Question about Wahington, D.C.

[medcluv]

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Hi there! Would you kind of tell me about your experiences in Washinton, D.C....whether positive or negative because I will be visiting soon.


Thanks!

 

[Jack_Adam]

I loved D.C. !!! 🙂

 

[deleted50541]

Aside from NYC, there isn't any other place i would rather live on the east coast. The traffic sucks if you drive in and out of the city a lot, but if you're from LA you won't find it so bad. The Metro is a good way to get where you want to, but it is not without its problems.

As well, be aware that the area in and around the mall (White House, Capitol Building, etc.) is full of barricades and armed men. I have lived in D.C. on and off for the better part of 14 years now and I still cannot get over the overwhelming police presence in the SW. But it's necessary in these times.

That said, D.C. is a great city and it is almost impossible to be bored there. Are you going to D.C. for an interview?

 

[njbmd]

Hi there! Would you kind of tell me about your experiences in Washinton, D.C....whether positive or negative because I will be visiting soon.


Thanks!

Hi there,
I went to graduate school and medical school in DC. For graduate school, I lived on Capitol Hill and biked to GWU. It was a great way to get exercise and I could take my bike on Metrorail if the weather wasn't good. DC is a great city to bike in.

When I started medical school, I moved to a housing development called Sheffield Court in Arlington, VA. I was five minutes from GWU, ten minutes from Georgetown U and 20 minutes from Howard University. The GUTS (Georgetown University Transit System) stopped in back of my development that contained 1,000 units that were huge. This apartment complex was walking distance to shops and restaurants and Metrorail. It was also easy to get to Rockville and Bethesda in Maryland in addition to Fairfax, Tyson's Corner in Virginia.

DC is a safe city if you stay out of any of the neighborhoods that end in "Heights". Metrorail goes everywhere that you need to go. Most of the time, my car was parked and I was able to walk or bike for everything. Housing is very expensive with 1-bedroom apts going in the $1,200 range in decent neighborhoods. Almost everything else is expensive too because unemployment is very low and salaries are very high. (One of the running jokes at GWU was that people who had the Public Health Scholarships would end up with about $500 after paying taxes which would finance a cardboard box under the Whitehurst Freeway overpass).

You are a short metro ride to NIH, The Food and Drug Administration, Library of Congress, three medical schools (GW, Howard, UHUHS) with the fourth, Georgetown being accessable by Metrobus. There are excellent neighborhoods, Adams Morgan, Capitol Hill, Georgetown, West End, LeDroit Park and Foggy Bottom, that have tons of nightlife.

The downside is that since 9/11 you do have to put up with increased security around the Capitol, White House and State Department. There are also problems when groups like the International Monetary Fund meet in DC (World Bank is one block from GWU) and streets are blocked off. Lots of folks come to DC to demonstrate which can make your daily commute a real pain. Parking is expensive and cars get stolen like bicycles. Traffic during rush hour is awful and the Metro trains are crowded but I was able to dodge both of these by biking.

Still, I love DC and plan to return there to practice. It's an exciting vibrant city with neat sports teams (United, Wizards, Capitols and Redskins) and soon a baseball franchise. The facilities at the medical schools are great and getting around DC is pretty easy except by automobile.

njbmd 👍

 

[Sweet Tea]

I love DC. 😀

I just got back from a weekend conference in DC, and it only made me want to move there for residency even more. Great town, lots to do, lots of history, and very pretty-- one of the things it has over NYC is that DC still believes that trees are a good thing. I generally use the Metrorail for getting around whenever I visit and have never had a problem with it, although if I do get to move there then I will also be bringing my bike along with me. The traffic does suck, and the streets can be a bit confusing (I've never been able to get out of the city w/out getting lost...maybe I'm just meant to stay 😉 ), but all in all it's a good town. I think that DC and Seattle are the only big cities that I could live in and actually enjoy.

 

[Termwean]

Over a five year period I lived in Bethesda, Rockville, gaithersburg, Germantown, and Silver Spring. I worked at the Navy Hospital as a Respiratory Therapist for 3 yrs and then a local hospital for 2 more before taking some traveling assignments. I have to say that I really loved the whole area. There is alot to do. I would bike down this long bike path( converted from old train tracks) down to D>C and go all over...Smithsonian's, all the monuments, Cherry Blossum festival. It was great. I thought about applying to USUHS to get back there, but decided against the military(even though I was in for 10 years).

 

[EvoDevo]

Outstanding city, period. Lots to do on any given night, and the Fourth of July is unparalleled.

Plus, whatever all the above people said.

 

[fakin' the funk]

Hi there! Would you kind of tell me about your experiences in Washinton, D.C....whether positive or negative because I will be visiting soon.


Thanks!

DC is a city of contrasts. Neighborhoods in upper NW are some of the wealthiest areas in the country whereas 3 miles away there is incessant gang violence & drugs. Critical decision-makers in government work in buildings outside of which the homeless sleep.

