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Everything you need to know about living in DC

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Thinking about living in DC? Learn what it’s like to call this city home

Washington DC is a place full of rich culture, fascinating history, and amazing cuisine, which not only attracts visitors but happy residents as well. But for someone new to this city, how is life in Washington DC? To answer this question, we’ve put together a handy guide to living in this city. Read on to learn more about what it’s like to be a resident of the nation’s capital and the DC metro area.

Many people live in the suburbs and cities around Washington DC

When you move to Washington DC, you’ll notice that it’s a relatively compact city. It sits on the banks of the Potomac River, and it borders Maryland and Northern Virginia. As a result, many people who work in DC live in cities within these states like Silver Spring and Arlington, which are on the other side of the Potomac River.  

It’s also common for people to live in DC neighborhoods and the suburbs around the city. Some of the best neighborhoods in DC include Shaw, Chinatown and Capitol Hill.

The DC job market is competitive and so are the housing costs

If you want to buy real estate, Zillow suggests that the typical home price in the DC area is $672,910. This amount reflects the steady increase in home prices in the area. If you’d rent an apartment in DC, you can expect to pay an average of $2,058 per month for an average apartment size of 745 square feet, according to RentCafe.

So, what does the job market look like in an area with competitive housing prices? US News and World Report gives Washington DC a Job Market Index Score of 8.6 out of 10, which demonstrates that the city has a healthy job market. 

The annual salary of people working in DC is further evidence of the area’s solid job market. The average annual salary for a DC worker is $70,980 per year, which is nearly $20,000 more than the average annual salary of a US worker.

There are many public transit options to help you get around in DC

 Like any other major city in the US, the Washington DC area offers robust public transit systems. When it comes to public transportation, there are plenty of options to take you everywhere from work to the grocery store.

One of the most popular forms of public transit in DC is the Metrorail, which offers six lines and has 91 metro stations that service most of DC and all major suburbs in the surrounding area. Another option for getting around the city is taking the metro bus. This is the perfect way to get to areas that the Metrorail doesn’t service.

Finally, an eco-conscious DC resident will often use the bike lanes to ride where they need to go, while others take advantage of the fact that many places are within walking distance of each other.

From nightlife to cultural activities, there’s plenty to do in Washington DC

As a young person, there’s plenty to do when you’re living in DC. Some of the best places to visit for entertainment include Downtown DC and Georgetown. You can check out everything from the latest restaurants to trendy bars and nightlife spots.

There are also plenty of cultural activities around like the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History and the National Gallery of Art. If you don’t mind a short trip, you can also visit historic sites like nearby Mount Vernon where George and Martha Washington once lived. You can also enjoy fresh air and great views right in the city by visiting the Tidal Basin, which is the site of the National Cherry Blossom Festival each year.

Washington DC is also known for offering an amazing food scene that features flavors highlighting the diversity of the city. One of the best places to go to grab a bite to eat is Union Market. Union Market’s restaurants include everything from authentic Italian pizza and pasta to mouth-watering sushi and sashimi. You can also check out Eastern Market to grab fresh food from local farmers and vendors.

We can help make your dream of living in DC come true

leasing administrator

Now that you know all the best things about living in Washington DC, you’re probably ready to move here. You can live right in the heart of it all by renting a coliving space or apartment in one of our Washington DC homes. 

From Capitol Hill to Columbia Heights, Common offers fully furnished spaces that allow you to enjoy city living for an attainable price. You can rent a fully-furnished private bedroom in an all-inclusive shared suite for 20% less than a nearby studio. Check out our apartments in DC to discover your dream home today! 

 

Sources:

  1. https://www.rentcafe.com/average-rent-market-trends/us/dc/washington/
  2. https://www.zillow.com/washington-dc/home-values/
  3. https://realestate.usnews.com/places/district-of-columbia/washington/jobs
  4. https://www.washingtonian.com/2016/03/15/dc-public-transportation-guide-to-dc/

 

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