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42beastmode OP t1_j650cj6 wrote

Do you find living just outside of DC preferable to living within DC/closer to downtown?

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dfminvienna t1_j655mhb wrote

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.

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AlwaysVigilant69 t1_j658co0 wrote

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.

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9throwaway2 t1_j68wy3m wrote

Though honestly, parts of Arlington are more city-like than DC.

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Praxiscat t1_j66cta7 wrote

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.

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Gumburcules t1_j66qz0z wrote

>One thing to be cognizant of is for people in DC people outside of it don't exist socially.

This is definitely true for recent transplants but once you find a relatively permanent social circle it goes away. I've got friends in Ashburn, Springfield, Shirlington, Bethesda, and Howard county in addition to DC and we all see each other quite often.

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BansheeLoveTriangle t1_j658tke wrote

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)

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IAmTerdFergusson t1_j66msgw wrote

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.

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leagle89 t1_j65fz6u wrote

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!

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Astro-Buddha t1_j67rqje wrote

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.

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ClammyAF t1_j68a0xe wrote

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.

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No_Hedgehog415 t1_j69fccb wrote

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.

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ciminod t1_j66bsnj wrote

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

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new_account-who-dis t1_j661njp wrote

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

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Reasonable-Tea6056 t1_j66jkjh wrote

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.

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