I read this quote on Belle's blog: "you know people from the DMV suburbs like to get married by 27, dudes included"
And that my friends, is a huge reason why I have decided to move back. Oh, let me rewind for a quick second. If anyone is unaware of the acronym used above, DMV stands for the DC, Maryland, Virginia metropolitan area. Okay, now that we are all caught up, let me explain myself. New York is for the young. I'm not saying that I'm old, but NY is definitely for those who like the freedom that the greatest city has to offer. On the real, to get the most out of NY, you either have to be rich or young. When you're rich, you can rule the city like Pharaoh ruled over God's people. A driver, a butler, a trip to Italy, an impressive dinner party...whatever you want. When one has large amounts of disposable income, you can live in NY quite comfortably. Those who are young and free-spirited, on the other hand, can use NY as their toilet bowl to crap up in. Social scenes, tons of the opposite sex, restaurants, fashion, hotels... It's the perfect place for the professional bachelor or bachelorette. But what happens when you're not rich nor do you care to turn the city into your playground? You move!
I don't see NY as a place for families. Sure you can move to the big island or jersey, but who wants to do that, unless you have this super affinity for New York? I'm sure the ones out on the island or in jersey are those who were born and raised in NY or immigrants who found a better opportunity. But those of us who have moved to the city from other states, don't usually stay. You take NY for what it is, and then you leave it.
Why do you think that people from the DMV suburbs like to get married so young? (You might say that 27 is not young, but keep in mind that the marrying age today is higher than it used to be - so it's all relative.) Here is my speculation. The DMV is made for marriage. We're a metropolitan area full of single family homes and condos. We have dog parks and middle schools on every corner. All of our stores are arranged in town centers and plazas. Well this is no ground-breaking announcement, really. What I'm describing is the definition of a suburb. So why do people here marry so young? Well what else is there to do? Lol.
I like the city, and I love the suburbs. Hence, I want to move to DC. Prince George's County will forever and always be the same. While I appreciate where I come from, I don't think I can do something I've already done. Living in DC will give me access to what I know, and the ability to experience something new. I'm looking forward to figuring out the DC young professionals scene - various professional associations (urban league, young professionals for non-profits), the underground music scene, and my spiritual network scene.
In the Sex and the City movie, remember when Carrie asked Louise why she moved to NY city? Louise said, "To fall in love". Well, if anyone asks me why I moved to the DMV, you already know what I'm going to say.
4 comments:
Wow, I have to say this is the first time I've ever heard this one! I've lived in the DMV all my life and 27 has never appeared to be the median age that people are getting married. Shacking up? Yes. Having baby mamma/daddies? Yes. I've always thought that my odds for getting married would be better going further down south, not Atlanta or a larger place like that but more like the Carolinas, where people seem to marry and settle faster for a variety of reasons.
But on the move from NY back to the DMV, I can totally understand. I've had two close friends venture to NYC and back for all the reasons you stated; quality of life, more supportive spiritual network, more bank for the buck..
Best of everything to you on your move back home!
That's funny...I was actually thinking that moving to NC might net me a better chance of being wifed! :) But, nonetheless, I'm still believing that my future husband is somewhere off of 95 somewhere between Baltimore and northern VA, just trying to find me!
Welcome back to the area! I hope there's nothing but good stuff waiting for you here!
late 20s does seem like a lot of my friends are getting married so i can see that being the "age"...in some circles not all though
ummmm i don't know but let me know when you figure it all out, (the fallinig in love in the DMV)because i surely haven't been able to...maybe because i am in PG and not DC so i am not in the urban young professional scene...i think that would help increase the chances so once you got it please let me know... :-)
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