Moving from LA to DC

[RTFirefly]

@QuickSilver

Food. You like food? I like food. Hope you’re a good cook. Because the restaurant scene here is lame. So lame. Plenty of chain type restaurants that you can find anywhere in the country. Very few truly good independant restaurants. A few in DC and one or two secreted away here and there, but few and far between if you’re looking for anything inspired.

@Acsenray

4. The food here is fan-damn-tastic! Ethiopian, Korean, Japanese, Chinese, Peruvian, Salvadorean, hamburgers, pizza, barbecue … especially if you go to the places in the ethnic neighborhoods … We have good coffee!

I definitely side with Acsenray on this one. Somewhere in the past 40 years, we went from being a culinary backwater to the home of almost as many ethnic groups as NYC, so we’ve got restaurants serving the cuisine of practically every country worth sampling. Indian, Thai, Vietnamese, and Ethiopian restaurants are as common as Chinese and Italian restaurants were when I was growing up. And as Acsenray says, if you’re looking for something a bit more unusual, like Korean or Peruvian, you can find it.

Also, you don’t need to go downtown to find good ethnic restaurants. The 'burbs, particularly on the western side of the area, are well stocked with them. Tyler Cowen’s Ethnic Dining Guide, my starting point for exploration of ethnic food in the DC area, tells me that there are two Yemeni restaurants in Northern Virginia. I wouldn’t have otherwise known that Yemeni restaurants existed in the U.S.! (Cowen recommends the chicken Biryani at House of Mandi on Wilson Blvd. in Arlington.)

[Acsenray]

@Asimovian

Is that about on par with talking about going to “'Frisco”?

People usually say “DC” or “the District.” “Washington” is used but less common. Names of particular neighborhoods are very commonly used—“Downtown” refers to a specific area that goes northwards from the White House.

“The City” is rare but I’ve heard it. Nobody really cares, though. There are so many transplants in the area that it’s rare that someone will police your terminology for bona fides. If they do, they’re being assholes, but DC-area assholes have many more tools at their service than this kind of thing.

“DMV” seems to be on the rise. “Greater Washington” and “National Capital Region” are used officially but rarely in conversation.

As far as sports loyalties go, because of the high percentage of transplants, you can find fans of any major pro team here.

The Redskins are probably the most popular, but even among absolute natives, there’s a significant Cowboys lobby. I speculate that it has something to do with the Redskins’ long history of racism.

Depending on the neighborhood you live in, there’s plenty of support for Baltimore teams, especially the Orioles, since they were the closest team for three or for decades.

The Nationals are also very popular. I don’t get a good sense of how well-loved the Wizards and Capitals are though.

[Lukeinva]

As others have mentioned VA > MD, but we don’t need anymore transplants thank you very much.

[oft_wears_hats]

Good luck in DC! I just left not too long ago, but I really loved my time there.

The Metro is…not as good as it used to be, at least if you live far out. Fares have gone way up over the last several years, and track maintenance has become the norm on the weekends (at least it was when I lived in Vienna a couple years ago). Still, it’s a great way to get around inside the city, especially compared to driving. Get a SmarTrip card as soon as you can, as they charge a premium for using the disposable fare cards. They sell SmartTrips from automated kiosks in most stations these days.

I agree with the recommendations to fear the snow. All it takes is half an inch and the whole region loses its mind. It only takes 5-10% of drivers who don’t know what they’re doing in snow to screw things up for everyone, and in DC it’s probably closer to 30%.
Booze:
Montgomery County often has the lowest alcohol prices in MD, so you can shop local and usually be fine. Don’t buy booze in VA if you can avoid it, as they’re state-controlled and very pricey. Montgomery County is county-controlled, but they still tend to have very reasonable prices and frequent sales. They also have a searchable online database, so you can see which stores are stocking the items you want. When I lived in Herndon, I took occasional trips up to Bethesda to restock my bar.

