Need some help deciding where to live; California or Washington DC?
Jun 23rd 2014, 11:18 am
#31
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Re: Need some help deciding where to live; California or Washington DC?
On San Diego: The airport is very convenient to get to if you live downtown or in the uptown neighborhoods (which you would if you're a city person). The downside is there aren't nearly as many direct flights as you'd get from a bigger hub, so you'll end up connecting more and/or paying more. Only one direct flight to Europe (BA to LHR), and it's a much longer trek than from the east coast.
As a city, I'm with Gilly in that San Diego really doesn't feel like one, certainly not a big city. That's not necessarily a bad thing (I'm househunting at the moment so do like it here), but there doesn't seem to be quite as much going on as you'd expect in USA's eighth-largest [edit] city. Having said that the weather is just about perfect, the beer is great, beaches beautiful if you're into that, and the traffic while bad not quite as hopeless as the Bay Area or LA. Expensive though! (see: househunting)
We're also overdue for a meetup, but that belongs in another forum...
As a city, I'm with Gilly in that San Diego really doesn't feel like one, certainly not a big city. That's not necessarily a bad thing (I'm househunting at the moment so do like it here), but there doesn't seem to be quite as much going on as you'd expect in USA's eighth-largest [edit] city. Having said that the weather is just about perfect, the beer is great, beaches beautiful if you're into that, and the traffic while bad not quite as hopeless as the Bay Area or LA. Expensive though! (see: househunting)
We're also overdue for a meetup, but that belongs in another forum...
A two second search on Craigslist gives these as comparisons, for a 2 bed townhouse
Two Bedroom Townhome w/Direct Entry Garage & Washer/Dryer
Dont miss out on this spacious 2BR townhome end unit with upgrades!
The Bay Area one is 100 sq ft less, and $1,286 per month more per month. If salary is going to be the same, regardless of location, OP would be foolish to live in the Bay
Jun 23rd 2014, 11:46 am
#32
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Re: Need some help deciding where to live; California or Washington DC?
This is my first time on here, so have no idea how to quote previous posts 
Hi Sally, If I move to California I will be flying out mostly due to the large distance been California, Nevada and Arizona. Airport access under an hour away would be ideal, but not the be all and end all
Hi Sally, If I move to California I will be flying out mostly due to the large distance been California, Nevada and Arizona. Airport access under an hour away would be ideal, but not the be all and end allYou also have Virgin America and United to the bay area, and US Airways/American Airlines to Phoenix, only Southwest to Vegas though.
Its a small easy to access airport with parking directly in front of the terminals. Probably the easiest major domestic airport to navigate and deal with in the US.
Jun 23rd 2014, 11:58 am
#33
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Re: Need some help deciding where to live; California or Washington DC?
The Smithsonian for one, happens to be the largest museum and research complex in the world, with 19 museums and galleries, and the National Zoo.
Oh and most are completely free of charge.
If I recall correctly it was a British scientist who never stepped foot in the US who donated the original funds for it.
Jun 23rd 2014, 12:11 pm
#34
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Re: Need some help deciding where to live; California or Washington DC?
Smithsonian
The Smithsonian for one, happens to be the largest museum and research complex in the world, with 19 museums and galleries, and the National Zoo.
Oh and most are completely free of charge.
If I recall correctly it was a British scientist who never stepped foot in the US who donated the original funds for it.
The Smithsonian for one, happens to be the largest museum and research complex in the world, with 19 museums and galleries, and the National Zoo.
Oh and most are completely free of charge.
If I recall correctly it was a British scientist who never stepped foot in the US who donated the original funds for it.
Jun 23rd 2014, 12:27 pm
#35
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Re: Need some help deciding where to live; California or Washington DC?
On San Diego: The airport is very convenient to get to if you live downtown or in the uptown neighborhoods (which you would if you're a city person). The downside is there aren't nearly as many direct flights as you'd get from a bigger hub, so you'll end up connecting more and/or paying more. Only one direct flight to Europe (BA to LHR), and it's a much longer trek than from the east coast.
