carbiethebarbie

carbiethebarbie t1_j7j44y1 wrote

Im in my early 20s and live in Arlington. Here is some info:

  1. a lot actually. I have a few hiking places I frequent, there’s also a lot of trails and stuff like that closer. Typically to go hiking it’s a 30-60min drive for me depending on which place I want to to go. Ppl saying there’s no hiking nearby are clueless/have never looked, Shenandoah is about an hour out, sugarloaf is even closer.
  2. yes if you’re willing to put yourself out there. If you’re a girl, there’s a group I can refer you to to make other female friends in the area. If you think you’ll make friends just by sitting home though, then probably not, but that’s true of everywhere.
  3. yes and no. People can be, but not everyone is. I work in that sphere and am friends with people on both sides of the aisles. People talk about politics a lot, yes, but usually are also open to being friends with anyone.
  4. yes. I miss my home but I am happy here too. It’s a great taste of city life without being as overwhelming as like New York.

I love Europe, been all over it, and it’s not a bad idea to spend some time there if you get the chance and you think that’s something you’re interested in. But it also depends on where in Europe and if the job there is something that you can transition into a long term successful job here. Do YOU want to live in Europe for a bit?

Overall- Arlington is a good place to live in your early 20s. It’s very walkable but safer/cheaper than DC. It’s cheaper to live further out in like Alexandria but the commute sucks and you’re further from the social life. Public transport is cheap and easy, or cars are definitely doable too (although expensive to park longterm if you live in DC). You also get the opportunity to thoroughly explore an incredible place most people only get to visit once or twice in their lifetimes.

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