If you’re into scotchy bourbon-style stuff, you may enjoy touring Copper Fox Distillery. They make some interesting whiskies using certain methods borrowed from scotch distilleries.

Check out the Dogfish Head Alehouse (Fairfax and Falls Church VA and Gaithersburg MD). Decent food and great beer. They’re based in DE, but I’d be very surprised if their offerings aren’t readily available on the West Coast. We get Stone and Lagunitas over here, after all.

PX in Old Town Alexandria. Expensive but unique cocktails. Old school speakeasy feel. Very fun for a fancy night out.
Food:
Astro Doughnut and Fried Chicken in Metro Center (they’re also opening a spot in Falls Church, VA).

Eamonn’s Dublin Chipper. Old Town Alexandria (same building and ownership as PX). Wonderful fish and chips. Also try their homemade sauces.

Eden Center in Falls Church, VA. Several excellent Vietnamese restaurants (as Acsenray already touched on).
Culture:
The Alamo Drafthouse in Ashburn, VA. It’s a bit of a hike from MD, so check out their calendar and see if they’re doing any events you’re interested in. I miss the Alamo so much. Good food, great tap list, comfy seats, and fun special events (think quote-a-longs and movie-themed feasts).

The Udvar-Hazy Airfield in Dulles, VA. They have a Space Shuttle, they have an SR-71 Blackbird, they have the Enola Gay, plus a gillion other amazing aircraft. Definitely worth an afternoon. Plus, afterwards, the Alamo Drafthouse and DFH Alehouse aren’t far away.

[DCnDC]

@oft_wears_hats

I agree with the recommendations to fear the snow. All it takes is half an inch and the whole region loses its mind. It only takes 5-10% of drivers who don’t know what they’re doing in snow to screw things up for everyone, and in DC it’s probably closer to 30%.

It’s not just snow. Any kind of precipitation, even a light misting of rain, makes almost everyone literally forget how to drive. It’s profoundly bizarre.

[oft_wears_hats]

I was thinking about mentioning the rain thing, but I figured it wasn’t as bad as I hear it is in LA. But yeah, true.

[Asimovian]

I was there (DC/Maryland) last week, and I assure you the rain thing is nowhere near as bad as it is in LA. So I’m grateful for that, anyway.

I’m a little bit surprised about the extent to which some people seem to hate DC, but I’ve certainly directed my share of vituperation at LA over the years. I guess you have to live somewhere before you can truly appreciate how awful it can be at times.

[Acsenray]

I agree with the recommendations to fear the snow. All it takes is half an inch and the whole region loses its mind.

As I said before, accidents are common because of aggressive and impatient driving. It just gets worse with rain and snow. Commuting is always shitty. Every day.

Food:

Astro Doughnut and Fried Chicken in Metro Center (they’re also opening a spot in Falls Church, VA).

I’ll have to say that I like their chicken but I am not particularly impressed by their doughnuts. Indeed, this area is a bit of a desert when it comes to quality doughnuts. There is some hope occasioned by the expansion of Richmond-based Sugar Shack into the area.

Eamonn’s Dublin Chipper. …

I’ll heartily endorse that one.

Eden Center in Falls Church, VA. Several excellent Vietnamese restaurants (as Acsenray already touched on.

Oh yes definitely. We’ve done threads here before on specific recommendations for food in the area and this is always one.

I hear we also have some good fancy restaurants but I don’t know about that because the cheap eats are so good.

[madmonk28]

@Lukeinva

As others have mentioned VA > MD, but we don’t need anymore transplants thank you very much.

As a native Virginian who fled north of the Potomac at the first opportunity, I strongly disagree. Generally, VA is more conservative than MD; not just politically, but in their approach to life. I found Virginia suffocating.

[oft_wears_hats]

@Acsenray

I’ll have to say that I like their chicken but I am not particularly impressed by their doughnuts. Indeed, this area is a bit of a desert when it comes to quality doughnuts. There is some hope occasioned by the expansion of Richmond-based Sugar Shack into the area.