As a city, I'm with Gilly in that San Diego really doesn't feel like one, certainly not a big city. That's not necessarily a bad thing (I'm househunting at the moment so do like it here), but there doesn't seem to be quite as much going on as you'd expect in USA's eighth-largest [edit] city. Having said that the weather is just about perfect, the beer is great, beaches beautiful if you're into that, and the traffic while bad not quite as hopeless as the Bay Area or LA. Expensive though! (see: househunting)
We're also overdue for a meetup, but that belongs in another forum...
As a city, I'm with Gilly in that San Diego really doesn't feel like one, certainly not a big city. That's not necessarily a bad thing (I'm househunting at the moment so do like it here), but there doesn't seem to be quite as much going on as you'd expect in USA's eighth-largest [edit] city. Having said that the weather is just about perfect, the beer is great, beaches beautiful if you're into that, and the traffic while bad not quite as hopeless as the Bay Area or LA. Expensive though! (see: househunting)
We're also overdue for a meetup, but that belongs in another forum...
Jun 23rd 2014, 12:41 pm
#36
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Re: Need some help deciding where to live; California or Washington DC?
DC is a government center, but for the OP's needs, it is also a major telecommunications center and biomedical research area. Northern Virginia was once one of the main hubs (MAE-EAST) for the Internet and many of the early tech companies got their start in that region, which has had a knock-on effect for other startups and tech work. The FDA and NIH are based in Suburban Maryland, which has led to things like the Human Genome Project and their associated industries being done out there, along with a slew of medical research. You also have a video game development corridor between DC and Baltimore along with tons of military research being done at places like PAX River to the South of DC. And on top of all that, you have the tech-related work for the US government that surrounds the entire DC region.
Long term, there is quite a tech community thriving in the DC area. It can be topped by a few other cities in the US, most notably, Silicon Valley.
I think the real question is what is the goal of this H1-B visa? Getting a green card? Finding another job? If it is a career based decision, you may want to be DC or San Francisco/Silicon Valley primarily due to the opportunities in those two cities to further you tech work (not entirely sure what you are doing but those to areas will have far more jobs and networking opportunities).
As for DC things to do, it is probably one of the more international cities in the USA. Not only are their the immigrants who have moved to the region (El Salvadoran, Vietnamese, and Indian are the largest groups) but there are a number of expats working in international media outlets, embassy and diplomatic staff, the World Bank and IMF (in case you are wondering, the Washington DC TV ratings for the World Cup are highest in the country). The city core itself is smaller and more 'European' for lack of a better word than say San Diego. You also have 3 major airports (DCA, IAD, and BWI) which will offer flights not only across the country but good service back to the UK.
If your work or family life is making you 'look back' to the UK a bit, i.e. you need to do conference calls with the UK or talk to your folks, then 5 hour time difference from DC is a bit easier than the 8 hours to California. The flight is also a bit shorter should you be commuting over the pond.
The weather and scenery is a bit nicer in California if you like to get out and about. I think the laid back culture might be a bit nicer than the go-go-go DC attitude, but that depends on your own personality. Housing prices in DC and Silicon Valley are quite high.
Honestly, you won't make a mistake in either place. Both have positives and not too many negatives. I think you'll just have to go with what offers you the best long term career future and where you are happy.
Good luck.
Long term, there is quite a tech community thriving in the DC area. It can be topped by a few other cities in the US, most notably, Silicon Valley.
I think the real question is what is the goal of this H1-B visa? Getting a green card? Finding another job? If it is a career based decision, you may want to be DC or San Francisco/Silicon Valley primarily due to the opportunities in those two cities to further you tech work (not entirely sure what you are doing but those to areas will have far more jobs and networking opportunities).
As for DC things to do, it is probably one of the more international cities in the USA. Not only are their the immigrants who have moved to the region (El Salvadoran, Vietnamese, and Indian are the largest groups) but there are a number of expats working in international media outlets, embassy and diplomatic staff, the World Bank and IMF (in case you are wondering, the Washington DC TV ratings for the World Cup are highest in the country). The city core itself is smaller and more 'European' for lack of a better word than say San Diego. You also have 3 major airports (DCA, IAD, and BWI) which will offer flights not only across the country but good service back to the UK.
