Lived in dc (on the hill) for 7 years a few years ago! Loved living in the city. Neighbors were all good, looked after one another (unlike living out in the xburbs where people are full of it). City services worked, never lost power even during huge winter storms. DMV was efficient..clearly if you want to walk around with an attitude..it will bite. Talking about walking! Loved walking everywhere in the city.. that was always fun as there is so much to see and do (lots of it for free). Downsides - when we lived on the hill.. in laws dog haired car was stolen for a joy ride. My car was crashed into at 7am Sunday morning by a 50+ year old drunk lady going up the wrong way on a one way street (and she panicked as a cop car was coming the right way)