The Capital of the U.S. is a Cute Little Town

You know you are a New Yorker when you spend considerable time exploring Washington, D.C. and can't help but think what a cute, little, podunk, ghost-town it is. Walking around, it feels like the streets are empty.

What makes DC interesting is that no building is permitted to be taller than the Capital building. In 1899, Congress enacted a height limit for the District prohibiting private buildings from topping out higher than the Capitol, which reaches 288 feet above Capitol Hill at the crest of the Statue of Freedom. A revised height law in 1910 did away with that fixed maximum. The newer legislation, still in effect today, states that no new building may be more than 20 feet taller than the width of the street in front of it.

Thus, Washington has a relatively modest skyline in comparison to the majority of American cities, and it cannot even be compared to NYC. The tallest building appears to be the thirteen-story glass building of the law firm that is courting me here in DC.

I have spent time in DC before, but this is the first time I have looked around with an eye on making this home. A good friend of Wife lives here in the DC area. This morning, we went to brunch with her at a hotspot for French cuisine. We then spent the afternoon with this "tour guide" showing us the best parts of the city and surrounding areas. Wife and I are surprised that we can drive just a few minutes and find extremely calm and quiet suburbs.

I was really hoping that I would hate the big law firm I am in discussions with in DC so that our decision to choose the firm New York would be easy - but the firm is outstanding. I was hoping Wife and I would despise the concept of living here - but we can both envision making the area home.