It seems like everyone in the country has an opinion on Washington , DC as a urban center … which is aboveboard reasonably fair ; wearethe nation ’s capital , after all . But perceptions outside the Beltway offer up quite a range , and seldom a flattering one : some folks seem to think we ’re a town of power - thirsty politicians who are invariably tread each other , while others mock us for how stagnant and little - c bourgeois DC is perceived to be . While these stereotype havesomeroot in reality , the truth is that DC is one of the most popular cities for educated young professionals to move to … a true statement that ’s partially thanks to the job market , but also because of the high timber of life our city offers – along many fronts .
“Isn’t living in DC kind of… boring?”
DC is one of the most oecumenical city in the world , inhabited by people from around the globe , and a rich cultural life that reflect this diversity ( not to observe arguably thebest international dining scene in the country ) . resident and visitors have approach to awesome museums – many of them costless – as well as some of the most iconic landmarks and monuments in the United States . We ’ve got a squad in each of the major sports leagues , and are within a couple of hours ' driving length to the beach or the mountains . We have Rock Creek Park , giant pandas at the National Zoo , and the National Arboretum .
We also have the9:30 Club , which , hi , is wide regard one of the best music venue in the country , and you’re able to delight a local beer fromover 20 breweries in the field . There is something awe-inspiring happening here every exclusive dark of the week .
But yeah … keep tell us about how DC issoooboring .
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“The food scene in DC has always been pretty blah, though.”
We ’ve gotten used to get a line this one a lot from acquaintance experience in the other major city , and while this might have been somewhat accurate once upon a prison term , DC is now home to some of the most brave , adventuresome , and accomplished chefs in the humankind . While the accolades have only start to decant in over the last couple of years – with glowing write - ups for many of our eating place in issue such asBon Appetitand Eater , as well as DC finally getting its first Michelin wizard – our city has been home to a good for you culinary scene for close to a decade … and it ’s only get better . Do n’t believe us?Then trust these guy wire . Besides , wehavehad access to the nation ’s best Vietnamese and Ethiopian culinary art for basically ever … it ’s not all politician - filled steakhouses here .
“Everything closes early here!”
Look , we take " oeuvre hard , party hard " jolly severely in the metropolis . Washington , DC is a oasis for folks who enjoy fetch their drink onearlyand on the gaudy , chew over by the out-and-out embarrassment of greathappy hours in each neighbourhood . We ’re a city that loves its gimcrack booze , then croak to layer early enough so we cansqueeze in a runor some yoga before heading into the office .
And for the book , we think that a 3 am closedown time on aweekendis utterly fairish !
“People in Washington have terrible style.”
okay , hunky-dory – we can live with that we are not as fashion - forward as New York or Los Angeles , but that ’s yourfault , represented taxpayers . That ’s right : The primary reason people in DC are , shall we say , " sartorially conservative " is to forbid every Jim , Bob , or Nancy from back home from fizz at the sassing when their congressional staff member gives them a duty tour of the Capitol in ramble on pants and a fresh pair of Yeezys .
Our weekday style is largely tied to our occupation , many of which are in political science and government - contiguous industry . So at this point , most of us figure it ’s easier to wear something comfortable , functional , and classically styled than risk a flood of raging emails about how we ’re compromising " American values " because we bust all black to the authority one day .
“So, do you see the Obamas all the time?”
Admittedly , this one sound like a dreaming : Who would n’t want to just nonchalantly run for into Barack , Sasha , Malia , and Michelle – this nation ’s real MVP , let ’s admit it – while stroll by the White House ? alas for most of us , the closest we ever get to the First Family is when we ’re stuck in motorcade dealings on Pennsylvania or Connecticut Ave . perchance this will change after the election – after all , they are moving into acozy blot in Kalorama .
“Can we go see the cherry blossoms on the Mall?”
Cherry bloom at the Tidal Basin are unfeignedly striking , and Washington is overcome with anticipation and excitement each spring as we all become amateur meteorologists / phytologist trying to predict when they will blossom . However , if you ’re not out there first thing in the morn , you ’re potential to be walk into a most literal sea of citizenry .
Pro tip : chequer out the United States National Arboretum , where you could find42 kindsof cherry tree blossom to enjoy … without the crowds .
“Wow, rent is really expensive here!”
Do n’t remind us . We ’re still hoping this will be the class we can at last give to move out of that eight - person row house in Adams Morgan .
“Of course it’s hot here. DC was built on a swamp.”
Nope , but this one is forgivable : This is one of those urban caption that even residents perpetuate . We fuck summertime in the District can get unbearably hot and sticky , but it ’s not entirely exact to claim our nation ’s capital was build on a swamp . According to DC - based architect and historianDon Hawkins :
" Within the original metropolis ’s bounds … only about 2 % of the total arena fits the definition of a swampland . It was almost entirely laid out over well - drained terraces and hills . In fact , for a riverbank site , it was amazingly loose of swampiness . "
How about that ?
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“So what’s everyone in DC saying about [hot news item/political event of the week]?”
Listen , we have it off that our Ithiel Town is featured on every news program show in the world – we are the capital , after all . But not all of us spend our days glued to CNN or readingPoliticoandThe Hill . Like any other " industry city , " a great tidy sum of hoi polloi have lives that do n’t revolve around government or lobbying or jurisprudence , and are perfectly contented to socialize while adhering to the rule of etiquette .
That said , there ’s an 85 % chance that the next person you meet at a bar will have strong , well - thought out opinions on the professional and con of the Trans - Pacific Partnership .
We ’re a metropolis of overachiever – that ’s not so defective , is it ?
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“DC sports suck.”
Yeah , you’renotwrong .
ratify up herefor our everyday DC e-mail and be the first to get all the food / drink / fun in town .
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