"After living abroad for a few years in Italy and Nepal, I was excited to move to Washington, DC, for graduate school. Although I never dreamed of living in DC specifically, I'd enjoyed attending college on the East Coast, so I expected to love the city. I imagined running down the National Mall next to cherry blossom trees, exploring museums, and discussing foreign affairs at cultural events on Embassy Row. Unfortunately, the reality of life in DC didn't match what I imagined."
"There were things I loved about Washington, DC - the historic brownstones, cobblestone street-filled neighborhoods, and gorgeous views of the Potomac River - but all in all, the city wasn't what I expected. As much as I loved exploring local trails, the summer months were hot and humid. I wished I could dip my toes in the ocean to cool down, but the Atlantic Ocean beaches were all hours away. The humidity triggered my allergies, too."
Lived abroad in Italy and Nepal, then moved to Washington, DC for graduate school. Expected to love DC because of prior East Coast college experience and envisioned running the National Mall, visiting museums, and attending cultural events on Embassy Row. Liked historic brownstones, cobblestone neighborhoods, and Potomac views but summers were hot, humid, and beaches were hours away. Humidity aggravated allergies. Social interactions often focused on work, lacking the relaxed energy experienced abroad. Graduate student budget limited exploration. Left DC in 2020, lived in a few other cities, then moved to San Diego in 2022 and found it matched personal lifestyle and felt like home.
Read at Business Insider
Unable to calculate read time
Collection
[
|
...
]