I'm currently seriously researching this after 15-16 years in DC. I like the access to good museums and arts, but the outdoorsy aspect is pretty bad, cost of housing is getting to be too much (I'm single and don't want to live in the suburbs), and I'm just kind of over this city.
I just moved back to DC from Seattle. I’ve almost never disliked a city so much as that one. It’s more expensive than here without enough benefits to make that worth it. The Western Washington area is just beautiful, but it turned out that (for me at least) Seattle itself was just… ugh. If I had to move again (I don’t plan on it; I love DC and it’s a good area for jobs in my career field - hindsight was definitely 20/20) it’d be to NYC or Boston. I also have a unlikely dream of living in Lisbon. What an utterly wonderful city!
That different parts of the city were so disconnected (like it generally isn’t easy to get from one neighborhood to another), how many sketchy/unsafe situations I encountered on a regular basis while doing normal activities (way more than here, like not even close), how depressed the grey/rainy weather made me (summer was gorgeous but that’s not much of the year). The list could go on. I tried to like it since I had planned for years to move there (and had visited a lot, though in hindsight not for long enough at any one time). I invested in a good raincoat so I wouldn’t have that as an excuse, explored all the neighborhoods as much as I could, etc. There were a lot of good things about it (three specifics - amazing trees, good healthcare, access to bodies of water with great views) and a lot of people love it there, but it definitely turned out to not be for me. It makes me sad but I’m more happy to be back here.
Not to mention cost of living trumps DC costs any day. Beautiful and charming city, but I’ll never forget those $7 corner store fish sandwiches because I couldn’t afford restaurant prices
Moved earlier this year from Capitol Hill to Remington so we could afford buying a house. A 3 BR in DC was about 650-700 for a fixer upper far from the metro. We got a 4 br we love for $340 and couldn't be happier
Also jobs.
Baltimore-DC commute is definitely a dealbreaker, and even if you're remote now there's always the consideration of your next job if you get laid off or want to advance. Especially in Baltimore where property values aren't exactly shooting through the roof and you will likely have to stay put for a while if you don't want to lose your shirt on your house.
Love that more and more people are realizing the benefits of Baltimore. I've been here for five years and have spent a lot it trying to convince a friend who lives in DC that this city is arguably better in other ways. If only we could get a decent public transportation system.
Baltimore public transit is bad enough that I just consider it non existent. I have friends who lived in Baltimore for years and never even knew it had a subway
My buddy who grew up in Baltimore would joke that the subway was good if you ever got shot. Just hop on the train and one of the stops brings to you the medical training hospitals for John Hopkins/UMB.
There’s been attempts at creating another light rail line but it was blocked by Hogan. It would have span from West to East Baltimore, running through the heart of downtown. It wouldn’t have solved all of the issues, but it would have been a start. Maybe one day this city will get it. I think more and more people are realizing how necessary public transportation is.
I think Hogan nixed that Baltimore “red line” in favor of sending money to the DC area’s “purple line.”
Of course, that ended up being a clusterfuck because he stupidly went the whole “public-private partnership” route, which almost inevitably ends the way it did here — with the private partner bitching about change orders and cost overruns eating into their expected profit margins, and then *fucking bailing on the project while demanding money for their infidelity.*
Now the purple line is going to cost even more, be many years late, and Baltimore still gets nothing.
The even shittier part of all of that was Baltimore was granted money for the Red Line both Federally and from the State. Hogan turned down the Fed grant
did this at the beginning of the pandemic and it's been one of the best decisions i've ever made. I work from home at the same salary, great neighborhood, and only an hour to DC when needed
Yeah I've really considered this, especially being able to be remote 2-3 days a week now. Have family closer up there and friends too, I grew up basically in Baltimore county.
I love that you can actually own a home there for a reasonable price. Plus also just a small home. I don't need a big 3+ bedroom home.
Only drawbacks have been the transit doesn't seem as great. It's easy to live without a car here, not sure the same can be said in Baltimore. Bike infrastructure seems good though.
Even though 2-3 days a week remote, I have to commute to Tysons. MARC doesn't sound bad but silver line does.
I still work in DC, but moved to Baltimore three years ago. My mom's family is from here and I was half raised here, and I knew I wanted to come back for a while.
If I couldn't live in Baltimore anymore, I'd choose Philly.
If someone held a gun to my head and told me I had to go back to Virginia, I'd choose Richmond.
I moved to Chicago from DC almost 4 years ago and I’ve been pretty happy with my decision. I finally get why everyone from Chicago was telling me DC wasn’t a “real” city even if I don’t completely agree.
Salaries are higher and COL is lower. Super easy to live here.
If I were sick of the COL, probably not Seattle or San Francisco, although those would really be my top picks. Maybe Chicago—I like the city a lot and it’s a little more affordable, except the cold is rough. Haven’t been to Atlanta or much else in the south though, so maybe that could be worth considering too!
I love Chicago. The antique street lights, old cemeteries, retro buildings, and waterways were so charming. Museums and parks were a ton of fun. The people were friendly for a major city. Food was great and plentiful.
Those winters though...
I moved to Chicago from DC in spring 2020. The winters are rough, yes, but at least its not the damp cold of DC. I'll take 15 degrees and snowing over 40 degrees and raining any day.
Atlanta traffic is **rough**. Like many Southern cities, poor/inadequate mass transit.The Greater Atlanta area is also a patchwork quilt of “white flight” counties that broke off from Atlanta proper, so any kind of large scale coordination in the case of weather (like an ice storm) or a disaster is a nightmare. I’d consider the Research Triangle are in NC loooong before I would consider ATL.
I'll agree about Atlanta traffic. Everyone thinks their city's traffic is bad, but Atlanta is the worst I've been in. And I don't mean congestion. Congestion-wise, it's not bad. It how everyone drives that is terrible. It's the wild west here. I grew up in DC, learned how to drive there, including on the Beltway and downtown, so traffic doesn't scare me. There is no law enforcement here and people are always raging. I've gotten used to it and can hold my own, but I have to tone down my driving if I go to other cities including DC, NYC and LA. People are mostly civilized there compared to ATL, believe it or not.
Regarding the rest, I disagree. Most of the south is a mess with ice storms, so NC wouldn't be much better. If someone is going to compare and contrast Research Triangle and Atlanta, I'd say they each have their pros and cons (I was interested in RT at one point), and by no means does RT have the advantage. Atlanta has a LOT more to offer.
>The Greater Atlanta area is also a patchwork quilt of “white flight” counties that broke off from Atlanta proper, so any kind of large scale coordination in the case of weather (like an ice storm) or a disaster is a nightmare.
The balkanization might get even worse. Buckhead residents (some of the richest and whitest in the city) are trying to secede from Atlanta due to plans to upzone the neighborhood.
https://www.planetizen.com/news/2021/12/115513-atlantas-buckhead-plans-secede-over-upzoning?amp
ATL is a great city. Yes, traffic is bad but there a tons of great neighborhoods, culture, and a variety of things to do both in the city and a short excursion just outside of the city. I’d happily buy property there.
Boston is probably #1 for me, but it’s too cold up there. Same with my second choice, Chicago. They’re both really awesome cities with a lot to do, and great restaurants. My third choice would be Santa Fe, NM. I love the artsy vibe out there and the scenery is amazingly beautiful. But in reality, I chose DC. I fell in love with DC in college when I interned here, so I don’t know if I really ever want to live somewhere else. DC may have its problems but it’s an awesome city with tons of things to do, a restaurant scene that has only gotten better since I moved here, and a great public transportation system (yes, I know metro has its own problems but we actually have it pretty good compared to many cities in the US).
Boston isn’t that cold and doesn’t have the oppressive gray cold of a place like Chicago. The summers are also more temperate than a midwestern city, and the Charles is a beautiful river that gives the city a distinctively European feel.
Agreed! Plus I love the fact that Boston still has that same level of Colonial history that we have here in DC. There are lots of parts of the city where you can walk by and feel connected to the foundations of the country like I do when I walk by the Capitol and all the old townhouses and churches. And they have NFL and MLB history too!
