I moved to Arlington in my early 20’s while single and two decades later I’m now married raising my kids here. Living here is a privilege in so many ways and while it’s easy to get cynical we really do have access to the best of nearly everything.

From South Arlington you’re a short metro, bike, or car ride away from walking the monuments or world class museums. The parks in Arlington are well maintained and there are a surprising number of long walks through forested valleys. With a car, the Virginia countryside is breathtaking and within an hour’s drive. Shenandoah National Park is about an hours drive and tens of thousands of acres of national forest are accessible within two hours. There are a number of weekly farmers’ markets throughout the county - some year round.

I’m no longer a single 20-something, but what I most love about this area is the number of fascinating people with varied backgrounds and interests that congregate here. A lot of smart, down-to-earth people congregate here and a lot of creative people. A lot of people come here because they want to make the world a better place.

We do have a high cost of living, but not so high that a single person cannot make ends meet on a six-figure salary. I would avoid long commutes by car. Traffic is an issue if you live further out but is much less of a problem if you live in Arlington or Falls Church.

Europe is a big place. It is filled with some amazing cultures and cities and people. Depending on the specifics of where you’d be and the opportunities in the area it could be a tough decision.