Every American should live in Washington, D.C. at some point in their lives. And it seems that many of us do. Whether you are a student arriving in the city to study at one of the most prestigious universities in the nation, or a professional doing business with the federal government, newcomers relocate to Washington D.C. for myriad purposes. And they arrive to find one of the most thrilling, cosmopolitan regions in the world. From its breathtaking monuments to eclectic neighborhoods to its diverse population, Washington D.C. is one of the most colorful city centers on the planet, and a year round feast for the senses.

While Washington D.C. immediately conjures images of some of the world's most recognizable buildings, life off of the capital is an absolute delight. Neighborhoods within the city are largely mixed-use areas, offering residents easy access to shopping, dining and nightlife. Metro stops are also within easy walking distance from most homes, making navigating the city a breeze.

There are currently some 563,384 residents living in Washington, D.C., with a median age of thirty five years old. Of the city's working age population, the single largest employment sector is professional services, employing approximately fifty one percent of locals. Following in a distant second, around twenty two percent of residents work in the service industry, while an additional sixteen percent are employed in an administrative capacity. The average household income in Washington D.C. is right around the national average, coming in at approximately $40,127 per year.

The local economy here is strong, driven primarily by the federal government. The area's second largest economic stream is tourism, as millions of visitors from around the world arrive to experience the beauty and attractions of the city. Other significant industries in Washington D.C. include medicine and medical research, publishing, higher education, and government research. Nearly every American trade association maintains an office or headquarters here. The city is also the world headquarters for a diverse list of firms including USAirways, Gannett News, Amtrak, the Marriott Corporation, Mobil Oil, MCI Telecommunications and the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

Washington D.C. is typically divided into four quadrants: Northwest, Southwest, Northeast and Southeast. In the center of the quadrants, you will find the United States Capitol building. The city is incredibly easy to navigate, with numbered streets running north and south, and lettered streets running east and west. As you travel further away from the city-center, street names increase in syllables, from one to two to three and so on. While the city is mostly laid out in a grid, you will find diagonal streets, which are always named after states. These streets typically begin and end at one of Washington D.C.'s famed circles, such as DuPont Circle.

Newcomers to the city will find an enviable and elegant mix of housing options to explore. Because this is an urban center, the majority of homes here are found in multi-family complexes of all sizes. There are also many single-family attached homes, such as striking brownstones, to be found in Washington D.C. There are some single-family detached homes here, but they are rare and pricey. Many of these single-family detached homes have significant historical value, as they are some of the region's earliest homesteads. For their lucky owners, these estates are are truly fine examples of genteel living. Recent real estate reports indicate that the average purchase price of a home in Washington, D.C. is currently around $231,000.

In their free time, residents here have simply no shortage of entertainment, recreation, dining, artistic and cultural offerings. As the nation's capital, some of the world's best museums, theaters, and concert halls are located here. Dining and nightlife is seemingly unlimited, with cuisine from around the globe, ranging from casual take-out to meals designed to please heads of state.

Washington, D.C. is a fun and vibrant city in which to live. If you are thinking about moving, consider all that our nation's capital has to offer! To learn more about this extraordinary location, simply request our free relocation packet today.