tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3552008288188142238.post7235118288649337399..comments2024-03-27T12:22:20.528-05:00Comments on Lag Liv: Hypothetically SpeakingLLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04431706155081017734noreply@blogger.comBlogger41125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3552008288188142238.post-50988728002493682052011-08-30T15:37:56.941-05:002011-08-30T15:37:56.941-05:00NOT DC!!! Here's the straight up hippie answe...NOT DC!!! Here's the straight up hippie answer -- I like the vibrational energy in Cali. SF all the way.Ani Pnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3552008288188142238.post-1359292904972187492011-08-20T14:15:00.111-05:002011-08-20T14:15:00.111-05:00Background: Bay Area born & bred (though livin...Background: Bay Area born & bred (though living further inland now) with DC exposure. I'd pick SF in a heartbeat. It's my second favorite city anywhere, second only to Paris. <br /><br />That said, it's atrociously expensive. I know that I was thinking about moving back there after law school at one point, but there's no way I could afford it with my loans. I didn't live in SF (but so close you could see it), and I think other cities around the Bay are probably more family friendly (both my mom and my dad's families were all raised there). <br /><br />There were some really good arguments for DC (which I love) and Denver (which I want to visit), but my heart is in SF :)Amandahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13397176667036107115noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3552008288188142238.post-76775795035008329502011-08-19T23:49:43.137-05:002011-08-19T23:49:43.137-05:00I live in Denver & love it - you can live in t...I live in Denver & love it - you can live in the city as a family affordibly. But it's a lot like austin. I think you would love SF.mphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01963205845669905050noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3552008288188142238.post-37410480363352162622011-08-19T20:48:16.467-05:002011-08-19T20:48:16.467-05:00Denver is the most boring place I've ever live...Denver is the most boring place I've ever lived — and you know I am from a suburb of Houston. That is saying a lot. I only enjoy water activities outdoors, and this simply does not exist in Denver. Almost no one has a pool, apartment complexes don't have pools — I'm not sure people there know how to swim. (This could be good for JP and a swim school, though!) They do, however, know how to hike and ski, which is good, because that's all there is to do there. The food is whitewashed and bland, and Taco Bell is the best Mexican out there. We went a year without it. <br /><br />I did not love D.C. either, but I found it to be more suited to our tastes: fun restaurants, nightlife, and close enough to other major cities. However, it is very expensive and hard to get around if you live outside of the District. DCPS is awful, but living in the suburbs is hell.Adriennehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18266580251911586034noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3552008288188142238.post-91823291571379067262011-08-19T11:07:04.742-05:002011-08-19T11:07:04.742-05:00As background, I summered at a biglaw firm in Denv...As background, I summered at a biglaw firm in Denver in 2007, and worked for a biglaw firm in DC for a year (until I recently transferred back to Chicago, woohoo!).<br /><br />I liked living in Denver a lot-- much like Austin, it felt like a small big city. The downtown area is really cute and seems to be constantly growing, and it was possible for me to live quite close to downtown without paying a huge amount in rent. I took the public bus to work every day and found it to be clean and relatively quiet for reading, etc. I will say that I loved, loved Boulder but found the commute a bit far for my liking. I did notice the lack of diversity but am told by friends who live there that it's constantly improving, and if you take advantage of the relatively close proximity of outdoor activities, it's a city like none other.<br /><br />That said, SF is one of my very favorite cities. If I could reconcile myself to the huge expense of living there, I would vote SF. If I couldn't, I would go with Denver.<br /><br />I will add that I really disliked DC. I find DC a wonderful place to visit, with the monuments and the free museums and clean sidewalks. And I hear that the NoVa schools are terrific. However, it seems like everyone is a lawyer, and most of the people I met liked to discuss the law/politics constantly. The entire city is much more of a 'working' culture than SF or Denver, and it's very expensive, without the benefit of actually being in SF. Good luck!JRnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3552008288188142238.post-14625688133941582562011-08-18T15:46:57.475-05:002011-08-18T15:46:57.475-05:00Ooh, good question! Denver and DC are both in my ...Ooh, good question! Denver and DC are both in my top 3 places to live (the other is Chicago). My husband is in Boulder right now and calls every night to beg and plead that I look for a job at a University in the Denver or Boulder area. He's in love with the mountains and I'm in love with the low humidity.