Franklin

*LOL* Made my day that did.

NC Penguin

However, cost of living is very high and I expect much higher than what you're currently paying in Oz (though I don't know exactly where you live).

<<snip>>

DC itself is a very small area and due its proximity to government, it's a very expensive place to live in terms of home rental, parking.

I'm sure you're way off the mark with your estimate for renting a 3 bdrm house in DC. You might need to triple that figure but that's just a guess. Also, the architecture in DC is older (in American terms. i.e. over 80 years old), so residential properties are small by modern day standards.

DC has Georgetown which is the student section of the city, if that's your kind of thing. There's dining of all kinds to suit all kinds of budgets too. What's your definition of fun?

Your best bet is to look at the areas in the states surrounding DC. Just look at real estate/rental sites on the web and you'll get a feel for the rent charged.

The Metro in DC is great and is slowly being extended outwards to northern VA. Prior to living in the US, my spouse lived in Fairfax County in northern VA. He rented there all the years he lived there and rental prices were (this was up to 1998) similar to central London rental prices!

Hope my comments are of use to you.

rogerpenycate

Even if you go south into Southern Maryland (where I live) rents are quite high.
I pay $740 for a 2 bedroom apartment, which is really cheap.
If you live in somewhere like the Waldorf/La Plata area, you can be paying up to $1,500 pm for a 2/3 bedroom house.

Agreeing with POW it is a bit of a slap to the beach, I guess Ocean City is the closest and that's OK, an upmarket Blackpool.
But to get there you have to go over the Bay Bridge at Annapolis which can be a pain.

Oggie Oi!

Agreeing with POW it is a bit of a slap to the beach, I guess Ocean City is the closest and that's OK, an upmarket Blackpool.
But to get there you have to go over the Bay Bridge at Annapolis which can be a pain. [/QUOTE]

Tis true that the beach is quite a bit of a jog, but on the other hand, DC is not too far from skiing, white water rafting, mountain biking, massive national nature parks, etc... You have quite a few options within a 2 or 3 hour radius of the DC area.

And yes, the summers are incredibly humid, but Americans love air conditioning and have mastered the ability to get about without having to expose themselves to the sun. I can get from my home to my office without ever having to step outside and leave the comforts of AC.

lairdside

Originally posted by Oggie Oi!
Agreeing with POW it is a bit of a slap to the beach, I guess Ocean City is the closest and that's OK, an upmarket Blackpool.
But to get there you have to go over the Bay Bridge at Annapolis which can be a pain. [/QUOTE]
Sounds like New Orleans...lol

rogerpenycate

True, there is a lot to do, the Museums (Smithsonian) are fantastic, I recently did the Skyline Drive in the Blue Ridge Mountains (Laurel and Hardy fame) great views, even managed to see a black bear in the trees.
I saw someone lives in Annapolis, that's a really pretty place especially around the harbour.

All in all a good place to live, and at least it has "seasons" which makes us ex-pats feel at home

Jxab12

The Inn at Little Washington, Washington VA - about 90 minutes west of DC towards Blue Ridge mountains. Voted best restaurant in the states for years.

http://www.relaischateaux.fr/site/us...ode=washington

However may need a home equity loan if you want to stay there!

jayr

Relative to other parts of the US is Washington a little less Bible belt and reactionary?

FlyergirlUK

Yep, definitely!!

Oggie Oi!

DC is god-less. Actually, religion has never really come up in my daily life other than when it has to do with some legislative issue. Part of DC (North East) is called "Little Rome" because of its large Catholic population.

I have always felt that the presence of the bible stompers in the US and their clout is a bit overstated. Of course you can find them throughout the South, but I lived in Florida for a number of years and never had anyone try to "convert" me or condemn me to hell (and trust me, I am no angel). I also lived in Virginia Beach where Pat Robertson ran his Christian network, but most of the locals thought he was a joke.

Let's not forget that America is the porn capital of the world, home of the tobacco industry, produces the most beer annually, is fascinated by violence, and has plenty of other vices. It is not as prudish as some think it is.

jayr

Looking at property rentals, there seem to be a lot of what I might be after (3beds) at 'reasonable' prices around $2000 in Vienna, I get the impression this is close to the Metro and therefore commutable?

This rental cost is still about twice what I currently pay so to maintain my standard of living I reckon I'd be after a salary of about US$85,000. Ony my estimates this nets about $4900/month is that about right? Are there any further state taxes?

In both Oz and UK my salary has been upper decile, anyone got any links or other info on US income distribution to give an idea where $85k would fall? Before I go down the route of a tortuous application and interview process and putting family through it all I am trying to establish what I might be able to earn

kenny803

My understanding is that if you are a foreign national working for world bank you don't pay taxes. Please check on this.

DCMark

Born and bred in DC.

About the commute. They are hell here. Vienna to the WB is a good 60-90 mins driving, parking at $15. Metro is tenuous from out there. No public transport besides one metro stop.

DC has great city living. That means give up the dream of a 3 bed house.

Renting is not the best idea in this market of low interest rates. Its tax advantages to buy too. But houses are $$$$$$.

DC is a step below NY, San Fran., London, Paris is price but not far. Its a great city but you must pay for it. Not sure how far $85k will go here. If you have a family not far at all.

jayr

Thanks DCMark, I'll reset my ambitions to more like $120k, I might be able to get it, I take it this would create a bit more of a comfortable lifestyle? Not keen to move to DC and then struggle financially, had enough of doing that in Australia!

DCMark

I don't know enough about you to make that judgement. However, jobs at the World Bank are VERY sought after and bring other benefits (taxes paid sometimes, home leave, etc.).

Many couples in this area are two income couples, FYI.