Washington D.C. is the governmental hub of the U.S. Aside from the Capitol and White House, there are more federal agencies and national organizations here than anywhere else in the country. It’s a nexus where thousands of people go to ensure that the U.S. remains on the right track.
But how are you supposed to budget for this unique city? Well, that’s the subject of this post. We explore how you can better manage your money while working in D.C. and some of the ways you can bring costs down without damaging your quality of life.
Find The Most Acceptable Housing For Your Living Situation
Living and working in D.C. can be expensive. Wages are generally higher here than in other parts of the country, but you’ll still fork out a large chunk of your money on accommodation.
For this reason, you’ll want to think carefully about where you live and how you spend your money. Ideally, you should choose accommodation that fits your living situation.
One option is to explore furnished one bedroom apartments. These are basically affordable units that come with everything you need as a young professional. The idea of these is to provide you with somewhere comfortable to crash in the evening so you can focus on your work during the day.
Another option is to choose a townhouse, particularly if you have a family. These are significantly more pricey, so you might not be able to get one of these if you’re moving to Washington for the first time.
You can also go for a traditional apartment in one of D.C.’s older residential areas. These aren’t quite as luxurious as those that are in the newer downtown neighborhoods, but they still provide an excellent place to live.
Buy Less Seafood
While it might not fit your dietary requirements, you might also want to buy less seafood while living in Washington D.C. It’s not as cheap here as it is in other parts of the country, especially if you’re moving from New England.
If you are worried about getting all your omega-3s from oily fish, don’t worry: flaxseed is still incredibly inexpensive here and you can buy it by the kilogram. You can also switch to chicken, which happens to be less expensive in this part of the world.
Avoid Going Out Where Possible
We’re not saying you can’t go out in general. But if you are on a regular salary, we suggest you avoid going out to bars in D.C. As you might expect, the prices are high with all the foreign dignitaries who frequent the area.
If you really are keen on having a good time at the weekend, it’s a better idea to go to a nearby city, like Baltimore, where the prices tend to be significantly lower. While it is a long way away, many people also make the journey to New York for stag and hen dos, or other special occasions, like graduation.
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