Make Your Move to DC Smooth with These INSIDER Tips!
Are you thinking about moving to Washington, DC, but aren’t sure if it’s the proper city for you?
For the past 14 years, the population of Washington, DC, has been growing at a steady rate. More and more people are flocking to the nation’s capital for a better quality of life.
But what is so great about living in Washington, DC? Why should you move to DC?
Check out this guide to discover the top reasons to move to DC this year.
Top 9 things you must know before you move to DC
I can give you a lot of reasons why you should consider moving to Washington, DC. Some of them are better culture, a quality of life, and a rich history. I should mention is that it is one of the most expensive cities in the United States.
Despite the high cost of living, DC is truly a huge land of opportunity, surrounded by culture and class. Here are the nine things that you must know.
1. It’s Full of History
If you’re a history buff, you’re absolutely going to love Washington DC. Even if you’re not a history buff, you may discover a newfound love for the subject once you move to this city.
As you probably know, Washington DC is the nation’s capital, so it’s the perfect place to live if you want to learn more about the founding of American and the history of our presidents.
Here are some of the top things you should put on your DV bucket list if you’re a history fan:
- National Museum of American History: Here, you can find Thomas Edison’s 1879 lightbulb, Bob Dylan’s Jacket, and the original Star-Spangled Banner all in one place!
- Newseum: A museum that focuses on the history of news and has archival footage, newspapers, and other documents from over 500 years of reporting
- Library of Congress: This is the largest library in the world, with over 500 miles of bookshelves
- National Archives: This museum is home to the Declaration of Independence, the Bill of Rights, and the Constitution, as well as hundreds of other documents that shaped our nation
- National Museum of the American Indian: This museum focuses on the history of Native Americans
- International Spy Museum: Here you can learn all about the history of spies in American and abroad
Other great places to check out include the National Museum of African American History and Culture, the Arlington National Cemetery, the National Postal Museum, the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, and the Smithsonian Castle.
As you can see, you’ll never get bored exploring history in Washington DC!
2. The Suburbs
Many people are hesitant to move to Washington DC because of high rent and homeownership prices.
However, what many people fail to realize is that there are a lot of great suburbs surrounding DC that allow you to get to the city in a few minutes while avoiding high rent prices.
Most people who work in DC commute from the suburbs. Here are some of the best suburbs surrounding DC:
- Alexandria, Virginia: Just 20 minutes from DC, Alexandria is home to many museums and memorials, making it a great place for history lovers
- Silver Spring, Maryland: 30 minutes outside of DC, Silver Spring is the perfect blend of old charm and modern infrastructure
- Frederick, Maryland: While it’s an hour outside of DC, this suburb offers greater affordability, low crime rates, and lots of school options
- Reston, Virginia: This suburb is a haven for families due to its plentiful school options
- Arlington, Virginia: Arlington is the site of the Arlington Cemetery as well as many other famous landmarks
Other suburbs outside of DC to consider include Bethesda, Maryland, Rockville, Maryland, and Gaithersburg, Maryland. If you wish to buy a home in DC or the surrounding area, make sure to contact one of the top real estate agencies.
3. The Strong Job Market
If finding a new job is your biggest concern regarding moving, fear not, as Washington, DC, has an excellent job market.
When most people think of DC employment, they think of jobs with the federal government. While most people work in this sector, there are still many jobs in other industries.
There’s a bit of a tech boom going on in the city right now, with DC being dubbed the “Silicon Valley of the East.” Tech giants like Microsoft, Oracle, and Microstrategy all have big offices in DC.
Jobs are also plentiful in the healthcare, banking, and legal industry. The city is also especially friendly to interns and volunteers, so it’s a great place to get in the door if you’re starting your career or looking for a career change.
4. It’s Clean and Green
While a lot of big cities are riddled with pollution, bad smells, and uncleanliness, DC is not one of them.
Washington, DC, is much cleaner than other large cities in America. You can enjoy the fresh air and gorgeous parks without worrying about the smell of sewage spoiling your day.
Plus, the city isn’t just a concrete jungle. Many newcomers are pleasantly surprised to learn that DC is also a nature lover’s dream.
The city has many beautiful parks and green spaces, including Rock Creek Park, the US National Arboretum, Fort Dupont Park, and Theodore Roosevelt Island.
If you have a car, you can easily reach some other beautiful nature spots, including:
- Sligo Creek Park in Silver Spring, MD
- Prince Willian Forest Park in Triangle, MD
- Huntley Meadows Park in Alexandria, Virginia
- Seneca Creek Park in Gaithersburg, MD
- Potomac Overlook Regional Park in Arlington, VA
- Harpers Ferry National Historical Park in West Virginia
Washington, DC, is also just a stone’s throw away from the Appalachian Mountains.
5. The Diversity
Do you feel like everyone in your current town is precisely the same? If you’re craving some diversity, there’s no place better to head to than Washington, DC.
DC is actually the 6th most diverse city in the US. People from all over the world live in Washington DC, and when you go out to bars and restaurants, you’ll almost always hear a different language being spoken.
There are also neighborhoods in and around DC where foreign communities are concentrated, so you can feel like you’re experiencing a completely different culture. For example, you can head to Chinatown in DC, Koreatown in Annandale, Virginia, or Little Ethiopia in Fairfax, Virginia.
6. Food and Drink
With a diverse population comes diverse food and drink options. When living in DC, you’ll never be left wanting variety when it comes to food.
One of the best places to grab a bite to eat is the Shaw neighborhood. Here, you can find everything from modern French dishes to mezcal flights to pizza by the slice.
Here are some other significant areas we recommend checking out for good grub:
- Chinatown/Penn Quarter
- Logan Circle/14th Street
- Adams Morgan
- Dupont Circle
- Barracks Row
- Georgetown
- Columbia Heights
- H Street NE
We also recommend checking out Cleveland Park and Bloomindale for a diverse array of food options.
7. The Education
Whether you’re sending your children to school, returning to school to finish your degree, or just beginning your college experience, Washington, DC, is a great place to get your college education.
Both Virginia and Maryland are consistently ranked high in the nation for school rankings. Some of the top colleges in the area include Georgetown University, George Washington University, American University, and the University of Maryland.
The public education system in the area is robust, and there are also private schools you can send your children to.
8. Always Something To Do
There’s so much to do in Washington, DC that you’ll never be bored on the weekends. Earlier, we talked about museums, parks, and nature activities.
Here are some other ways you can enjoy your time in DC:
- Head to Key Bridge Boathouse for kayaking, canoeing, and stand-up paddleboarding
- Attend the National Cherry Blossom Festival
- Take a tour of the White House
- Visit the National Zoological Park
- Visit the National Gallery of Art
- Head to Union Market’s artisanal marketplace for upscale food and drink
- Visit the Lincoln Memorial
- Head to the John F Kennedy Center of Performing Arts for a symphony or ballet performance
- Check out the Washington Cathedral
DC also has several sporting events, concerts, and festivals throughout the year.
9. The Weather
One of the best things about living in DC is that you get the chance to experience all four seasons.
While you get to experience a range of climates and temperatures, the weather never seems to get too cold or too warm. In July, temperatures hover around 80 to 85 degrees, and in January, the average high is in the 40s.
Are You Ready to Move to DC?
As you can see, there are a lot of great reasons to move to DC. Now, all you need to do is pack your bags and start searching for a trip. And before you head out, make sure to find a moving company to help you settle in.
And be sure to check back in with our blog for more living recommendations across the US!
Happy moving!
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