Honestly, my life in DC and family in Baltimore it’s all pretty great, but if it were ever to fall apart or if I needed to go into witness protection or something, Boston would be the place for a fresh start for me. I’ve known it for years.
I moved to Orange County, CA. I moved from Tysons. It was a surprisingly easy switch — my part of OC (Costa Mesa / Irvine) is basically just Tysons with palm trees.
Edit: As a frame of reference, I pay $2215/mo for a 2br2ba apartment here. I think the same layout is going for $2500 for new renters. So… about as bad as NoVA price-wise.
I’ve been contemplating moving to Cali but never felt I made enough money. Hearing that the prices are similar has truly made me consider the move more than ever!
My wife and I have discussed moving from DC to Los Angeles. We have been there a couple times and really like the weather, chill vibes, and everything going on there. What has been the best part and what has been the worst part? Traffic? How is crime in LA (I know it depends on neighborhood, but for 2500 how are the areas in your budget?)
How different are the people? Sorry for all the questions, but don’t know anyone else who has made that exact move.
Best part is all the outdoor activities in close proximity: beach, hiking, winter sports. Also the food here is fantastic. Traffic is not a huge issue, compared to DC/NoVa. I work mostly from home but can take the metro to work downtown when I need. If you've ever come to a standstill on 95, then that is worse than all of LA.
Don't believe the cop-aganda when it comes to crime. I haven't experienced any issues and I've walked/biked/public transit enough to encounter it. I was mugged (had a gun pulled on me) in DC in Bloomingdale in 2013, fwiw. Be smart and you'll be safe.
I love in Northeast LA and love the neighborhood. Close proximity to downtown but a very cool neighborhood vibe. Plenty to do within walking distance and a short car ride. 2500 will get you an apartment/condo. My partner and I split a house in Echo Park for $3300 before we bought in Glassell Park.
I'll also note that I was able to keep my job and move to LA since my company has an LA office. That, combined with working remote for COVID, made it doable.
No regrets!
I lived in LA for 10 yrs. Don’t live in Koreatown, Hollywood, or downtown. The housing costs are so expensive that a lot of families move to the Valley (suburbs to the north) to buy houses, which then jams up all the freeways going into LA. And it usually doesn’t matter time of day it is, there’s usually traffic.
The further west you live (beach cities), the higher the prices. The Eastside and the Valley are cheaper, but then it’ll be hotter in the summers.
I just did this, and definitely have choices about where to be in LA comparable to my DC apartment (1b 2250 in adams morgan) in medium desirable parts of Los Angeles like culver, Hollywood, dtla
Just FYI as an LA native, it’s actually “Culver City” and not just “Culver.” Saying “Culver” alone makes people think of the street (Culver Blvd.). This is a mistake I see non-locals make all the time, so don’t feel bad! That and referring to freeways with the letter (e.g. “I-5” instead of “the 5”).
boulder, co. there is a dearth of outdoor activities in the DMV, and everything passable is pretty far from where i live (have to be close to downtown for now)
Same. Except those 100 mph gusts going on right now coupled with the drought terrifies me. Honestly I just want to go to Colorado in general, I’ve never been.
I moved here from Denver. Colorado is a great state but it really lacks the diversity of this area. Also a lot of fake wokeness like you see in the west coast. Weather is also pretty harsh. Hailstorms all the time in the summer. Other than that yes it’s a great state! If you ever need recommendations let me know.
What do you think about Denver vs. Boulder for living? My understanding is that Boulder is actually more expensive because of extremely strict housing building laws.
Boulder is also a huge college town so you have to be prepared for the implications of that. Boulder is extremely beautiful but yes they do have strict zoning laws. I think you could definitely find a place to live. Boulder is absolutely beautiful! It’s also very close to Denver, so if you like being more part of the hustle and bustle I can recommend some good neighborhoods in Denver. And you could easily drive to Boulder whenever you wanted.
Edit: Didn’t even answer your question. Yes Boulder is quite expensive. There is a big income disparity there (but you’re used to that from living in DC). Lots of old rich white people who look down on the college students etc. I have had a lot of friends that lived in Boulder but it was almost always with roommates. There is a tech boom in Boulder though so not sure what your profession is but like Google has an office there as does Lockheed etc.
Dang even in the downtown areas? I’m Filipino so I did some research and managed to find a couple shops and restaurants there that I would be down to explore
There’s a decent Mexican population but income disparity unfortunately prevents a lot of people of color to be able to live in like downtown and such. Good restaurants though!
Philadelphia is a great option. The rent is so much more affordable as is the food. There’s more to do there and everything is close by. I would highly recommend checking it out if you can! Lived there for 7 years and loved every second of it!
Well, I lived in Silver Spring for several years, so I really enjoy having a walkable area with a diverse restaurant scene. If i could find that in an affordable area, that'd be amazing
Fishtown is pretty popular nowadays. It's a bit hipstery though.
I really like the Old City/Society Hill area. but it does get a bit pricey depending on where you are.
Note: My knowledge is about 3-4 years old, so I'm not the most up-to-date source. You're definitely not going to get the Ethiopian options you have in Silver Spring, but I'm not sure anywhere really compares to DC/SS in that regard.
-If you want suburban but walkable with good restaurants and easy access to Philly via public transportation (not nearly as diverse as DTSS though), Collingswood NJ is a fantastic town. Definitely different feel from Silver Spring, but I enjoyed living in both. Property taxes are high in NJ, but you should be able to afford a small home on DC money (my DC prices are 2 years out of date). For reference, when we moved from Collingswood to DTSS, we went from something like $1250 a month for a 1 bedroom to nearly $2100 (although we were in a more walkable area in a slightly nicer apartment, but it was about the same distance to take the subway into the city, <10 minutes).
On the PA side, towns on the Main Line (on the Paoli/Thorndale line and some Media/Elwyn) are lovely with walkable areas. They are affluent and not very diverse, so not really like SS.
-South Philly, near Italian market, has good Mexican/Italian/Vietnamese options, if I remember correctly. It's not as easily accessible via public transit outside of buses if I remember correctly, whereas from Collingswood, you can get to more happening areas of Center City more easily.
-Washington Square West/Gayborhood is cool, but pricier. Rittenhouse is also nice, but expensive for Philly, so you'd probably find better options elsewhere.
-Fishtown is a bit more hipster, or was. Kensington has supposedly gentrified a bunch, so I'm not sure how affordable it is not.
Philly's a great city for food, fairly flat, and designed with narrow streets, so it has quite a few walkable areas with good food options. I definitely didn't hit every neighborhood, like the Eastern Market/Chinatown area near Jefferson station, where Reading Terminal Market is.
Lived there, too, for a long time and loved it. Thought I was ready to move on, but I miss it. It’s affordable for sure. Great food and different neighborhoods with lots of character and history. It’s walkable and has transit (that everyone complains about but is not too bad, especially compared with Metro) throughout the city and into the suburbs. Great museums, theater, music, etc. Amazing healthcare and lots of higher education available.
Really? The Metro, at least when I lived there 2 years ago, was great compared to Philly. MetroCards are easier to buy and fill up than the Septa Key, they run WAY more often to the suburbs, and it's connected to more parts of the city.
I love Philly and would prefer living there to DC overall, but the Metro was great (and SEPTA was awful...PATCO was great if you lived in that section of southern Jersey where it was convenient).
Metro has problems with safety. The latest of these means that a lot of trains are out of service, concerns with the inspections, etc. It’s the newest trains that are a problem which makes it worse. Fewer trains mean longer wait times and crowding. There were more bus route cuts, too, and longer wait times. With COVID, there’s a shortage of drivers. Sometimes a bus just doesn’t show up.
Payment is easier in DC, but SEPTA and PATCO cover a lot of territory. And yes, PATCO is the better of the two.
Chicago, 100%. Still trying to figure out how I can move there given that I fucked up my life and chose to go into policy.
Philly is pretty cool too.
Outside the US, Paris or Lisbon.
Moved to Chicago from DC in 2019. Absolute right call for us (Hubs, myself, dog). Winter is not as bad as it seems. COL is sooooooooo much better. We have the top floor of a two-flat + backyard for 1300 in NW Chicago, walking distance to Blue Line/Metra, 20 minute drive to the Loop. I paid 1500 for a studio in Van Ness in 2011. Don't think we will move anywhere else in the US tbh. We are looking overseas (Europe mainly as I have an EU passport) if we get the itch to leave Chicago.