That being said, DC is amazing. It is a city of 500,000 and growing but the cultural opportunities, transportation, nightlife, music scene, recreational opportunities, etc. are on par with cities 2, 5, 10, 20 times bigger. The downtown area of the city is very clean and it seems there are more and more reasons to live in DC: baseball just decided to move there, free concerts almost every day in the summer, (a personal favorite) playing pickup soccer on the Mall every weekend, etc. Rock Creek Park is a very nice park right in the middle of the city. You can ride your bike 3 miles from downtown, walk into the woods and just leave all the cars and people behind.

It is atrociously expensive (unless you've lived in NYC, Boston, SF) for the most part. Living in the district in an affordable neighborhood usually means living in a semi-dangerous neighborhood, and even the gentrifying, becoming-upper-class neighborhoods like Dupont Circle and Adams Morgan can be very dangerous at night. Every one my friends who I went to undergrad with and lived in the city was a victim of crime at some point - muggings, break-ins, car thefts, bike thefts etc.

Because DC can be a dangerous place, lots of people don't want to live there. That's why they say "Oh DC is great! I lived in its suburbs for ten years and I love the city!" Rich people in the mostly rich surrounding suburbs bring money and employment to the city but they don't contribute to the culture of its people.

Having a car is prohibitively expensive, but if you have one I'd use it to get away from the city, like to the ocean, mountains, suburbs for a shopping trip or concert. Like other posters I can't overemphasize the usefulness of a bike and the efficiency of the Metro rail and bus system.

When you go there, just remember that DC isn't all politicians, lobbyists, and marble monuments. The heart of the city is the regular working-class people who live there and give it its character. Hope my advice helps you get to know a very varied city.

 

[medcluv]

DC is a city of contrasts. Neighborhoods in upper NW are some of the wealthiest areas in the country whereas 3 miles away there is incessant gang violence & drugs. Critical decision-makers in government work in buildings outside of which the homeless sleep.

That being said, DC is amazing. It is a city of 500,000 and growing but the cultural opportunities, transportation, nightlife, music scene, recreational opportunities, etc. are on par with cities 2, 5, 10, 20 times bigger. The downtown area of the city is very clean and it seems there are more and more reasons to live in DC: baseball just decided to move there, free concerts almost every day in the summer, (a personal favorite) playing pickup soccer on the Mall every weekend, etc. Rock Creek Park is a very nice park right in the middle of the city. You can ride your bike 3 miles from downtown, walk into the woods and just leave all the cars and people behind.

It is atrociously expensive (unless you've lived in NYC, Boston, SF) for the most part. Living in the district in an affordable neighborhood usually means living in a semi-dangerous neighborhood, and even the gentrifying, becoming-upper-class neighborhoods like Dupont Circle and Adams Morgan can be very dangerous at night. Every one my friends who I went to undergrad with and lived in the city was a victim of crime at some point - muggings, break-ins, car thefts, bike thefts etc.

Because DC can be a dangerous place, lots of people don't want to live there. That's why they say "Oh DC is great! I lived in its suburbs for ten years and I love the city!" Rich people in the mostly rich surrounding suburbs bring money and employment to the city but they don't contribute to the culture of its people.

Having a car is prohibitively expensive, but if you have one I'd use it to get away from the city, like to the ocean, mountains, suburbs for a shopping trip or concert. Like other posters I can't overemphasize the usefulness of a bike and the efficiency of the Metro rail and bus system.

When you go there, just remember that DC isn't all politicians, lobbyists, and marble monuments. The heart of the city is the regular working-class people who live there and give it its character. Hope my advice helps you get to know a very varied city.

I would like to thank YOU ALL for such a wonderful reply. I appreciate all your time. I did learn that you all loved DC and it will be an excellent idea to have a bike. Of course, as any other place on earth, it also harbor it's negative characteristics. Nonetheless, from all your replies, I love it already because of the all the activities, trees, unique beauty, med schools, quiet/relaxing areas, and many more! Thank you all so very much. By the way, one of the OP's asked if I was interviewing there... Nope, not yet. I'm going to on a visitation program and would love to apply to med schools there now that I've got all your valuable and frank opinions. I am looking forward to savoring its sweetness/everything else soon! Thanks again and adieu! Cheers 🙂

 

[picklebee]

Hi Medcluv:

I moved from CA to DC last year, and I love living on the opposite side of the country. Very different from the eternally two season/sunny state. Anyway, here are some pros and cons about DC:

Pros:
1) Very diverse and international.
2) Good public transportation: I love the Metro system.
3) Many different and interesting neighborhoods, such as Georgetown, Adams Morgan, Capital Hill, Dupont Circle, etc.
4) A great sense of history and significance.
5) A lot of interesting activites and events that you can't get anywhere else. Just went to the opening of the Museum of the American Indian, and it was quite awesome. Other events include the annual Cherry Blossom Festival.
6) Close in proximity to other big cities, including Baltimore, NYC, Philly, etc.
7) Not quite as congested as NYC, where people are piled on top of people.
8) A good number of restaurants, cafes and bars to choose from.

Cons:
1) The danger issue, which is really not that bad as long as you have good street smarts. It's like living in any other big metropolitan.

DC is a safe city if you stay out of any of the neighborhoods that end in "Heights".

