5 Tips for Moving to Washington DC
Washington, DC is the United States of America's capital city. It's home to nearly x people and is one of the most diverse communities in the States. That being said, it's also one of the most expensive places in the US to live. The majority of people who live within the city limits are making $80,000 or more yearly. This means if you're looking to relocate to the capital, chances are you're a student or an individual who has been offered a job in DC.
In this article, we're going to give you the top 5 tips for anyone moving to Washington DC.
- Learn to love public transportation
If you're coming from a big city, chances are you're already more than accustomed to public transportation. If not, you're going to need to learn to love it. The majority of citizens use the transport system to easily navigate around the city. In fact, many people choose to store or sell their car before they move to DC- as they are not many options for car storage in the city. Moreover, most find that public transport gets them where they need to go faster than their vehicle can.
- Find the right neighborhood
Not all apartments in Washington DC are created equal. With such a diverse community of citizens, it only makes sense that each neighborhood has its own unique offerings. Before you bite on the first apartment available, make sure you understand the dynamics of the neighborhood. If you have children, you won't want to move into the neighborhoods that house mostly college students. Likewise, if you're a student at Georgetown you'll want to be closer to the campus rather than one of the neighborhoods on the outer edge of the city.
- Don't be afraid to downsize
If you're moving to DC from Southern Ohio, you're going to want to downsize your belongings. The vast majority of places to live in Washington DC are apartments. In fact, most members of Congress live in apartments. Take a count of the things you need to bring with you and consider getting rid of the rest. Though it can be hard to part with your items, maybe consider their move to DC the perfect time to downsize and reset themselves.
- Prepare for a longer commute
Much like moving to New York City, a big city means a lot of traffic. If you're one of the people who used to drive five minutes down the road for work, you'll want to prepare yourself for your daily commute. Though the distance may be the same as your hometown, it's going to take more time to traverse. If you need to go 5 blocks over, make sure that you're allocating yourself at least 45 minutes to make the commute.
- Prepare to live in a tourist attraction
Tipping a hat back to our last point, you'll want to prepare yourself for living in a tourist destination. You are surrounded by history in Washington DC, which means everything from school programs to family vacations constantly. So, get ready to see a lot of busses and answer a lot of questions about where the Lincoln Memorial is located.
Conclusion: Get Ready for the Ride of Your Life
Moving to a city like Washington DC means you'll never be without an adventure. Though you may have to adjust to commuting times and the city's culture, you'll quickly find that they aren't many other places in the United States that compare to Washington DC. Once you've found the right apartment and settled in, the hardest war has already been one.