how FUN ! :)

I haven’t met any fellow bloggers yet, but have some plans to, and I imagine it’s how you describe… online friendship dating! you are not meeting a stranger, but a Pen Pal of sorts! :)

looks like a great city, and that Red Mango makes me want some Right Now!! :)

I love Portland for the same reason – we have many vegan + gd options here. So awesome!

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I’ve never been to the DC area but have heard so many good things about it! I think wherever you guys end up will be a great fit for you :)
Also, I totally know what you mean by non-blog friends thinking meeting blog people is weird. I’ve been online and “social networking” so to speak since 97 and have met lots of people from online, usually people think it’s so weird, but I am still really good friends with many of the people I’ve met through various social networks. :) It’s one of my favorite parts of the internet.

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Changes can be so fun and nerve-wracking at the same time! Good luck with everything :-)

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Oh wow, it was so amazing to see pictures of my old Whole Foods. The whole Clarendon area is amazing. I lived 4 years in Clarendon and than 4 in Pentagon Row. I really hope you move to that area – you will love it. I know i don’t live there any more, but if you need an advice or suggestions, let me know…..

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Ok, you cracked me up on that wrap! I am betting it was a brown rice wrap because they are so freakin’ waxy and I love them! I am all about texture and those definitely have them! My parents live in Leesburg, VA and it is absolutely beautiful. My dad commutes to DC. That is truly one of the most beautiful areas! I am glad you got more comfortable with the area. You guys are going on such an adventure. Sometimes I wish it was easier for us to pick up and go somewhere, but with two kids, one of which will be in high school in 2 years, it just would not be fair unless we had to. Have a great night Emily and get some rest!

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What an awesome trip! It looks like you had a blast. I am drooling over that GF wrap – tell me why no restaurant near me will offer those? Sheesh!! Good luck with the house hunting!

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I’ve been enjoying reading your blog for a couple of months now– love it! I’m really happy to hear that you guys are moving to DC. This city has so much to offer.

My husband and I live in DC with our pug. Personally, I could never leave the city for Virginia. To me, so much of NoVA is cookie-cutter, overpriced, and bland. We live in Adams Morgan, just around the corner from Dupont. I would recommend checking out Woodley Park in addition to the other DC spots you’ve talked about.

I can’t remember if you’re a swimmer, but DC has a beautiful pool facility (Wilson Aquatics Center) that you should check out– it’s free for DC residents :)

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ha- you literally walked from where i lived in clarendon to where i worked in DC on 18th. i really loved living in clarendon. i was there for almost 4 years it really had everything i was looking for.

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Ditto Sharon!
I have lived in Arlington and moved to DC last year and I’m SO much happier! The neighborhoods you have been looking at in DC (Dupont, Logan Circle, Capitol Hill) are so much more amazing than Clarendon (which is the best place to live if you decide on VA). DC has much more culture, better food, and more access to the rest of this gorgeous city! TEAM DC!

(Whichever area you choose though; welcome! We are happy to have you)

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DC is a cool place, but I have heard that living in the Northern Virginia area is great and very cost-effective! The power of social medias is almost scary. What a cool blogger meet-up! :)

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Wow – what fun! I wish we had a fro yo place like that in my town!!!

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I really cannot fathom how we got by before the connection of the internet! Advice, food, directions, friends, the list goes on and on. I’ve only been to D.C. once before but I plan to stop and visit some college friends as I roadtrip home from grad school sometimes soonish. I love scoping out some potential places to visit via your blog. Glad you got home safely!

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What???? After all our city talk on Sunday, you head out to NoVA? I’m surprised. As awesome as it is to meet new friends and get advice, when it comes down to it, you gotta do what’s best for YOU! (But I will selfishly hope you pick the city.) We took the apartment we showed you, and we are thrilled about it! I’m looking forward to our yoga date :)

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So sad that you are moving to DC, as I am moving to Charlotte ; ( but so excited for you. My twin sister has eaten at Java green, and yay for gluten free food!

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Exploring new places is so much fun, especially when you’re planning to move!

I love DC and Northern Virginia in particular. It’s one of the few places on my very short possible-forever-home list. I lived there for a few years and miss it so much.

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So glad you made it to java green. It’s one of my favorites!

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I LOVE Red Mango. It seriously the best fro-you EVER! I was very sad when it went away here. =( It was replaced with a Ben And Jerry’s, which I am sorry, is just not as good!

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One thing to consider is tax rates, DC is much higher than VA… I used to live in Adams Morgan but my husband (my then boyfriend) lived in Clarendon – it does make a difference!!!!

