Hi everyone. Another newbie to the forum. As seasoned expats I want to pick your brains a little… I have just been offered a position in Washington and have to give an answer by the end of next week. The job is ideal for me at this time- it would be fantastic experience, I’m 24, have just finished my Masters and have no real responsibilities here in the UK. However I’m also a little nervous about moving to a new country where I don’t know anyone! I’m curious to hear from those of you who have done the move alone- how easy was it to settle in and make new ties? Did you feel isolated at all? Are any of you in Washington? What’s it like?

So many questions…
Looking forward to your insight!
Sam

Hello and welcome to BE.

Do you mean Washington DC or Washington State?

Hello!
The job is in Washington DC.

Welcome to BE! If you mean Washington DC, I do not live too far from there, so I could help maybe.

Good luck!
Simon

Thanks for the welcomes!
Any help would be great- What is DC like? Never actually visited before- all the interviews were over the phone... If I do accept they want me to start in a month so I would just have to just dive in without really knowing anything first hand about the city. Mmm maybe I should think this through more

DC is my hometown. I'm an American and would love to help you out with getting yourself settled in the area. DC to me is a wonderful city that I hope to move back to. There is always something to do, see, taste, and hear there. Before I get carried away here can you tell me what you like to do in your hometown so that I may draw some parallels?

I moved to another country alone a few times the 1st I was 19yrs old.
It's easy for me no idea why just like a duck to water I think the main thing to think about is safety and not to trust anyone and I mean anyone until you really feel secure,this is not to scare you but to protect you.
In your case you will have a job to go to which is great as you will be able to meet new folk and build a social life to start with through your work associates,treat it as an adventure I have lived worked and travelled all over the world and had a flippen ball.

Do you get accomodation with the job?


I love DC as well what a great city to begin an adventure in

Glad to hear you have such a positive view of the city! I'm not big on night life/ clubbing etc. More into going to live shows, theatre/dance/music etc. I love museums, I went to university in South Kensington in London near all the big museums and spent more time there than in lectures! Bit of a science geek and enjoy going to talks etc. I'm also a youth worker and spend lots of time volunteering with young people in London so thats something I would love to do in DC too.

Also what's the diversity like in DC? I'm an "other" and through some of the reading I've done online it seems that whilst DC is very diverse it is also very segregated- how true is this?

Cheers,
Sam

You know I'm interviewing with a company who's headquartered here in KC but has members of the team I'll possibly be working with out in Vienna, VA (suburb of DC). Hopefully it will pan out and I'll transfer in a years time back to DC. I miss that area so much and I get homesick everytime I visit the place.

I have friends in Middleburg and Upperville, Winchester, love the place I would move there in a heart bet its totally me

Me too...fabulous city.

Thanks for your reply- good to hear that you had such a good experience going it alone! It sounds like you have travelled alot- where abouts did you go? Did you have any issues settling in?

And you're right having the job already will help with meeting people- the organisation is relatively big and has a quite a young staff.

Moving to a new town, by yourself, is rough no matter from where you hail. But that said, DC is a GREAT town to be a transient / newcomer. It's actually quite an International town and you'll sort of blend in with the large expat communties from all countries. The city is filled with people who come in and out with the political winds, diplomatic postings, media assignments, military service, so there is always a group of people 'new to town' and people generally have a more welcoming attitude and understanding of how it is to be 'new girl in the city.'

The first months are going to be a bit rough though. You'll just be getting to know people and get settled and feel a bit out of place.

Many people in DC (a surprisingly large number) live in group houses, four or five people sharing the (expensive) rent but giving them an instant entree into the social and political world. You might check out the political newspapers "Roll Call" and "The Hill" for the classifieds, or visit the House and Senate office buildings where they have 'apartment for rent ads' near the staff dining halls.

Craigslist is also a good source.

If you want to do it by your own, consider living in one of the more close in neighborhoods, either in DC proper (Georgetown, Dupont Circle, Adams Morgan, Capitol Hill) or in Virginia (Courthouse, Clarendon) or Maryland (Bethesda). All are pretty close to the city and have a lot to offer young people with restaurants, stores, night life, etc.

Take a look at the WIKI and read up a bit about 'making friends in the US' and some of the other cultural differences you can expect.

And drop us a note when you arrive. There are a number of folks on this board from the DC area.

Just do it.

I came over on a one year contract at age 24 with 2 suitcases and enough stuff to fit into one.

25 years later......still here and no regrets.

Good luck and welcome.

Now, with all that I said above, I wanted to put up another post. DC is not Kansas (an American expression to say it isn't exactly the safest city on Earth). The nicer parts are quite nice, and the bad parts can be very very bad. Congressman have been mugged on the steps of the Supreme Court and people have been murdered on the streets of Georgetown (the nicer part of DC). You will need to have your wits about you when you first arrive until you get a bit of a feel for the street life and where and where you should not walk.