What is your job?

mandapanda78

DC is clean (as far as cities go), multicultural on a level I can't even begin to wrap my head around, there are a bazillion things to do (a lot of them free) and if you go in any direction for about an hour you end up in the country (if you like outdoorsy stuff). DC rules.

IrishBrideND

There are so many educational opportunties and the multicultural aspect also appears to me. It also has great parks. DH and I would love to move back.

ggmae

My best friend went to college in DC and DH's family lives just outside DC, so I've been there often over the years. I really enjoy it there and always look forward to going back.

andyandhillary

I'd say the same for NYC and Chicago though.  Granted, Chicago you actually have to go to MI (not far) or WI for some beauty but it also is very multi-cultural and what not.  Maybe it's just all about where you are from?

SwedishChick2011

I used to live in northern VA, like 15 minutes out of DC.  I loved it there. 

kschwedic

I'm currently working as a clerk for the local unit of the state health department.  I've been here for three years, and I've hated it all three.  I have to deal with a bunch of BS, and it's not worth it.  Plus, I run out of work so quickly that I'm bored most of the day. I'm also going to school full-time (online, mostly) and as of now, I'm majoring in early childhood education.  But I'm starting to change my mind and, once again, have no idea what I want to do--and part of the reason for that is the fact that I can't afford to quit my job to really continue with the program. I plan to get out of here as soon as possible, but I may just have to deal for awhile.

Brie2010

I'd say the same for NYC and Chicago though. Granted, Chicago you actually have to go to MI (not far) or WI for some beauty but it also is very multi-cultural and what not. Maybe it's just all about where you are from? I wouldn't classify NYC as clean.  Chicago I would.I also dispute that Chicago is ugly.  The skyline is gorgeous, we have a beautiful lakefront and nice parks and museums, and the foliage in the fall is gorgeous. And by "we" I mean "they" because I don't live there now, but I did for 22 years.

salt78

I'm a graphic designer. I love it. My goal is to stay with this company for a long time.

IrishBrideND

I'd say the same for NYC and Chicago though. Granted, Chicago you actually have to go to MI (not far) or WI for some beauty but it also is very multi-cultural and what not. Maybe it's just all about where you are from?Of course there are other cities that have those traits. Thats not the point You asked why people like DC...not what DC has that no one else has. But, I do think it does have things that no other city has. Its the Capitol, obviously. I personally wouldn't want to live in NYC for other reasons, and I've spent 4 years near Chicago and I can't handle the weather. So thats not for me. We all have pluses ane minuses.

jasmineh7777

I am a full time student.I work part time at the university library and part time as a Habilitation Aide for children with autism.I love working with the kids. I just picked up psych as a second major. I want to get my Doctorate in psychology and work in the autism field.

andyandhillary

True on the weather in Chicago.  I'm used to it but if i wasn't I would die.  Also true on the capitol actually lol.  I never get sick of the monuments, especially at night.

HDutko

I'm as ecurity officer at a major pharmaceutical company. And a part time Military Police officer My civillian job is ok, but the commute SUX. We are house shopping and it's even further away from my job where we are looing, so now my goal is to find a decent job near where we are hoping to move.

kikibaby

I want to have the energy to enjoy my kids. My cousin waited that long and she is exhausted. I don't want to be that way. Excuse me for wanting to have kids earlier and see my grandchildren. Oh, the horror!I don't give a crap what YOU want, it was that you were judging people who wait until their 40's to start a family.  Some people like to have job stability, money in the bank, a house, etc instead of being all "OMG, I want kids while I'm young!  Who cares if I drive an '84 Corolla and live in my parents basement?"Ugh, why am I arguing this with you?

andyandhillary

I'm not sure why you are so upset.  Everyone judges everyone.  You are judging me, and that's ok.  It's not your cup of tea.  Btw, I am not necessarily having kids early (is 30s early now?) and I don't live in my parents basement nor do I drive a shitty car.  I worked hard and earned what I have.  Thanks.We just have different values.  Some people think they need X amount of money to support their kids and others think you need Y amount of money to properly support their kids.  It's just an opinion.

TheFutureMrsM-LoungingBeachside

I'm a RN and I work with High Risk Obstetrics patients. I love my job probably 90% of the time. I've thought about going back to school for my Doctorate in Nursing Practice- and have even gone so far as to start the applications. But I can't imagine not being at the bedside and I'm afraid grad school would force such a change.

notquiteblushing

People are judging you because you said a silly thing.  I loved living in D.C. and don't see why you couldn't raise a family there.  As for being tired when you have kids at a certain age, that is just dumb.

TheFutureMrsM-LoungingBeachside

Wait who said a silly thing? I have a feeling the person I think said something silly is not the same as everyone else.....

goheels05

I'm a CPA in a very small firm (2 partners, 3 CPA staff, one part time staff, and a receptionist).  I started in tax with the Big 4, then went corporate, and neither one was for me.  I really wanted to work for the Dept of Revenue, but so far I like this ok.  I'm only in my 3rd week on the job.I don't know what my goals are.  I almost quit work and went back to school, but I figured there was enough I could do with an accounting degree that I ought to try out a few other things first.  I didn't plan on working when/if we have kids, but this job is a lot more conducive to family life than 48 charge hours a week or driving an hour to work each way, so we'll see.

notquiteblushing

@future, I was referring to the OP.

goheels05

I can understand not wanting to wait until your 40s to start a family because of the risks, and I can understand not wanting to rear children in the city, but I think it's the way you worded it that came off as overly judgy.  Say that on The Nest/Bump and you'd get flamed into next week.  You just have to watch how you word things.  "Having a family in DC just isn't for me" would have been a bit less abrasive.

andyandhillary

Lesson learned.  Why is saying that being tired in your 40s with kids is dumb?  How is my cousin's opinion dumb?  It's not.  It's a statement really.  It's like you have the same energy at 30 that you did at 20.

kikibaby

And also "I would like to have kids before I'm 40". 

kikibaby

Plusalso, one of my good friends is 41 and has WAY more energy than I will ever have, a decade younger.

IrishBrideND

It was the way you said it. You looked down on anyone who waits to have a kid untl they are 40. You didn't simply just say "I want to have kids before I am 40 because...."

andyandhillary

Ok, like i said before lesson learned.  Also, saying my cousin's statement was dumb is a silly thing to say itself.  It depends on the person.  In general, most people have less energy as they age.  That isn't a crazy thing to say.  To fix everything, "I would like to have kids before I am 40."  Let's all just calm down.  I'm sorry if I offended you. 

IrishBrideND

eh you didn't offend me. I'm in my 20s and pregnant.

kikibaby

It's not "offensive"- it's just annoying.

TheFutureMrsM-LoungingBeachside

Ah ok. Several of our friends have asked FI and I if we think we will move to the suburbs when we have kids and seem very surprised when we say probably not. I think raising a family in the city vs. the suburbs just requires a different personality.

andyandhillary

Ok. 

TurtlesAllTheWayDown

Heritage Foundation? Sorry, I haven't read all the comments.I have a job at a small internet marketing company, but I'm getting my MA in US History. I'd like to continue on to a PhD and teach college someday. If the college thing doesn't work out, I can work for a historical non-profit or historical society. Or even get a teaching certificate and teach high school. But I really want the PhD and the research opportunity!