DC/NoVa/MD Duers.... I need some advice.

[BlueStateGirl]

I was offered a promotion and transfer to DC yesterday.

I currently live in Philadelphia, and was wondering how DC might compare Cost of Living wise.

I have looked a Craig's List and was shocked at the rent. Are there areas of VA or MD that are close and a little more affordable? I would be working in Chinatown, and I have to admit I am clueless to the area geography. How is the public trasnportation? What about things like Car insurance or taxes?

I have tried googling but all iget are these vague lists of the most expensive cities etc...

Any help would be appreciated.

[Shakespeare]

1. It's been a few years since I lived in DC, but here goes:

Public transportation is GREAT. My favorite subway system.

If you live in a VA suburb, their weird-ass car taxes will cost you a few hundred bucks a year (minimum).

Don't be afraid to live in the city. I lived on Capitol Hill for four years, and loved every second. There are several good neighborhoods in the city, and the proximity to the subway is invaluable. You'll probably get better prices renting from independent owners or small management companies, too.

My car insurance went UP when I moved from DC to LA, so I don't think their rates are too bad.

I can't imagine the cost of living would be dramatically different from what you have in Philly. And DC is a wonderful city!! :hi:

[BlueStateGirl]

2. Thanks for your insight. I am planning on going down this

weekend to take a look, I had no idea where to start.

Thanks for the heads up onthe car tax, I had no idea!

[driver8]

16. I lived on Capitol Hill, also...I loved living there!

I lived on South Carolina Ave. -- our house was right next to the Eastern Market metro.

[Shakespeare]

19. DUDE. And now you live nearby in LA. Freaky.

I lived at Constitution & 6th NE, and Eastern Market was my metro stop to get to work downtown.

I absolutely LOVE that neighborhood.

[driver8]

22. Wow -- that is freaky!!

Yeah, it was a cool neighborhood to live in.

Great bars, food, people -- and the Eastern Market!!

When did you leave DC?

[Shakespeare]

23. Left in Christmas of 99 and moved to Hollywood.

Wild horses couldn't drag me out of LA, but I still get homesick for DC. Need to go back and visit.

I miss breakfast at the Hawk & Dove, and the rotisserie chickens from Canelis' at the Eastern Market.

[TZ]

3. Hi. I live in metro DC..Maryland suburbs

This whole area is VERRY expensive. Living Downtown is MUCHO expensive (million dollar condos are common). Public transportation is good if a little crowded. Frankly I think Maryland is better than N.Va..the roads/traffic are a little better. Car insurance is pretty pricey. Taxes are a little high. This is not a cheap place to live--one of the priciest in the country. If the rent is hefty you can find a place to share, thats very common here. Also Chinatown is right on the Metro (subway) so that makes commuting fairly easy.
You can PM me for more specifics if you like. I've lived here for 30+ years.

[Chan790]

4. Sue hit it on the head...

one thing I'd suggest considering is what I did senior year of college: live in Baltimore (it's only 45 minutes away and a great city in its' own right...and much cheaper to live in.) and take the MARC down (this was ten years ago but it was $8 one-way or I think $12 round-trip...factor in the subway/Metro on both ends and it's still less than having a car almost anywhere.) Neither DC or Baltimore is a city you need to have a car in. On the DC end...cabs are charge-by-zone and very reasonable.

[TZ]

5. Correction on cabs

They are by law, no longer charge by zone. Its all meters now..

[Chan790]

6. ewwww!!!!

Why?!! The zone system was great unless you really needed a cab and were on a zone boundary.

[Zavulon]

7. The zone system was a license to rob tourists.

Nobody ever knew how many zones were really being crossed. In my previous job I had to take two particular cab routes a few times a week and was rarely charged the same fare twice.

Give me an honest fare, not one from some creative and dishonest asshole who needs a few extra bucks this week. I was ecstatic to see that legalized ripoff go.

Besides, did you ever notice how all of the high-profile buildings for politiciians (Senate buildings, the House) were all still in the same zone? Let those fucks pay our rates now.

[Chan790]

8. See...

I knew my zone map and I knew exactly what it cost to get between any two points in the city...I was a cabbie's nightmare. I used to tell them upfront that if they tried to mess with me I wouldn't tip them and that I tip well.

[Zavulon]

10. See...

My concern isn't so much for people like you or me. I, too, knew what zones were crossed, and when I was given an incorrect fare I refused to pay it. If the cabbie protested, I'd hand him my cell and tell him to pick any one of the 20+ D.C. cops in my address book. No cabbie ever dialed that phone.

My parents, though, come to visit and don't know the zone system well. Trying to follow it yourself with that little map taped to the back of the passenger's seat while the cab is moving is impossible unless you live here. Zone cabbies financially fucked my parents, brother, sister and many of my friends on a number of occasions. I, for one, am glad to see those assholes robbed of the opportunity to further rob us.

[BlueStateGirl]

11. Thanks for the information. I may have some more questions. n/t

[Zavulon]

9. DC income taxes are way too high, and sales tax is 10%.

I personally have a one-bedroom in Laurel, MD, for $725 a month. My girlfriend's place, which is in Arlington, is $1025 a month. I basically live at her place and park my car there, which enables me to avoid the car tax.

