Coming to America....

[Bob the Insane]

Hi all...

My company is moving me and my wife Columbia, MD in the US and I was wondering if anyone out there new anything about the place or about the general D.C. and Baltimore areas...

Thanks...

Bob the Insane...

[Togakure]

Just try and avoid DemonArchangel. Some say he's the Antichrist in Chinese form ... .

[Uesugi Kenshin]

There are a lot of museums in D>C that you can get in for free. I have been there twice and all the memorials and all of the federally run museums were free. The IMAX at the smythonian costs money, but I do not think the entry does. Check out the AIr and Space Museum it is really interesting.

I was assuming they were federally run...

[Nelson]

Bob, you are one lucky guy. Columbia is one of the nicest communities in the whole USA and that’s no exaggeration. It is very modern and well laid out with plenty of green space and thoughtful zoning. Good schools too. It’s a rather famous development actually, considered to be progressive and trendy.

The proximity to DC and Baltimore mean you can enjoy all of the cultural advantages of both within a 45 minute drive.

Columbia is a pretty well heeled, expensive place but that’s true for much of the Baltimore/Washington corridor. I should add that the State of Maryland never met a tax it didn’t like but being from the UK our taxes may seem tolerable!

I live about 20 miles from Columbia so if you have any specific questions I’ll be happy to help. I’ve been there many times.

[Uesugi Kenshin]

I did forget that everything else in DC can be a bit expensive. Oh well, I was a kid and did not think about those things when I went there both times, I only hear my parents talking about free museums.

[Longshanks]

Be careful where you go in DC as well, 80% of it is a crime ridden ghetto.

[DemonArchangel]

If you see a crazy looking Chinese dude walking around.
RUN.
Otherwise, welcome to living within 10 miles of me, what company do you work for?

[Marshal Murat]

A piece of advice,
don't bring a AK-47 and swing it around.
Hehehe.

If you want real American war,
there is the 1st and 2nd Battle of Manassas Junction/Bull Run (Don't say Manassas in Virginia)
There is also Antietam.

I used to go there often, but then I moved to Arkansas and then to Florida.
Going there this summer.

I think most of the Memorials, and museams are Federal Buildings. If your lucky, you could also witness a Supreme Court case (free)

[Bob the Insane]

Well I finally got here...

I am living in temporary place (corporate apartment) in Laurel at the moment, it is nice enough...

Got a rude introduction to the Washington Beltway on Friday afternoon... 3 hours to get to Laurel from IAD, I swear the traffic was moving at a constant 20mph...

We picked up our hire car at the airport, a 2005 Chevy Malibu... Bizaar car, for anyone not in the US it is very similar to,, but toslightly larger than, the new Astra, but with a V6 engine and it isn't too comfortable with corners... I am relieved to see that US drivers (around here at least) pay as much attention to speed limites as we do in the UK, ie practically none, I was driving along a road posted for 55 at 65 and was being passed by everything...

DemonArchangel, I work for a company called Metastorm Inc, based in the Columbia Corporate Park off Snowden River Parkway...

Columbia Mall is nice, for UK people think Bluewater in Kent but bigger!!!

Bought ourselves a new PC from Best Buy yesterday, I don't know if their prices are particaularly competitive over here but it was a good price by UK standards give the present exchange rate..

Can't believe all the red tape over here though, need to sort out my social security number and get a MD driving permit and a US credit card before a can get a contract for anything... UK credit cards are fine for shopping or just outright buying things but it seems that anything contract based requires a US credit or charge card...

Anyway I do have a question, we are going to start looking for another unfurished place to rent in about a month, where around Columbia is nice to live without breaking the bank?

And, know any good restraunts??

Finally, know a good Ford dealer? The 2005 Mustang GT looks really nice...

Thanks, Bob...

[Hosakawa Tito]

Welcome to the USA, Bob. Many of my in-laws are from the DC area, Mount Vernon and Arlington. I am not that familiar with the Columbia Park area. However, the Mount Vernon section is a very nice neighborhood that I can recommend wholeheartedly. Housing in the entire DC area is very expensive and the I95 Beltway traffic will rule your life. Like many large metropolitan areas in the US you will be planning your travel around the rush hour. One car accident and traffic gets backed up for miles. Check with your employer and see if they have an Employee Assistance Program that can give you some advice for your questions. Also network with fellow employees for information. Good luck!

[Kaiser of Arabia]

When you have a vacation your only a few hours from the Williamsburg area, I swear, thats one of the nicest places in the nation.
They got a kickass civil war shop there too.

[discovery1]

Welcome to the USA. I don't know much about the capital other than it's generally a bad idea to go out after dark.

Bought ourselves a new PC from Best Buy yesterday, I don't know if their prices are particaularly competitive over here but it was a good price by UK standards give the present exchange rate..

They are overpriced. It's a much better idea to buy the parts and build it youself, or even pay someone to build it for you.

get a MD driving permit

You have my deepest sympathy. The dmvs are Hell.

[DemonArchangel]

Good restaurant?
Hunan Manor. It's on Snowden River Parkway, close to your workplace.