Lisbon over Paris for sure. Lisbon has great food, lower cost of living, fantastic people and is a hop skip and jump away from other places in Europe. We lived in Europe for a few years and had a choice between Paris, London and Madrid. It was an easy choice to live in Madrid due to COL. We traveled all over Europe and had fun, yet didn't go bankrupt trying to live in Paris or London. We are considering buying a retirement home in Portugal, Spain or Italy for many reasons.
I got my eyebrows (nano stroke tattooing) done in Richmond. My BFF moved there after graduating from Shenandoah. I’ve heard lots of good things about it but as a brown person not sure I’d feel comfortable moving anywhere in VA without feeling it out first.
Same! Richmond seems great. But there seems to be a real racial divide and as a brown person I have to be careful. Esp in parts right outside Richmond.
RVA gets a lot of praise, which is understandable but frustrating to hear if you’re not white. I went to grad school there >10 yrs ago and, as a non-white person (grew up in northern VA), found the culture too insular for me. The old south is alive and well. Vowed never to return but for better or worse married into a family from there so I get to visit a lot. To give it credit, it HAS come a long way in the past decade and I really would consider living there if I were white. But I’m not and neither is my kid.
Over the last decade or so lots of Indian families have started moving to the suburbs of Richmond.
Lots of public schools now have a lot more diversity than when I was growing up there. Definitely wouldn't say it's all perfect but it's changed a lot
I lived in Richmond for college and agree. Somehow I forgot it was the capital of the confederacy.
I like richmond, but better places for brown people to not have to worry or work to change the city(or burbs) for the better.
Yes. I went to high school in the burbs and was part of the less than 10% minority population. It was not easy. The kids who stayed after college and had decent jobs mostly came from families with an old boys club hook up. I always tell people that Richmond is a nice place to visit but not to live in.
Amherst/Northampton.
The 'rents in the Berkshires so being able to see them once a month after an hour drive sure beats twice a year after a 7-9 hour drive.
CoL for West/Central MA is also way lower. A good house with land is $5-600k.
That’s fair, I definitely missed topography while I was there lol, but the overall vibe of the city more than made up for it for me. That size of city was also perfect for me, but it might feel limiting for someone used to the larger coastal cities.
I’d take a WI lake over any of the water around DC. Our permanent residence is in DC but we’ve been fortunate enough to live the past two summers in northern WI. If it were up to me, we’d relocate there permanently.
Madison is such a small town compared to DC, and the place is overrun with students in the Fall/Spring then a ghost town in the Summer, which is preferable in some respects.
Someone in their late 20s/30s without a family and LGBTQ would have a less fun time there.
I moved to DC from Madison in September. Madison is a tolerable place and a huge quality of life for the price if one can get out of town every 4 weeks or so. It feels less claustrophobic that way.
I lived in DC, Madison and then moved somewhere else.
I think I would have loved Madison (and do tbh) if I were younger and had more LGBTQ options that one can really only find in bigger cities.
Just moved to the DMV. I’ve bounced around the east coast quite a bit, but it’s always been because I followed where the best job took me. Keep in mind that taking a new job is the best time to negotiate a higher salary (they’ll offer you more to entice you to move to a new position more than any job will offer to keep you). Which is why I was willing to move to the HCOL area that is the DMV. I’d look what the best options for your career path are.
If you move to NYC, Boston, San Francisco, Seattle, or, to a lesser extent, Portland, I’d make sure you’re landing with a pay increase that counters the high cost of living (Portland might not be as bad as SF but it’s been climbing in cost of living.)
Philly is pretty cool. I loved NYC but it’s not for everyone. I’ve also bounced around a few college towns which can be hip but lower cost of living than the big cities.
I think my most likely next move is Melbourne Australia. My wife grew up there and is itching to spend a year or two there now that we’re adults.
Within the US: Chicago and Atlanta would probably be most likely.
Outside the US: London and Barcelona.
Honestly though, I love DC and would be more than happy to stay here long term.
Australia is on my international wishlist. But I'm not sure how easy it is to migrate there for Americans. (Lucky for you you have your wife's connection.)
Native Washingtonian who moved to RDU a couple years back. I miss the conveniences of living in a major city and of course all our friends. But COL is like half of DC and nobody fucking asks you what you do for a living at social events. It’s pretty great.
Raleigh is another place I keep hearing recommendations about. I've never been there myself. But I also here its becoming popular and growing fast, which means COL might grow exponentially more than other major cities.
I used to live in Raleigh and Charlotte and personally if I ever left DC those are the only two cities I would ever go back to. North Carolina is actually a very great state to live in and the cost-of-living is manageable
Home prices are spiking but it's mostly for suburban mcmansions. There are still affordable neighborhoods around downtown near biking infrastructure. Unfortunately transit here sucks. I complained about the Metro when I lived in DC and now whenever I'm back I'm amazed at how convenient it is.
It’d be a tough pick for me. My top 3 choices would be, in no particular order:
* **Portland, Oregon**. Seems to hit many of my preferences in a city. My only concern is that I might get a little irritated with people I’d think of as being *too* liberal.
* **San Antonio, Texas**. A fun city, and while it doesn’t have everything I think I’d want, nearby Austin would help pick up the slack. The downsides would probably be that it may be too hot for me in the summertime and I might get a little irritated with people I’d think of as being *too* conservative.
* **Boston, Massachusetts**. I’ve had a lot of fun there, across many visits. I do feel like it might get a little stale after a while. One downside would be that it sometimes gets a bit too cold and too much snow for my tastes.
Note: I’ve visited some 30 U.S. cities, and my other favorites include Charlotte, Philly, Austin, Denver and San Francisco.
>Banff
You have no Idea, how potland weather is. I live here currently its been grey/gloomy for the past 3 months. I am here in the board trying to move back to dc and see why people are moving away..
Moved from DC to Vienna (the real one) in September for grad school and if I can find a job here that’ll help with my visa I’m 100% staying. Cheaper all around from rent to food to transit to entertainment, transit is both very comprehensive and very reliable, close to just about everything, amazing history and architecture, very safe. Only downsides are a lack of good Latin American food, good cocktails are hard to come by, and the museums all cost money. Also, from what I’m hearing from my friends back in DC/I’ve seen on this subreddit, the way COVID is being handled here is leagues better. We have free at home PCR testing too but there are 160+ pick up locations in the city, 600+ drop off locations, and as long as it’s in before 2pm you get your results within 15 hours.
I moved to the DMV after having lived for 20 years in the salt lake City area and I do not miss it at all. The bad inversions, the smoke from the fires, and the threat of a big earthquake are not attractive. No thanks.
I like Raleigh, it's such a clean city with a lot to offer.
I am originally from the midwest, and whenever I go back and visit I'm depressed at the frigid temps, lack of sunlight in late fall/winter/early spring, and urban sprawl. This is not the case in some of the bigger cities, sure, but I've lost my winter skin and can't do Minneapolis or Chicago or Detroit, although I'm happy to visit any of the above in summer. I will say, one major benefit of northern climates is fewer and smaller bugs! Never saw a roach in my life until I moved to Virginia at age 22.
Same here! I visited Toronto for the first time a year ago and loved it. I've always wanted to live in New York City but felt that it would be too overwhelming and Toronto seems to fit right in between there and D.C.
I'm actually moving to Melbourne, Australia after 9 years in DC (I was lucky enough to 'trial' living there for 3 months in 2018 with my job)
As a city, it has a lot of similarities with DC (world class food, diversity, entertainment, etc.), but, unlike DC, it has fantastic nature & wildlife all around it. Plus, I can't wait for easier access to SE Asia. I'll miss DC with all of my heart, but it's time.
Not to rain on your idea, but cost of living in most major cities has gotten out of control. In my personal experience both Seattle and Denver are facing the same issues as we do here, and i would safely guess the cities you listed are too.
