krellor

The core of the DC metro is encircled by interstate 495 (the capital beltway or just the beltway) which forms a ring around DC proper and a bit of Maryland and Virginia. The wider region is often called the DMV: DC, Maryland, and Virginia region.

Inside the beltway and just outside is pretty urban and tends to be expensive. Cost decreased the further outside of the beltway you go. The DC metro serves the region with light rail with connections to the bus system and heavy rail (MARC and Amtrak). Manny employers will provide metro passes so it’s with asking about.

Virginia to the south tends to be less expensive than Maryland to the north of the Beltway. That said there are differences in public transit and other municipal services. Maryland taxes are higher but you get more services. What matters is knowing what those services are and if you will benefit from them.

The DC light rail has three main points you might connect in from outside the beltway. The orange and silver line, which run to the West of DC. The yellow line which ends at Huntington station in Alexandria Virginia to the South of DC by Reagan airport. And the red line which makes a U shape with both ends to the north or northwest of DC. All have parking garages or bus systems you can connect to. You can use the metro trip planner to see what a commute time would look like DC SmartTrip).

I moved here from the West Coast, and while I prefer the West Coast I didn’t regret coming out here but eventually I’ll probably head back once I’ve done the career tour I set out to accomplish here.

There are great restaurants, but they are harder to find. You really can’t trust Google reviews as it seems everything is 4.4 stars.

Be aware of the prevailing traffic patterns during commuting hours before moving. What looks like a 1 hour trip could be 3 at the worst traffic times. Louis of folks go in early and leave early to avoid the traffic and congestion, if that is an option. Ideally, live as close as you can afford to the end of the metro line with the shortest trip to work. Electric scooters can be a good last mile from metro to office.

I work in the beltway and am lucky with a 20-30 minute commute because I live close to a metro station, so it is doable.

You will want an umbrella. I came over, west coast climber in the Cascades, never owned an umbrella before, etc. Get an umbrella. It never rains, but it pours.

Happy to answer any other questions. I’m not on all the time but will check for replies when I login, maybe once every day or two.

Honestly I can’t quite tell. Could be tofu?

Aren’t you supposed to just eat the 17th one so they cleanly fit?