Anyone live in Washington, DC area ?, how's living there ? Options

[Crazy Canuck]

Just curious...
There is a nice opportunity and relocation package.
Do cars need to pass inspections ? hope not.

[00 Trans Ram]

Which area, specifically? There's DC, the city. Then you've got Virginia and Maryland on either side. Then, within each state, you've got Georgetown, Arlington, Pentagon City, etc. Heck, even Baltimore is close enough to be within an hour's commute!

In general DC is very expensive to live in. However, it's much like any other city once you get into the burbs. Long commute, but reasonable housing and other prices.

Crime is higher in DC than most, though.

[trackbird]

I grew up 80 miles away and many people commute each way. It's a small town and not at all like Montreal. Prices have been creeping up there in past years do to the money flowing in from the city, but Montreal makes almost anywhere look very affordable.

Overall, I don't think it's a lot different than where you are now. It's not as clean, it's not as pretty and it's probably about as expensive and still a large city. Best thing you can do is take a trip down and wander around.

[BigEnos]

I have lived in MD all of my life. I used to live closer to DC, but now I'm near Baltimore. It is expensive, but the salaries tend to compensate. Traffic can be hellish, but if you plan your daily routine you can avoid it. There's a road course nearby and a very active SCCA autocross presence. MD has an initial safety inspection and then an emissions inspection every 2 years. VA is yearly inspection, property tax, and at least bi-yearly smog.

[pknowles]

Same with Brian, I've lived in Maryland (around DC) my entire life and I like it. I agree with everyone so far. Where around DC makes all the difference.

[Todd]

As a former DC metro resident, I'd say that the commute can be pretty bad depending on how far you are from work. Otherwise you waste your life in traffic. I recently escaped the DC area after 30+ years there, and you couldn't pay me to go back. I'd agree with trackbird that Montreal is definitely more scenic but some people think DC is scenic too. For sure the winters are much easier in DC; my family in Montreal occasionally send pics of snow piled high in their yards. You will never want for something to do... I think that the closest track is Summit Point, but could be VIR, both 1-1.5hr drive.

edit: Also, if you have kids, the Fairfax County School System (in the VA suburbs) is one of the best in the country. The best HS in the country (http://www.usnews.com/articles/education/high-schools/2009/12/09/americas-best-high-schools-gold-medal-list.html) is part of that county.

This post has been edited by Todd: Dec 11 2009, 03:01 PM

[Crazy Canuck]

I have lived in MD all of my life. I used to live closer to DC, but now I'm near Baltimore. It is expensive, but the salaries tend to compensate. Traffic can be hellish, but if you plan your daily routine you can avoid it. There's a road course nearby and a very active SCCA autocross presence. MD has an initial safety inspection and then an emissions inspection every 2 years. VA is yearly inspection, property tax, and at least bi-yearly smog.

So I'll make it so that the SS stays w/ QC plates and under my dad's name.
Stroker, no cats.. not sure it'll pass smog... lol

[Crazy Canuck]

As a former DC metro resident, I'd say that the commute can be pretty bad depending on how far you are from work. Otherwise you waste your life in traffic. I recently escaped the DC area after 30+ years there, and you couldn't pay me to go back. I'd agree with trackbird that Montreal is definitely more scenic but some people think DC is scenic too. For sure the winters are much easier in DC; my family in Montreal occasionally send pics of snow piled high in their yards. You will never want for something to do... I think that the closest track is Summit Point, but could be VIR, both 1-1.5hr drive.

edit: Also, if you have kids, the Fairfax County School System (in the VA suburbs) is one of the best in the country. The best HS in the country (http://www.usnews.com/articles/education/high-schools/2009/12/09/americas-best-high-schools-gold-medal-list.html) is part of that county.

cool... great to know what areas are good.
My kid is only 3 months old, but time flies... will have to go down and check it out... who knows.

[pknowles]

As a former DC metro resident, I'd say that the commute can be pretty bad depending on how far you are from work. Otherwise you waste your life in traffic. I recently escaped the DC area after 30+ years there, and you couldn't pay me to go back. I'd agree with trackbird that Montreal is definitely more scenic but some people think DC is scenic too. For sure the winters are much easier in DC; my family in Montreal occasionally send pics of snow piled high in their yards. You will never want for something to do... I think that the closest track is Summit Point, but could be VIR, both 1-1.5hr drive.

edit: Also, if you have kids, the Fairfax County School System (in the VA suburbs) is one of the best in the country. The best HS in the country (http://www.usnews.com/articles/education/high-schools/2009/12/09/americas-best-high-schools-gold-medal-list.html) is part of that county.

cool... great to know what areas are good.
My kid is only 3 months old, but time flies... will have to go down and check it out... who knows.

Except for in DC itself, most of the schools in the area are very good. Probably well above average.

[Rob Hood]

Will second the school selection criteria (VA over DC/MD). IIRC there are differences in car insurance policies between the three areas (VA/MD/DC). I spent 2 years there (2001-2003, Manassas VA) and I'm sure traffic has only gotten worse. Essentially, the key criteria is the commute (IMO). Do you want to ride the Metro or drive? Also, you get to put a stupid emissions sticker on the car if you live in VA, not sure about DC or MD, but I'm sure they have some other communist plot to steal money from the taxpayer...