What BestPlaces Users Say about Washington
Washington, D.C. is the capital city of the United States, known for its iconic landmarks such as the White House and the National Mall. With a population of over 700,000 people, it is a bustling city filled with history, culture, and diversity. Many people choose to live in Washington, D.C. for various reasons, but what do actual residents have to say about their experience living there?
According to many user reviews on BestPlaces.net, Washington, D.C. seems to be a popular place to live, with a majority of reviewers giving it five stars. One user, Michael, says, "Living in Washington, D.C. has been an unforgettable experience. The city is filled with opportunities, from job prospects to cultural events, and it has a great public transportation system." Another reviewer, Emily, shares, "I have lived in D.C. all my life and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else. The diversity, history, and energy of the city make it a unique and vibrant place to call home." Both Michael and Emily highlight the city's diverse offerings and sense of energy as major draws for living in Washington, D.C.
However, not all reviewers have positive things to say about living in the city. John shares, "The cost of living in D.C. is outrageous. Housing prices and rent continue to rise, making it difficult for middle-income individuals and families to afford a decent place to live." This sentiment is echoed by another reviewer, Maria, who adds, "The traffic in D.C. is a nightmare. Commuting to work can take hours, and the public transportation system can be unreliable at times." Despite these drawbacks, both John and Maria still appreciate the city's cultural and historical significance.
In conclusion, based on various user reviews, it seems that living in Washington, D.C. has its pros and cons. The city offers a vibrant and diverse atmosphere, along with many opportunities, but it also comes with a high cost of living and challenging traffic. Ultimately, the decision to live in Washington, D.C. may depend on an individual's priorities and preferences.
based on 97 ReviewsGet to know Washington with the latest comments and reviews from people who live in or have visited Washington
Washington has a unique quality of life - 1/1/2010
I've lived in Washington for many years and have loved it for the variety of its cultures; its beauty; the fact that there are parts of the city that that will never change; the fact that there's so much to do here that's free; and the fact that the area attracts a variety of people of diverse origins, interests, and outlooks. The climate is cold in winter and hot in summer, but not as much as some areas (we're known for our summer humidity and it's the truth, unfortunately); traffic is pretty awful (we're ranked in the top-five for gridlock); and the cost of living is fairly high. On the other hand, the recession hasn't decimated us as it has some other areas, and the employment picture isn't as grim.
No matter what your persuasion you can find like-minded souls here; and, hopefully, happiness (inasmuch as any place can convey that
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Taxes - 12/22/2009
The DC income tax is very high because 10% of the taxpayers pay 90% of the taxes. This is primarily due to the liberal social programs of the district and the number of residents who require the services.
There are 675,000 jobs in the city, due to the federal government, and less than 170,00 of those jobs are held by District
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Transient, Young, and Active - 11/11/2009
DC is definitely the political capital of the U.S. As a result, a large percentage of the population is transient - coming to work for a few years before moving on. In addition, a large portion of the population is quite young.
DC is also a pretty expensive place to live (mostly in terms of housing and cost of living items). The more affordable neighborhoods can get dodgey quickly, but there are some really nice and affordable places - you just have to be patient and willing to look hard.
There are plenty of really fun and really great things to do in the DC area, and it is ideally located for quick travel to other locations as well. It is very easy to get to Philadelphia, NY, the coast, or the mountains for a weekend getaway. The museums will give you endless entertainment and there is always something happening in
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Great Place to Live, Work & Play - 11/10/2009
As a native Washingtonian, it is sometimes easy to take for granted the special qualities of this metro area. The political, cultural, and historical attractions are most obvious, but until you travel and live in other areas of the country (as I have) you do not appreciate the way that southern charm, big city sophistication, and hard-edged global politics have combined to create such a dynamic, challenging, yet laid-back environment. And because of these qualities, the city has attracted - an continues to attract - peoples from all over the world to create a very diverse cultural environment, adding to the richness of what I consider to be one of the very best places to live in the
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ready to move on, literally! - 10/19/2009
i have been fortunate to have spend the past decade in dc but am more than ready to move on, literally!
i moved here in my early 20s & now am ready to settle down so am looking for a place with a more slowed down lifestyle...a place that is friendlier (which wouldn't be too hard to come by, imho)...
thank you, dc...time to begin a new
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What's not to like? - 10/5/2009
I've noticed some negative posts in ref. to D.C. The city is making a huge rebound. I think it's greatest asset is the proximity to so much - the mts., the beach, other big cities e.g. Baltimore, Philly, NYC, etc. And the city really is
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Metro - 9/28/2009
Metro makes DC. Without it you would not have attendance at events like the inaugural or independence
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Was trying to escape.... - 8/24/2009
I grew up in New Orleans and lived in Atlanta for a few years before moving to D.C.
I would NEVER go back to New Orleans, but I would go back to Atlanta if the opportunity arised because Atlanta has nice suburbs, nice scenery, is a decent sized city etc. I left Atlanta for D.C. because I had trouble finding employment in Atlanta.
Now that you have my background, here's what i think of Washington, D.C. D.C. has a good job market, is a decent sized city, has nice suburbs, BUT it is too expensive, stressful, crowded, and people aren't friendly.
My wife got a promotion in a fed govt job so now I am stuck here and decided to just go ahead and buy a house in Arlington just before the market started picking up again in 2009.
Things could be worse, BUT i really wanted to move out West, preferably Denver, Dallas,
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great ammenities but crazy to live - 6/2/2009
I lived in the Northern VA suburb of Sterling in 2004. I grew up in the Midwest and found the East Coast to live up to its reputation: busy, snotty and expensive to live. I rented a TINY bedroom in a 3-story condo with two others and my share of the rent was only $500. Who can complain about that for the area? The worst thing for me was nowhere to fnd a place to park your car and too much traffic. Rush hour is a nightmare, even on minor streets. Avoid the Gerogetown Parkway at all hours of the day, especially near the Tysons Corner area. And dont ever take your car into the District. Its common to actually have to sit in your car to wait for a parking space anywhere. Taking the METRO subway is the only viable way to get into the District, but the subway is complex and can get you anywhere.
The best thing about living near DC was the cultural ammenities and numerous museums. Most of them are free, I think. The Museum of American History at the Smithsonian is the best. The
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Wonderful culture, but cost of living will kill yo - 11/20/2008
I lived in Fairfax County for 5 years. Great place to live that offers museums, culture, fun, sophistication, and the Shenandoah Mountains a short drive away. Very few people are natives so I actually found it the easiest place to make close friends of any place I have lived (I have lived in 4 major metro areas around the country). Unfortunately, the cost of living will absolutely kill you. 65% higher than the national average. Median home price is $850,000. Average rent for a 1 Br Apt was $1255/month when I moved there in 2002. Probably much higher now. Groceries and everything costs more. There are property taxes on cars (about $350 per year for an average car)You absolutely must make over $150,000 per year to make ends meet - especially if you are single. I did not make that much and soon found myself selling everything I owned on ebay in order to make my rent and car payment. After 5 years, I was down to my bed, TV, and some clothes and I was thousands of dollars in debt. Although
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