobody's life matters, not even yours. Idk I have Maryland tags

Edit: I read this as drive not thrive

Always look like you know where you're going, even if you don't. Look like wherever you are, you have every right to be there. I can always spot people from more rural areas by the look in their eyes, they always look lost and a little overwhelmed. I'm not someone up to no good, but if I was I know who would make an easy target by that look. I see those sorts of people approached a lot. Looking confident is key. It's ok to be "rude" and not talk to people that approach you, 90% of the time they want money. You're likely going to see homeless encampments. While I advise not getting too close if you can, MOST of the time if you don't bother them they won't bother you.

I don’t have a ton of advice other than if an apartment is such a good deal it’s hard to believe, there’s definitely a catch. If at all possible you should REALLY visit in person before you sign a lease. Don’t trust the photos in the advertisement.

In addition to what others have said, if you're trying to get around the city without a car, I remember from my time in grad school here that the metro felt pretty expensive to take to school every day. Then I learned about the DC circulator, which was just a buck or two per ride - that was like less than a third of what I was paying daily on the metro - and just as fast considering the route. They then made the Circulator free during a longish government shutdown & furlough, which was even better.

Which is all to say, definitely look into the DC bus and Circulator systems! They are amazing for a grad student on a budget and the routes are extensive.

It's really easy to overspend. Also, convenience of deliveries can be very enticing. Grocery delivery, booze delivery, take out delivery, snacks delivery, same-day or 1 day prime. It can be easy to fall into those delivery traps. The charges add up fast.

That said, I do recommend once a week or every two weeks, you budget and try a new restaurant/cuisine. I've had amazing Thai, Afghani, Vietnamese, Ethiopian, Indian, and more, since moving to DC.

Personally, I enjoy the city and have slowly been making friends over the course of two years (granted I didn't have school. Only work when I first moved here).

Also, there's a lot of free activities, take advantage of that!

DC is basically a small town, and if you spend any amount of time here, you'll know what I mean. The good news is lots of people arrived here from somewhere else, and they remember being new, and it's pretty easy to meet people and make friends. Imagine moving to a town where everyone had known each other since kindergarten?! That's not DC. I moved here 18 years ago and I went on some of the walking tours (on a free tour weekend) to get to know various neighborhoods. I joined a couple museums (NBM, NWMA) at a level that would allow me to go to opening receptions or special events (where I could meet people with common interests). I went to happy hour when invited so I could meet people. I joined a book club. I got season tickets to a cool theater. I volunteered to work at events and a local women's shelter. I joined professional orgs and volunteered on committees. I picked an apartment that was absurdly small (300 sf) but located in the middle of everything (adams morgan) so i would be encouraged to get out, and it would be easy to do things without a long metro trip on either end. There are lots of ways to meet people. What do you like doing? What are your values? I assure you, you will find your tribe!

As for safety, basic common sense rules. Don't walk alone after dark - especially not with headphones on, where you can't hear what's around you. Take an Uber or a cab of you're headed home late. Don't leave your bike unlocked in public (highly recommend capitol bikeshare in lieu of owning an expensive bike). Don't leave a purse or laptop bag or backpack unattended or hanging on the back of a chair in a crowded location where it could be swiped. Be aware of your surroundings. If you are walking around and feel unsafe, get to a public location, or find someone to walk next to so it looks like you're together. Lock your doors at night. If you have a car and park on the street, don't leave tempting items in it overnight for thieves. Have Amazon or other deliveries go to a location where someone can receive them (door man, receptionist, or mail drop location), don't leave them on your doorstep for swiping. Don't talk to people standing on the street with clipboards "do you have a minute for the environment" they are persistent and will suck up half your day. Wear a condom.

WELCOME TO DC! Honestly the best advice is to not worry so much - it’s a great city and you’ll get along great. My second-best advice for any young person moving to the area is 1. It’s 100% worth it, especially when you’re young, to live in DC proper. A lot of new folks look at Falls Church, VA on the map and think it’s so close. It’s quite far by area standards and you’ll rarely make the trip into the city. There is so much to do and see and so many people to meet from a huge variety of backgrounds. Save Virginia and Maryland for when you want to settle down and have kids. 2. Housing is very expensive around here. As a young professional/grad student, living with a roommate or seven is just part of the culture.

