Washington, DC is one of the most important cities throughout our great union, and that’s for the obvious reason – it’s where our national government is held. That means, even outside of elected officials, there are thousands of people working for the government locally but that’s not all there is to do here.
There are plenty of other industries locally, so whether you are working for the government or not, this can still be a great place to live and raise a family, be a sports fan, or lover of history and culture.
The Cost Of Living
It’s not always a fun topic but an important one nonetheless. When looking at Washington, DC houses for sale, no one would be surprised to learn that it’s on the more expensive side of US cities. With a population consisting of well-educated, high-income workers throughout various industries, even outside of government work, the price of things isn’t much of an issue for many of those living in the city.
For some new to the area, it might make sense to, at first, commute into the city while living in Virginia or Maryland given the cost of living within the city sits at around 63% higher than the national average. The income tax within the city is also around 3-4% higher than if you were living in a surrounding state and commuting into the city for work.
The relationship with DC and its surrounding communities is tighter than you might expect, to the point where locals simply refer to the area as the DMV – the District, Maryland, Virginia.
The Job Market
As mentioned earlier, it’ll be no surprise to learn that there are plenty of government jobs available and around 40% of the city’s residents are employed by a government agency. Keep in mind this is through more than politics. There will be opportunities to work, through the government, helping make the city a better place and also working to maintain the official monuments and museums throughout the city.
The Culture
Even on a regular day, you’ll be walking by, or at least only a few blocks from where some major moments in American history have happened. A drive past The White House might become part of your normal commute or what becomes your favorite evening walk might be near the Lincoln Memorial where Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his famous “I Have A Dream” speech.
Given it can be an expensive city, it’s great to learn there are plenty of free things to do around town. From every museum at the National Mall to the National Zoo, and the Library of Congress, there’s plenty to do during your downtime without having to worry about straining your wallet.
Outside of our history and politics, DC is also a great place to be a sports fan. All within the city limits you’ll find the Washington Nationals, D.C. United, the Washington Wizards, the Washington Capitals, and more. That means if you have a love for all sports, a great game in person will be the perfect way to take a break from life in the city.
