Some suggestions for you:
1. D.C./MD/VA housing is very expensive so I suggest that you rent rather than buy. Apartments are running higher vacancy rates than usual due to the hyperactive home market so you will be in good shape there. Most apartments are wired for cable and many have amenity packages, i.e. gym, tennis court, pool etc., so look around.
2. I suggest that you locate in an apartment complex that is within 1 -3 blocks of a METRO station. Traffic has become a nightmare so if you have an opportunity to take the subway you should.
3. As to employment, IT took a big hit here with Worldcom and some dot com meltdowns here, but IT jobs in private industry are recovering. LAN/WAN managers are in demand due to data security issues etc. etc. so you may find something you like there.
4. You may want to research MONSTER.COM which lists jobs by state etc. for some available opportunities.
5. In terms of living, pick Virginia or Maryland, but I suggest you eschew the District of Columbia. It has recently been published that Baghdad's murder rate is lower than the District's in addition to all of the other crimes that can be visited upon you (and your wife).
Lastly and most importantly monitor this board for meetings of the D.C. Chapter of Free Republic. This is one very active (and friendly!) bunch and I will always say that standing with my fellow Freepers in front of the Vice President's Mansion in 2000, processing Al Goron's eviction, was some of the finest experiences of my life.
Good luck!
Ping me on Freepmail if I can give you any more information.
Regards,
If so, the inverse may be true. Owning can not only be a better qualitative experience but the value of your leveraged property increases. If you are serious about investing in relocation you should also be serious about buying the property you will live in.