If your work or family life is making you 'look back' to the UK a bit, i.e. you need to do conference calls with the UK or talk to your folks, then 5 hour time difference from DC is a bit easier than the 8 hours to California. The flight is also a bit shorter should you be commuting over the pond.
The weather and scenery is a bit nicer in California if you like to get out and about. I think the laid back culture might be a bit nicer than the go-go-go DC attitude, but that depends on your own personality. Housing prices in DC and Silicon Valley are quite high.
Honestly, you won't make a mistake in either place. Both have positives and not too many negatives. I think you'll just have to go with what offers you the best long term career future and where you are happy.
Good luck.
Last edited by penguinsix; Jun 23rd 2014 at 2:16 pm.
Jun 23rd 2014, 1:13 pm
#37
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Re: Need some help deciding where to live; California or Washington DC?
Yes - the OP is very lucky if the hardest career choice that he has to make at this stage is whether to be based in California or DC.
Jun 23rd 2014, 2:01 pm
#38
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Re: Need some help deciding where to live; California or Washington DC?
Thanks to everyone for their input so far, and thank you for the heads up on how to quote on here! 
I only have two weeks holiday, so it will most likely only be once a year probably around Christmas.
I have been living in West Virginia for the majority of my time here, so I am used to connecting flights back to the UK, even from a big city like Pittsburgh. As for the only flight being BA, that's not too much of a problem for me as I regularly fly with them and currently playing the game of collecting executive points!
This is VERY appealing! I am used to a small 3 bed semi-attached house back home, so the idea of getting somewhere with a lot more space for the same/less is something that could weigh things in its favor. Also, once I chose a particular spot (where ever that may be) I will try and look around other parts as and where I can.
Thank you this is really insightful. This will be my first 'real' job coming out of University, so the long term goal is to use this as a platform to continue to network and grow professionally whilst exposing myself to a new culture and having fun. My original thoughts are to enable myself to grow professionally to a point where I can join a fully international company that can offer me the opportunity to move back home, if I decide that's what I want.
I'm aware that DC is mainly a government city, everyone I spoke to seemed to have a connection to politics to some degree. However the idea of being able to network with companies that have an international presence is also appealing. Plus they have Nandos! It's the closet taste I have had to being home whilst being here
I am used to the 5 hour time difference, 8 hours may cause some issues. But i'm also sure my friends would be even more inclined to visit if I lived by a beach!
Being from Birmingham, where there is NO beach other than the fake one they put in the city center, the chance to live by the beach for a little while sounds Amazing!
If I did decide to live in San Diego, this is a major plus. As I will be flying domestically to Nevada/Arizona/The Bay Area.
Thank you all for your advise, and I realize that I'm in a pretty lucky situation to chose between California and DC! My standard salary will be the same no matter where I am, so I am definitely looking to save some money by having some house mates. Both area's sound like they have a lot of positives! I just want to ensure I make the right choice as once I choose the territory, I can not go back! (Sorry for such a large post!)
Kyle.
On San Diego: The airport is very convenient to get to if you live downtown or in the uptown neighborhoods (which you would if you're a city person). The downside is there aren't nearly as many direct flights as you'd get from a bigger hub, so you'll end up connecting more and/or paying more. Only one direct flight to Europe (BA to LHR), and it's a much longer trek than from the east coast.
DC is a government center, but for the OP's needs, it is also a major telecommunications center and biomedical research area.
I think the real question is what is the goal of this H1-B visa? Getting a green card? Finding another job? If it is a career based decision, you may want to be DC vs. San Francisco/Silicon Valley primarily due to the opportunities in those two cities to further you tech work (not entirely sure what you are doing but those to areas will have far more jobs and networking opportunities).
