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)