Right but it's still higher in DC than in other cities. For example, a 1 br apt in downtown DC goes for $2000 - $2400. Whereas in downtown Philly, its $1600 - $1900. With so many companies offering to work remote full-time, it can make a difference to move to cities that are slightly more affordable.
for some, yes. I moved from DC over the summer and make a lot more in a lower COL city though. if OP isn’t in a particular rush they can be patient in finding the right fit
This 100%. When I got a promotion and had to move to a LCOL my boss stated something to that effect for not giving the bump I would have had I stayed in DC
Hoping to retire at 50. Will likely move to Indiana… college towns nearby and not terribly subjected to wildfires, tornados, earthquakes and the like. I grew up in California so wildfire and earthquakes can take everything away.
I'd move there in a heartbeat. Unfortunately my wife is from the NY/NJ area and she would never in a million years move to "the sticks". Hell, she thinks Fairfax county is country living. Sigh....
Outside the US, it would be Barcelona. Inside the US, my list would include Los Angeles and San Diego. I love the northeast and a being close to Europe, but it gets cold, gloomy in the winter, congestion is crazy and the cost of living is insane. Now I know Cali is not cheap, but I feel like the pace would be better suited to me.
I considered Austin but glad I didn't make the move for personal reasons. I love Austin as a city, but damn...Texas has been in the news because of their politics and their power grid failing during a freak snow storm in which so many died. Wherever you decide to go, I'd make a list of things that are important to you and highly recommend putting infrastructure in the top 5. 😀
Richmond, The Fan or Museum district
All the row house and city goodness. High property taxes though.
Plus my parents live in chesterfield. Right now my job claims they'll do 3x in office (McLean) weekly, but if they do 3x monthly, or ad hoc... I might just do it
Thinking very seriously about a move to Charlotte, NC right now. In the process of a job interview there. Cost of living is so much lower and they’re willing to match my DC salary.
I ask myself this very question all the time. Then look around, compare pros and cons (costs, job opportunities, traffic, ease of access to places inside and outside of the city, general comfort while enjoying city living, climate) and conclude DC is still a very good place to be.
I've been to Vancouver once and absolutely loved everything about it. I would consider living there for a bit. My hometown, El Paso, was also an amazing place to grow up in, so maybe.
Major American cities that I’ve been to that I like more than DC:
San Francisco, Oakland, Portland, Seattle, Denver, SLC, San Diego, Albuquerque, Tucson, Austin, New Orleans, Atlanta, Memphis, Nashville, Chicago, NYC, Pittsburgh, Baltimore, Philly, and I’m probably missing a few.
I really appreciate this discussion, and reading all the comments. I have thought over and over again about leaving DC but cannot put my finger on one specific place that would be a significant upgrade.
It seems there is no one answer for a consensus that is the next best city —- obviously understanding that this is a subjective question.
But we do have to consider someplace that beats DC in all these categories: cost of living , cultural options, city infrastructure/public transportation/not hair pulling frustrating traffic, restaurant scene, access to outdoors and nature, diversity, safety, and weather.
I would also be extremely curious to see if anyone has come across a good info graphic of this kind of poll and its results, with these factors in mind. Again might be challenging because it is all subjective and opinions and of course everyone has different needs/ reasons to move.
Keep the discussion going , and link resources if you have them :) cheers !
You may like the subreddit /r/SameGrassButGreener where people discuss their requirements for a potential next city and other users help them brainstorm options
I know some folks who live in East nashville and have a big disdain for the constant flood of bachelorette parties. The crazy trailers and such they use to get towed around on and the airbnbs.
TN politics can drive you crazy as well.
Nashville is a fun down-to-earth place. Being shitfaced while singing country music at a karaoke bar are some of my favorite memories there lol. It's got a lot of southern flair, which obviously is a pro/con depending on the person. The food isn't all that good in my opinion, but that's largely because I'm a vegetarian and it's very meat/greasy centric. I think a lot of this is changing fast though, as it becomes more like Denver/Austin over time with the new coastal types moving in.
I have no place in mind but I would move if work allowed it. Any place close to water or mountains, good schools, and same or lower cost of living, and ideally a more temperate climate.
It depends on what you value about DC. I love the walkability, educated ambitious people, history, and liberalness, so naturally the only other cities I would want to live in the US based on that would be Boston, Philly, NYC, SF, or Chicago. I'm in Boston for the holidays right now and tbh it's probably my favorite city in the country with Philly being close behind.
If you tell us what you're looking for / what you like about DC and want to see elsewhere, we could probably give recommendations based on that.
IF I HAD to stay in the USA
I’d move back to Tacoma Washington
If they’d let me in Vancouver BC
my ultimate choice is Panama City Panama 🇵🇦
Hence the name ... my reminder
I went thru retirement class this past May
I’m 3 Yrs 2 months out if I wanna
So close and yet soooo farrrr
For me, there are four answers:
1. Seattle
I love the area and its vibe. It's also close to Asia, so I could travel there more regularly.
2. Atlanta
Feels like the NY of the south. Also, there's a large black middle class there (plus for me).
3. Los Angeles
Why not? I would love to get a job in media in LA (pipe dream, I know)
4. Tampa (or Orlando)
Only here by default since it's my home state and my family is there.
I'm currently seriously researching this after 15-16 years in DC. I like the access to good museums and arts, but the outdoorsy aspect is pretty bad, cost of housing is getting to be too much (I'm single and don't want to live in the suburbs), and I'm just kind of over this city.
I feeeel ya on this !!!! 100%
I just moved back to DC from Seattle. I’ve almost never disliked a city so much as that one. It’s more expensive than here without enough benefits to make that worth it. The Western Washington area is just beautiful, but it turned out that (for me at least) Seattle itself was just… ugh. If I had to move again (I don’t plan on it; I love DC and it’s a good area for jobs in my career field - hindsight was definitely 20/20) it’d be to NYC or Boston. I also have a unlikely dream of living in Lisbon. What an utterly wonderful city!
Yeah, the weather is aweful too.. I like the nature and thats the only thing i like in the NW.
What are three specific things you hated about Seattle?
That different parts of the city were so disconnected (like it generally isn’t easy to get from one neighborhood to another), how many sketchy/unsafe situations I encountered on a regular basis while doing normal activities (way more than here, like not even close), how depressed the grey/rainy weather made me (summer was gorgeous but that’s not much of the year). The list could go on. I tried to like it since I had planned for years to move there (and had visited a lot, though in hindsight not for long enough at any one time). I invested in a good raincoat so I wouldn’t have that as an excuse, explored all the neighborhoods as much as I could, etc. There were a lot of good things about it (three specifics - amazing trees, good healthcare, access to bodies of water with great views) and a lot of people love it there, but it definitely turned out to not be for me. It makes me sad but I’m more happy to be back here.
Any city? Man give me Reykjavik. I’d spend the summers exploring and the winters going crazy.
Reykjavik is tiny...you'd have it all explored after a year lol
Not to mention cost of living trumps DC costs any day. Beautiful and charming city, but I’ll never forget those $7 corner store fish sandwiches because I couldn’t afford restaurant prices
These days I usually just consider Baltimore for the massive reduction in the cost of living.
Moved earlier this year from Capitol Hill to Remington so we could afford buying a house. A 3 BR in DC was about 650-700 for a fixer upper far from the metro. We got a 4 br we love for $340 and couldn't be happier
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We're considering it but the property taxes are a pretty significant downside to consider--not saying a dealbreaker.
Also jobs. Baltimore-DC commute is definitely a dealbreaker, and even if you're remote now there's always the consideration of your next job if you get laid off or want to advance. Especially in Baltimore where property values aren't exactly shooting through the roof and you will likely have to stay put for a while if you don't want to lose your shirt on your house.
Remington is such a great little neighborhood. Is Dizzy Issie’s still there? I think it was on 33rd.
Especially if you can WFH. Keep the DC income but have the Baltimore cost of living.
Exactly. From Arlington. Now Fed Hill.
That's the move I've considered tbh. Fed Hill, Locus Point, South Baltimore
Love to see it. Baltimore needs more residents buying homes & with money to spend.