As for DC things to do, it is probably one of the more international cities in the USA... (in case you are wondering, the Washington DC TV ratings for the World Cup are highest in the country).
If your work or family life is making you 'look back' to the UK a bit, i.e. you need to do conference calls with the UK or talk to your folks, then 5 hour time difference from DC is a bit easier than the 8 hours to California.
Honestly, you won't make a mistake in either place. Both have positives and not too many negatives. I think you'll just have to go with what offers you the best long term career future and where you are happy.
Good luck.
I think the real question is what is the goal of this H1-B visa? Getting a green card? Finding another job? If it is a career based decision, you may want to be DC vs. San Francisco/Silicon Valley primarily due to the opportunities in those two cities to further you tech work (not entirely sure what you are doing but those to areas will have far more jobs and networking opportunities).
As for DC things to do, it is probably one of the more international cities in the USA... (in case you are wondering, the Washington DC TV ratings for the World Cup are highest in the country).
If your work or family life is making you 'look back' to the UK a bit, i.e. you need to do conference calls with the UK or talk to your folks, then 5 hour time difference from DC is a bit easier than the 8 hours to California.
Honestly, you won't make a mistake in either place. Both have positives and not too many negatives. I think you'll just have to go with what offers you the best long term career future and where you are happy.
Good luck.
I'm aware that DC is mainly a government city, everyone I spoke to seemed to have a connection to politics to some degree. However the idea of being able to network with companies that have an international presence is also appealing. Plus they have Nandos! It's the closet taste I have had to being home whilst being here
I am used to the 5 hour time difference, 8 hours may cause some issues. But i'm also sure my friends would be even more inclined to visit if I lived by a beach! Thank you all for your advise, and I realize that I'm in a pretty lucky situation to chose between California and DC! My standard salary will be the same no matter where I am, so I am definitely looking to save some money by having some house mates. Both area's sound like they have a lot of positives! I just want to ensure I make the right choice as once I choose the territory, I can not go back! (Sorry for such a large post!)
Kyle.
Jun 23rd 2014, 2:04 pm
#39
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Re: Need some help deciding where to live; California or Washington DC?
Also, just out of interest. Where have you found has had a large influx of Brits between the two? I would very much like to meet up with some more Brits whilst being over here! Especially when the Euro's roll round. The only was is up after our performance (or lack thereof) in Brazil!
Jun 23rd 2014, 2:07 pm
#40
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Re: Need some help deciding where to live; California or Washington DC?
Also, just out of interest. Where have you found has had a large influx of Brits between the two? I would very much like to meet up with some more Brits whilst being over here! Especially when the Euro's roll round. The only was is up after our performance (or lack thereof) in Brazil!
There are lots of Brits in Santa Monica.
Jun 23rd 2014, 2:14 pm
#41
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Jun 23rd 2014, 2:28 pm
#43
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Re: Need some help deciding where to live; California or Washington DC?
Where about in Birmingham? It's not bad at all, looking back (especially whilst being in West Virginia) I really miss a lot of it. I live just outside the city, so have the best of both worlds. Country side, parks, and golf courses in one direction. The Bull Ring, Jewelry Quarter, and Digbeth in the other. And lets not forget the greatest Football team of all time! Aston Villa!
Jun 23rd 2014, 2:34 pm
#44
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Re: Need some help deciding where to live; California or Washington DC?
Where about in Birmingham? It's not bad at all, looking back (especially whilst being in West Virginia) I really miss a lot of it. I live just outside the city, so have the best of both worlds. Country side, parks, and golf courses in one direction. The Bull Ring, Jewelry Quarter, and Digbeth in the other. And lets not forget the greatest Football team of all time! Aston Villa!
Jun 23rd 2014, 2:36 pm
#45
Joined: Mar 2009
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Re: Need some help deciding where to live; California or Washington DC?
Also, just out of interest. Where have you found has had a large influx of Brits between the two? I would very much like to meet up with some more Brits whilst being over here! Especially when the Euro's roll round. The only was is up after our performance (or lack thereof) in Brazil!
