> They way I describe it is the culture is very 'safe'

I grew up in the DC suburbs and my go-to example of this is the prevalence of chain restaurants in relation to the affluence of the population. The family from Michigan that’s here for four years along with some political administration isn’t going to take the time to sort through unfamiliar local places. They’re going to reach for familiar names. It’s the exact opposite of Philly, where a distinctly middle class, but permanent and stable, population keeps a thriving local restaurant scene in business.