Is Washington DC worth the cost of living (if married with kids) (houses, construction jobs)
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Actually yes, a graduate or doctorate degree may be preferable. But I wasn't trying to sound too scary. Owning your own company might work out if you can play your cards right. But it's going to be a lot of work.
Last edited by BigCityDreamer; 06-28-2010 at 06:16 AM..
What went wrong is that this city actually became liveable and started to attract good jobs. And started attracting the best and the brightest. Much like NYC was a cr@phole in the 70's.
Actually when the city got expensive enough that some of the riffraff got priced out of the market, things started to improve significantly. You're spot on sbhaskar002r, what attracts educated people is other educated people. The city started it's upward spiral in the mid 80s. U Street, Columbia Heights, H Street are all the result of an influx of high achievers into the District.
I don't have kids but I think it is. Now I've always said that if I were to ever settle down with a family I'd never live in the city. Honestly I'm having too much fun to think about that right now but I'd be lying if I didn't say it wasn't in the back of my head.
Overall I think this is a great place to live. You just have to find the right neighborhood that fits you. I love Arlington. sometimes I think Arlington or Alexandria is a little too city for kids but love Oakton/Vienna where I used to stay for raising a family.
With that said, I have noticed more families in Capitol Hill which is becoming one of my fav neighborhoods in the city. Of course how many of those families have tons of money and send their kids to fancy NW private schools?
But going to the original question of it being worth it? Yes of course we have some of the best schools in the country. Arlington is the most educated city in the country. This place is so diverse. There are so many cultural amenities and opportunities here. Its totally worth it.
This is interesting, I guess DC has a different viewpoint to this than NYC.
I use to live in NYC, and having kids and continuing to live in NYC just seemed impossible, as most likely you'd end up in NJ...which is basically nothing like NYC (in my opinion).
Whereas, it seems that in DC, people end up in pleasant NOVA...which isn't exactly the worst situation that could happen by any means.
This is interesting, I guess DC has a different viewpoint to this than NYC.
I use to live in NYC, and having kids and continuing to live in NYC just seemed impossible, as most likely you'd end up in NJ...which is basically nothing like NYC (in my opinion).
Whereas, it seems that in DC, people end up in pleasant NOVA...which isn't exactly the worst situation that could happen by any means.
A large percentage of the homes in Cleveland Park, AU Park, Chevy Chase, Tenleytown, Crestwood, Colonial Village and Shepherds Park are occupied by families with children.
A large percentage of the homes in Cleveland Park, AU Park, Chevy Chase, Tenleytown, Crestwood, Colonial Village and Shepherds Park are occupied by families with children.
I wonder about 2 things: What is the average household income of these families? What do they tend to do when their children reach high school age?
BTW, I knew someone who owned a large sfh on Brandywine Street. He was a partner at a big law firm and made $700K/yr, not counting bonuses.
That, unless you're in the extreme elite in terms of household income, being married with kids in the city limits of DC doesn't seem practical/safe. And even then, you'll probably get much more bang for your buck (on balance) if you move out of the city.
That, unless you're in the extreme elite in terms of household income, being married with kids in the city limits of DC doesn't seem practical/safe. And even then, you'll probably get much more bang for your buck (on balance) if you move out of the city.
You are correct. I grew up in DC and went through the public school system.
I would love to live in upper NW again. However, I cannot afford a house there and have no intention of sending my kid to school there past grade school. Thus, I have been forced to that den of snobbery known as MoCo.
DC proper wins big on aethestics and culture, no doubt. But the situation you describe can make things difficult. If I had the big, big bucks, I would be back there in a second.
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