things change after your 20s. most of my friends have bought homes and are now raising families in the city. but there was a big shake out in the late 20s/early 30s. the DC area is expensive and I don't fault people for moving to someplace cheaper. but by your 30s, most income trajectories are set. Note, many of my friends are FSO/international org; but they keep DC as their home base in-between trips.