Attending college in D.C. – pros and cons

When you start attending college in Washington, D.C., you’re imminently signing up for all the politics that this city is emersed in. When you start attending college in D.C. you will emerge in fiery debates, protests, and marches. During your four years there, it will be hard not to get behind a movement worth fighting for. One of the most experienced local movers Washington DC has to offer can help you with the pros and cons of living in D.C. during your college years. Is this type of environment really for you? You will have to start by adapting to a historically rich, yet urban landscape. We will help you by listing the pros and cons of the Washington lifestyle. That way you can easily weigh your options before relocating to the capital.

The pros of attending college in D.C.

When it comes to choosing your academic home for the next four years, there are many issues to take into account. Besides the school itself, one of the most important things to think about is the area surrounding it. You should know what is in your immediate area, both regarding business connections and entertainment. You will love attending college in D.C., but there will be times when you want to get out of the campus and explore. That’s why we at Allstate moving and storage are here to help you out. So let’s dive in and see what are the pros of living in the US capital.

1. Accessibility of your campus

Washington has great transportation options in and around the city. The Metro and bus systems can get you to almost anywhere in the city. If you want to spend an afternoon in one of the Smithsonian museums or go to Georgetown for an amazing cupcake, public transportation is easily accessible. However, If you’re staying out late, just be sure to plan your transportation. The Metro and buses aren’t in service all night! The Metro and bus routes extend a little bit beyond the city limits. Also, many nearby colleges, apartment complexes, and hotels provide shuttle buses to the nearest stop. In addition, many counties near DC have bus systems. This intricate transportation system will make moving around the city manageable, reliable, and affordable.

A lot of students sitting in the library attending college in D.C.;
Washington D.C. has the best network of metros and buses in the US.

There are several ways to get to and from the airport in Washington, D.C. Students may easily travel to and from the airport without using a cab or ride-sharing service because Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport includes a Metro stop. Additionally, shuttle buses are accessible from numerous sites around the city to both Reagan National and Dulles International Airports. The city offers accessible services to students with impairments as well. Elevators and ramps are available at every stop, making the Metro system accessible. Additionally, for those with impairments who are unable to utilize the standard Metro service, there is the MetroAccess service. Long distance movers in Washington DC always say that when it comes to transportation D.C.’s got everything.

2. Opportunity is everything in the 21st century

D.C. is a very competitive and career-oriented city. While attending college in D.C., you will find great internships, jobs, and volunteer opportunities in many fields. As D.C. is home to the United States government — you can even find yourself interning on Capitol Hill. Or if you dream about working for the Environmental Protection Agency, you’re in the right place. Even if you’re not located there are plenty of great colleges near Washington D.C. So all in all your options are endless. Numerous charities and non-profits are devoted to strengthening socioeconomic structures in the city. You may assist in many different fields, including healthcare, homelessness, and education. Additionally, volunteering is a fantastic method to expand your network and get experience.

Opportunity written in white on the black background;
You only need one opportunity and you’ll succeed.

This is a great place to meet a lot of influential people, but we mean “really influential” not YouTube-kind of influencers. You can also find a lot of great places to volunteer like startups so you can join the team while you’re still a student. Remember that some of the most people who share our world today didn’t finish college. But instead, they focused on their goals and ideals which matters more than some paper that you’ll get in the end. Don’t get us wrong we support colleges but just take a look at the most famous university dropouts and tell us if you recognize any of these names:

  • Mark Zuckerberg
  • Bill Gates
  • Steve Jobs
  • Oprah
  • Steven Spielberg

3. History and Culture

DC is also a great place to commemorate and appreciate the past. While attending college in D.C. you will have the opportunity to visit the place where Dr. Martin Luther King gave his “I Have a Dream” speech. Or the place where 20 million people met for the first-ever Earth Day! There are monuments abound, and museums galore. The crown jewels that are the Library of Congress, and the White House — are at your fingertips. These are just some of the places that everyone should and must visit when going to Washington. But now you shouldn’t forget about the Lincoln Memorial and don’t forget to go inside you’ll see important events in Lincoln’s life.

The outside of the Smithsonian museum;
Don’t miss a chance to visit Smithsonian.

The National Mall is one of Washington, D.C.’s most important historical locations. There are several monuments and memorials there that pay homage to the country’s history, founding fathers, and sacrifices. Also, you should see The Vietnam Veterans Memorial pays tribute to the warriors who sacrificed their lives fighting in the Vietnam War. Don’t forget to visit the Smithsonian it’s made up of 9 galleries and museums. Some of the most famous ones are the National Air and Space Museum, the National Museum of African American History and Culture, and The National Museum of American History. These are some of the most important historical sites in D.C. worth exploring.

