Washington D.C here we come.

twinmommy+2, ADN, BSN, MSN · Mar 13, 2005

What an interesting place to work! Congradulations!

Here is the quick and skinny. Everything is very overpriced as far as rent (we are talking from $600 one bedroom being cheap to about $2000 and up for a one bedroom getting expensive around here). It does get somewhat cheaper the farther out you move but you have to deal with the other ten thousand people all heading in the same direction you are at the same time. Both Alexandria and Fairfax county are expensive, but schools are better. Those are both in Virginia. In Maryland you have Prince Georges (where I live) and Montgomery counties. Prince Georges has a lower cost of living but we also have worse schools and higher murder rates (than even DC!). Montgomery county is also expensive but schools are better there.

DC itself is a mix of everything. There are some cheaper housing options there but also there are more expensive options too.

Driving in the city can be a nightmare, potholes galore, everyone is in a hurry. The Beltway (I-495) can be one of the most frightening but I would say I prefer that to driving in the city. If you wern't an aggressive driver before, you might become one.

The great thing about DC is that there is so much to see and learn. There are so many good nursing schools right around here as well if you want to further your education.

If you have any other questions just let me know :)

caramel · Mar 13, 2005

Hello twinmommy.thank you for replying. i have been offered $28/hr for childrens national medical center. DC being an expensive place, do you think this will be sufficient to live on in a nice safe area? we will be relocating from london,can you suggest any suburbs near to work.

What an interesting place to work! Congradulations!
Here is the quick and skinny. Everything is very overpriced as far as rent (we are talking from $600 one bedroom being cheap to about $2000 and up for a one bedroom getting expensive around here). It does get somewhat cheaper the farther out you move but you have to deal with the other ten thousand people all heading in the same direction you are at the same time. Both Alexandria and Fairfax county are expensive, but schools are better. Those are both in Virginia. In Maryland you have Prince Georges (where I live) and Montgomery counties. Prince Georges has a lower cost of living but we also have worse schools and higher murder rates (than even DC!). Montgomery county is also expensive but schools are better there.
DC itself is a mix of everything. There are some cheaper housing options there but also there are more expensive options too.
Driving in the city can be a nightmare, potholes galore, everyone is in a hurry. The Beltway (I-495) can be one of the most frightening but I would say I prefer that to driving in the city. If you wern't an aggressive driver before, you might become one.
The great thing about DC is that there is so much to see and learn. There are so many good nursing schools right around here as well if you want to further your education.
If you have any other questions just let me know :)

AgentR · Mar 13, 2005

Hi caramel,

Does your husband have a job lined up too? With two incomes you should be fine. I'd recommend either Fairfax County, VA or Montgomery County, MD. Housing prices are pretty crazy in either one, but we all seem to make do around here. You chould check out Alexandria and Arlington in VA, too. Those are really close to DC.

http://www.washingtonpost.com is the website of the Washington Post, so you can get an idea of housing prices in the area. They have a whole housing section on Saturdays.

Driving in DC is a bit crazy. I don't know if you can take Metro to Children's or no, but it is a plus if you could. Here's their website: http://www.wmata.com

Let me know if there's any other questions you think I could help with! :)

casualjim · Mar 14, 2005

Hi caramel,
Does your husband have a job lined up too? With two incomes you should be fine. I'd recommend either Fairfax County, VA or Montgomery County, MD. Housing prices are pretty crazy in either one, but we all seem to make do around here. You chould check out Alexandria and Arlington in VA, too. Those are really close to DC.
http://www.washingtonpost.com is the website of the Washington Post, so you can get an idea of housing prices in the area. They have a whole housing section on Saturdays.
Driving in DC is a bit crazy. I don't know if you can take Metro to Children's or no, but it is a plus if you could. Here's their website: http://www.wmata.com
Let me know if there's any other questions you think I could help with! :)

Hi

I lived there for 2 years and spent about half of it in Alexandria (just S. of Old Town) and the rest in Laurel MD. No matter where you live the traffic is the pits. I learned to drive in Los Angeles and was shocked to find that California drivers are the epitome of politness and safety compared to what you find on the beltway and the B.W. Parkway.

Lots of fun stuff to do. Only problem is that any usable ocean is about 4 hours away on a good day. That was a show stopper for me. Good luck and enjoy.

aloha

Jim

ClimbingNurse · Apr 24, 2005

Well, I'm about to leave, but I was born and raised here. I would reccommend that you take a look at the Mt. Pleasant and Columbia Heights neighborhoods. Both are close to CNMC and at least as affordable as the Montgomery County Suburbs. If you are used to London, you will lose your mind out in the suburbs. From MtP or CH you can get to CNMC in minutes by car, bike, foot, or bus. They are both great urban neighborhoods with an actual community feel to them.

feel free to email me with any questions.