<br /><br />I love DC, but probably because I have so many friends there. I may not like it as much without them!Melissanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3552008288188142238.post-47997425479138308832011-08-18T15:22:47.844-05:002011-08-18T15:22:47.844-05:00I would say Denver, if you were looking for a type...I would say Denver, if you were looking for a type of life similar to Austin with a little more weather.<br /><br />But given some of the things I've seen in your posts lately, I would go for SF. Personally, I pushed very hard for SF during my own transfer between offices of my firm. I love the place. There is a good intellectual energy. Great schools. Lots of companies to choose from (should JP look to job switch). Open spaces and easy access to varied geographies. And you can pick to live in an urban or suburban environment. The downside, as many have noted, is the cost. By my mind, it's otherwise a great choice. (Admittedly biased b/c I'm a Stanford alum and nearly all of my friends live in the area.)Paragon2Pieceshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16186204100704440304noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3552008288188142238.post-26223068692204586402011-08-18T12:39:01.739-05:002011-08-18T12:39:01.739-05:00What an interesting topic! Background- lived in D...What an interesting topic! Background- lived in DC years ago, go to San Francisco for a week every month for work, don't know too much about Denver. I am a little older than you & have kids in 5th & 7th grades. Not a lawyer but have a demanding job in technology.<br /><br />I am pretty much with the Reluctant Grown Up above on DC & San Francisco. Like her I would never ever in one million years want to live in DC again. I lived there before kids & even then the logistics & traffic wore me out. I can't imagine if all that had been taking away time from my family. And don't even think about trying to get out of town on a Friday afternoon. <br /><br />Also agree with the others that said it's boring- huge workaholic culture. I also found it hard to make friends because everyone commutes out in different directions (although maybe that would be easier with kids). I never met people who lived near me because I was never home...I was at work or sitting in traffic!<br /><br />San Franciso I love but boy that job would have to come with a big salary. If I could pull it off financially & wouldn't be so far from my family I could totally live there. Also LOVE Berkeley & am sure some of the other nearby towns are nice too but I'm not as familiar.<br /><br />The cold thing can be a downer though- Sausalito is lovely but is around 58 degrees & foggy almost 365 days a year- I would be so depressed! School thing sounds scary too...I would heavily research that & I guess build private school into the budget (can't even imagine what that runs you in SF!).<br /><br />Interesting topic- thanks for posting this.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3552008288188142238.post-68207186546479944142011-08-18T09:03:48.506-05:002011-08-18T09:03:48.506-05:00DC is super boring and yet obnoxious! A town full...DC is super boring and yet obnoxious! A town full of lawyers (the gunners!). SF gets my vote for food, culture, diversity, weather -- but it is super-expensive (as is the surrounding suburban Bay Area). Went to Denver once -- not diverse and I was not impressed. I also don't ski, so proximity to mountains would never win me over for that town. However, I always choose to spend money for culture, proximity to the cool stuff, etc. To each her (and her family's) own!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3552008288188142238.post-11607552474364902972011-08-17T23:29:28.088-05:002011-08-17T23:29:28.088-05:00Denver! Though my guess is that at first you'd...Denver! Though my guess is that at first you'd be frustrated by "Colorado time" out of the three I think it's the best for both "city" and "family" style living. San Francisco would be cool too, but most of the people I know who work there live in the 'burbs.Chiconkyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11824934269870487334noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3552008288188142238.post-46840690667246011452011-08-17T21:54:12.321-05:002011-08-17T21:54:12.321-05:00Hey LL, I vote for DC. I live in the MD suburbs (...Hey LL, I vote for DC. I live in the MD suburbs (Montgomery