Moving to Washington, D.C. is an exciting opportunity for many reasons! But it also comes with its own set of challenges and considerations that you should think about before making the move. This blog post will break down five things you need to consider before moving to the nation’s capitol: the cost of living, weather, transportation options, education system, and things to do.
What is the Cost of Living?
The cost of living in DC is high, over 60% higher than the nation’s average. The median annual income is about $77,000 with the average rent cost around $3,000 per month. Carefully consider your current financial situation before making the move.
What Are the Income Tax Rates?
The income tax rate in the District is 8.5%, which is about 4% higher than the income taxes of Maryland and Virginia.
How Much Does Gas Cost?
The average gas price in DC ranges from $3.20 to $3.90 depending on the grade level you choose. So gas is slightly more expensive than it is in both Maryland and Virginia, just like the cost of living, but compared to other states, like California and New York, with a high cost of living, the gas price in the District is decent.
What is the Weather Like?
In DC you get to experience all four seasons. Summers can be hot and humid; winters are cold and snowy, springs are flowery and breezy, and autumns (our favorite time of year here) are crisp and beautiful! The city is never really too dry or wet, so you don’t need to worry about the weather affecting your daily activities like in other states with extreme weather conditions. It does, however, rain about a few days each month so that is something to consider if you’re not a fan of occasional precipitation and cloudy days.
What are Your Transportation Options?
If you love driving your own car then DC might not be for you. Traffic can be pretty bad during the week and, depending on where you work, can make for a hectic, long commute.
There are other options, however, such as the metro rail, which runs from 5 AM to 11:30 PM or 1 AM depending on the day and is open seven days a week. The metrobus runs all throughout the city, with thousands of buses running every day. And there’s also the DC Circulator, a local favorite. This runs every 10 minutes and costs only $1.00. It’ll take you to all the local attractions such as Dupont Circle, Georgetown, and Capitol Hill!
What is the School System Like?
While the school system in DC is rated as average, the nearby suburbs have a lot to offer families with children in terms of good quality public schools. In fact, Forbes actually named DC the best place in the country “To Educate Your Child” because of the quality of these school systems. To give you an idea on the quality – almost 80% of the schools in Montgomery County, MD either perform at or above the state average. You can find excellent public schools in cities such as Bethesda, Gaithersburg, Potomac, Rockville, and more.
What’s There to Do?
You can find almost anything to do in the DC area. Whether you’re looking for things to do indoors or outdoors, there’s something for everyone. If it’s live music that you want – then head on over to Georgetown! You can take a self-guided bike tour of the city and see some of its most famous sites from your seat. Go see the beautiful monuments and explore what the museums have to offer. There are endless possibilities in our great city! The fun never ends.
Should You Move to Washington, DC?
So, do you want to move here?
If you can make it work, then go for it! There are a lot of exciting things that you’ll be able to do and all sorts of new experiences awaiting your arrival. But it is important to consider all the costs and whether you can live in a high-traffic area. If you do decide to move, I hope this blog post provided helpful information for you!
Our team at Mike Washington Power Washing and Roof Cleaning serves the entire DC area and parts of Maryland. Give us a call to schedule your first service appointment!