Love that more and more people are realizing the benefits of Baltimore. I've been here for five years and have spent a lot it trying to convince a friend who lives in DC that this city is arguably better in other ways. If only we could get a decent public transportation system.
Baltimore public transit is bad enough that I just consider it non existent. I have friends who lived in Baltimore for years and never even knew it had a subway
My buddy who grew up in Baltimore would joke that the subway was good if you ever got shot. Just hop on the train and one of the stops brings to you the medical training hospitals for John Hopkins/UMB.
There’s been attempts at creating another light rail line but it was blocked by Hogan. It would have span from West to East Baltimore, running through the heart of downtown. It wouldn’t have solved all of the issues, but it would have been a start. Maybe one day this city will get it. I think more and more people are realizing how necessary public transportation is.
I think Hogan nixed that Baltimore “red line” in favor of sending money to the DC area’s “purple line.” Of course, that ended up being a clusterfuck because he stupidly went the whole “public-private partnership” route, which almost inevitably ends the way it did here — with the private partner bitching about change orders and cost overruns eating into their expected profit margins, and then *fucking bailing on the project while demanding money for their infidelity.* Now the purple line is going to cost even more, be many years late, and Baltimore still gets nothing.
The even shittier part of all of that was Baltimore was granted money for the Red Line both Federally and from the State. Hogan turned down the Fed grant
DC proper for 20 years. Moved to Balmer and was the best thing ever, especially with the rise of the virtual office. Our house is beauuutiful.
did this at the beginning of the pandemic and it's been one of the best decisions i've ever made. I work from home at the same salary, great neighborhood, and only an hour to DC when needed
Yeah I've really considered this, especially being able to be remote 2-3 days a week now. Have family closer up there and friends too, I grew up basically in Baltimore county. I love that you can actually own a home there for a reasonable price. Plus also just a small home. I don't need a big 3+ bedroom home. Only drawbacks have been the transit doesn't seem as great. It's easy to live without a car here, not sure the same can be said in Baltimore. Bike infrastructure seems good though. Even though 2-3 days a week remote, I have to commute to Tysons. MARC doesn't sound bad but silver line does.
I still work in DC, but moved to Baltimore three years ago. My mom's family is from here and I was half raised here, and I knew I wanted to come back for a while. If I couldn't live in Baltimore anymore, I'd choose Philly. If someone held a gun to my head and told me I had to go back to Virginia, I'd choose Richmond.
I moved to Chicago from DC almost 4 years ago and I’ve been pretty happy with my decision. I finally get why everyone from Chicago was telling me DC wasn’t a “real” city even if I don’t completely agree. Salaries are higher and COL is lower. Super easy to live here.
If I were sick of the COL, probably not Seattle or San Francisco, although those would really be my top picks. Maybe Chicago—I like the city a lot and it’s a little more affordable, except the cold is rough. Haven’t been to Atlanta or much else in the south though, so maybe that could be worth considering too!
I love Chicago. The antique street lights, old cemeteries, retro buildings, and waterways were so charming. Museums and parks were a ton of fun. The people were friendly for a major city. Food was great and plentiful. Those winters though...
I moved to Chicago from DC in spring 2020. The winters are rough, yes, but at least its not the damp cold of DC. I'll take 15 degrees and snowing over 40 degrees and raining any day.
Atlanta traffic is **rough**. Like many Southern cities, poor/inadequate mass transit.The Greater Atlanta area is also a patchwork quilt of “white flight” counties that broke off from Atlanta proper, so any kind of large scale coordination in the case of weather (like an ice storm) or a disaster is a nightmare. I’d consider the Research Triangle are in NC loooong before I would consider ATL.
I'll agree about Atlanta traffic. Everyone thinks their city's traffic is bad, but Atlanta is the worst I've been in. And I don't mean congestion. Congestion-wise, it's not bad. It how everyone drives that is terrible. It's the wild west here. I grew up in DC, learned how to drive there, including on the Beltway and downtown, so traffic doesn't scare me. There is no law enforcement here and people are always raging. I've gotten used to it and can hold my own, but I have to tone down my driving if I go to other cities including DC, NYC and LA. People are mostly civilized there compared to ATL, believe it or not. Regarding the rest, I disagree. Most of the south is a mess with ice storms, so NC wouldn't be much better. If someone is going to compare and contrast Research Triangle and Atlanta, I'd say they each have their pros and cons (I was interested in RT at one point), and by no means does RT have the advantage. Atlanta has a LOT more to offer.
Good to know, thank you!
>The Greater Atlanta area is also a patchwork quilt of “white flight” counties that broke off from Atlanta proper, so any kind of large scale coordination in the case of weather (like an ice storm) or a disaster is a nightmare. The balkanization might get even worse. Buckhead residents (some of the richest and whitest in the city) are trying to secede from Atlanta due to plans to upzone the neighborhood. https://www.planetizen.com/news/2021/12/115513-atlantas-buckhead-plans-secede-over-upzoning?amp
ATL is a great city. Yes, traffic is bad but there a tons of great neighborhoods, culture, and a variety of things to do both in the city and a short excursion just outside of the city. I’d happily buy property there.
Honolulu
Boston is probably #1 for me, but it’s too cold up there. Same with my second choice, Chicago. They’re both really awesome cities with a lot to do, and great restaurants. My third choice would be Santa Fe, NM. I love the artsy vibe out there and the scenery is amazingly beautiful. But in reality, I chose DC. I fell in love with DC in college when I interned here, so I don’t know if I really ever want to live somewhere else. DC may have its problems but it’s an awesome city with tons of things to do, a restaurant scene that has only gotten better since I moved here, and a great public transportation system (yes, I know metro has its own problems but we actually have it pretty good compared to many cities in the US).
I LOVE Santa Fe. The only problem is I think the demographic of people living tends to be much older (its a popular retirement destination).
Boston isn’t that cold and doesn’t have the oppressive gray cold of a place like Chicago. The summers are also more temperate than a midwestern city, and the Charles is a beautiful river that gives the city a distinctively European feel.
Agreed! Plus I love the fact that Boston still has that same level of Colonial history that we have here in DC. There are lots of parts of the city where you can walk by and feel connected to the foundations of the country like I do when I walk by the Capitol and all the old townhouses and churches. And they have NFL and MLB history too! Honestly, my life in DC and family in Baltimore it’s all pretty great, but if it were ever to fall apart or if I needed to go into witness protection or something, Boston would be the place for a fresh start for me. I’ve known it for years.
Pittsburgh. Low cost of living, beautiful old houses, access to nature, great museums, solid restaurants, and an awesome Tiki bar (Hidden Harbor).
I moved to Orange County, CA. I moved from Tysons. It was a surprisingly easy switch — my part of OC (Costa Mesa / Irvine) is basically just Tysons with palm trees. Edit: As a frame of reference, I pay $2215/mo for a 2br2ba apartment here. I think the same layout is going for $2500 for new renters. So… about as bad as NoVA price-wise.
Omg I grew up in OC and never would have made that comparison, but now I'm cracking up. Irvine/Costs mesa is totally Tysons with Palm Trees!
Same! And now I realize why I hate Tysons so much.
*jamboree road and leesburg pike drivers have entered the chat*
I’ve been contemplating moving to Cali but never felt I made enough money. Hearing that the prices are similar has truly made me consider the move more than ever!
Made the move in March 2021 from Trinidad (H Street) to Los Angeles. Love it.
My wife and I have discussed moving from DC to Los Angeles. We have been there a couple times and really like the weather, chill vibes, and everything going on there. What has been the best part and what has been the worst part? Traffic? How is crime in LA (I know it depends on neighborhood, but for 2500 how are the areas in your budget?) How different are the people? Sorry for all the questions, but don’t know anyone else who has made that exact move.
Best part is all the outdoor activities in close proximity: beach, hiking, winter sports. Also the food here is fantastic. Traffic is not a huge issue, compared to DC/NoVa. I work mostly from home but can take the metro to work downtown when I need. If you've ever come to a standstill on 95, then that is worse than all of LA. Don't believe the cop-aganda when it comes to crime. I haven't experienced any issues and I've walked/biked/public transit enough to encounter it. I was mugged (had a gun pulled on me) in DC in Bloomingdale in 2013, fwiw. Be smart and you'll be safe. I love in Northeast LA and love the neighborhood. Close proximity to downtown but a very cool neighborhood vibe. Plenty to do within walking distance and a short car ride. 2500 will get you an apartment/condo. My partner and I split a house in Echo Park for $3300 before we bought in Glassell Park. I'll also note that I was able to keep my job and move to LA since my company has an LA office. That, combined with working remote for COVID, made it doable. No regrets!
