Moving to D.C. from Southern California?

Question

I"m moving to the D.C. area towards the end of the year *military duty station*. I've lived in California * South Bay/ Long Beach * mostly all of my life. Has anyone moved from L.A. to D.C.? What lifestyle changes can i expect *other than weather* living in D.C.? How are the people compared to the West Coast?

Answer 1

Even though you are moving from a beautiful warmer place, you can really enjoy DC while you are there. It's a matter of getting out and seeing the city, which is really spectacular and there's is always something going on. DC is a fast paced city which is very international - there are folks from around the world there, who are very educated. You can find many good restaurants, lots of great museums. The metro system goes pretty much everywhere and is inexpensive. Don't listen to the naysayers on this question. Make the most of it and you will have good memories from your time in DC

Answer 2

I think both Southern California and the DC area are both among the worst places to live in the entire country. The people in LA are shallow and self-absorbed and in many ways the people are too - definitely overly concerned with appearance. But they're also less laid-back in DC. At least downtown DC is walkable - which might not be such a good thing because if you walk 2 blocks in the wrong direction, you will most likely end up in a very dangerous neighborhood. The restaurants in DC aren't so great. I grew up in the DC suburbs and moved away to go to college, and never moved back. The only thing I miss about it is my family and friends who still live there. (And the Smithsonian museums too). Both cities are also among the worst in the country for traffic (I believe they're ranked 1 and 3).

Answer 3

I moved from NYC to SoCal for college and honestly i doubt you will like the east much. If you've met a few people from the east coast and thought they were rude, you might find this on a much larger scale in DC. DC is pretty dangerous also, I was there in July, during which time they were on a crime watch because of a high body count over a 5 day span during a heatwave. All of those cities are dangerous; DC, Baltimore, Richmond, VA. Also, in my 2 years in California, I've notice you guys are extremely car dependent. Expect more walking than you are used to in the west. I hate to be so negative about you moving to the east, but since i came to the west I think its so much better. Hopefully that helped somewhat.

Answer 4

Where are you going to be stationed in the DC area? That can have a big impact on where you want to live. If you're going to the Pentagon, it's well served by mass transit. If the Navy Annex, you can still get to the Pentagon and take the shuttle bus. The Navy Yard is also served by metro. The Army bases - Forts Belvoir, Myer, McNair and Meade are tougher - bus is the only mass transit service.

Answer 5

I always love it when people who don't or haven't lived in a place feel comfortable passing judgement on it, my favorite is the person who drove through DC and felt expert enough to reply. I have not lived on the West Coast, but know it's more of a relaxed vibe...with maybe the exception being Los Angeles.
Much of the The Northeast US...
Boston, New York, Philadelphia and Washington DC is referred to as the Megalopolis and is basically one long mass of city. It's a rat race for the most part because of terrible traffic and poorly planned suburban sprawl....people who rely on the automobile to get around are the ones who are the most stressed. Thats mostly what you'll hear people whining about...how long it took to get to work, how long it took to get home from work, the cost of insurance, the cost of gas, the cost of having it repaired, the cost of personal property insurance on it (all of the counties in suburban Northern Virginia charge a car tax annually...usually around 5% of the assessed value of your car...outrageous!), the cost of parking tickets, etc.
If you're smart, when you move to the DC area, look into mass transit options. You're probably too tied to your car like most to give it up, but if you're able to commute via transit it'll make your life a hell of a lot more enjoyable and provide you with more money to do other things. I know I rattled on a bit about this, but it
will play a major role in your day to day life when you move.

Answer 6

as far as ex pence, I don't think you will find much difference. DC is a great place. ALWAYS something going on. I find the people very nice, Southern hosp. and all. Now the upper class are snobs but where isn't that the case. Politics are prob. very similar to so. Cal. but a wider variety.Traffic, having experienced both , is about the same nightmare, However. The public transportation in DC is excellent and dirt cheap! Virginia is for my money, one of the prettiest states on the east coast. And , being shook out of your bed , or into a crevice will no longer be a worry! LOL
Good Luck, and a BIG Thanks for serving our country.

Answer 7

Dont do it. California is one of the most beautiful places.
D.C. is a s*hit hole. I lived in Nj all my life - been thru D.C. many of times. I now live in Florida but have also stayed on the beaches of Cali and you really can't compair. People from the northern east side can be b*itchy - take it from me i was there. 25 years and hated it.
Cali is more laid back- they have more to be happy about. Such as scenery and weather which definilty alters attitudes.

Just my opinion.

Answer 8

Heyy ! I Live REAL Close To DC... & DC Has Its Weather Issues : Summer: Too Damn Hott ! Fall: Its Okay ... Gets Kinda Cold But Not To Bad. Winter: Its Real Cold , But You Get Used To It . Spring : Chilly In The Begining , But As Spring Goes On ... It Getss WAY Better !

Answer 9

we are moving to Ft Meade in five weeks.. from Monterey. I'lll et you knwo what it's like in about 8 or ten weeks...