DC is where history’s made in America. Government lives there. Culture inspires it. Geography has created a clean and green city. And new businesses adore the U.S. capital. I could give you 400 reasons to move to DC but you only need four. So read on and then start packing.

Related reading: Top Ten Affordable Apartments in DC

4 Reasons To Move To Washington, DC

History & Politics

Founded in 1791, Washington, DC is the capital of the US. It’s the central location for the running of the US government. There is past, present, and future history and politics everywhere in DC.

Among the many monuments are:

17 Smithsonian Museums

Lincoln Memorial

Washington Monument

Emancipation Memorial

White House

The Pentagon

Federal Bureau of Investigation

Library of Congress

The politics of DC make it one of the most inclusive places in the US. Over 10% of the adults living in DC identity as part of the LGBT community. This is over three times higher than the US average. DC also has the greatest percentage of households with same-sex partners in the US. Because of this DC was the Gayest City In America in 2014.

Check out this video to learn more about the history of DC.

Green Space & Nature Preserves

While there are many great monuments in DC, it’s not all about the architecture. The city is also green and clean. There are many parks and gardens, and it’s National Arboretum is incredible. Among the emeralds of DC are:

Constitution Gardens

Franciscan Monastery Gardens

Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens

Hillwood Gardens

Hirshhorn Museum’s Sculpture Garden

Lincoln Park on Capitol Hill

Meridian Hill Park

Potomac Park

Rock Creek Park

US National Arboretum

There are also over 60 miles of bicycle tracks in the area, with cyclists making up 5% of DC’s commuters. DC’s people in power share this push to keep the green city clean.

In July 2018 Mary Cheh, a DC Councilmember, introduced a green bill. This legislation will make electricity in the city carbon-free. It will also lower greenhouse gas emissions. You can help make America greener by Going Green. If you want an idea of how green DC is, have a look at this picture of Rock Creek Park:

via Flickr

Great opportunities for business

Business in DC is booming. It’s one of the top tech cities in the US. New startups are sprouting every day and it has the third highest average salary in the country. If you are looking for work, DC may be the place for you.

Some of the biggest employers in DC include:

Fairfax County Public Schools

MedStar Health

Marriott International Inc.

University of Maryland

Giant Food

Deloitte

If you want to work in government, DC is the place to be. The US Federal Government employs over 140,000 people – almost 25% of the population.

Entrepreneurship is also very popular in DC. Startup growth is 75.5% in DC. It’s easier to start a business, buy a business, or invest in a business in DC than it is in other US cities.  Check out this video to learn more about DC’s small business community.

Incredible cultural diversity

Love food? You need to visit DC. Adore sports? You have to come to DC. Go crazy for great music? You can’t avoid DC. Want a city built on cultural diversity? You need to move to DC. Here’s the skinny on DC’s incredible cultural diversity.

Sports

Whether you love football, soccer, baseball, or hockey, DC has what you need. There are sports teams at college and major level. The biggest sports teams in DC are:

D.C. United

Georgetown Hoyas

Maryland Terrapins (male and female teams)

Washington Capitals

Washington Mystics

Washington Nationals

Washington Redskins

Washington Wizards

The downside is that history hasn’t given DC’s sports teams much success. Of course, that can all change after you move.

Food 

Foodies adore DC. It’s full of cafes, farmers markets, and bars. There are also many food tasting tours you can go on. Whatever your budget or taste, DC has something for you. Some of the great DC dishes are:

Aplets & Cotlets

Chesapeake blue crabs

Chesapeake oysters

D.C.’s iconic half-smoke

Korean fried chicken.

Mumbo sauce

Peruvian polla a la brasa

Salvadoran pupusas

Music

If you’re a fan of classical musical DC will be great for you. The city has the:

Washington Symphony Orchestra

Washington National Opera

National Symphony Orchestra

DC Legendary Musicians Inc.

DC Youth Orchestra Program

If you’re like punk rock then you’ll also love living in the nation’s capital. The DC punk scene is legendary. It helped to found emo, hardcore, and post-hardcore. See the bands that have started in DC:

Minor Threat

Bad Brains

Rites of Spring

Fugazi

Nation of Ulysses

DC is diverse, historic, welcoming, green, clean, and full of prosperity. There are few cities in the world that offer as much as DC. I’ve given you four reasons why you need to move there. Once you’ve relocated, you’ll give me 400 that you won’t want to leave.