Moving to DC

[snipelfritz]

Hey, so I know I'm jumping the gun, but I might be getting a job in DC. This would be my first time moving cross country for a big boy-career job. I don't know for sure, but I'd be making $35-40K. Sooooo, does anybody know anything about the city? or about hip, cheap neighborhoods to move into (preferably on the NW side) with less than terrible rent; or how to find a suitable roommate? I understand roommate is the way to go around there.

I don't think so, but are there any UGers in the DC area? I can't recall anyone. I'd be working in the NW side off Wisconsin Ave (lol, since I'd be moving from Wisconsin).

Like I said, I'm just on at an initial phone interview (that I feel kind of good about), but I'm excited and I'd like any tips.

Soooooo, go!

[Ancient Astronaught]

If u wanna live inside DC the pentworth neighborhood seems to be the hotspot right now for what your looking for. I live about 45 minutes outside of DC but could definitely help show you around. Also if your house hunting Craigslist works great for that as there's alot of renters desperate to fill rooms.

[MEC]

...are there any UGers in the DC area?...

[hclapp219]

I'm in DC. Wisconsin Ave is a really long road that extends from Georgetown to Bethesda - do you know what specific neighborhood you'll be working in? Petworth, Columbia Heights and Bloomingdale are probably your best bets for some combination of hip and cheap in NW. You may also want to check out H Street if your work is on the red line. You will absolutely be living in a group house making that salary; even small studios start at around $1300. Everything moves super fast on Craigslist. I would reach out to any friends or alumni list servs once you have a better sense of when you'll be here: getting a room in a house is a lot easier through word of mouth than it is via online posts (just like getting a job).

[snipelfritz]

^I'd actually be working on Wisconsin ave, just south of Tenleytown it looks like. How are the NW suburbs, Bethesda, Silver Spring even?

...are there any UGers in the DC area?...

fuck, I copy-pasted parts of that OP in a thread over there.

Speaking of this, I need to finish my research project for the interview Tuesday.

[hclapp219]

Hope your interview went well!

I would advise being somewhere on the red line if possible. Silver Spring is on the other side of the red line, so the commute would be much longer than from Bethesda, but Silver Spring is much more reasonably priced. The suburbs to the NW of DC are expensive (and by the time you get out to where they aren't expensive you're too far away from the city, in my opinion). I would also keep an eye out for bargains in Dupont Circle, Adams Morgan and Woodley Park. If it's a good deal, you have to act fast, and doing it from a distance is tough, as group houses generally only take people they've met at an open house or if you are known through a current roommate.

[Ancient Astronaught]

I'd tell ya to move out where I am but the metro won't be done being built for probably another year or two....

Also Northern VA is typically cheaper then MD, but theres not as many Metro stations, and you'd have to train hop as the red line doesn't come out to VA, we get Orange and Blue. If your looking for a place in Silver Spring I might actually have a line on a room for you, and he definitely welcomes musicians.

[snipelfritz]

<10 minutes until my Skype interview with the department head (because I nailed the first one) and i find out my one competing candidate doesn't have any direct experience like I do.

I'm starting to think I had this job the whole time, lol.

Hey, I'll hit you up later AA. The one thing I do have going for me is a car that is ok on mileage.

[Ancient Astronaught]

I'm always here..... well atleast weekdays 8-5 EST hahaha

[Gone Fission]

I would advise being somewhere on the red line if possible. Silver Spring is on the other side of the red line, so the commute would be much longer than from Bethesda, but Silver Spring is much more reasonably priced. The suburbs to the NW of DC are expensive (and by the time you get out to where they aren't expensive you're too far away from the city, in my opinion). I would also keep an eye out for bargains in Dupont Circle, Adams Morgan and Woodley Park. If it's a good deal, you have to act fast, and doing it from a distance is tough, as group houses generally only take people they've met at an open house or if you are known through a current roommate.

Don't know the group house deal, but besides that this all sounds accurate. Beware of long Red Line commutes, though, because that bugger breaks down at the drop of a hat.

I cope with a ridiculously long Metro commute with music and reading. I prefer it to sitting in horrid traffic in a city without mass transit. If you can manage it things get easier if you can minimize transfers, including train/bus. In my experience, raw distance isn't as much of a drag as your transfer situation breaking down. (Unfortunately I've got both.)

[snipelfritz]

How's driving in/around the city? I think I'll have parking at work, but I wonder for typical apartments/houses.

[dazedbyday]

Parking can be a real bitch, especially with the alternate side parking. I lived outside for a number of years in college and lived in the city for two. The city has changed a bit since I lived there so I am not too up on current events. I lived in Bloomingdale off S St. and not too far from the U st. corridor and Rhode Island Ave which turns into route 1 outside the city towards College Park. NW is generally more expensive since that is where all the white people live. Skip (Ancient Astronaut) knows the city real well so he can help you with anything you need probably. My ex's family is from the silver spring tacoma park area which is nice. I'm not too sure on the pricing for houses though. I know some people who live in Silver Spring though. They have a pirate bar out there if it is still open. There is another bar in silver spring that has a good beer selection too. They had Golden Drak.

[snipelfritz]

Two bars? I am not impressed, even though I'm on sabbatical from drinking. Sabboozical? Lol.

I just emailed some dudes about a pretty nice looking from in the NoMa/Union Station area for $850 plus utilities.

I'm hoping to hear about the job for certain either during my skype meeting tomorrow (fingers crossed, I really think I've got this thing nailed down) or by the middle of next week so I can get the ball rolling on a move.

[dazedbyday]

Hahaha, there are a few more then two but thats what I know from Silver Spring. There ae some other good ones in the city as well. Good luck on the interview.

[OddKnowledge]

Parking can be a real bitch

This should be DC's tagline.