Theres been some really good points here on both spending and making friends.
I've been living in DC for a few years now and I still struggle with overspending just out of sheer proximity to so many stores and restaurants. It takes more discipline in the city to keep your spending in check as you're walking past shops, grocery stores, coffee shops, and restaurants on a daily basis. Much easier when you're driving past the few stores/restaurants in a given rural/suburban town. I'd recommend tracking this kind of spending if you can.
With regard to making friends: I think OP you're in a better spot than most adults moving here in the sense that you'll have a shared endeavor with people your own age (grad school) so definitely take advantage of that. I never went to grad school but the majority of my gf's friends in the city are her grad school friends and they are still quite close. We get together with them often for things like happy hours, friendsgivings, new years, etc.
For me, most of my friends have been made through my hobby (Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu) and outside of that I have a couple of buddies from work. The older you get the harder it is to make friends organically, so it's best to find your community by simply doing the things you enjoy doing and being open to friendships along the way.
Final word: DC is one of the most most unique and "manageable" cities in America. It's a special place so really soak in all of the culture and history here if you're into that sort of stuff. Regardless of that, as far as major cities go it is arguably the most walkable in the country, and we've got a great public transit system that can teleport you to wherever in the city you need to be. Walk and take public transit as much as you can: it'll not only save you money, but it will build your connection with the city and really allow you to explore it in a way that driving and ubers simply don't allow for.
P.S. feel free to DM me when you're here if you need a friend to chat with or just want to grab a drink/food. I'm always open to hang out and connect!
DoubleR90 t1_jabalmk wrote
Reply to how to thrive in dc with no big city experience? by Fresh_Dragonfruit702
Theres been some really good points here on both spending and making friends.
I've been living in DC for a few years now and I still struggle with overspending just out of sheer proximity to so many stores and restaurants. It takes more discipline in the city to keep your spending in check as you're walking past shops, grocery stores, coffee shops, and restaurants on a daily basis. Much easier when you're driving past the few stores/restaurants in a given rural/suburban town. I'd recommend tracking this kind of spending if you can.
With regard to making friends: I think OP you're in a better spot than most adults moving here in the sense that you'll have a shared endeavor with people your own age (grad school) so definitely take advantage of that. I never went to grad school but the majority of my gf's friends in the city are her grad school friends and they are still quite close. We get together with them often for things like happy hours, friendsgivings, new years, etc.
For me, most of my friends have been made through my hobby (Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu) and outside of that I have a couple of buddies from work. The older you get the harder it is to make friends organically, so it's best to find your community by simply doing the things you enjoy doing and being open to friendships along the way.
Final word: DC is one of the most most unique and "manageable" cities in America. It's a special place so really soak in all of the culture and history here if you're into that sort of stuff. Regardless of that, as far as major cities go it is arguably the most walkable in the country, and we've got a great public transit system that can teleport you to wherever in the city you need to be. Walk and take public transit as much as you can: it'll not only save you money, but it will build your connection with the city and really allow you to explore it in a way that driving and ubers simply don't allow for.
P.S. feel free to DM me when you're here if you need a friend to chat with or just want to grab a drink/food. I'm always open to hang out and connect!