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Hi! I’ve never commented before… but I had to give my DC opinion/advice: I moved from the suburbs (Bethesda) to Capitol Hill about 2 years ago and love it. I don’t drive anywhere, love Eastern Market, love running on the mall, love the restaurants on barracks row (8th st), love the nearby bikram yoga studio, and basically just am crazy about everything. The houses have so much character and it’s just a much more interesting cultural place to be than our old neighborhood ever was. Live music on Saturdays outside Port City Java at eastern market… everything, it’s just awesome. But so are a lot of neighborhoods in DC, I guess! Good luck choosing :)

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Hi, Emily – Can I ask you why you would like to eat gluten-free? I am reading about this choice on so many blogs. Am I harming myself by eating gluten?!? I’ve talked to one other blogger before who told me she cut it out of her diet due to sensitivity issues. Is that the same reason you are considering it?

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My friend recently moved to Clarendon and since I’m moving in a couple months too she’s been making a case for her area! I do see that there are perks, but one drawback I think is that it’s really not that much cheaper than being in the city itself! I feel like if I’m going to leave DC it better be because I’m saving money :).

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I liked living in Arlington. There’s a lot to do and it’s urban, but not too extreme. I lived in Ballston area for a year, but actually hung out in Clarendon a lot (I was in my early 20′s when I lived there, and Clarendon has some good night life). I don’t think you’ll find Arlington lacking in Urban appeal if you choose to live there. Have you considered Old Town Alexandria? That’s also a nice area with lots of older homes with character and food and shopping within walking distance (yoga studies too I’m sure). I’d check out that area on one of your house hunting trips. :)

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I totally feel you on the anxiety associated with finding a home in a new city. When we were apartment-hunting in Columbus, it was so stressful. You’re only in town for a short while, and even if you think you have a vague notion of where you’d like to live, everything feels so foreign and intimidating. It’s easy to get overwhelmed and freak out. (Andrew & I each had a few freakouts while we were there.)

BUT! What helped me were three things:

1) The advice from folks regarding different neighborhoods. This comes with a caveat–EVERYONE will give you different advice, and everyone has loyalty to their neighborhood! The basic info is great, though…and the caveat leads me to…

2) Trust your gut! When we stepped into German Village, we just knew: we had to live there. It was exactly the type of environment we were looking for because it suited our lifestyle. Quiet, adorable, and easy to walk.

3) As annoying as it is to hear, it does help when people tell you, “Things will work out.” Because they will! It’s crazy stressful, but everything will work out, and in surprising ways! We got our amazing new house in GV because we happened to walk into a restaurant and run into folks I graduated with at Denison–and they were looking for someone to take over their lease! The world works in mysterious ways…

Have fun! You and Casey have such a great attitude about this, I know it will be an awesome move. I can’t wait to read all about DC as you explore it!

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Good luck with the move and housing hunt! I like in Northern Virginia (Alexandria) and love it!

For running – regardless of where you end up in Northern VA or DC – you have to check out the Mount Vernon trail. It runs right along the Potomac and has some awesome views. (I wouldn’t have gotten through marathon training without those views to keep me occupied/entertained during the difficult miles!)

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I live right near Clarendon. I absolutely LOVE where I live. Of course living in the city is great, but we really like the space that living in Northern Arlington offers and found a gorgeous condo that overlooks the monument and capital building. We couldn’t find anything more perfect in DC for the same price. I don’t own a car, so I metro and bike everywhere, and its super convenient because of the biking/running path (Custis trail) from Northern VA down into DC. On weekends, I run a nice 12 mile loop that brings me into DC, around the mall and monument, back up through Georgetown and home via the Custis trail into Arlington. LOVE it! :)

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I’ve lived in several areas of NoVA and in DC, and I loved them both for such different reasons. Honestly, there isn’t a “wrong” choice. I currently live in Arlington (I run by that awesome Whole Foods several times a week) and I love it. At this point, it was the right choice for me because I needed a little extra space and a (small!) yard for my dog who is getting up there in age. I can honestly tell you that, no matter what you decide, you will be happy. Let me know if I can answer any questions!

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I love your grain jars! Now I’m determined to find a cute place in my kitchen to steal… I mean borrow ;)… your idea!!

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Clarendon way the neighborhood I grew up in! It’s really grown since I left! I visit a couple times a year, I love it there.

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It was wonderful meeting you!! Yay for online dating, heh ;) Good luck with the search and don’t hesitate to email me questions, addresses, freak outs, etc. :)

xoxo

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Hey Emily,

I don’t normally comment (not sure if I ever have on your blog yet?), but I really love your blog and have really enjoyed following your story from OH to Charlotte and now to DC.

Since I’m in DC myself (been here for 6+ years now), I’m definitely excited for this next chapter in your life! My husband (who has been in the area for 10+ years) and I currently live in Arlington. We’re have a condo in Rosslyn (we both work in Foggy Bottom and often make that walk home from 21st and L through Georgetown and across Key Bridge that you made in reverse when you were here).

When I heard you were considering NOVA, I was definitely excited and immediately wanted to nudge you that way. After reading through the comments and thinking about it a bit more, I actually think you might be better off in the city to start. As a few readers said, it is so challenging to figure out what will work best for you before actually living there. A few weekends here and there don’t paint an accurate enough picture of how day-to-day life will be. Maybe you should do DC for a year (DuPont, Adams Morgan, Woodley Park, Van Ness, Capitol Hill) and really experience that kind of life and then reevaluate if it is still something you want. And the reader who said that “it’ll all work out” is right – it will. You guys will make the right decision for you for right now – and if you hate it, it’s not that big of a deal, it’s DC – you can almost always find someone to take over your lease and move ASAP!

