Washington, D.C.
Named after the first president of the United States, Washington, D.C., the District of Columbia is America’s capital. Being the capital, Washington, D.C. is filled with various seats of governmental power, monuments, and culturally significant sites. It is a thriving and immensely busy hub of business, entertainment, commerce, and American politics, all situated within a circle of Interstate 495, also known as the ‘Capital Beltway.’
Those traveling to Washington, D.C. will have no shortage of things to do, especially if they’re museum-lovers. Nearly all of the museums, all those owned by the government, completely free of charge. This includes D.C. staples like the National Air & Space Museum, the National Museum of Natural History, and the National Museum of American History. There are newer museums, like the National Museum of African American History and Culture, which blends creativity, light, education, and imagery, to paint a beautiful picture of the African American story and experience.
Along with museums, Washington, D.C. has a wealth of political sites like the Lincoln Memorial, the Washington Monument, and the Jefferson Monument. For travelers, I recommend visiting the monuments at night for the full experience.
Housing in Washington, D.C.
Finding a place to live in Washington, D.C., maybe a little tricky if you’re a young professional just starting out a career. The median home price in D.C. is ~$636,000. Many politicians keep temporary homes here for work in the Senate and House of Representatives. Politicians are deeply entrenched within the area and are amply paid, so finding a choice home may be a bit of a struggle. The housing market is forecasted to go up even further over the next few years. All of the surrounding areas are exponentially more expensive than Washington D.C. ‘s, especially Bethesda, Maryland, and Arlington, Virginia.
Taxes in Washington, D.C.
Property taxes in the District of Columbia County amount to 0.545%, which compared with the assessed median home value of ~$636,000, would come to about $3,466. This is considerably lower than the national average, which rests at 1.080% of the assessed home value.
The Washington, D.C. sales tax is currently 6%, which consists of a district-wide flat sales tax rate, which applies to many services.
