You wanna know the really crazy thing??? Well I'm sure you are aware of the new development on the Maryland side called National Harbor. Well I had gone to the website and they ask you to put your name on a list to be called later in order to schedule an appointment. I put my name down about 2 months before I left for the area and I hadn't heard from them. Well I figured, 'Oh well I'll go and visit the sales office and set up an appointment there.' I got there and I needed a friggin' appointment just to be let through the guard gate there. I had to pull a U and head back. I pulled off to the right on the road and proceeded to call to see if an agent would let me in but nada, zilch, zero contact. You know because I was really interested and I was in the area, more than 1000 miles from home.

Here I'm thinking that with the current condition of the housing market you'd think companies would make it as easy as possible to see their properties for sale. Well this one was contradictory. I was pissed since it was such a good location and the concept was really cool. As a long time resident of the area I though it was about time Maryland had started to build up that side of the river like Virginia had and I wanted to be apart of it. Well It's several months later and I get this email saying 'Time to call and set your appointment now.' I got pissed off just reading that. Part of me still wants to live in that development and the other part, which is a major part, wants to give them the big F U.

Needless to say, I've since found out from my father, who's an urban developer, that they are having rodent issues. Apparently they were successful with clearing the brush. There weren't so much with clearing out the critters. Quite an interesting development I say. However I'm looking at other areas now and they've lost a good resident.

Yeah that sucks. It's no excuse for them, but I imagine they have huge demand for that though. Do you have any idea about how much places were costing there?

This area just seems to be constantly growing. We bought only recently in a new development and even with all the news of prices dropping and houses not being sold, they still are selling and building like mad as far as I can see.

You know there is a unique thing that they say about the DC area. The DC area is seen to be recession proof. The reason why is that DC is primarily a white collar-services oriented kind of town. You'll hardly see any industry in that area accept for industries meant to support the infrastructure of the town. We don't have many major manufacturing plants in that area that are normally sensitive to economic fluctuations. So using that market analysis they see fit that the area can absorb the amount of new housing in the area. Despite that, the ability of getting a mortgage easily has become more difficult, putting would-be homeowners under the current dodgy lending schemes out of the running with the new lending policies in place.

Hello,

It can be a bit difficult moving to a new country and leaving behind your culture and those in your home social life. However, having traveled through DC on a number of occasions, I can say that it is a very lively city with a lot to see and do, and a fairly large international community.

It will take time, but you should be able to adjust to things and meet new people without too many problems. Good luck!

Hey there, I have also been reading your post. I too am relocating to DC, most likely Maryland. I am moving by my self but I know a few people in DC so I won’t be totally by my self. It is a bit scary! I am looking forward to it though and having been to DC a good few times, even spent a summer in DC (northern VA) I can concur that it is a good city. I am planning on going over there around the beginning of September. It will be hard to start a fresh making new friends and all that but I like a challenge. How are your move plans coming along?

Sorry I didn't make it through this whole thread, as I felt the need to respond, so I might be repeating what someone has said but I actually would advise living in the city rather then in Maryland or Virginia. I am in my twenties and have lived in DC for the past 5 years and am a hippy at heart. I don't find it unsafe, I walk by myself often and wouldn't imagine moving out of the city.

DC has changed A LOT in the past 5 years and some areas that were once terrible neighborhoods are very nice neighborhoods now, so people who once lived in the city may remember it much differently. One of the main reasons I advise living in the city is cutting down on commute time and being close enough to walk nearly everywhere (if you are a walker). If you are out in Virginia or Maryland the commute on the metro during non-peak hours can take 20 minutes to over an hour, pending on how many transfers you have and if you have long waits for the trains. Also, the trains are PACKED during rush hour times especially going out to VA. I really recommend living in the city if you can afford the rent. I know the neighborhoods in the city very well and have friends living in nearly every neighborhood, so if you need any advise on where to stay, I would be happy to help.

Also, when do you get to the area? I would be happy to meet up some time, as making friends, once you are out of school, can be a bit harder. All of my friends are transplants from all over the US, with a few international friends, so we are very welcoming to new people to the area.

Cheers!

Oh and btw, congrats on the job!

Neighborhoods I like and find safe if you are smart... (most in NW DC)

Dupont Circle <-- a wonderful neighborhood and very safe
Adam's Morgan<-- used to live there
U-street (note it sits close to some areas that are a bit rough)
Woodley Park <-- this is where I live and it is very safe.
Columbia Heights <-- used to live there, but close to some areas that are a bit rough
Logan Circle (note it sits close to some areas that are a bit rough)
Foggy Bottom and Georgetown (I personally don't perfer these neighborhoods but some of friends do and they are safe)
Cleveland park <-- would def. live there
Van Ness
Tenley Town

Capital South and the Eastern Market area also has a lot of young people who work for the government. This area has really really cleaned up but once again as you get on the edges it starts to get rough.

A lot people use www.craigslist.com to find ads about housing. Check it out and feel free to ask any questions about specific places.

Cheers!

Good to hear from someone else in a similar situation. I should be moving in late August if all goes according to plan- its all happening so fast! So why did you choose to move to DC? Good luck preparing for your move

Thank you for the advice- it's been really handy getting insider tips from everyone on this forum. Will definately take a look at the areas you have suggested and I'm sure I will have a load of questions very soon. Thanks again!

One of by best friends lives there, and I will need all the friends I can get when I get over :-).
If I am honest I would really have loved to move to NYC for a while, but after investigating that possibility I was fairly taken back at the quality of accommodation that would have been in my price range, it was a real eye opener.
I have a fair Idea what I *might* be getting paid but until I actually get a job over there I really don’t know what I will be earning so its hard to know if I would be able to afford NYC. One of the big reasons I want to leave Ireland is due to the astronomical cost of living here, so moving to NYC would be out of the frying pan into the fire!!. I earn way over the average wage in Ireland but I am always broke! Ireland is an extremely expensive county to live in. I am looking forward to having a decent standard of living something that is only afforded to people who are very high earners in this country. I can see my self heading for the west cost in a few years!

My visa petition was approved today. I'm so excited- although the whole move has suddenly become alot more real. Now I just need to get through the interview with the consulate here and I'm off!

Anyway thanks for all the advice and nudges in the right direction.

Sam

Congratulations Sam! I'm jealous. You're going to the DC area and I'm stuck here in the Midwest. I'll make it there soon though. Keep us posted and let us know when you land.

Congrats! Its a great feeling. when are you planing on moving?

Excellent news!!! I love the DC area