Anyway, I also wanted to comment to add my name to the list of people who would love to answer any questions or offer any advice to you and Casey. My husband and I are planning a move to Charlotte in a few years, and it would be interesting to get each others perspective on the different places!

Best of luck in your search! And apologies for the super longwinded crazy comment!

Best,
Paula

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I’m in Arlington too, if you need any help with finding a place here, definitely shoot me an email.

I don’t live in Clarendon, since it’s way above my budget, but I’m in a huge 2 bedroom apartment, just a mile from the metro, and near Pentagon City and Crystal City (and I pay less than a one bedroom goes for in Clarendon…).

And we have a gym and a pool too! And free metro shuttle during rush hour!

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Emily! This is just so funny to read. First, I lived in Northern VA (google GoRemy Arlington Rap – PLEASE) and then I lived in DC and worked downtown. I used to get the tofu avocado wrap from Java Green ALL the time! :)

Arlington is way cheaper. You guys could get a cute little rowhouse there for sure.

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I’ve lived in DC for 5 years. I used to live in Georgetown right off of Dupont on Q St. GREAT location, easy to walk to Dupont, the entrance to Rock Creek was 2 blocks away for me to ride my bike down by the river or up into the park.

I’ve never felt unsafe in Georgetown or Dupont–there are always people around and I’m not drunk at 3 in the morning!

I find DC to be safe for walking alone. I’ve lived in Baltimore, Belfast (Northern Ireland), and Somerville, so perhaps my “safe” rating is somewhat different. But it is a city, so you should go with your gut instinct.

That said–bars are the window are the norm here for lower floors in the District. I’m sure you could find something with a bedroom at the back. Keep looking, the rental market has a fair amount of stuff here.

I did live in Columbia Heights one summer, which certainly felt a bit sketchy at times at night (but I knew many people on my block by site, and they often said hello, which was nice. that never happens in Georgetown!). To me, Capitol Hill and Adams Morgan can feel a bit dicey in parts, but I know people who live there and LOVE it.

I now live with my fiance in Glover Park (upper Georgetown) which is a very cute, ultra-safe neighborhood you might want to look into. There’s no easy Metro access but there’s lots of buses.

I find NoVa to be sort of bland and lacking in history (with the exception of Old Town Alexandria) but my brother and his wife live in Shirlington and love it. Before that, he lived in Clarendon and loved it.

But whatever you do, don’t live in Rosslyn! It has no soul. Sorry, Rosslynites!

Welcome to the area!

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What a good trip and how awesome to meet up with a fellow blogger! Bonus that you found an all vegan restaurant for dinner.

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Em, My two cents, which you probably aren’t asking for, but I’ll just throw it out there… After living in Chicago, I actually found DC a bit more overwhelming. Maybe it was just the timing in my life and the fact that I was ready to be done with grade school and in Ga with a certain someone, who knows…haha. Va seems like a great place to live to me, because it’s not quite the hustle and bustle of DC, but still has the perks of the city-like lifestyle. Not too sure about pricing though, with the dogs I’m sure wherever you will live you will want it to be more roomy than just a little apt.

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You were literally right across the street from me today! I work right above the Rosslyn metro station–less than 1/4 mile away from the Key Bridge.

I’ve lived in the suburbs of Loudoun County since I was 8 and although it’s a great place to raise a family, it’s just not for young fun folks–plus the commute into Arlington isn’t wonderful. It is, however, a lovely place to visit, as we’ve got lots of vineyards and farms! I’m actually hoping to move out closer to my job as soon as I get some funds saved up:) If you’re interested in NOVA, I reccomend Alexandria or Fairfax.

Sorry you’re probably being innudated with the strong opinions of those from NOVA vs. those from DC! It’s super stressful finding a place to live, but this is a wonderful area so it’ll be worth it.

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I’m excited to have another great DC area blogger to read in the near future! I actually just moved to the area myself about 2 months ago. I live in Alexandria. I was so overwhelmed and really am only now beginning to feel a little at ease.

There’s pros and cons to living in NOVA or DC. If my bf didn’t have a job that was so dependent on driving, we might have considered living in the city. As it is, I like being somewhat removed from the chaos, but yet being being so accessible to all the action.

Good luck!

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I lived in Suburban Maryland. I wouldn’t really recommend it!

Anyway, I just saw this article and thought of your upcoming move. My city is number 4. Yay.

http://blog.peta.org/archives/2010/07/the_most_veg-friendly_cities.php?c=pfs

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You should consider living in Bethesda. I went to college at the University of Maryland, just outside of DC. Bethesda is cute, funky, sophisticated, and about ten minutes north of DC. Awesome place to live!

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