Washington D.C. At A Glance

Find More Than Just Politics When You Move to Washington, D.C.

As a federal district, Washington, D.C. brings national monuments, federal institutions, and politics to mind. With so much focus on the White House, it’s hard to find out what life is like for the average D.C. citizen. Take a look at what All My Sons found in D.C. that keeps happy citizens thriving, and curious opportunists making the move to Washington, D.C.

Despite the damage done by insolvent mayor Marion Barry in the 1980’s and 1990’s, prosperity and budget surpluses have put Washington, D.C. on a fast track to urban renewal. Leading the charge is Mayor Adrian Fenty, focusing on promises to create a world-class atmosphere in business and residence.

Aside from the breath-taking monuments and federal buildings known world-wide, most of D.C.’s charm is in well-maintained natural areas throughout the city. Beautiful scenes await you in Anacostia Park, the United States National Arboretum, Rock Creek Park, and countless other areas worth visiting again and again. The presence of the Anacostia and Potomac Rivers has greatly influenced the District of Columbia’s reputation as a center for urban wildlife research and urban stream restoration.

Get your creative juices flowing with D.C.’s broad musical background. Go-go is D.C.’s very own home-grown music genre, consisting of post-funk, percussion-driven dance rhythms coupled with heavy R&B influences. In 1979, D.C. band leader Chuck Brown brought go-go alive with “Bustin’ Loose.”

Though the prime of the era has pasted, Washington, D.C. still holds a reputation for helping to spread the genre of punk rock to the United States. D.C. punk bands like Fugazi, Bad Brains, The Dismemberment Plan, and Minor Threat held the standard for influential punk bands. Of these, only Bad Brains still remains intact, despite disbanding and reforming repeatedly over three decades.

Washington, D.C. has no shortage of local and national entertainers, however. Venues like Madam’s Organ Blues Bar, the Eighteenth Street Lounge, and the 9:30 club offer live music opportunities several nights per week.