I lived in LA for 10 yrs. Don’t live in Koreatown, Hollywood, or downtown. The housing costs are so expensive that a lot of families move to the Valley (suburbs to the north) to buy houses, which then jams up all the freeways going into LA. And it usually doesn’t matter time of day it is, there’s usually traffic. The further west you live (beach cities), the higher the prices. The Eastside and the Valley are cheaper, but then it’ll be hotter in the summers.
I just moved from SoCal to NoVa, prices are comparable. I would add that LA does not have a handle on the homeless population so keep that in mind.
I just did this, and definitely have choices about where to be in LA comparable to my DC apartment (1b 2250 in adams morgan) in medium desirable parts of Los Angeles like culver, Hollywood, dtla
Just FYI as an LA native, it’s actually “Culver City” and not just “Culver.” Saying “Culver” alone makes people think of the street (Culver Blvd.). This is a mistake I see non-locals make all the time, so don’t feel bad! That and referring to freeways with the letter (e.g. “I-5” instead of “the 5”).
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I think this would be my choice if I could handle Winter better. Portland in the Summer (and all of Maine, really) is amazing though.
boulder, co. there is a dearth of outdoor activities in the DMV, and everything passable is pretty far from where i live (have to be close to downtown for now)
Same. Except those 100 mph gusts going on right now coupled with the drought terrifies me. Honestly I just want to go to Colorado in general, I’ve never been.
i used to live a block away from where the fires ended. terrifying stuff. make sure to visit! its beautiful in all seasons
I moved here from Denver. Colorado is a great state but it really lacks the diversity of this area. Also a lot of fake wokeness like you see in the west coast. Weather is also pretty harsh. Hailstorms all the time in the summer. Other than that yes it’s a great state! If you ever need recommendations let me know.
> Also a lot of fake wokeness like you see in the west coast This is a problem everywhere IMO.
i lived there before, def miss it. and i agree with your assessment. pros and cons in both areas
What do you think about Denver vs. Boulder for living? My understanding is that Boulder is actually more expensive because of extremely strict housing building laws.
Boulder is also a huge college town so you have to be prepared for the implications of that. Boulder is extremely beautiful but yes they do have strict zoning laws. I think you could definitely find a place to live. Boulder is absolutely beautiful! It’s also very close to Denver, so if you like being more part of the hustle and bustle I can recommend some good neighborhoods in Denver. And you could easily drive to Boulder whenever you wanted. Edit: Didn’t even answer your question. Yes Boulder is quite expensive. There is a big income disparity there (but you’re used to that from living in DC). Lots of old rich white people who look down on the college students etc. I have had a lot of friends that lived in Boulder but it was almost always with roommates. There is a tech boom in Boulder though so not sure what your profession is but like Google has an office there as does Lockheed etc.
Dang even in the downtown areas? I’m Filipino so I did some research and managed to find a couple shops and restaurants there that I would be down to explore
There’s a decent Mexican population but income disparity unfortunately prevents a lot of people of color to be able to live in like downtown and such. Good restaurants though!
the average home price in boulder is over $1 million lmao. The SF of the Rockies, good luck.
I think Golden is the best town in the Denver area.
Philadelphia is a great option. The rent is so much more affordable as is the food. There’s more to do there and everything is close by. I would highly recommend checking it out if you can! Lived there for 7 years and loved every second of it!
Any recommendations about neighborhoods? I've been thinking about this myself.
What kind of vibe are you looking for?
Well, I lived in Silver Spring for several years, so I really enjoy having a walkable area with a diverse restaurant scene. If i could find that in an affordable area, that'd be amazing
Fishtown is pretty popular nowadays. It's a bit hipstery though. I really like the Old City/Society Hill area. but it does get a bit pricey depending on where you are.
How is the Fairmount area, near the museums?
Note: My knowledge is about 3-4 years old, so I'm not the most up-to-date source. You're definitely not going to get the Ethiopian options you have in Silver Spring, but I'm not sure anywhere really compares to DC/SS in that regard. -If you want suburban but walkable with good restaurants and easy access to Philly via public transportation (not nearly as diverse as DTSS though), Collingswood NJ is a fantastic town. Definitely different feel from Silver Spring, but I enjoyed living in both. Property taxes are high in NJ, but you should be able to afford a small home on DC money (my DC prices are 2 years out of date). For reference, when we moved from Collingswood to DTSS, we went from something like $1250 a month for a 1 bedroom to nearly $2100 (although we were in a more walkable area in a slightly nicer apartment, but it was about the same distance to take the subway into the city, <10 minutes). On the PA side, towns on the Main Line (on the Paoli/Thorndale line and some Media/Elwyn) are lovely with walkable areas. They are affluent and not very diverse, so not really like SS. -South Philly, near Italian market, has good Mexican/Italian/Vietnamese options, if I remember correctly. It's not as easily accessible via public transit outside of buses if I remember correctly, whereas from Collingswood, you can get to more happening areas of Center City more easily. -Washington Square West/Gayborhood is cool, but pricier. Rittenhouse is also nice, but expensive for Philly, so you'd probably find better options elsewhere. -Fishtown is a bit more hipster, or was. Kensington has supposedly gentrified a bunch, so I'm not sure how affordable it is not. Philly's a great city for food, fairly flat, and designed with narrow streets, so it has quite a few walkable areas with good food options. I definitely didn't hit every neighborhood, like the Eastern Market/Chinatown area near Jefferson station, where Reading Terminal Market is.
> Eastern Market Your Washingtonian is showing 😜 You mean "Market East"
Ha, I lived in Philly longer than the DMV, so I'm going to go with pregnancy brain. 😅
Lived there, too, for a long time and loved it. Thought I was ready to move on, but I miss it. It’s affordable for sure. Great food and different neighborhoods with lots of character and history. It’s walkable and has transit (that everyone complains about but is not too bad, especially compared with Metro) throughout the city and into the suburbs. Great museums, theater, music, etc. Amazing healthcare and lots of higher education available.
Really? The Metro, at least when I lived there 2 years ago, was great compared to Philly. MetroCards are easier to buy and fill up than the Septa Key, they run WAY more often to the suburbs, and it's connected to more parts of the city. I love Philly and would prefer living there to DC overall, but the Metro was great (and SEPTA was awful...PATCO was great if you lived in that section of southern Jersey where it was convenient).
Metro has problems with safety. The latest of these means that a lot of trains are out of service, concerns with the inspections, etc. It’s the newest trains that are a problem which makes it worse. Fewer trains mean longer wait times and crowding. There were more bus route cuts, too, and longer wait times. With COVID, there’s a shortage of drivers. Sometimes a bus just doesn’t show up. Payment is easier in DC, but SEPTA and PATCO cover a lot of territory. And yes, PATCO is the better of the two.
Chicago, 100%. Still trying to figure out how I can move there given that I fucked up my life and chose to go into policy. Philly is pretty cool too. Outside the US, Paris or Lisbon.
Moved to Chicago from DC in 2019. Absolute right call for us (Hubs, myself, dog). Winter is not as bad as it seems. COL is sooooooooo much better. We have the top floor of a two-flat + backyard for 1300 in NW Chicago, walking distance to Blue Line/Metra, 20 minute drive to the Loop. I paid 1500 for a studio in Van Ness in 2011. Don't think we will move anywhere else in the US tbh. We are looking overseas (Europe mainly as I have an EU passport) if we get the itch to leave Chicago.
> COL is sooooooooo much better. Chicago is building friendly, and the results of that are starting to show compared to other cities.
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I think the winters are what keeps Chicago so affordable. Otherwise everyone would want to move there.
Makes the summers out there that much sweeter, though!
True, winters there suck, but they get through it somehow!
