Comments on: Who Can Claim ‘Native Washingtonian’ Status?

By: John

John — Sat, 09 Jun 2012 17:56:00 +0000

Guess I am old too. I was born at Columbia Hospital for Women in April 1968

By: Janthony11

Janthony11 — Fri, 06 Apr 2012 23:37:00 +0000

I’ve always been turned off by this debate, as well as proud of my home town before it became a hip, trendy place to live, while Barry was mayor – again – and before baseball returned and the Caps rocked the red.
Turned off because this is almost exclusively an upper class caucasian conversation. (Disclosure: I am white) Poll residents east of Rock Creek Park, in SW and Anacostia and I imagine that 60+ percent of residents are natives.
I remember telling anyone who would listen in the early to mid 90′s that the secret of quality of life in DC was bound to get out before long. And that was before the resurgence led by the financial reforms of under-appreciated Mayor Anthony Williams, and not all that long after years of 500+ annual murders, largely driven by the scourge of crack cocaine.
DC has become an even more dynamic place to live, even if the fundamental appeal is the same: great weather 9 months out of the year; world class museums; unique green space and proximity to the outdoors and wilderness; close to the ocean, and at the seat of so much of our nation’s history, etc.
Native to me means that you were either:
born and raised in DC proper, call that 1A.
Or born in the close-in suburbs of Maryland and moved into the city after reaching adulthood, 2A or 2B, depending upon where you grew up and how long you have lived in the city.
Virginia doesn’t count in my estimation, since it’s on the wrong side of the river, not to mention the fact that the state reclaimed the land they pledged to the fledgling capital. Hence, Arlington County as the southern part of the 10 mile diamond.
In my case, I was born in DC, raised 100 yards over the line in Bethesda, Western Avenue. My entire childhood involved exploring and outings to Friendship Heights, Tenleytown, etc. “Downtown” Bethesda was never a draw. Then my parents divorced and my father moved to Adams Morgan, and then Georgetown. I have lived and worked in the city for 13 out of 16 years since college.
During a friends wedding some years ago, I commandeered the microphone from an under-informed tourist mobile driver – to rave reviews.
This explains why I claim native status. But I fully recognize that it comes with an asterisk, however small.

By: Anthony Lorenzo

Anthony Lorenzo — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 16:58:00 +0000

I was born and raised in DC. Still live here, dont plan leaving anytime soon. So, yes, that makes me a Native Washingtonian.

By: Heather Williams

Heather Williams — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 15:14:00 +0000

I was born in the District and I own a home in city today. Of my friends and coworkers, I don’t know anyone else who can say the same. Even my husband, who considers himself a Native Son, was born in Montgomery County.

By: Ward 5's Baby Boy

Ward 5's Baby Boy — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 14:52:00 +0000

Great response, I was born in Providence Hospital (the new one) and am a fourth generation Washingtonian. My Mother was the last group born in the old one and her mother was born there as well. I’m a native and damn proud of it. Raised in the city and did some schooling in PG County but got married and purchased my home in the city with my wife. There is nothing like DC…..

By: Joey D

Joey D — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 14:14:00 +0000

So, all those folks in my neighborhood who cheat the DC government out of whatever little tax revenue they would provide by faking Murland residency, even though they’ve lived here their whole lives, don’t count as “natives”? Awesome, maybe they can stop acting like entitled a——– now.

By: Alice Thornton

Alice Thornton — Sun, 01 Apr 2012 15:20:00 +0000

Most “native” Washingtonians don’t even live here anymore (native = having been born here). I stuck around, but most of my family left for other climes. We needed to bring in new people to increase the tax base. I guess with this being the Nation’s Capital it would naturally be transient. Very few that I know of (including me) work for the government, either District or Federal, so you’ll find most of us either in creative or non-profit fields.

By: Payton

Payton — Sat, 31 Mar 2012 15:25:00 +0000

Looks like the Census link is broken; here's the correct one. For the geeks out there, it's from ACS. Similar figures are available from the IRS, but taxpayers != residents.

By: E in Rosedale

E in Rosedale — Sat, 31 Mar 2012 14:05:00 +0000

I fall into pretty much the same category as you Elahe. I was raised in Bladensburg/Hyattsville before moving on to other parts of the country and finally settling back in DC about 8 years ago. I wouldn’t put myself in the same category as someone that was born in DC and never left, but I’m certainly more connected than someone who moved from Iowa 6 months ago.

Really though, what qualifies you as a Washingtonian for me is getting a license, buying a place and getting a job (in or around DC for the job). In other words, putting down serious roots.

By: Shiba Fussa

Shiba Fussa — Sat, 31 Mar 2012 09:57:00 +0000

What if this article was written in 1859? Or 1793? Or 1634? I guess its defined in what century you write this article.