justmahl t1_j55offj wrote on January 20, 2023 at 4:03 PM

I think the issue is that transplants don't really interact with natives. Part of that is the race element but another big part is that they live in two different worlds. Many transplants come here with some connection to the federal government. Most natives have zero interest in federal government. So it's easy to end up in a bubble where you only see and cross paths with other transplants where as natives mostly interact with other natives.

fvb955cd t1_j563bfk wrote on January 20, 2023 at 5:36 PM

Do they not? This seems like part of the massive assumption that I frequently see cited here, and basically never see in reality. There are two places where transplants actually seemed really detached from natives, and actually likely to leave within a few years, the military and universities. Outside that, my federal agency is filled with people who are transplants and havent left for 20+ years and will die here, and natives of many generations to dc. The notion that there aren't native dc residents in the largest and most geographically stable industry in town is mind boggling to me, and completely unsupported by my own experiences. Where do people think a massive chunk of the recent black Middle class works?

Suki100 t1_j5ab6ig wrote on January 21, 2023 at 3:23 PM

Completely false. The Federal government is the reason that many people stay in DC, both transplants and "natives". DC natives are not interested in political appointee positions or climbing the political ladder of Fed work. But many enjoy public service work. When I first started working for the Feds, back in the 2000s as an intern, many people were native to DC and taught me the ropes.

justmahl t1_j5abw0j wrote on January 21, 2023 at 3:28 PM

As you say, most natives aren't interested in climbing the political ladder of fed work. Most are office positions. Meanwhile if someone moves here to work in the federal government or related industry, they aren't coming here to spend 20+ years in the same office. Just two different worlds.

Suki100 t1_j6mxrma wrote on January 31, 2023 at 1:58 PM

I have been in the same office for 16 years! I think most people want stability. Some are built for moving and grooving through agencies, consulting firms and job titles. Some just want to clock in, do their job, clock out and go home.