County) and used to live in NoVA. I didn't like NoVa, but I love Maryland. DC traffic doesn't bother me - I take the Metro! Just live close to a Metro line (no more than a 10 minute drive). I read my book or Kindle on the way to and from work (or if I HAVE to I read cases or a brief). Yeah it's hot in DC in the summer, but compared to TX, it shouldn't be a big deal. I have never been to Denver and have no desire to go there, so I can't comment on that. SF is intriguing but it is COLD in the summer - I can't stand temps below 75 so it would depress me to never get a good, warm summer. Also SF is way more expensive to live compared to DC (so my friends who have lived in both places tell me).LA (formerly LT)noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3552008288188142238.post-48565224784073779552011-08-17T21:29:10.915-05:002011-08-17T21:29:10.915-05:00I'm going to be a renegade and tell you San Di...I'm going to be a renegade and tell you San Diego, even though it wasn't on hr list. But I really came to tell you that the frozen yogurt craze is all over SD, too.<br />It reminded me of Starbucks ... one on every corner.<br />And .... I'm there with you on all of the traveling (I type this as I sit in a hospital room in St. Louis, after being home from a week in SD for only 2 days). <br />I miss my bed.<br />:)Janinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00949809367923657970noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3552008288188142238.post-26894044193664002352011-08-17T20:52:52.189-05:002011-08-17T20:52:52.189-05:00San Francisco. I am a CA native so that may bias ...San Francisco. I am a CA native so that may bias me... The weather is amazing and the culture is fun. HOWEVER, if it were me, I probably would realistically go with Denver. I've heard it's a great place to live and would be way more family oriented than SF or DC. The snow in Denver just sounds atrocious to me, but you ski or something, right?Brittanyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07515732200660298865noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3552008288188142238.post-39875706021258723382011-08-17T19:20:45.184-05:002011-08-17T19:20:45.184-05:00Hi! I've been reading for awhile and have neve...Hi! I've been reading for awhile and have never commented but I want to throw my hat in the ring for...<br /><br />SAN DIEGO! <br /><br />I moved here after 4 years in NYC which was amazing, but certainly "big city living" and I think it's one of the most perfect places to live. Beautiful weather (60s-70s year-round! with some "hot" days in the 80s), lots of fun outdoor activities, not too big, not too small and really nice people. Work opportunities are better for some industries than others, but with a JD and MBA you should be fine!<br /><br />I also really love San Francisco and would move there in a second for the right opportunity, but personally would rather be in SD than SF if I had kids. More space to play!<br /><br />Good luck with everything; you're an inspiration!! <br /><br />Hugs, <br />HelenAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3552008288188142238.post-17028761407748253272011-08-17T19:20:12.278-05:002011-08-17T19:20:12.278-05:00My perspective: I'm from NYC.
I would definit...My perspective: I'm from NYC. <br />I would definitely not move to DC (too boring) and would strongly consider SF --- BUT for the lifestyle change (which is what would make me move) I think I'd end up siding with Denver. Denver would also be the easiest transition to make from Austin in terms of cost of living for you from Austin. Not that you should rule otu the others. (but COULD you be that close to your in-laws??)Marnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3552008288188142238.post-86930011723594180802011-08-17T18:53:28.923-05:002011-08-17T18:53:28.923-05:00Ya, I agree with the comments that Denver will be ...Ya, I agree with the comments that Denver will be most comparable to Austin. SF proper with kids is really tough - expensive, you don't get a yard, schools are very very hit or miss and there's a complicated lottery, the weather ain't great, you tend to have a commute that's at least 25 mins, etc. Now, Palo Alto and other bay area are a lot more doable with kids. And there are lots of law firms down here!