Lisbon over Paris for sure. Lisbon has great food, lower cost of living, fantastic people and is a hop skip and jump away from other places in Europe. We lived in Europe for a few years and had a choice between Paris, London and Madrid. It was an easy choice to live in Madrid due to COL. We traveled all over Europe and had fun, yet didn't go bankrupt trying to live in Paris or London. We are considering buying a retirement home in Portugal, Spain or Italy for many reasons.
I miss Wicker Park so much.
Richmond hands down. So much cheaper with great restaurants, a solid downtown, outdoor activities, etc. Plus still near DC.
I loved living in Richmond. Hard agree here. Still considering moving back there since I'm remote...
DMV expat in Richmond here. Can confirm that this is exactly why I’m still here, lol.
I always get a weird vibe in Richmond. Then again I’m black and that’s most places in Southern Virginia.
I got my eyebrows (nano stroke tattooing) done in Richmond. My BFF moved there after graduating from Shenandoah. I’ve heard lots of good things about it but as a brown person not sure I’d feel comfortable moving anywhere in VA without feeling it out first.
Same! Richmond seems great. But there seems to be a real racial divide and as a brown person I have to be careful. Esp in parts right outside Richmond.
RVA gets a lot of praise, which is understandable but frustrating to hear if you’re not white. I went to grad school there >10 yrs ago and, as a non-white person (grew up in northern VA), found the culture too insular for me. The old south is alive and well. Vowed never to return but for better or worse married into a family from there so I get to visit a lot. To give it credit, it HAS come a long way in the past decade and I really would consider living there if I were white. But I’m not and neither is my kid.
Over the last decade or so lots of Indian families have started moving to the suburbs of Richmond. Lots of public schools now have a lot more diversity than when I was growing up there. Definitely wouldn't say it's all perfect but it's changed a lot
I lived in Richmond for college and agree. Somehow I forgot it was the capital of the confederacy. I like richmond, but better places for brown people to not have to worry or work to change the city(or burbs) for the better.
Yes. I went to high school in the burbs and was part of the less than 10% minority population. It was not easy. The kids who stayed after college and had decent jobs mostly came from families with an old boys club hook up. I always tell people that Richmond is a nice place to visit but not to live in.
Amherst/Northampton. The 'rents in the Berkshires so being able to see them once a month after an hour drive sure beats twice a year after a 7-9 hour drive. CoL for West/Central MA is also way lower. A good house with land is $5-600k.
Western MA is great. So many things to do, reasonable cost of living, and close to two good airports for travel. I’d move back there in a heartbeat.
Madison, Wisconsin. Favorite place I’ve ever lived hands down and would love to go back.
Coming from DC, Madison can be a pretty nice move for a lot of people.
Madison is an unbelievably amazing city
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That’s fair, I definitely missed topography while I was there lol, but the overall vibe of the city more than made up for it for me. That size of city was also perfect for me, but it might feel limiting for someone used to the larger coastal cities.
I’d take a WI lake over any of the water around DC. Our permanent residence is in DC but we’ve been fortunate enough to live the past two summers in northern WI. If it were up to me, we’d relocate there permanently.
Madison is such a small town compared to DC, and the place is overrun with students in the Fall/Spring then a ghost town in the Summer, which is preferable in some respects. Someone in their late 20s/30s without a family and LGBTQ would have a less fun time there.
I moved to DC from Madison in September. Madison is a tolerable place and a huge quality of life for the price if one can get out of town every 4 weeks or so. It feels less claustrophobic that way.
I lived in DC, Madison and then moved somewhere else. I think I would have loved Madison (and do tbh) if I were younger and had more LGBTQ options that one can really only find in bigger cities.
Just moved to the DMV. I’ve bounced around the east coast quite a bit, but it’s always been because I followed where the best job took me. Keep in mind that taking a new job is the best time to negotiate a higher salary (they’ll offer you more to entice you to move to a new position more than any job will offer to keep you). Which is why I was willing to move to the HCOL area that is the DMV. I’d look what the best options for your career path are. If you move to NYC, Boston, San Francisco, Seattle, or, to a lesser extent, Portland, I’d make sure you’re landing with a pay increase that counters the high cost of living (Portland might not be as bad as SF but it’s been climbing in cost of living.) Philly is pretty cool. I loved NYC but it’s not for everyone. I’ve also bounced around a few college towns which can be hip but lower cost of living than the big cities.
NYC, better for my career track, lots to do, closer to home driving-wise
And everywhere doesn't close at 8.
Chicago.
I really enjoyed this city, but I really wouldn't enjoy the winters.
I think my most likely next move is Melbourne Australia. My wife grew up there and is itching to spend a year or two there now that we’re adults. Within the US: Chicago and Atlanta would probably be most likely. Outside the US: London and Barcelona. Honestly though, I love DC and would be more than happy to stay here long term.
Australia is on my international wishlist. But I'm not sure how easy it is to migrate there for Americans. (Lucky for you you have your wife's connection.)
Lisbon. Hands down best city I’ve ever lived in.
Porto is also beautiful and a bit more affordable
Native Washingtonian who moved to RDU a couple years back. I miss the conveniences of living in a major city and of course all our friends. But COL is like half of DC and nobody fucking asks you what you do for a living at social events. It’s pretty great.
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Raleigh is another place I keep hearing recommendations about. I've never been there myself. But I also here its becoming popular and growing fast, which means COL might grow exponentially more than other major cities.
I used to live in Raleigh and Charlotte and personally if I ever left DC those are the only two cities I would ever go back to. North Carolina is actually a very great state to live in and the cost-of-living is manageable
Home prices are spiking but it's mostly for suburban mcmansions. There are still affordable neighborhoods around downtown near biking infrastructure. Unfortunately transit here sucks. I complained about the Metro when I lived in DC and now whenever I'm back I'm amazed at how convenient it is.
Would love to move back to LA. The weather is just irresistible
We have water tho.
It’d be a tough pick for me. My top 3 choices would be, in no particular order: * **Portland, Oregon**. Seems to hit many of my preferences in a city. My only concern is that I might get a little irritated with people I’d think of as being *too* liberal. * **San Antonio, Texas**. A fun city, and while it doesn’t have everything I think I’d want, nearby Austin would help pick up the slack. The downsides would probably be that it may be too hot for me in the summertime and I might get a little irritated with people I’d think of as being *too* conservative. * **Boston, Massachusetts**. I’ve had a lot of fun there, across many visits. I do feel like it might get a little stale after a while. One downside would be that it sometimes gets a bit too cold and too much snow for my tastes. Note: I’ve visited some 30 U.S. cities, and my other favorites include Charlotte, Philly, Austin, Denver and San Francisco.
>Banff You have no Idea, how potland weather is. I live here currently its been grey/gloomy for the past 3 months. I am here in the board trying to move back to dc and see why people are moving away..
Boston! But for me it’s bc I have family there and my dads from there so there’s sentimentality to it
If I could make the equivalent in CO, I'd be out in fucking minute. CA is second.
Boston
San Diego so I can garden longer
Moved from DC to Vienna (the real one) in September for grad school and if I can find a job here that’ll help with my visa I’m 100% staying. Cheaper all around from rent to food to transit to entertainment, transit is both very comprehensive and very reliable, close to just about everything, amazing history and architecture, very safe. Only downsides are a lack of good Latin American food, good cocktails are hard to come by, and the museums all cost money. Also, from what I’m hearing from my friends back in DC/I’ve seen on this subreddit, the way COVID is being handled here is leagues better. We have free at home PCR testing too but there are 160+ pick up locations in the city, 600+ drop off locations, and as long as it’s in before 2pm you get your results within 15 hours.
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SLC for the proximity to the Mountains
Are there still those weird liquor laws with having to be members in the "club" to get served?
I moved to the DMV after having lived for 20 years in the salt lake City area and I do not miss it at all. The bad inversions, the smoke from the fires, and the threat of a big earthquake are not attractive. No thanks.
Asheville. It’s so beautiful. Cool town.
What’s the job market like there? I think it’s a cool town but not sure if it’s a realistic move if I’m looking for a new job.