Did you try the crème brûlée doughnut? I thought that was amazing, and it’s only gotten better over the last year. I wish I knew of something that good in the Boston area.

[YogSothoth]

Wow, planning things around weather. That’s so bizarre and weird

[DCnDC]

@Acsenray

I’ll have to say that I like their chicken but I am not particularly impressed by their doughnuts. Indeed, this area is a bit of a desert when it comes to quality doughnuts. There is some hope occasioned by the expansion of Richmond-based Sugar Shack into the area.

Growing up I used to live basically across the street from the main Montgomery Donuts bakery (“fryery”?), and their retail counter was open 24-7. That was kind of strange for its somewhat remote location, but for a college kid coming home at all hours of the night with the munchies, it was freakin’ amazing!

Sadly, they are long gone now.

Nowadays, for most people in the area their options are one of the three Krispy Kremes (Rockville, DuPont Circle, and I want to say Alexandria?), none of which are convenient to me, or Dunkin’ Donuts, who seem much more interested in selling me coffee and/or crappy breakfast sandwiches rather than those things that make up half of their name.

.

[Acsenray]

@DCnDC

Growing up I used to live basically across the street from the main Montgomery Donuts bakery (“fryery”?), and their retail counter was open 24-7. That was kind of strange for its somewhat remote location, but for a college kid coming home at all hours of the night with the munchies, it was freakin’ amazing!

Sadly, they are long gone now.

Nowadays, for most people in the area their options are one of the three Krispy Kremes (Rockville, DuPont Circle, and I want to say Alexandria?), none of which are convenient to me, or Dunkin’ Donuts, who seem much more interested in selling me coffee and/or crappy breakfast sandwiches rather than those things that make up half of their name.

There’s a fantastic doughnut place in Ocean City called the Fractured Prune. I found out that they used to have locations on the Washington area years ago.

But I agree, Krispy Kreme was as good as you could get for years and they have only the three distant locations. Dunkin Donuts is barely a step up from grocery doughnuts.

[Acsenray]

And yes I did have the crème brûlée. It’s just not what I’m looking for in a doughnut.

For my taste, Astro goes overboard. At base I want a ring of fried dough with perhaps one kind of modification. When j have an Astro I feel like I’m eating something that basically not a doughnut.

[CGav8r]

@QuickSilver

That out of the way, lets address the cultural mecca that is DC. In a word, it isn’t.
Sure the museums are free and abundant. But if I have to look at the same goddamn Renoir at the National Gallery or space capsule at the Air and Space, I’m going to lose it. Once you’ve seen the monuments and the museums for the third time, you’re not going to consider them such a national treasure - more of a national tourist trap. Oh, and enough with the fucking cherry blossoms. I’ve seen smaller crowds at the Tysons Mall before Christmas.

Whoa, there now; after living in California for 4 years and paying through the nose for museums, I (respectfully) think you are waaaaaay off base. There are a dozen free and great museums on the Mall alone, the Smithsonian has 19 different museums (and you can take REALLY cool classes through them - a great way to meet other folks), not to mention the Corcoran, the Hillwood Estate, the Holocaust museum, the Newseum, the International Spy Museum, the Building museum, the National Cathedral…the list goes on. It would take quite a few weekends to see all of the collections (and there are traveling exhibits, of course), and there’s the Capitol and the White House - and maybe the chance to be on the steps of the Supreme Court when they had down a decision and crowds of protestors go wild.

During the summer there is a free concert or event in the district EVERY WEEKEND. And you can also do stuff like check out the USMC Twilight Tattoo at the Iwo Jima monument (or go to 8th and I on a Friday), or see the Old Guard do their stuff on the mall.

I’ve taken my kids down there some, and once I get our house a little more squared away I’ll try to go every other weekend (I HIGHLY recommend getting in with a tour group at the National Gallery - everyone moves out of your way and the docents always have fascinating info).

