Moving from NYC to DC: Things to Know Before Relocating

Every year, lots of New Yorkers move to Washington, DC. Even though Washington is a good-sized city, and of course, where all the political action happens, it’s still quite a bit smaller than New York. If you’re making the move yourself, get ready for some culture shock. Here are some of the things that you’ll notice are different when moving from NYC to DC.

Homes Have So Much Space.

On average, homes in DC are just bigger than what you’ll find in New York City. The typical one-bedroom apartment is close to 800 sq ft; 2 bedrooms average 991 sq ft. Renting or buying a house? In DC, the average home is 2,200+ sq ft – more than a thousand square feet larger than what you’d find in New York.

Everything is Cheaper. Not Cheap, But Cheaper.

When you’re living in DC, you’re going to encounter tourists, and one of the things you’ll hear is those tourists complaining about how expensive everything is. But if you compare the prices you’ll see for just about everything, you’ll find life in Washington to be slightly more affordable than it was in New York.

Car? Not Optional.

Washington does have excellent public transport, and the train tends to be cleaner and less crowded. That being said, most of the really fun stuff to do in Washington involves getting away from Washington, and for that, you’ll need a car. If you don’t need your car for your everyday commute to work, consider storing it – you’ll save a fortune on parking that way.

Get Ready to Slow Down.

Walking around New York City, you develop a tendency to go fast. The pace of life is slower when you move from NYC to DC, perhaps in part because people are enjoying the cherry blossoms or hoping to catch a glimpse of somebody famous. After a little while, you adjust – and if you miss going fast, join the runners who jog alongside the C & O canal or down Embassy Row.