As a hub for politics, foreign policy and law, Washington DC attracts people from all over the world. Whether you are locating for a short period of time or an indefinite number of years, it is important to prepare for the move to manage expectations and to avoid unnecessary stress and frustration.
LEARN THE NEIGHBORHOODS
The most important item on your list should be deciding where you will live in DC. Finding a trusted Washington D.C. real estate agent who is an expert in the field and knows all there is to know about the best areas for your budget, needs and tastes is key. Whether you want a more residential neighborhood on a quieter street like Kalorama or a modern apartment in hopping Logan Circle, turn to David Hatef, one of the top realtors in DC, to aid in your home search.
CONSIDER PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION
Depending where you are moving from, making the switch to taking public transportation can be a huge adjustment. Washington’s Metro and bus systems are convenient, affordable and easy to navigate, making commuting to work, seeing friends and getting around the city in general a breeze. The Metro may seem intimidating at first, but it’s clean, easy and a great resource in DC. Consult a Metro map and do a few dry runs before your first day of work to get comfortable, and then it will become a breeze!
COST OF LIVING
While not at the top of the list of most expensive cities in the country, DC is within the top ten, so relocating to a high cost of living city from out of state or a smaller city can be a shock. Housing tends to get more expensive as you move closer to downtown, so consulting a realtor about the options in and just outside the city – like in Bethesda, Chevy Chase or Northern Virginia – is a great place to start when budgeting your lifestyle in DC. You may also consider tapping into a Washington D.C. real estate financial advisor to help get aligned as you adjust to the new cost of living in Washington beyond just housing.
WEEKEND GETAWAYS
Moving to a new place is almost never easy and a busy atmosphere can cause stress, so it’s important to take time off and enjoy all the city and its surroundings have to offer. DC is located among the beautiful landscapes of Virginia and Maryland, with Shenandoah National Park, Virginia Beach, Annapolis’ waterfront and more within a few hours of the bustling metropolis. Knowing what you have at your fingertips and pushing yourself to explore for a day or a weekend is key to enjoying what makes DC one of the most desirable cities to live in the country.
