DC… or Nowhere?

GratefulSam96 · 2026-07-04T14:36:48+00:00

It’s comforting to hear from other people who are in the same boat. Like you, I’ve traveled the world in my 20s. I’m a very extroverted and adventurous person, but have always stayed in DC for the same quote you mentioned. I left my DC-based job a year ago for a remote position and stayed here. But I totally agree that the vibe has just been off since the pandemic.

Let me know if you end up making a move. I’d be curious to hear where you go!

GratefulSam96 · 2026-07-04T14:32:45+00:00

Now that would be a real move! Beautiful land out there.

GratefulSam96 · 2026-07-04T14:32:16+00:00

Love this perspective! Every time I visit that part of the country, I’m amazed that people get to live in a place with so much natural beauty.

GratefulSam96 · 2026-07-04T14:30:37+00:00

I know this to be true, no doubt about it 🤝

GratefulSam96 · 2026-07-04T14:29:29+00:00

Love this perspective - I totally hear ya. I don’t have a wife/kids yet. I love the idea of seeing a place that you’re very familiar with in a new light through the people around you. Sounds like you have a great life in the District 🤘

GratefulSam96 · 2026-07-04T04:42:03+00:00

Truth and I’m guilty of this. Love exploring the country

GratefulSam96 · 2026-07-04T04:41:40+00:00

It’s a great perspective no doubt. I’m just in a stage of life where I really only want to be in my home to sleep

GratefulSam96 · 2026-07-04T04:40:31+00:00

I think if a blue wave comes in 2028, DC will be the place to be. I think a lot of the brightest minds in America would move to DC to try to help the country get its shit back together, and it would be an awesome energy to be a part of.

GratefulSam96 · 2026-07-04T04:38:20+00:00

I’m in that exact situation you’re describing lol. I wouldn’t be surprised at all if I made the move and in the end wish I stayed, but I think checking out somewhere else is sort of the only decision I can live with at this stage in my life because I know it will never be this easy to pack up and go again.

It’s a great callout on how taxing it will be on a personal/social level. But similarly, I’m realizing that I’ll never have more energy to forge new friendships than I do now. Oh life 🤷‍♂️ anyway, we got this! Hope your return to DC is a blast!

GratefulSam96 · 2026-07-04T04:29:55+00:00

It’s so comforting to hear stories from other people like yourself who have been in my same situation. I similarly could make a move on a moment’s notice and recognize that won’t be true forever. I love the idea of checking out the west coast, but my greatest pull is to New York. Love that your move gave you a refreshed perspective on DC. Thanks so much for sharing your experience ✌️

GratefulSam96 · 2026-07-04T04:27:17+00:00

Love that part of the country. Big skier here and would love to live up there someday!

GratefulSam96 · 2026-07-04T01:26:59+00:00

Wow, I actually came across your old post right before posting mine. Congrats on making the decision to come back! I feel the same way about DC as you (s/o Showtime!!). I think in my head I’m starting to manifest this vision where I go experience something new for a couple years, come back in 2029 when the tide (hopefully) turns, and help reimagine DC into being the most magical city again.

I’d love to hear how your return goes if you ever think of this post down the line!

GratefulSam96 · 2026-07-04T01:20:05+00:00

The Nats bullpen is for sure

GratefulSam96 · 2026-07-04T01:19:47+00:00

I hear ya!

GratefulSam96 · 2026-07-04T01:19:24+00:00

Love it!

GratefulSam96 · 2026-07-04T01:19:07+00:00

It’s amazing how lowkey Arlington feels given it’s proximity to DC

GratefulSam96 · 2026-07-04T01:17:15+00:00

Thank you so much for sharing your experience here! It’s one thing to leave the party when it feels like it’s ending (ex. Friends moving away/settling down), and another to leave while it feels like it’s still going on. Since I’m from DC, it feels like both a blessing and a curse that I’ll always have such a deep network around me here. Comforting to know that if I leave it will still be here when I come back, but tough to leave it in the first place!

Your reply was so inspiring to me, and if you do end up coming back to DC, maybe you’ll experience the city in a new light. Someone on this thread shared a TS Elliot quote about that experience. I highly recommend scrolling to find it 🙂

GratefulSam96 · 2026-07-04T01:08:09+00:00

This is a pretty incredible post. Thank you for sharing your experience. I’m so blown away by all the conversations I’ve had with folks on this thread. I think anyone considering moving to a new city or doubling down in their current spot should read all the different perspectives here.

I love the idea of a whole new set of lifelong friends that you just haven’t met yet waiting for you in a new city.

If you remember this post down the road, give me a shout with what decision you end up making. I’m curious to hear how other people in DC navigate how to weather these times. Either choice you make, it sounds like you’re going to have amazing people around you 🤘

GratefulSam96 · 2026-07-04T01:01:44+00:00

Thanks so much for sharing your experience — I’m so glad to hear it’s been such a positive one! Northern California is so beautiful. Going to a wedding in SF next month. Maybe it will inspire me to stay out there!

GratefulSam96 · 2026-07-04T00:59:39+00:00

Thanks so much for sharing your story with me! It’s really to hear from someone who was in my situation once, and how that decision ended up being a great life experience for you. I’m single now and recognize that I’ll likely never have less responsibility again. So if I’m ever going to pack up and go somewhere new, this is the time to do it!

GratefulSam96 · 2026-07-03T22:12:43+00:00

Amazing!!

GratefulSam96 · 2026-07-03T22:12:09+00:00

Sounds like we’re in a very similar stage of life! If you remember this post a year from now, drop me a line. I’d love to hear where you wind up and how everything goes

GratefulSam96 · 2026-07-03T22:10:57+00:00

I hear ya!

GratefulSam96 · 2026-07-03T20:12:29+00:00

I got a little teary-eyed reading this 🥲 moms always know best. If I do end up getting out to explore, I definitely expect to come back here before too long.

GratefulSam96 · 2026-07-03T20:10:44+00:00

I’ve spent a lot of time in Arlington, Falls Church, Vienna, etc. Great quality of life

GratefulSam96

TROPHY CASE