My area of Maryland, though, is a shithole. It used to be a nice area, but now it's full of teen gangs. Laurel sucks.

If you're coming here without a car, think Arlington; you can get cheaper places than my girlfriend's. If you're coming with a car, think anywhere in Maryland except Laurel. My suggestions would be Crofton, Severn or Glen Burnie. If you prefer Maryland but still won't be bringing a car, think Rockville.

[Burma Jones]

12. I don't know your age, but, house sharing is popular here

Yes, it's expensive here. Taxes and Insurance are way more reasonable than in New York or New Jersey, but that's all I can say from experience. Basically, if you split DC down the middle, the Western half is more expensive than the Eastern half, and that goes all the way out to the furthest suburbs.

I saw a suggestion of living in Baltimore and commuting via MARC rail....that is an excellent idea....Baltimore is way way more funky than DC and Union Station is pretty close to Chinatown. If you want to live in the city, semi-cheaply, you're going to have to find a roommate or group house. If you want to move to the 'Burbs, Arlington is the primo Virginia location. In Maryland, Bethesda and Chevy Chase are really nice - and priced accordingly, you might be better off in Silver Spring, Takoma Park or Rockville. Gaithersburg and Germantown are further out and full of scientist types, earnest Insurance Salesmen, Asian immigrants and MegaChurches. These areas are also where couples go to breed........

Public Transportation is adequate.

[Tommy_Carcetti]

13. Portions of PG County outside the Beltway....

Inside and around the Beltway, PG County can get a little rough. But further out in Bowie or Upper Marlboro it is nice and I believe more affordable in comparison to Montgomery or NoVa.

I'd suggest Southern Maryland where I grew up and is very nice, but I don't know if it consititutes affordable. Also a little more removed from DC.

[Tommy_Carcetti]

14. Dupe nt

[Symarip]

15. I live in Manassas - 25 miles outside of DC

And I have friends on both sides of the state line border. I'm an import from So Cal so I might have some helpful insight.

Cost of living-wise, it would appear the Virginia side is a tad cheaper. Rent is about the same between Maryland and Virginia and the same formula for any large city applies: the farther away from the city you live, the cheaper it gets (Manassas/Centreville area has some great deals). The problem with living in Maryland is you're wedged between TWO big cities, since Baltimore is within 30 ought miles. Gas is cheaper in Virginia, period. I would even wager to say that traffic is a touch better in Virginia, as well. But in reality, if you live anywhere near the 495 beltway, you're kind of sort of (read: always) fucked.

The metro is great. If you work in DC, the metro will get you pretty close to wherever you need to go.

Socially, I prefer Maryland. Calling the alcohol restrictions in Virginia 'retarded' is an insult to retards. It's just plain fucking dumb. Basically, there are no bars in Virginia - only restaurants allowed to serve alcohol. If you choose to buy alcohol for personal consumption aside from going to a 'bar', the store you will visit is state owned. Therefore, no competition and inflated prices. You can't buy liquor on Sundays except at said restaurants. In Maryland, you can have bars and they have liquor stores. And beer stores. If I understand correctly, though, in order to sell liquor or beer to the public, the store cannot be part of a chain (like 7-11). So every beer and/or liquor store is mom and pop.

In Virginia, you can virtually smoke anywhere. It almost seems like it's encouraged.

I don't know what the emission laws are like in Maryland, but my California compliant 1998 Altima has never passed SMOG. It's a pain in the ass on so many levels, I can't begin to describe the horrors. If you can keep your PA residence and register your car there, do it. It's not worth the pain.

If you have any other questions, feel free to hit me up. My logic may be skewed compared to everyone else's because I'm from CA and relatively young (31).

[kwassa]

17. Montgomery County, Maryland has county liquor stores.

supposedly the only county liquor store system in country. Speaking of strange.

There are also private beer-and-wine stores, but they have to buy their inventory from the county.

In Virginia one can buy beer and wine in grocery stores, but that isn't possible in Maryland, so our local Trader Joes can't sell either. They still do a great business in food, though.

Also, no smoking anywhere, which is wonderful, of course.

[TZ]

18. Actually a few grocery stores do sell beer and wine

The Shoppers Food Warehouse in Germantown does...

[kwassa]

20. you're right, and I don't know why it is ok there but not at Giant.

[seemunkee]

21. I believe there are limits to how many outlets a chain can have that sell liquor

Many years ago the Giant in White Oak sold beer and wine and that was the only Giant that did.

[BlueStateGirl]

26. Thanks! Good information. It looks like a lot of people share houses

.I have lived w/o roommates for so long, I don't know if I can go out.

My job is in the hospitality industry and I love to go out , so thanks for the bar info!

[madinmaryland]

24. Do you have children? If so Howard County has the best school system in Maryland.

Columbia is about halfway between DC and Baltimore. If you don't have kids, the closer to Baltimore you get, the cheaper it gets for rent. Do you rent or own?

[BlueStateGirl]

25. Will be renting, not married, no kids. I love my job and the raise is

nice, but I just hope I can make it work financially.