The City Where It Happens: Working and Living in D.C.

Where’s the most extensive library in the world?

Washington D.C.!

The Library of Congress adds about 12,000 new items to the collections every day. To house all of these books, the historic library has over 20 reading rooms and 838 miles of bookshelves. When you’re living in D.C., all you need is a reader card with your photo on it and you can use the Library’s reading rooms and collections on site.

If you’re getting ready to start a new life in Washington D.C., congratulations! In this article, we’ll tell you everything you need to know about living in the city. We’ll cover things like job opportunities, places to eat, and evening housing situations. By the time you’re done reading this article, you’ll feel like you already live there!

Read on to learn the ins and outs of living and working in Washington D.C.

Job Prospects in Washington D.C.

The job market in Washington D.C. is booming! It’s predicted that by 2026, there will be a ton of new high demand occupations that pay well over $100,000. Some of the growing opportunities include computer systems analysts, marketing managers, and real estate managers.

A lot of the high demand and high wage positions require you to at least have a bachelors degree. However, you can still make a lot of money in D.C., even if you’re just looking for an entry-level position. For instance, tour guides, waitresses, and dog walkers are all jobs that can bring home large paychecks thanks to the city’s bustling tourism scene.

Choosing Your Housing Situation

Are you moving to Washington D.C., and wondering where you should live? Finding the perfect housing situation starts by creating a strict monthly budget. Next, you’ll need to calculate exactly what each property would cost you each month. Both rent and house prices will be higher the closer you are to the downtown area.

However, before you start looking at faraway locations, keep in mind the high cost of commuting from far away. Next, you’ll need to decide whether you’re looking to rent or buy your property.

As a general rule of thumb, as long as you’re planning to stay in Washington D.C. for a long time, buying is better than renting. If you’re ready to take the plunge, locations like dupont circle condos are a great long term investment. Condos also tend to be easier to buy than traditional houses are.

Should You Bike or Drive Around the City?

Moving on, let’s look at the best tips and tricks for biking and driving around the city. If you’re thinking about giving biking a try, you’ll be able to avoid traffic, while also taking advantage of fun biking trails. Make sure you check out the Capital Crescent Trail, and Rock Creek Park.

Of course, to get the best of both worlds you can also drive around the city. On weekdays traffic’s the worst from 6 -10 a.m. and 3-7 p.m. If you’re driving on the weekend, you can count on spending a good chunk of your time stuck in traffic.

Finally, prepare yourself for traffic circles, one-way streets, and tricky parking situations. Finding parking can be difficult in the city, and it’s also expensive. You might find yourself biking more than driving just to avoid all of the hassles driving can bring.

Tips for Taking the Metro

Of course, if you don’t want to drive, or bike, you can always take the Metro! The Metro or Metrorail is an efficient transit service with affordable rates.

As you get used to living in D.C., you’ll find that the Metro is a popular option for people who are running late to work. However, Metro trains don’t follow a strict schedule. Instead, you can generally expect a new train every 5-8 minutes during peak weekday hours, and every 13-20 minutes on the weekends.

We suggest you try walking to the front of the platform to look for a seat in the first or second train cars. People tend to flock towards the middle of the trains, making it hard to find available seats. If the train you’re about to board seems to be packed no matter where you go, just wait for the next one!

Dining Out in the Washington D.C. Area

If you’re a foodie you’re going to love all of the variety the D.C. dining scene has to offer. You’ll be able to find all sorts of international cuisines in the city, and the surrounding suburbs.

One of the most popular cuisines in the city is the Southeast Asian foo. At a Southeast Asian restaurant, you’ll find dishes like green papaya salad, slow-roasted pork, shrimp pancakes, and more!

There are also tons of incredible breakfast spots in D.C. For instance, the Blue Duck Tavern is a Michelin-starred breakfast spot with savory egg dishes and large lump crab cakes. Last but not least, if cheese is your friend, you’ll be happy to know there’s a never-ending list of mouth-watering pizzerias in D.C.

Wildlife in the City

What type of wildlife will you enjoy spotting around Washington D.C.? During the day you can find adorable flying squirrels, playing in the trees. As the night approaches, brown bats start eating up whatever bugs are out and about.

There are also groundhogs, opossums, and all sorts of birds, including the bald eagle. Finally, there are cute tree frogs, big bullfrogs, and dangerous copperhead snakes living in the city.

Have a Blast Living in D.C.

As you can see, living in D.C. means leading an interesting and fulfilling life! Remember to carefully consider what type of housing location is going to work best for your main mode of transportation. Do you want to be in the heart of downtown D.C. or do you plan on driving into the city every day?

Lastly, decide today whether you’re going to rent or buy your new home. Carefully consider things such as your budget, as well as how long you plan on being in D.C. For more tips like the ones in this article, check out the rest of this site!