Washington, DC

President George Washington chose the location for the nation's capital in 1790, and the federal district was named "Columbia." Pierre Charles L'Enfant was chosen by Washington to lay out the new city, and L'Enfant created a design that would reflect some of the prettiest cities in Europe: Milan, Amsterdam, and Paris. The first session held by Congress in the new capital took place in November of 1800, but much of the new district was burned during the War of 1812 in the Burning of Washington.

The Old Stone House is the oldest building in DC; it was constructed in 1765 and is listed as a National Historic Landmark on the National Register of Historic Places. The Old Stone House operates as a museum complete with a picnic area and a gift shop.

If you're a foodie, you'll love DC. The restaurants here are developing a worldwide reputation, with several earning Michelin stars. Some places on the must-try list include Kinship, Tail Up Goat, Komi, the Inn at Little Washington, Fiola Mare, Le Diplomate, and Marcel's. After moving to DC, be sure to take one of the food tours, such as the Mangia DC Food Tour, the DC Metro Food Tour, or a DC Brew Tour.

For those living within the immediate D.C. metro area, the city has a reliable metro system that stretches into neighboring areas, such as Silver Spring, Maryland, and Northern Virginia. The city also offers a thorough bus system, which claims to be one of the busiest in the country. For those traveling outside of the DC area, commuter trains are also available.

The Capitol Riverfront, located along the Anacostia River, is a terrific place for outdoor activities like kayaking and splashing around at the Yards Park. This park has a variety of water features and is the location of several festivals. Also along the riverfront, the Anacostia Riverwalk Trail extends 20 miles along both sides of the river and is ideal for bicycling, jogging, and skating. The National Mall is a park like no other -- this National Park is nicknamed "America's Front Yard." Here, you'll find monuments and memorials along a tree-lined and pedestrian-friendly boulevard.

As home to all three branches of government, the US capital has a strong, diverse economy. You'll find a wide variety of employment options, ranging from lobbying firms to law firms to foreign embassies. Healthcare workers will also find plenty of options -- DC is home to the Washington Hospital Center, the Children's National Medical Center, and the National Institutes of Health. Those in the hospitality industry will appreciate the fact that tourism is the second-largest industry in DC.

From the Flea Market at Eastern Market to the Potomac Mills Mall, you'll have plenty of shopping opportunities living in DC. The Downtown Holiday Market is ranked as one of the best holiday markets in the country. This market is held in front of the Smithsonian American Art Museum & National Portrait Gallery. It features more than 150 artisans from the area and offers paintings, pottery, jewelry, textiles, and more. Historic Georgetown is a shopping paradise, featuring shops like Cusp, Club Monaco, and Billy Reid.