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3552008288188142238.post-15033778367117565842011-08-17T18:21:58.583-05:002011-08-17T18:21:58.583-05:00Denver. I think what a lot of people (who may not...Denver. I think what a lot of people (who may not be lawyers) aren't thinking of is the differing expectations of attorneys in different offices. I know my friends in the bay area, on average, work a lot more than I do, or at the very least spend more time in their offices (I live in San Diego, which is a significantly more laid-back place than SF). I imagine DC is the same, if not worse, than SF. Denver offers many of the same things as Austin - smaller feel, more affordable housing and daycare, and more reasonable work schedules. Plus skiing, and I recall from your blog that you and JP are super skiers/snowboarders. You obviously value a true work/life balance. I think Denver is the place most likely to offer that.Julianoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3552008288188142238.post-57099883159894074032011-08-17T17:10:54.470-05:002011-08-17T17:10:54.470-05:00I would vote for SF. But I don't know Denver....I would vote for SF. But I don't know Denver. <br /><br />Yes, the cost of living is high (highest in the country), but considering what you do and what your likely salary would be, I think it would be okay. <br /><br />I lived in Berkeley for a very long time (also high cost of living), and made it on a legal secretary's salary (it was pre-law school). <br /><br />The Bay Area weather is outstanding - once you get used to the fog - and San Francisco is absolutely gorgeous. There is so much to do year-round. You have so much accessible to you, different climates, different cities, different forms of nature. Public transportation is great, the culture is rich. <br /><br />I miss it there, almost every day.<br /><br />(I will concede, despite my otherwise glowing review, California public schools are a hot mess right now, and have been for a long time. It's one of the main reasons I'm not there anymore. So not only is the housing expensive, but you'd have to seriously consider private school expenses for the kids.)<br /><br />I also love D.C., but have never lived there. I could never move somewhere that gets & stays that hot. I've always heard it's very hard for families to live in the city (schools), but have recently heard from friends that it's actually do-able.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3552008288188142238.post-25056015346173942592011-08-17T16:37:20.070-05:002011-08-17T16:37:20.070-05:00I'm originally from the SF bay area (worked al...I'm originally from the SF bay area (worked along the 101 corridor for years) and lived for a number of years in SF proper. We moved to Denver about 5 years ago. I would choose Denver or D.C. over SF just because of the cost of living and the annoyances of living in the bay area. To give you perspective, our house in the bay area was more than $500k, 50 years old, and 850 square feet. And it was considered very nice. <br /><br />That said, the traffic in Denver is only marginally better than the traffic in the bay area. The commute can be a real burden here in the snow, which arrives in sporadic, but heavy downfall. The schools in Denver county are not great, but the surrounding suburbs have decent schools. The legal market in Denver is good and small. It also very much supports grads from local schools. There are a lot of people who move from other markets with your awesome credentials. They typically lateral into big firms. Big firms love this because they get excellent candidates from big name schools. Others resent the influx because it limits job opportunities for locals. You didn't really say whether you would plan to stay with your firm or lateral, but I thought I should throw this out there. Though I doubt that you will have any problem finding a job if you do decide to change firms. :) <br /><br />There is not a lot of cultural diversity in Denver, but it's not really a problem (we are a diverse family), and it is improving. The city is liberal, but the surrounding communities tend to be more conservative, and exceptionally conservative when you go south into Colorado Springs. As for the culture of the city, it's not a big city like SF, but it has a lot to offer and is getting better. Coming from the bay area, I do think that what it offers for kids pales in comparison. But, for example, it's hard to knock the Denver aquarium for not being housed on an edge of the pacific ocean like the Monterey Bay aquarium when Colorado is a landlocked state. It's painful at times to not see water around you, and it is very very dry here. Our "seasons" can best be summarized as: hot, wet, bright but cool, and snow. There really is no spring. We often have snow until May or June. I didn't really start wearing shorts this summer until the beginning of this month, but I fully expect snowfall sometime in October. <br /><br />I grew up in the DC metro area, and as a kid, I loved it. The access to museums and interesting historical places just cannot be beat. I grew up running around in the woods, and going to lakes. However, I haven't been there in years, so I have no idea what its like for adults. I do continue to hear that northern VA has some of the best schools in the country. Personally, I would pick DC over SF. Denver over both.