• I moved to Washington, DC, after living in rural Pennsylvania for 23 years.
• Learning how to commute was difficult at first, but it opened up so many options for me.
• The work culture was a bit intense, but I loved how much there was to do after work and on weekends.

I grew up in rural Pennsylvania, tucked away in a stretch of the Appalachian Mountains known as the Endless Mountains. It was beautiful and quiet there, and I spent many of my days reading in sunny patches of grass.

But right after college, I moved to the Columbia Heights neighborhood in Washington, DC, for work and traded mountains for monuments.

Transitioning from Amish country to hill-staffer-tech-bro culture led to immense culture shock. But in DC, I learned how to navigate city life and experienced a lot of firsts.

Here are the three biggest surprises I encountered when I moved.

Learning how to commute was difficult at first

The fast-paced nature of the city surprised me. I grew up in a one-stoplight town, and the transition to DC traffic was jarring.

In the part of Pennsylvania where I grew up, driving was my only mode of transportation. In fact, I could anticipate a nearly hourlong drive to access the nearest chain stores.

However, learning about the different ways to use public transportation in the city was exciting. On my first day of work, I figured out how to ride the bus and use the metro system. I also started riding a bike consistently for the first time since I was 12 and walked more than I ever had before.

I also discovered new challenges, like surrendering to the mercy of public transit delays and struggling to carry my groceries home. However, I gained something I didn’t previously have access to — options.

The work culture in DC was intense

My first full-time job was in the Capitol Hill neighborhood, so right out of college, I felt like I was thrown into the most competitive work culture. For better or worse, every moment felt like a networking event.

One of the most “DC experiences” I had was joining a community pickleball group and discovering that the group was made up of people who worked for ESPN, the ACLU, and the Peace Corps.

Although I loved discovering what people do for a living, work culture is often prioritized over everything else. This was a part of life in DC that I had a hard time reckoning with.

I’m still trying to ditch the habit of asking, “So what do you do?” when I meet a stranger.

I had so many more opportunities for after-work activities

After work, I rode my bike to the library and picked out brightly colored books. At night, I danced to live music at the 9:30 Club.

On Saturday mornings, I wove my way through places like the Hirshhorn Museum and Renwick Gallery, then wandered around to find a new coffee shop. Food was everywhere, and it was delicious. I indulged in tahini lattes, ube waffles, and bowls of spicy ramen.

Being in a big city also meant I could discover more of my interests, which had been patiently waiting to be found.

Although my time living in DC has concluded, I’m grateful for the many ways it has shaped me and directed my next steps.

Washington, D.C., was on high alert Monday ahead of Election Day.

From the White House to Howard University, local and federal police were working extra hours to ensure that the vote, the voters and the candidates stay safe.

While there has been no specific threat, there was extra security fencing around the White House to help defend against any attempt at election violence.

Meanwhile, bomb-sniffing dogs made their rounds through cars parked along the National Mall.

NBC Bay Area’s Damian Trujillo has more in the video report above.

The stakes are high, both nationwide and in the Bay Area, as polls indicate a neck-to-neck race between Vice President Kamala Harris and Former President Donald Trump. NBC Bay Area’s Damian Trujillo is in Washington D.C. ahead of the big day.

WASHINGTON – As D.C. works to increase safety measures ahead of Election Day, people are also doing what they can to keep their businesses safe by boarding up their glass windows and doors.

Some of the business owners who spoke with FOX 5 said it’s something they have to do in case violence breaks out in the District. 

On 17th and Pennsylvania, a number of restaurants, coffee shops and even a McDonald’s are boarded up from top to bottom. It’s expected that more places will do the same throughout the city — especially businesses near the White House.

“Because of protection and just to be prepared,” said Marcus Donovan, who manages Pow Pow in Northeast.

Donovan says he has more than plywood protecting his restaurant located in Franklin Square. 

“It’s like a fortress,” Donovan said. “If we had a boat it would be even better.”

It’s a structure the building’s property manager built. Donovan says he wishes this wasn’t the reality but it has to be done and he can’t rely on the city right now.

“It would be nice if the city was more prepared for Jan. 6, although we understand the scenario and situation with Trump but it’s the whole thing of putting it together for ourselves,” he said. 

Over on 13th and Pennsylvania, even more buildings are being boarded up.

“This was our first time and eating inside there is a very different feeling when all of the windows are boarded up,” David Lauder told FOX 5. 

Lauder has called the city home for almost 30 years. He says it’s never felt like this during elections until recently.

“It saddens me that our elections are free, then we are locked up by boarded-up windows and our beautiful city is diminished,” Lauder said. 

Others who live in the District say they think the boards are a bit much, and an inconvenience.

“I don’t think it’s necessary,” DC resident Phillip White said. “It shouldn’t happen.”

FOX 5 asked one business owner how long they plan to keep the boards up. He says at least for the next week, then they’ll remove the boards and put them back up in early January.