Find your people! If you meet someone out and about whose humor and interests align with yours, then exchange numbers and find ways to meet their friends, too. When my partner moved here to live with me, it took about 8 months for him to find dudes that he wanted to watch football with and go to happy hours. And he found his people through a friend of a friend.

And it doesn't have to be one friend group. Make lots of friends! Not every friendship works out forever and you don't want to feel obligated to maintain a friendship if they didn't turn out to be who you thought they were.

And try new cuisines! Put it in your budget. Food is one of the best perks in this city.

Join some Adult sport leagues (DC Fray used to be pretty fun when I was there), read the parking signs carefully when you park in DC, avoid rush hour if possible, some of the best culinary experiences (from an ethnic standpoint) are the hole in the wall places in Nova or MD. Early bird gets the worm!

There are 60 something free museum or museum like activities here to do, and each of those museums offer a host of free activities every month, highly recommend attending them if you don’t have plans already.

Networking is HUGE here, but don’t like that dictate your life and your mental health. Everyone here is doing something spectacular they can’t want to tell you about, don’t let comparison be the killer of your joy.

The city has crazy amounts of free events, tons of them multicultural or at the least a different culture than yours (US or otherwise). Attend them, broaden your horizons.

You’ll never run out of food options, you can really eat all around the globe here.

Living in DC or any DC adjacent city/town, get a library card. You can get a card for literally every library system adjacent to dc in addition to dc and the library of Congress. The resources these places offer is absolutely nuts.

Last but not least, budget.

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Use the Transit and/or City Mapper apps for figuring out the public transportation. These apps should also work for the NYC system too just as an FYI if you don't wind up here but find yourself in the big apple again one day

Noise is a big factor in my life. If it’s at all a factor in you’re, try to find a place on a more quiet/side street. It’s harder but doable and worth it

No one is born with big city knowledge. They had to learn it somewhere.

I still need the wmata trip planner from time to time to figure out how to get somewhere.

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I moved to the dc area from smaller towns around southwest va and the biggest thing is the ability to walk or take the transit anywhere I want. I got an unlimited metro pass to save on my work commute and I love hopping on the metro as much as possible to see new places. A great way to explore is using the dc live music app to find free events (most nights a week they have some) and check out new venues or places you haven’t been. Also, I had never been to a nightclub before I came here, and that was an awesome experience that I would recommend checking out

I grew up in rural Appalachia and moved here in 2021. I had medium-sized Midwestern city experience before coming here. Even with that, It does take some getting used to, and I recommend you get a white noise machine or ear plugs. I had so much trouble sleeping at first due to the normal noise of the city.

Also consider living in an area that’s close to parks (Rock Creek is great!) so you can « escape » every now and then.

Embrace public transportation! The train here goes a decent amount of places, but driving and finding parking is very painful. I say this as someone from the south who is used to driving pretty much everywhere.

Take advantage of the incredible diversity of people and cuisine here. Every nation in the world sends people here for diplomacy, work and school and there are very significant diaspora communities from every populated continent. Get to know people who grew up with a total world view and try as many cuisines, sports, music, etc. as you can.

The city is actually composed of suburban edge cities (Rockville, Bethesda, Silver Spring, Fairfax, Arlington, Alexandria) surrounding the core city along and within the beltway.

If you wanted to you probably can live in one of those and spend your time driving around from strip mall to strip mall just like any other suburban American town.

Since you are new to a big city, and possibly unaccustomed to homelessness and possible crime, I'd probably stick to NW DC if I were you and trying to live in the city proper, which is what I would do since I hate the suburbs and I like walking to things.

I don't know what you look like, but it's highly likely you at some point that you are going to encounter some a-hole homeless person who is going to say or do some annoying such as follow you around, harass you or make a racist or off color remark to mess with you. Don't take it personally it happens to everyone, and it's more likely they chose to mess with you because they know they'd get away with it / get a rise out of you.