After living abroad for a few years in Italy and Nepal, I was excited to move to Washington, DC, for graduate school.
Although I never dreamed of living in DC specifically, I’d enjoyed attending college on the East Coast, so I expected to love the city.
I imagined running down the National Mall next to cherry blossom trees, exploring museums, and discussing foreign affairs at cultural events on Embassy Row.
Unfortunately, the reality of life in DC didn’t match what I imagined.
After three years, I moved to San Diego, a city I’d never pictured myself living in, and was surprised to find that it felt like home.
Living in Washington, DC, wasn’t what I expected
There were things I loved about Washington, DC — the historic brownstones, cobblestone street-filled neighborhoods, and gorgeous views of the Potomac River — but all in all, the city wasn’t what I expected.
As much as I loved exploring local trails, the summer months were hot and humid. I wished I could dip my toes in the ocean to cool down, but the Atlantic Ocean beaches were all hours away. The humidity triggered my allergies, too.
Often, when I went to happy hours and met new people, I felt like work was the most common topic of conversation, which I didn’t like. I missed the relaxed energy and casual happy-hour conversations that I’d experienced living abroad.
Still, I tried to make the city my home, exploring new neighborhoods, restaurants, and music venues. As a graduate student, though, I had a limited budget for new experiences, and I just wasn’t clicking with DC.
Finally, for the sake of my happiness, I left the city in 2020.
After living in a few other cities, I moved to San Diego and fell in love with it
Julia Atkinson
After Washington, DC, I lived in multiple cities searching for my dream home, but none were the perfect fit.
Eventually, I moved to San Diego to see if it could be right for me. I’d previously visited the city several times during my stint in Long Beach, California — its beaches and relaxed vibe kept drawing me in.
After renting in a few different San Diego neighborhoods, I finally settled on North Park, which seemed to have the perfect mix of city life and access to nature.
With a population of around 1.3 million (compared to DC’s 700,000), San Diego feels like a true metropolis — but one with a relaxed, casual vibe.
The best part of living here is the sheer amount of things to do and see, from beaches to concerts to comedy performances. I can walk to dozens of breweries, restaurants, and coffee shops. When I search for new hiking spots, dozens of nearby options pop up.
Thanks to my city’s idyllic weather, which lingers around the 70s Fahrenheit year-round, I’m active all the time. Just a short drive away, I can snorkel with leopard sharks at La Jolla Cove, hike at Mission Trails Regional Park, or take long runs at Lake Miramar.
I love looking up at the palm trees while I swim backstroke at one of the city’s many outdoor public pools, and running past the museums in Balboa Park as the sun sets.
I enjoy San Diego’s relaxed culture, too. I don’t feel pressured to dress up for happy hours, and conversations with colleagues meander from work to hobbies to camping to weekend trips.
On work days, I often take breaks to spend time outside.
After 4 years in San Diego, I’m so happy I moved here
Julia Atkinson
Four years later, I’m still in North Park and haven’t looked back.
This is the longest I’ve lived anywhere since graduating from college, and I’m so happy I moved here.
Though I enjoy returning to DC to visit graduate school friends and explore museums, I can’t imagine ever living there again.
San Diego still surprises me. Even now, I discover restaurants and music venues in neighborhoods where I didn’t expect to find anything new.
I don’t believe in the idea of a forever home, but San Diego is perfect for my lifestyle right now.