Now, do I miss the weather and mexican food on the West Coast, and are the mountains here smaller? Sure, but life is trade offs.

[Ravenman]

Let me tell you: the number one biggest difference is that I believe the average person in LA is so much friendlier than the average person in DC. Yes, yes, there are arrogant bastards in both places; yes, yes, people may think they are Hotel Sierra because they have a big job in their respective industries. I’m talking about your average level of niceness.

Sure, people may say the niceness in LA is fake. Who cares? If someone says it looks like I’ve been working out, why should I bother to wonder whether they are being truthful or not?

[oft_wears_hats]

@Acsenray

There’s a fantastic doughnut place in Ocean City called the Fractured Prune. I found out that they used to have locations on the Washington area years ago.

I do enjoy Fractured Prune. There used to be a location right by my house in Vienna. I cried bitter tears when I found out it had closed. Then the one in Rockville closed. Argh.

@Acsenray

And yes I did have the crème brûlée. It’s just not what I’m looking for in a doughnut.

For my taste, Astro goes overboard. At base I want a ring of fried dough with perhaps one kind of modification. When j have an Astro I feel like I’m eating something that basically not a doughnut.

Fair enough, to each their own. I’ve found a few places up in Boston that you’d probably enjoy. They make simpler doughnuts but do it very very well. Sadly, I’m still looking for another Astro.

That reminds me: Asimovian should definitely check out Ray’s Hellburger (which I think is called Ray’s to the Third now) in Arlington, VA. Best burgers I’ve ever had, and I’m also still looking for a place in Boston that comes close.

@QuickSilver

Oh, and enough with the fucking cherry blossoms. I’ve seen smaller crowds at the Tysons Mall before Christmas.

That also reminds me: OP should stay very far away from DC on July 4th and during the Cherry Blossom Festival. If you must, pick one year to brave the crowds and see the Independence Day fireworks display, but expect to spend hours upon hours trying to escape the city afterwards. IMO, it’s just not worth it. I remember seeing the Federal Triangle Metro entrance so jammed with people that they spilled out onto most of the city block.

[even_sven]

As a Californian in DC:

The bad- Everything is expensive. Get used to paying $8.00 for a sandwich. There is no Mexican food, at all. The weather is bad 100% of the time. Everyone develops allergies. People don’t know how to talk about anything but work. There is no counterculture. The sourdough bread sucks and many supermarkets don’t even carry it. The de facto segregation is intense and hard to make sense of. The dating scene is weird.

The good- The economy is vibrant. You get to talk to a lot of interesting people. Metro mostly works and in many places it’s possible to be car-free. There is plenty to do- even if your only hobby is listening to policy talks on Central Asia, you’ll stay busy. The city itself is often charming. It’s a great place to host visitors. There is a lot to do with kids. The nightlife is diverse and well developed. If you want to buy used furniture, DC Craig’s List is amazing. It’s easy to get West African food. People are not overly punctual because metro makes everyone late. Lots of very good educational opportunities.

Over all, I’ve been happy here, and most people I know who have moved here have been happy and successful.

[even_sven]

@oft_wears_hats

That also reminds me: OP should stay very far away from DC on July 4th and during the Cherry Blossom Festival. If you must, pick one year to brave the crowds and see the Independence Day fireworks display, but expect to spend hours upon hours trying to escape the city afterwards. IMO, it’s just not worth it. I remember seeing the Federal Triangle Metro entrance so jammed with people that they spilled out onto most of the city block.

The right thing to do is to find a friend who lives in a building with a roof deck.

[oft_wears_hats]

@even_sven

The right thing to do is to find a friend who lives in a building with a roof deck.

I did that once. The official fireworks weren’t nearly as cool as the ring of various fireworks displays that surrounded the city for an hour. That was pretty neat. So yeah, seconded.

That, and have a plan to keep occupied for a couple hours after the official display ends, to give the city time to clear out. Oh sorry, the district.