That is, besides FRIENDSHIP Heights.
2) Rude Metro riders... but you get those everywhere.
3) Housing is not the cheapest, though depending on area. My rent ranges have been in the 600s for my own room. But you can get rent in the 500s for sure.
4) Weather. Unlike CA, the four seasons do occur here. So have that umbrella and scarf and hat handy. But the snowstorms that they plaster all over the news aren't at all bad. You get at the most a feet or two of flaky white stuff... and the place goes into a frenzy. 🙄
5) Produce is much more expensive here, as most is imported from other states, especially CA. But it's not too bad of a "con."
6) Security. Expect to walk through a lot of metal detectors.

All in all, the pros have definitely outweighed the cons for me, and I really love living in DC. Definitely come and visit, and decide for yourself!

 

[medcluv]

Hi Medcluv:

I moved from CA to DC last year, and I love living on the opposite side of the country. Very different from the eternally two season/sunny state. Anyway, here are some pros and cons about DC:

Pros:
1) Very diverse and international.
2) Good public transportation: I love the Metro system.
3) Many different and interesting neighborhoods, such as Georgetown, Adams Morgan, Capital Hill, Dupont Circle, etc.
4) A great sense of history and significance.
5) A lot of interesting activites and events that you can't get anywhere else. Just went to the opening of the Museum of the American Indian, and it was quite awesome. Other events include the annual Cherry Blossom Festival.
6) Close in proximity to other big cities, including Baltimore, NYC, Philly, etc.
7) Not quite as congested as NYC, where people are piled on top of people.
8) A good number of restaurants, cafes and bars to choose from.

Cons:
1) The danger issue, which is really not that bad as long as you have good street smarts. It's like living in any other big metropolitan.
That is, besides FRIENDSHIP Heights.
2) Rude Metro riders... but you get those everywhere.
3) Housing is not the cheapest, though depending on area. My rent ranges have been in the 600s for my own room. But you can get rent in the 500s for sure.
4) Weather. Unlike CA, the four seasons do occur here. So have that umbrella and scarf and hat handy. But the snowstorms that they plaster all over the news aren't at all bad. You get at the most a feet or two of flaky white stuff... and the place goes into a frenzy. 🙄
5) Produce is much more expensive here, as most is imported from other states, especially CA. But it's not too bad of a "con."
6) Security. Expect to walk through a lot of metal detectors.

All in all, the pros have definitely outweighed the cons for me, and I really love living in DC. Definitely come and visit, and decide for yourself!

THANKS PICKLEBEE!! I 😍 DC already. By the way, it seems as if I will really like the weather because it's my kind of weather. If I were to make my decision right now, the pros that you've listed will surely outweigh the cons for sure because I am living in CA and we are supposed to have been in fall season, but it's still hot! Oh well, I'm looking forward to the visit. Thank you much.

 

[Uegis]

Reading this thread is getting me so stoked for my Georgetown interview. Think I might fly in a day early to check the city out a bit more. Any suggestions for hotels (cheap ones) that is close to Georgetown?

 

[futuremsfdoc]

if you want some good food in dc, go to lindy's restaurant. it's a local burger place where all the gw kids go to eat. i'm not sure what streets it's on, but if i remember correctly it's on the west side of campus.

 

[RaistlinMajere]

Reading this thread is getting me so stoked for my Georgetown interview. Think I might fly in a day early to check the city out a bit more. Any suggestions for hotels (cheap ones) that is close to Georgetown?

If you want an awesome experience stay at the Georgetown University Inn and Conference center. It's right behind the med school and in the middle of campus. Mention that you're interviewing and you get a discount.

 

[evajaclynn]

I lived in DC for a year and loved it, loved it, loved it. Great city and Halloween is a blast there too. They close off M Street and its like a little Mardi Gras - everyone in costume and having a great time. Just mentioning this since Halloween is just around the corner. 🙂

 

[Uegis]

I lived in DC for a year and loved it, loved it, loved it. Great city and Halloween is a blast there too. They close off M Street and its like a little Mardi Gras - everyone in costume and having a great time. Just mentioning this since Halloween is just around the corner. 🙂

How long does it take to get to Georgetown from Dulles? What's the best and cheapest way to do it. I cannot afford to fly into Reagan, so Dulles is my best option though Georgetown specifically recommend not going to Dulles. Thanks for any help!

 

[fpr85]

DC is divided up into quadrants -- stay out of southeast

 

[evajaclynn]

How long does it take to get to Georgetown from Dulles? What's the best and cheapest way to do it. I cannot afford to fly into Reagan, so Dulles is my best option though Georgetown specifically recommend not going to Dulles. Thanks for any help!

You'll probably need to get a shuttle. Check out this website: http://www.supershuttle.com/htm/cities/dca.htm

It will probably take 45 min to an hour to get to G-town, but definitely depends on traffic. Also, it sometimes takes a little longer when you are on the shuttle, b/c they take other people to diff. destinations. The shuttle isn't too expensive, but sometimes it is better to fly into Reagan b/c expenses add up when you have to find other methods of transportation once you get to town. G'luck.