Washington, DC, the most powerful city on earth, will always be a popular tourist attraction for US citizens and foreign visitors alike, so I thought I would share some of my insights from my fourteen years of living in the area.

When locals mention “DC” they are usually referring to Washington Metropolitan DC, which includes the District of Columbia, the Maryland suburbs, and Northern Virginia, where I reside. Maryland is a one-party Democratic state, while Virginia tends to be more conservative, but not staunchly so. With DC having one of the hottest job markets in the country, the area is growing by leaps and bounds, and there is a fast demarcation between city and rural, as the burgeoning metropolis engulfs the rural surroundings like a tsunami overtaking the beachfront. Since real estate prices are very high (a literal shack outside Old Town Alexandria will set you back 120 grand), most people live outside the beltway, which is a 70-mile highway encircling Washington.

It takes a while, if ever, to get used to the traffic in Washington, which is second only to LA for traffic congestion. My commute into DC usually takes me an hour and half both in the morning and in the evening coming home. Those that can do without their autos, might opt to “slug it”, which is wait at pickup points to catch a ride with eagerly awaiting commuters who qualify to take the HOV lanes (high occupancy vehicle) and cut their commute time considerably. Even with the commute, I love working in Washington, which has its own distinct culture.

The District of Columbia is divided into four quadrants, with the Capitol as its epicenter. Northwest includes the K Street corridor which is the main business area, and upper NW is home to mostly rich, white DC residents. The remaining three quadrants are largely urban poor.

Georgetown is a great place to work and visit. Architectural firms set up in old, brick factories. Walkways making their way alongside cobblestone streets and canals unaltered since the Civil War. Scenic Georgetown University overlooking M Street, the main thoroughfare through Georgetown, which is popular with nightclubbing college students on the weekends. Men who work in the business district have the added bonus of hundreds of beautiful women milling about during the course of the day (from what I heard women aren’t hurting either). On my long trek homeward I have a nice view of the sun setting behind the misty outline of the Blue Ridge Mountains on the horizon.

Are you looking to spend a romantic, relaxing afternoon? I suggest Harper’s Ferry, a historic Civil War town nestled on the edge of the Shenandoah Valley. Harper’s Ferry has quaint restaurants and shops, along with fascinating Civil War folklore. Another must see is Skyline Drive, a 35-mile state park road that winds on top of the Blue Ridge Mountains, especially fun if one is a motorcyclist.. Take it on a late September day and the trees will be a kaleidoscope of brilliant Fall colors. I’ve been up there on an early Spring day after a nighttime ice storm, and the entire landscape was covered with dazzling ice crystals, a breath-taking sight. Those traveling from the Maryland suburbs to DC might want to take the Rock Creek Parkway. Rock Creek is a small river that winds from Maryland to DC with the parkway along with it. Thousands of years of erosion has made the creek a few hundred yards subterranean to the city and makes it an interesting drive. Traveling on it during a rainy morning and you have the feeling of venturing through the rain forest, as mist flows up from the creek and sneaks up the embankments.

I’m sure there are worse places to live than Washington, DC...... such as Cambodia. LOL!

Addendum for "Women's Issues":

Women might find the area appealing because of the hot job market, and the percentage of women who have satisfying professional careers is very high. This might afford women independence that might lacking in other parts of the country.

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Thanks, JK! Now the question is, are you willing to put up a few feminists during the Inauguration festivities?

~Karen~

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