Washington D.C. doesn't get enough credit as a great place to live in the US. Sure, it might not be as lively as New York City, as glamorous as Los Angeles, or as sunny as Miami, but it's still a city worth relocating to. Don't let the fact that it's the American capital intimidate you. It's not as if politics reign supreme here. Washington D.C. has much to offer beyond its government and historic tourist spots. The city has beautiful neighborhoods, efficient public transport, and lots of job opportunities. You won't ever be bored here!
What is Living in Washington D.C. Like?
It's fairly hard to describe what
moving to Washington D.C. and living here is truly like. On one side, the American capital is a big city with tall skyscrapers and lots of hustle & bustle. On the other, there are vibrant and residential neighborhoods, with some almost as suburban as small towns in the American countryside. Don't forget about the US government too. Since this is the country's capital, politics and government reign supreme here. With all those mixed up in one metropolis, you simply have to live here to more accurately know what it’s like.
What is a Living Wage in Washington D.C.?
You'll need to earn at least $67,867.00 per year or $5,655.58 per month to afford a comfortable life in the American capital. This also means that you need to earn more than the minimum wage in Washington D.C., which is $17.50 per hour, to reach these figures. Fortunately, despite how high the
living costs in Washington D.C. are, it’s still a big city with several employment opportunities, so it's not necessarily impossible to get a fairly high-paying job here, but it is pretty challenging.
Pros
Washington D.C. Boasts Vibrant Neighborhoods
If you think that Washington D.C is only this cold, concrete collective of historic landmarks and government buildings, think again! The American capital is more than just the history book come-to-life that most tourists visit. There are many vibrant
neighborhoods in Washington D.C., each more exciting than the next. Georgetown, for example, is full of local shops and cool boutiques you simply have to check out. Adams Morgan, on the other hand, is beloved for its electric nightlife scene. Shopaholics would love the National Harbour too. You'll truly drain both your wallet and bank account in just one day here.
There are Many Job Opportunities in Washington D.C.
Washington D.C. may not be as big as New York City, Los Angeles, or Chicago, but it remains a bustling metropolis. As such, it offers countless job opportunities too. Right off the bat, the American capital is the best place to start a career in politics, law, and government. This is where the President lives, after all, as well as Capitol Hill. If you dream of leading the country one day, this is where you'll want to start and hopefully end up in too. At the same time, with all sorts of stories going on here, becoming a journalist in D.C. is a good idea too. Luckily, it's a high-paying job.
Washington D.C. has Efficient Public Transport
A sign of a well-developed city is efficient public transport. From its smooth underground metro to its punctual buses,
public transport in Washington D.C. is arguably second to New York City. Some might even prefer to commute here instead of in the Big Apple since D.C. is smaller and is much calmer. The metro, for example, travels to practically all parts of the city. You barely need to take a taxi to get to where you need to be. As for the buses, they're always on time. Affordable and punctual, you can easily get by just boarding the bus every day.
Cons
The Crime Rates in Washington D.C. are High
Arguably the worst part about living in Washington D.C. is that it's far from a crime-free place. No city is truly crime-free, but the American capital, ironically, is particularly not. The
crime rates in Washington D.C. are unfortunately high, with the general crime rate as high as 68.38%. Is it the most dangerous city in the country? Of course not! This is still where the President of the United States and other politicians live. Naturally, there are many areas that are still safe here. But at the same time, there are also some that you're better off avoiding.
It's Expensive to Live in Washington D.C.
As already mentioned, the living costs in Washington D.C. are pretty high. A comfortable livable salary here is around $67,867.00 per year or $5,655.58 per month, which is way above the minimum wage. But why are they so high? It's because a single adult commonly spends around $1,391.50 per month while a family of four would spend about $5,064.70 per month, both on top of rent. And when you do
rent a luxury apartment in Washington D.C., that'll cost you a minimum of $1,800.00 to a maximum of $7,000.00 per month. How's that for expensive living?
Washington D.C. Tends to Get Crowded by Tourists
There's no denying that part of why Washington D.C. is a popular city is that it's a top tourist destination in the US. Now, you may think it's fun to live in a touristy city, but after living here for quite some time, you'll soon realize that it's not necessarily the best? It won't take long for you to feel annoyed at how crowded the city is because of the tourists. It's not that you don't want them to be there, but living in such a place is far from a quiet life. Do you think you can handle such a lifestyle?
It's important to know the main pros and cons of living in Washington D.C. before you decide to relocate here. The American capital is beautiful and exciting, but it might not be for you. Get to know it more before moving to this city.