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3552008288188142238.post-3926873227713517182011-08-17T16:12:08.845-05:002011-08-17T16:12:08.845-05:00I think the culture of DC would get to me. Fun fo...I think the culture of DC would get to me. Fun for a bit, but wears out the heart and soul after too long? Also, it seems like pantyhose are required, and that's just not an option.<br /><br />SF is an amazing city, surrounded by more amazing cities, with a coast and wine country nearby! I've spent a lot of time in the city, and can't quite imagine living in the city with small children. There just aren't any yards. But I imagine there is more space as you get out of the city a tiny bit. <br /><br />I don't think Denver would feel much different than where you're at now. I haven't spent a ton of time there, but it never felt like a big city to me. Definitely affordable, definitely beautiful, definitely family friendly -- but not much more cosmopolitan.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3552008288188142238.post-51423308379901153822011-08-17T15:16:24.378-05:002011-08-17T15:16:24.378-05:00I would choose SF, myself, but I have a feeling yo...I would choose SF, myself, but I have a feeling you and JP would love love love Denver. Coloradans hype the many sunny days, the fact that the snow doesn't (usually) stick to the roads, the proximity to the mountains, and the huge number of concerts and sporting events. <br /><br />Real estate is fairly affordable (though it gets pricey as you get closer to Boulder). Cost of living isn't too bad and dining is great. Hiking, skiing, biking, even rafting are all within an hour's drive. Check out Washington, Congress, or University Park neighborhoods (unless you're more keen on the new developments on the edge of the city, which exist in abundance).<br /><br />So, my guess is Denver!Dineihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10668860590678154991noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3552008288188142238.post-73277913257676865882011-08-17T14:11:20.293-05:002011-08-17T14:11:20.293-05:00I grew up in DC and lived in Boulder for a couple ...I grew up in DC and lived in Boulder for a couple of years. I'd definitely choose Denver/Boulder over DC any day. No experience with SF though. If you end up in Denver and living in or near Boulder is a possibility, I would definitely suggest doing that--it's a great place to live and raise a family. Not only is it a gorgeous town with great mountain views, there's tons of stuff to do, it's extremely walkable/bikeable/public transportation friendly, and it's quite liberal.Andrevanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3552008288188142238.post-88306411589556695732011-08-17T14:04:02.865-05:002011-08-17T14:04:02.865-05:00Hey LL, I actually know you and JP from college. ...Hey LL, I actually know you and JP from college. I started reading your blog when another ex swimmer told me about The Nightmare. Its really lovely to know y'all are both happy and raising an adorable family. <br /><br />I moved to DC from Austin 6 years ago and I love it here. If you live in DC proper, traffic isn't an issue. I don't even have a car. Is that feasible with kids? Probably not, but plenty of folks have young kids in the city and get around using a mix of mass transit and their cars. <br /><br />Yes, its more expensive here than Texas, and you'd have to sacrifice square footage, but with your and JP's income combined, you'd have a lot of options. There are so many things to do here, and lots of those things also happen to be free. <br /><br />People come here from all over the country and make this city their own. They're part of what makes it a great place to live: folks here are smart and driven and passionate about what they do. And there are a million lawyers and a million different jobs for lawyers. <br /><br />All that to say... go DC!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3552008288188142238.post-48730415283150135062011-08-17T13:26:33.865-05:002011-08-17T13:26:33.865-05:00DC. No more bar exam for me! Also, then I could ...DC. No more bar exam for me! Also, then I could regularly lurk outside the Hoover building and be a creepy FBI fangirl, since I'll never be in shape enough to get hired on. Sigh.Andreahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11173655298262399906noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3552008288188142238.post-52309746041121518432011-08-17T13:25:28.508-05:002011-08-17T13:25:28.508-05:00Hey, I live in Takoma Park, too! I agree that traf...Hey, I live in Takoma Park, too! I agree that traffic in DC can be bad, but a lot depends on where you live and work. We live where Mr. D. can commute against traffic, so his commute isn't all that bad, and I can commute by Metro, so mine is also fine. (Still, though, I'd rather be in Austin.)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com