It's a lifestyle choice. Some people love the city for the walkability and density and closeness to museums or nightlife or whatever else floats their boat. Some people just prefer the suburbs. Some people love the city when they're young and single and then move to the suburbs when they want to buy a house with a yard and have kids in the public schools. Ymmv.

My suggestion is to start in the city and see if you like it. If you don't, it's easy to move when your lease is up. If you start in the burbs you'll never really know what you're missing.

I enjoy living just outside the city over in Arlington. I’m a 10 minute shot to the Mall on 14th st but have a bit less “traffic” in the area I live. Price isn’t too different for renting now either, so it depends on what you’d rather have. All my work is downtown for the most part as well, so I like to have that slight separation. Just my opinion. Overall, DC is a great, fun city with plenty to do.

One thing to be cognizant of is for people in DC people outside of it don't exist socially. It is a rough area to be in when new if you move to the suburbs first. It is better to move to the city first. Despite what some people in Arlington may think. I found Arlington one of the most isolating places to be at first. Most people inside DC will not go into Arlington. While Arlington may think it is close, it's close to downtown and Georgetown, but most people in DC don't spend much time in Georgetown and most of downtown is offices.

Now mind you once you have been here for awhile and social circles are relatively secure the suburbs are okay. But it is I'll advised for someone new. The suburbs are for people with kids mostly. Trust me being able to walk home or take a short metro ride is a benefit.

You can get walkable neighborhoods outside DC... there's just not much to walk to. I moved away briefly before returning to the area - but lived in Arlington when I first got back. I couldn't wait to move back into the city. There are definitely some things that are worse, but tons of things that are better.

This sub also has tons of people that don't even live in DC or adjacent areas of MD/VA (seems like lots of city subs have gone this way)

Been here 5 years, done both. Lived in the district for 4 years and VA for 1. Living in the district is a much different/better/more urban experience and way more enjoyable as a 20 something with no kids.

For us, it was a purely financial decision -- we were buying our first place and were priced out of any DC neighborhood we would have wanted to live in. We're in Rockville, which is a little farther, but I think somewhere like Bethesda or Arlington (where I lived for a while) is great. Easy access to work and the resources of the city, but a little more chill of a place to come back to. To be fair, at this point in my life I'm past the point where easily-accessible nightlife is a major factor; 5-6 years ago, I would have much rather been right in the middle of everything.

Edit: or Silver Spring! Also a great and popular "just over the border" option!

Definitely live in DC first if you can afford it.

I have been here for just over 3 years, living in Alexandria, Arlington, and DC and DC is by far the best. IMHO living just outside the district means you have to deal with all the frustrations of living in/near a city with far fewer of the conveniences.

I moved to DC seven years ago for a job at Federal Triangle. I lived in DC for the first five years. For the past two years I have lived in Harpers Ferry, WV. It's about an hour a drive with light traffic or 1.5 hours on the MARC. I only go into the office once a week, so it's not bad at all.

I loved being in the city when I was young. I met friends, got married, explored and grew as a professional, and I still love going to the city for brunch or events. But as I get a bit older I like being outside of it. I own a house with a yard. I live in a beautiful, picturesque town with tons of outdoor activities. But I still can visit DC or Baltimore in about an hour.

My only point is you can't go wrong. Did you ever watch the last episode of The Office?

Creed Bratton : It all seems so very arbitrary. I applied for a job at this company because they were hiring. I took a desk at the back because it was empty. But no matter how to get there or where you end up, human beings have this miraculous gift of making that place their home.

Mentioned this in another thread but would try an Airbnb in places you’re interested in. Neighborhoods in DC vary widely although the burbs are a bit more consistent for larger swaths of area.

Depends on where you work and commute preference. I definitely would not live in the city, but thats my preference. I stuck to Silver Spring and Bethesda

inside the beltway, outside of DC proper is my sweet spot. Easy enough to get downtown without all the hassle of it. Look into Bethesda/Silver Spring/Arlington areas

It depends where. Crime is my biggest complaint, and crime is definitely out in the suburbs as well as the city. Not as bad, but still there. Read The Washington Post and see the crime.