I'm just trying to learn more about the lifestyle in DC compared to NYC for those who have experienced both,.
I'm from the NYC area - went to school in the midwest, then came back for IBD/etc. Did M&A, then moved to a startup.
I'm considering relocating to DC or SF next year - less related to my feelings about NYC but because I want to get a new city experience. While I've enjoy my time in NYC - it has always been a bit fast for me - and the main reason I relocated here was to do M&A. Now that I've somewhat change my career goals - I know that I will most likely continue with this startup for a bit (I can relocated to DC potentially with them) and then start my own thing.
Just trying to get a sense for comparison for young professional life in DC - I'm going in a few weeks to visit friends down there, but was hoping to get more insight from people who have lived in both maybe. I realize the appeal of SF/startup community, however that is less likely since I want to remain on the same coast as my parents.
Not trying to turn this into a which is better, I just want to hear people's opinions on the differences.
Got a friend in DC, says the lifestyle is better, same comp, lower cost of living but not as good as down south. Lots of defense coverage work done out of there.
Well, I don't know too much about living in NY but living in DC is sort of weird. Imagine living in euro disney world except the city really is the capital of the most powerful country on earth. The nice part of living in DC is that rents aren't too bad if you don't live in Foggy Bottom, there are a few good clubs with headlining bands (930 club, black cat, few others), and the downtown has some pretty big parks. It also has some of the best bike trails and stuff in the country. Very country club atmosphere.
The bad part, from my experience, is that for a big city it feels pretty sterile - sort of like a big old manicured lawn. There's a ton of roman columns and free museums on the "mall" but after a week the museums get old, the tourists start to suck, and you realize that most of the neat buildings are a whole lot less neat when you can't go in them and they're just in the way to go somewhere. After the MLK rights the china town was basically a ghost town as all the chinese moved to the suburbs. The china town ordinances had it so that a business could only set up shop if it had a chinese name on the front - but that's it. So, and I kid you not, China town has a bed bath and beyond and an American Apparel but with chinese characters out on the front - it really sucks. There really isn't much in the way of cool ethnic restaurants in the rest of the city like you might find in NY either - unless you are really big into Ethiopian food (I don't know why there are so many there, don't ask).
OTOH while I was in DC I 1) Saw the inauguration of Obama 2) Was there for snowmagedon 3) Went on a whitewater rafting trip 4) Saw a few riots 4) Halloween there can be pretty crazy.
Thanks guys. I know from a finance perspective its limiting since very few PE/VC guys and coverage is all A&D (no interest at all).
In theory if I move down there - I would be in Clarendon or somewhere nearby as that's where all my buddies live. I currently live in Soho - and really like the residential feel (as residential in lower manhattan at least). One of the things I miss is the ease of getting out to do outdoors stuff which I always missed since moving to NYC. Since having a car here is a huge hassle - getting out to go skiing/biking/etc. is unlikely.
Cost of living - definitely a lot lower, which is appealing, but not really a reason for me to move.
What is the nightlife in DC like? I know its very yuppie, and probably more fratty, but hopefully not all Joshua Tree esq places. I'll admit while I did the whole meatpacking thing here for a bit, it wasn't that exciting to me after a while and I personally preferred chill rooftop bars/etc.
The night life is OK, but it's not going to have the range of options as NY. There's Adam's Morgan, U street, and maybe one or two other places. There's a couple bars that do quiz night type stuff and there's a couple places that are not super clubby, but there is definitely a frat atmosphere on Adam's Morgan and parts of U street (although U street is where the 930 club is).
If you are a party person it is nothing like NY.
DC is a tier 3, bland, mediocre, and poor excuse of a city.
The metro trains stop running at 12 midnight or some other ridiculous hour. Most rich people live in the suburbs anyway. DC itself is very black (ie. >50% African American) which obviously in itself isn't a problem but its as if the entire city is on welfare. Its anything but a melting pot, and as monkeysama says, even the Chinatown doesn't have Chinese people.
As a banker, you'll always feel like you're missing out if you don't go to New York.
Well the black people aren't really a huge problem if you keep out of the SE, but yeah the "culture" there is non-existent.
Also, dc itself isn't very black. Capital hill, NW, downtown are all expensive. SW dc on the other hand...
It's not as "clubby" as NYC
NYC or DC??? (Originally Posted: 10/17/2011)
*consulting
does BCG do on campus recruiting at your school? georgetown?
Well, I am currently going through Teach For America recruitment, and BCG recruits through TFA.
if your qualified they'll take you so office selection isn't a big deal. at least not for first rounds...select the city where you wanna be. I would worry more about preparation....
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you should probably stick with DC, ask for a transfer if you eventually get it. Agree with the point that you should be more worried about the preparation now.
who cares where you live? just get in and transfer after
Totally disagree with this point. Consulting is not easy hours so why not try to make the rest of your life as good as possible. It is NOT that easy to just transfer offices it is at least a year + process let a lone if the timing will work with things like leases or relationships.
I would personally go to New York. Amazing city, fantastic place to spend your 20's
Transferring your offer is definitely frowned upon. You're likely to be branded as needy or a diva, if you get it. Go where you want to be.
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