District of Columbia Moving Companies - Moving Services in DC

Moving to District of Columbia?

Washington D.C has perhaps the most unique history of any major city in the United States. Created in 1791 by the U.S. Congress, Washington D.C. was officially designated as the nation’s capital. Prior to the creation of Washington D.C., Philadelphia had served as the national capital.

Although the city is located within the borders of the state of Maryland, Washington D.C. is an independent district and does not belong to any state. Upon its creation in 1791, land along the Potomac River was donated to shape the district by both Virginia and Maryland, however the land on the Virginia side of the Potomac was returned to the state almost a century later.

Washington D.C. is governed by its own mayor and city council and is the home of all three major branches of the United States government, including the White House which is the home of the Preside of the United States. Washington D.C. is also the home of many nationally recognized historic landmarks, monuments and museums.

If you’re moving to Washington D.C., there are a lot of things you’re going to need to know. Luckily, you’ve come to the right place.

Things to Know When Moving to Washington, D.C.

Washington D.C. Climate

• Located inland from the Chesapeake Bay area and the Atlantic Ocean, Washington D.C. has a mild climate that is very typical of most major mid-Atlantic cities. Although winters can be fairly cold with average temperatures dipping between 28-38 degrees Fahrenheit, summers tend to be a lot warmer due to a humid subtropical climate that consumes most of the mid-Atlantic area. High temperatures in the summer are known to regularly reach the high-80s and low-to-mid-90s, and can even reach as high as 100 in the late summer months around July and August. (Helpful Link: Washington D.C. Weather)

Moving Specifics

• Registering your Car: Upon your arrival in Washington D.C. after moving to the district permanently, you have a total of 30 days to update your title and registration and have your vehicle registered in the Washington D.C. before you may be required to pay a penalty. (Helpful Link: Washington D.C. DMV)

• Obtaining a Washington D.C. Driver’s License: A Washington D.C. Driver’s License can be obtained at any Washington D.C. DMV location. The district requires new residents to update their license from their previous state to a Washington D.C. driver’s license within 30 days of moving. If you fail to update your driver’s license within this 30-day window, you may have to pay a fine. Also, upon moving to Washington D.C., district law requires you to notify the DMV of your address change and to update all of your documents with your new address within 5 days.

• Real Estate: The average listing price for homes in Washington D.C. is the second highest in the nation at $796,019, while the median sales price is just over $720,000. The Washington D.C. Association of Realtors is the official real estate resource for the District of Columbia.

• Moving and Storage: If you are looking for a moving company or storage facility to help you with anything, you should check to make sure the company is registered with the United States Department of Transportation or with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. (Helpful Link: Washington D.C. Moving Resource Page)

Schools

• Among the many prestigious and world-renowned collegiate institutions located within Washington D.C., there is also a large public school system operated by the District of Columbia Public Schools, or the DCPS. The District’s extensive public school system features 123 public schools. Although the number of students enrolled in Washington D.C. public schools steadily declined over a long period of time, they recently began to rebound in 2009. The district’s school system is among the lowest-performing in the nation, but measures have been taken in recent years to improve the quality of public education. Some of the most well-known universities in the district include Georgetown University, American University, George Washington University, and Howard University. (Helpful Link: Washington D.C. Public Schools)

Crime Rankings

Washington D.C. has long been known for its high crime rates. As of 2011, the city ranked 379th out of 400 cities in regards to violent crime, with a score of 183.50, which indicates that the district scored 183.50 points above the national average for violent crime.

Economy of Washington, D.C.

Industries

Washington D.C. has an economy that is mostly centered on business service jobs, and its main industries are focused in the education, public policy and finance sectors. Around 30% of the jobs in Washington D.C. are jobs in the federal government. The district is the leading city in foreign real estate investment and was recently voted by Forbes as the second best city for long-term housing markets in the United States, so it is expected to rebound quickly despite the recession.

Employment Statistics

• As of early 2012, the District of Columbia had an unemployment rate of 9.8 percent. In the state of Illinois, the civilian labor force is comprised of over 300,000 citizens, approximately 263,000 of which are currently gainfully employed and a little less than 40,000 who are unemployed. (Helpful Link: Washington D.C. Department of Employment Services)

Average Income

The median household income in the District of Columbia is $40,127, while the average per capita income for the state is $28,659.

Important Locations in Washington, D.C.

• Major landmarks and attractions: Lincoln Monument; Washington Monument; Jefferson Memorial; Capitol building; Library of Congress; Smithsonian Museum; National Holocaust Museum; White House (Helpful Link: Official Tourism Site of Washington D.C )

• National Parks:
  1. Rock Creek Park
  2. The National Mall
  3. C&O Canal National Historical Park
  4. Memorial Bridge
  5. Cleveland Park Historic District
  6. Old Woodley Park Historic District

• Park System: Washington D.C. is practically overflowing with parks and historic sites listed on the National Register of Historic Places. From buildings and monuments that date back to the days when our country was still in its infancy, to famous parks and cemeteries where the men who shaped our country are still buried to this day, you can find new sights to see and new parks to enjoy even after you’ve moved in and are already living there for years. (Helpful Link: Washington D.C. National Park Service List)

• Major Airports:
  1. Washington Dulles International Airport
  2. Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport
  3. Baltimore-Washington International Airport

Helpful Links

• Washington D.C. Homebuyers Resource Page
• Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority
• Washington D.C. Department of Transportation
• Washington D.C. Department of Education
• Washington D.C. Traffic Updates and Traffic Information