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5 Essential Tips for Moving to Washington, D.C.
Photo courtesy of Image by Camden Living
Photo courtesy of Image by Camden Living
Guest Blogger
Saturday, Feb. 10, 2018

So, you’ve decided to call Washington D.C. your new home! Now what? Whether it’s for work, school or just a change of pace, moving to D.C. is an exciting experience. The move can also be significantly overwhelming. Where do you even start? Check out these tried and true tips for moving to D.C. like a boss:

1. Location, location, location (duh)

But seriously, the location of your new home is the single most important decision you will make as you prepare for your move. Think about your current lifestyle. Where are the places you travel to most? Being close to work, grocery stores (also, buy a grocery cart- trust me), entertainment and shopping will contribute greatly to your quality of life. Being conveniently located near a metro station can be a game changer. Just as in most cities, traffic in D.C.is a nightmare. I won’t sugar coat this for you…parking in D.C. is a crazy expensive. You can expect to shell out $175-$250 a month if you want to be able to park your car in your apartment building. You may want to seriously consider selling your car or storing it at a friend or family member’s place.

2. Do you even Metro, bro?

Get comfortable with maneuvering around town via Metro. The Metro system is made up of six color-coded lines connected to each other at transfer stations. You can almost get everywhere in D.C’s four quadrants and parts of Virginia and Maryland without having to step foot in a car or bus (although the buses in D.C. are actually pretty nice.)

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Image by Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority

3. Don’t be afraid to downsize

You’re not in Texas any more… Let’s get real. When is the last time you used your dining table? How about that cheese fountain your cousin gave you because he knows how much you love queso? Or that juicer you bought 3 New Years’ ago when you swore to yourself that you were going to run marathons and cut out all processed foods, but gave up after the first time you had to clean the thing? Yeah, time to move-on. This is a great time to reevaluate what is important to you. Haven’t used it in a year? Donate it or kick it to the curb. While we are at it, investigate options on how to make the most of the space you’ve got.

4. Peep the weather

Weather in D.C. can turn on a dime. One week you’re wearing flip-flops and the next you have to don 5 layers before you can even think about leaving the house. Checking the weather forecast once a day (or more) will help you be prepared for whatever Mother Nature has in store. I’ve only ever paid for one app in my life— Dark Sky.

This award-winning app utilizes very cool infographics and has been called “scarily accurate.” Their robots often predict the weather with down-to-the-minute precision. Not only does it show rain chance but volume of rain, wind gusts, humidity, UV index, global radar, and sunrise/sunset. It’s a steal at only $3.99…beats spending $15 on an umbrella every time it rains because you weren’t prepared and didn’t take one with you when you left the house.

5. Get Plugged In

D.C. is a transient city. People are constantly moving in, around, and out of the area. This makes it really easy to find like-minded people to hang out with. There are tons of Meetup groups you can check out. Salsa dancing, history, hiking, soccer…if you like something, odds are there’s a group for that. With over 1,000 opportunities, Volunteering is also an effective way to get out there and meet some new folks. Check out State Farms’ Neighborhood for Good to find the perfect fit for you.

Choosing the right Apartment Community is the beginning of a long and memorable living experience in any city. There are 4 Camden Communities in some seriously great neighborhoods. Make sure to stop by and check them out as you search for your next place to call home here in the DC Metro area.

We can’t wait to meet you!

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Image by Camden NoMa Resident, Brian Medlin

Blog by Johanna Hamilton, Leasing Consultant at Camden NoMa and D.C. explorer extraordinaire. Johanna has been with Camden since 2016 and started her career in Austin. Now she loves exploring all the museums and culture D.C. has to offer and sharing the world of legit-Mexican food with her Camden NoMa family (tacos and margaritas are her specialties).

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