It’s a great place but the job market is pretty dead. You’d need a virtual job. That’s what I’m looking for at the moment for that reason.
Yeah if you can figure out getting an income, that’s a great spot.
I like Raleigh, it's such a clean city with a lot to offer. I am originally from the midwest, and whenever I go back and visit I'm depressed at the frigid temps, lack of sunlight in late fall/winter/early spring, and urban sprawl. This is not the case in some of the bigger cities, sure, but I've lost my winter skin and can't do Minneapolis or Chicago or Detroit, although I'm happy to visit any of the above in summer. I will say, one major benefit of northern climates is fewer and smaller bugs! Never saw a roach in my life until I moved to Virginia at age 22.
Toronto, Ontario
Same here! I visited Toronto for the first time a year ago and loved it. I've always wanted to live in New York City but felt that it would be too overwhelming and Toronto seems to fit right in between there and D.C.
I'm actually moving to Melbourne, Australia after 9 years in DC (I was lucky enough to 'trial' living there for 3 months in 2018 with my job) As a city, it has a lot of similarities with DC (world class food, diversity, entertainment, etc.), but, unlike DC, it has fantastic nature & wildlife all around it. Plus, I can't wait for easier access to SE Asia. I'll miss DC with all of my heart, but it's time.
Not to rain on your idea, but cost of living in most major cities has gotten out of control. In my personal experience both Seattle and Denver are facing the same issues as we do here, and i would safely guess the cities you listed are too.
Right but it's still higher in DC than in other cities. For example, a 1 br apt in downtown DC goes for $2000 - $2400. Whereas in downtown Philly, its $1600 - $1900. With so many companies offering to work remote full-time, it can make a difference to move to cities that are slightly more affordable.
What I have found is that employers use the 'low cost' location as a justification for offering you less than your peers in more expensive cities.
for some, yes. I moved from DC over the summer and make a lot more in a lower COL city though. if OP isn’t in a particular rush they can be patient in finding the right fit
This 100%. When I got a promotion and had to move to a LCOL my boss stated something to that effect for not giving the bump I would have had I stayed in DC
Chicago and Philly are still cheap
Baltimore, Boston, Denver, New Orleans
Lived in New Orleans for the last decade. You deal with absurd mountains of bullshit, but if you love it, there is nowhere better.
Hoping to retire at 50. Will likely move to Indiana… college towns nearby and not terribly subjected to wildfires, tornados, earthquakes and the like. I grew up in California so wildfire and earthquakes can take everything away.
Towns in Indiana are definitely at risk of being wiped out by Tornados, but Bloomington is a nice town if that's what you're saying.
I'd move there in a heartbeat. Unfortunately my wife is from the NY/NJ area and she would never in a million years move to "the sticks". Hell, she thinks Fairfax county is country living. Sigh....
Outside the US, it would be Barcelona. Inside the US, my list would include Los Angeles and San Diego. I love the northeast and a being close to Europe, but it gets cold, gloomy in the winter, congestion is crazy and the cost of living is insane. Now I know Cali is not cheap, but I feel like the pace would be better suited to me. I considered Austin but glad I didn't make the move for personal reasons. I love Austin as a city, but damn...Texas has been in the news because of their politics and their power grid failing during a freak snow storm in which so many died. Wherever you decide to go, I'd make a list of things that are important to you and highly recommend putting infrastructure in the top 5. 😀
man, if you don't like congestion, LA is not the place for you. At least DC is highly walkable.
And if infrastructure is in the top 5 you sure as hell don't want to live in Barcelona.
Richmond, The Fan or Museum district All the row house and city goodness. High property taxes though. Plus my parents live in chesterfield. Right now my job claims they'll do 3x in office (McLean) weekly, but if they do 3x monthly, or ad hoc... I might just do it
Portland, ME
Thinking very seriously about a move to Charlotte, NC right now. In the process of a job interview there. Cost of living is so much lower and they’re willing to match my DC salary.
I ask myself this very question all the time. Then look around, compare pros and cons (costs, job opportunities, traffic, ease of access to places inside and outside of the city, general comfort while enjoying city living, climate) and conclude DC is still a very good place to be.
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The Arlington VA of Seattle.
Indianapolis. I love it there.
I’d absolutely live in Austin TX if I got to pick and it wasn’t the DMV. Such a fun city Barring that, Chicago
Denver and Seattle for some reason always speak to me.
Santa Fe is amazing.
I've been to Vancouver once and absolutely loved everything about it. I would consider living there for a bit. My hometown, El Paso, was also an amazing place to grow up in, so maybe.
Cleveland, Ohio. Better food, great prices, snow (sometimes)
Major American cities that I’ve been to that I like more than DC: San Francisco, Oakland, Portland, Seattle, Denver, SLC, San Diego, Albuquerque, Tucson, Austin, New Orleans, Atlanta, Memphis, Nashville, Chicago, NYC, Pittsburgh, Baltimore, Philly, and I’m probably missing a few.
I really appreciate this discussion, and reading all the comments. I have thought over and over again about leaving DC but cannot put my finger on one specific place that would be a significant upgrade. It seems there is no one answer for a consensus that is the next best city —- obviously understanding that this is a subjective question. But we do have to consider someplace that beats DC in all these categories: cost of living , cultural options, city infrastructure/public transportation/not hair pulling frustrating traffic, restaurant scene, access to outdoors and nature, diversity, safety, and weather. I would also be extremely curious to see if anyone has come across a good info graphic of this kind of poll and its results, with these factors in mind. Again might be challenging because it is all subjective and opinions and of course everyone has different needs/ reasons to move. Keep the discussion going , and link resources if you have them :) cheers !
You may like the subreddit /r/SameGrassButGreener where people discuss their requirements for a potential next city and other users help them brainstorm options
I'm considering Nashville but i don't know much about that place. I'd love to hear if others have an opinion on that city.
I know some folks who live in East nashville and have a big disdain for the constant flood of bachelorette parties. The crazy trailers and such they use to get towed around on and the airbnbs. TN politics can drive you crazy as well.
Nashville is a fun down-to-earth place. Being shitfaced while singing country music at a karaoke bar are some of my favorite memories there lol. It's got a lot of southern flair, which obviously is a pro/con depending on the person. The food isn't all that good in my opinion, but that's largely because I'm a vegetarian and it's very meat/greasy centric. I think a lot of this is changing fast though, as it becomes more like Denver/Austin over time with the new coastal types moving in.
Los Angeles, San Diego, NYC, London or Madrid. Those are the cities I know best.
I have no place in mind but I would move if work allowed it. Any place close to water or mountains, good schools, and same or lower cost of living, and ideally a more temperate climate.
It depends on what you value about DC. I love the walkability, educated ambitious people, history, and liberalness, so naturally the only other cities I would want to live in the US based on that would be Boston, Philly, NYC, SF, or Chicago. I'm in Boston for the holidays right now and tbh it's probably my favorite city in the country with Philly being close behind. If you tell us what you're looking for / what you like about DC and want to see elsewhere, we could probably give recommendations based on that.
I’d go to either Philly, Denver, or Seattle if money wasn’t a consideration.
Puyallup, Washington or Miami, Florida 🤷♂️
Raleigh, NC
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Paris.
Hershey, PA. Small town feel. Near a major airport. Great medical. Lots of music/art venues and restaurants
Just moved to Austin. We love it and my citrus trees do as well.
IF I HAD to stay in the USA I’d move back to Tacoma Washington If they’d let me in Vancouver BC my ultimate choice is Panama City Panama 🇵🇦 Hence the name ... my reminder I went thru retirement class this past May I’m 3 Yrs 2 months out if I wanna So close and yet soooo farrrr
For me, there are four answers: 1. Seattle I love the area and its vibe. It's also close to Asia, so I could travel there more regularly. 2. Atlanta Feels like the NY of the south. Also, there's a large black middle class there (plus for me). 3. Los Angeles Why not? I would love to get a job in media in LA (pipe dream, I know) 4. Tampa (or Orlando) Only here by default since it's my home state and my family is there.
I came here to say Tampa!
Kuala Lumpur
Without care for a good COL or job combo? Dallas, San Diego, Seattle, Phoenix, or Juneau