4. Networking

Networking is key to success. And there are few places more fertile for nurturing your networking endeavors than Washington D.C. If you want to get inspired by business pioneers, meet nonprofit leaders, or study under microbiologists, you can find some of the most important and brilliant field leaders in this city. Alumni networks are one of the most significant networking tools available to students in Washington, D.C. Active alumni groups are present at several local schools and institutions, giving current students the chance to network with others who have graduated in related disciplines. Events, workshops, and mentorship programs are frequently held by these organizations to assist students in networking with professionals and learning more about prospective career options.

In the end, you can nowadays use social media. Social media like Linkedin and Twitter are now some of the most powerful platforms out there. You can use them to instantly reach and be recognized for your achievements. So don’t waste this opportunity and use all social media since nowadays this self-promotion is a type of digital marketing. It’s more popular to have a brand that is associated with the person. We can see from 2022 Elon Musk’s acquisition of Twitter that the world of social media is changing thus becoming more important. You should take your place while it’s still reforming and restructuring.

A phone with a LinkedIn app on it;
Linkedin is the best way to network nowadays.

5.A vibrant social scene absorbs you while attending college in D.C.

Apart from professional opportunities such as networking to support your career while attending college in Washington D.C., this is also a great place to meet new friends and even find free things to do. During the year several festivals take place in the center, from movies on the Washington Mall to yoga to concerts. There are also incredible places to eat and venues to explore. can tour the city’s many neighborhoods and districts, which range from the hip cafés and shops of Georgetown to the iconic sites of Capitol Hill.

Washington, D.C., is also a culinary hotspot, with a wide variety of dining establishments to suit a variety of tastes and preferences. The city’s diverse restaurant culture has something to offer everyone, whether students are seeking a quick snack or a gourmet dining experience. There is no shortage of restaurants for students to try, from well-known Washington, D.C. favorites like Ben’s Chili Bowl to hip gastropubs like the Good Silver.

6. Diversity

With so many diverse cultures, histories, and belief systems all crossing paths in this area. You will emerge in a city that offers varying ways of thought. We should not forget to underline the dozens of ethnic restaurants for you to explore in your new neighbourhood. No matter where you will be attending college in D.C., you will find advantages and opportunities. But if you are aware of these wonderful opportunities, you will be able to make the right choice for you — and tap into the endless possibilities during your college career.

A group putting one hand on top of the other while attending college in D.C.;
Diversity is part of Washington D.C.’s culture.

The cons of attending college in D.C.

Like any other big city, the US capital has its flaws as well. However, you will be happy to see that this list is far shorter than the list of positive aspects when going to study in Washington D.C. We’ll reveal to you things no one told you about living in Washington DC.

1. Cost of living

Perhaps the most difficult aspect of attending college in D.C. for you could be the cost of living. Many Washington D.C. areas offer some attractive housing options. But, very few of those options will be on a budget. Students can expect to spend between $1700 and $3000 on housing, which will, of course, vary depending on the square footage and location of the apartment. If you are moving to DC anyway, consider using storage Washington DC on this journey. Take into account that the utilities, food, and public transportation are pricy and add up quickly to a student’s budget. When you add that to the average cost of college fees, which is usually around $30, 000, this can be an extremely prohibitive factor for students.

2. Traffic and travel could drive you mad while attending college in D.C.

Like most major cities, D.C. residents have to plan for major traffic jams when making plans to travel. While public transportation is great for avoiding the worst rush hours, metro and bus lines can become challenges of their own. After you find your storage units Washington DC and become familiar with the general pattern of traffic, you will eventually find it relatively easy, if not even convenient to use. In D.C., most university campuses are walkable or accessible via the metro or bus. Coming in from outside the city takes more planning, and students may struggle to coordinate travel and classes if lessons are scheduled near peak traffic times.

People stuck in a traffic while attending college in D.C.;
Traffic jams can make attending college in D.C. much harder.

Final thoughts on attending college in D.C. – pros and cons

All in all, when attending college in D.C. you get some unique academic opportunities and an exciting, lively cultural setting full of attractions and events. This is it for today and we hope that this article helped you. We’ve shared our findings about attending college in D.C. – pros and cons. The list is simple to follow and as you can see there are more pros than cons. Living in Washington D.C. is a privilege no matter what people say. Everything from politics, and culture, to networking, startups, and diversity everything is here in the capital. We hope that you’ll have a nice time in the capital and that you’ll get familiar with it. In case you need any help with moving contact us; if you need any more free tips and tricks you can check out our blog section.

 

 

 

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