After an amazing Thanksgiving Holiday, we have been thinking about ALL the things we have to be thankful for. Something that we often overlook is where we live, specifically in the DC Metro Area. Some of our Team Family has lived here their whole lives, and some have moved here from far away, but we can all agree that this is the ideal place to live a fulfilling life and raise a family! So here are nine reasons we LOVE and are thankful for our gorgeous region: 

 

    1. History Everywhere: This area has seen so many historical events throughout the years that can be appreciated by just a walk down the street. Head over to the Lincoln Memorial and remember the infamous “I Have a Dream” speech from MLK that changed our society as we know it, or stroll over to the White House to enjoy the colonial architecture that has housed our Presidents for generations. 
    2. Cherry Blossom Festival: Every Spring, people from around the country welcome the warm weather by admiring and celebrating the 3,000 Cherry Blossom Trees Mayor Yukio Ozaki of Tokyo gifted us in 1912. Every year we look forward to gorgeous flower petals falling from the sky like a blanket of pink snow!
    3. Culture, Culture, Culture: Washington, DC, is one of the only cities in America that offers a ton of FREE museums! We locals often forget how lucky we are to have such an incredible opportunity to experience rich culture, all free of charge! The National Archives Museum, The Natural Museum of Natural History, The National Art Gallery, The United States Holocaust Museum, The National Museum of American History, and MORE are massive and have an impressive array of attractions that will impress both children and adults alike. 
    4. Landmarks: As we mentioned before, DC is home to the Lincoln Memorial and the White House, but you can also find the Thomas Jefferson Memorial, the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial, the Washington Monument, and MORE! Walk right up to them for free and enjoy impeccable sculptures and views of the Potomac River. 5
    5. Intelligence: DC is actually one of the most educated cities in the country! Not too shabby, DC! 
    6. Sparkling Clean: It’s rare for a city to be busy and simultaneously clean, but the US capital somehow manages to achieve both. Even with public transport, it still is nice and clean! 
    7. Metro: Stretching 117 miles across two different states and one district (Maryland, Virginia, and DC), the Metro will take you pretty much anywhere you need to go. And did you know that the Panda image on the Metro Farecard is because of the introduction of Chinese pandas, Hsing-Hsing and Ling-Ling, to DC in 1972? Adorable! 
    8. A Foodie’s Dream: Food critics and world-renowned chefs have praised the DC Metro Area for the diverse and delicious food we have. On a budget? Check out Ben’s Chilli Bowl, the place that has served its community through the Civil Rights Movement and fed multiple U.S. presidents! 9
    9. The Great Outdoors: DC itself has a unique relationship with nature. With a plethora of parks and trees on every street, it sometimes doesn’t even feel like you’re in a city! And with the great Potomac River flowing through, outdoor activities are never too far away. In fact, just outside of DC in Maryland and Virginia, Great Falls National Park can be found with some of the most stunning waterfalls you can see for miles.