So you are thinking about relocating to Washington, DC?! DC's population has increased by nearly 20% since I moved here in 2006. DC is remarkable as many transplants in the area move here for work, college, and more. There are some things I wish I had known about before I moved to the city, so let's talk about the Pros and Cons of moving to and living in DC!

PRO’S

History

This place oozes history in people, events, architecture, and businesses! It does not matter how long you live here; the fantastic locations, monuments, and VIP sightings never get old! Right now, our tourist industry is down, but you can definitely see places that might have been packed a year or so ago and not see another person, so get out sightseeing and stay safe! You can't turn a corner on Capitol Hill without seeing at least a century of Victorian architecture as far as you can see! Truly remarkable! Each area of DC has its own "small town" feel, like Capitol Hill, Georgetown, Chinatown, Dupont Circle, and more.

Happening City

DC was once known for a long time as a backwater town. That is not the case now! It is one of the hottest places for excellent chefs to open restaurants! It is #4 in the US with the most Michelin Star restaurants, including the 3-star Michelin restaurant Inn at Little Washington, which my wife and I love to visit on special occasions and can even stay at the Inn! If you want to know our favorite restaurants around town, including sandwich shops and fancy dining, shoot me an email, and I will send you the list!

Entertainment

It hosts all the major sports teams like the NFL, MLB, and NHL; some are better than others, as the Nats and Caps win championships! There are so many transplants in DC; sometimes, half the stadium is filled with visiting fans, although they live here too! It can be strange. There are many facilities for the Arts, including the Kennedy Center, where the first run plays on Broadway come to perform, and tickets can be challenging. I love live music, and there are some incredible venues in DC, like the 9:30 club and The Anthem. By the end of 2021, we will have live music back open!

Weather

Growing up in Florida, I LOVE the four seasons in DC; spring and fall as the most fantastic time to be in DC! It doesn't get scorching (remember, I'm from Florida) until July and August. The winter isn't freezing until January and February, leaving 7-8 months of the year with incredible weather! You do have to ignore the wintry mix over the past two weeks. LOL!

CON’S

It Is An Expensive Area

DC is one of the most expensive cities in the US, so it can be a shock coming from different parts of the country unless you are from New York or California, where the cost of living is very high. Be prepared and take some time to adjust to the price and hit on the wallet! The offset is most employers understand to attract talent. They must pay higher salaries, which helps!

Traffic

We go back and forth between LA as the worst traffic area. 2021 has seen a slowdown, as expected, and how we work in the future and work from home will keep the traffic manageable. DC and the surrounding areas have been working on the roads this past year, so hopefully, we are on the road to less traffic!

Public Education

According to WalletHub, DC schools rank 41 out of 51 (50 states plus DC). We have many friends in education and are working tirelessly to improve education, and there is a lot of progress. I won't comment on the quality of individual schools, and it is up to you to figure out what works for you. What is suitable for one person may be better for another. There are many private and charter schools for families to choose from in DC. Try GreatSchools.org as a place to start your school search. You can also talk to some of the schools' administrators about their test scores/curriculum and speak to parents.