SPOTLIGHT ON WASHINGTON, DC

WELCOME TO WASHINGTON, DC

Washington, DC, the capital of the , is a compact city on the , bordering the states of Maryland and . It is known for imposing neoclassical monuments and buildings – including the iconic ones that house the federal government’s three branches: the Capitol, , and Supreme Court. It's also home to iconic and performing arts venues such as the Smithsonian and the Kennedy Center.

Contents

Climate and Geography 02

Cost of Living and Transportation 03

Sports and Outdoor Activities 04

Shopping and Dining 05

Schools and Education 06

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Washington, DC Climate Graph

CLIMATE o 120 F 48.9oc 6 in. 152.4 mm

Washington is in the northern part of the o 100 F 37.8oc 5 in. 127.0 mm humid subtropical climate zone. However, the city has a temperate maritime climate. o 80 F 27.7oc 4 in. 101.6 mm Winters are usually chilly with light snow, and summers are hot and humid. o 60 F 15.6oc 3 in. 76.2 mm

Spring and fall are mild to warm, while winter o 40 F 4.4oc 2 in. 50.8 mm is chilly with annual snowfall averaging 15.5

o inches (39 cm). Winter temperatures average 20 F -6.7oc 1 in. 25.4 mm around 38 °F (3.3 °C) from mid-December to mid-February. Summers are hot and humid JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC with a July daily average of 79.8 °F (26.6 °C) and average daily relative humidity around High Temp Low Temp Precipitation 66%. Precipitation occurs throughout the year. Average High/Low Temperatures

Low / High The air quality index in Washington DC is January 29oF / 66oF 33% better than the national average and the o o pollution index is 44% better than the national July 66 F / 88 F average. Average Precipitation Rain 40 in.

Snow 15 in.

GEOGRAPHY

Washington, D.C., is located in the mid-Atlantic region of the U.S. East Coast. The District is bordered by Virginia to the west and Maryland to the north, south, and east.

The south bank of the Potomac River forms the District's border with Virginia and has two major tributaries: the and Rock Creek. The Chesapeake and Ohio Canal starts in Georgetown and was used during the to bypass the Little Falls of the Potomac River.

The highest natural elevation in the District is 409 feet (125 m) above sea level at Fort Reno Park in upper northwest Washington. The lowest point is sea level at the Potomac River.

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COST OF LIVING

As with any big city, Washington has an assortment of unique neighborhoods that vary in cost of living. There are some houses on the market around the $300,000 mark, while others are listing for over $10,000,000. Costs for healthcare, transportation, and utilities are slightly higher than other cities in the area like Baltimore and Philadelphia. However, Washington DC is much less expensive than New York City, which is just four hours away by car.

Key Housing Figures*

Median Home Purchase Price Median Monthly Rent (1BDRM) $565,950 $2,128

*Sources: www.zillow.com - accessed 08/09/2017, www.numbeo.com - accessed 08/09/2017

TRANSPORTATION

Highways Interstates I-66, I-395, I-495 (Beltway) US Highways US-1, US-29, US-50

Airports Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI)

Bus and Rail Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) operates commuter rail system and Metrobus. The city runs DC Circulator that connects commercial areas within central DC. Union Station is the main train terminal and serves Metro, Amtrak, Maryland's MARC, and Virginia's VRE commuter lines.

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LIFESTYLE & ENTERTAINMENT

Washington DC is a vibrant city that offers a diverse range of activities. Outdoor enthusiasts enjoy biking, boating, hiking, and other activities in Washington's many parks. Walking to all the amazing attractions is a big part of Washington. DC is one of only twelve cities to have a team in all four major (MLB, NBA, NFL, NHL) sports. Sports fans can watch professional teams play baseball, basketball, football, and soccer.

SPORTS

Pro Teams MLB: Washington Nationals MLS: D.C. United NBA: Washington Wizards NHL: Washington Capitals NFL: Washington Redskins WNBA: Washington Mystics

Major Venues FedEx Field Nationals Park RFK Stadium Verizon Center

OUTDOORS & ADVENTURE

Beautiful Parks Awe-Inspiring Monuments Great Attractions Discover More

East Potomac Park Madame Tussuad's dctours.us Glover Archbold Park National Zoo placesinwashingtondc.com Little Falls Park Martin Luther King, Jr. Monument United States Botanical Gardens thedistrict.com Vietnam Veterans Memorial visitthecapitol.gov President's Park White House Tours washington.org

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SHOPPING & DINING

Dining in DC A Shopper’s Paradise

Washington DC, with its many diplomats, is a truly There is nothing you can't find in Washington. From international city; there is even a Chinatown. World- massive indoor malls to amazing outlet stores to class restaurants offer cuisine from around the globe. locally-owned boutique shops, Washington shoppers However, American steakhouses are the most prevalent can get anything they need. No matter where you are fine dining establishments. For the most trendy tastes, in Washington, you can find nationally-recognized head to Penn Quarter. This vibrant, relatively new brands or unique, one-of-a-kind items. Washington is district is home to upscale restaurants with daring surrounded by suburbs with some of the best malls in chefs that offer imaginative and delicious creations. the country.

ART & CULTURE

Washington has some wonderful, historic theaters that attract top acts from around the world. There are also many museums and art galleries in Washington that will engage the minds of visitors of all ages.

Museums Theaters l African-American Civil War l Arena Stage l American l Atlas Performing Arts Center l Hirshhorn Museum l Ford's Theatre l International Spy Museum l John F. Kennedy Center for the Arts l Kreeger Museum l Keegan Theatre l National Air & Space Museum l Lincoln Theatre l l National Theatre l National Museum of Women l Sidney Harmon Hall l National Portrait Gallery l Studio Theatre l l Sylvan Theater l Smithsonian National Museum l Washington Stage Guild l United States Holocaust Museum l Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company

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EDUCATION IN WASHINGTON, DC

Notable Colleges & Universities Elementary & High School

American University District of Columbia Public Schools Washington, DC

Catholic University of America There are over 110 public schools in Washington, Washington, DC DC. The student-to-teacher ratio is 13:1 which is better than the national average. DC has many private and charter schools, as well as George Washington University international schools to cater to the children of Washington, DC the many diplomats in the city.

Georgetown University New York Educational Attainment Washington, DC High School Graduates or higher 86% Bachelor’s Degree or higher 53%

Howard University Contact Washington, DC 1200 First Street, NE Washington, DC 20002 University of the District of Columbia (202) 442-5885 l dcps.dc.gov Washington, DC

CONNECT WITH GMS

Founded in 1987, Global Mobility Solutions is a global corporate relocation services company that specializes in workforce mobility. The company’s corporate relocation services include global assignment management, domestic relocation management, and a range of pre-decision solutions. Global Mobility Solutions is a perennial winner of the HRO Today “Baker’s Dozen” customer satisfaction survey, being recognized as a top relocation company in 2014, 2015, 2016, and 2017.

Online Resources Phone & Email Baker’s Dozen www.gmsmobility.com 1-800-617-1904 Customer Satisfaction Ratings LinkedIn: Global Mobility Solutions [email protected] RELOCATION 2017 Winner

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