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Obama to Stay in Washington after the White House | ASHARQ AL-AWSAT English Archive 2005 -2017
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U.S. President Barack Obama (R) presents the first family’s new Portuguese Water Dog puppy, Bo, on the South Lawn with his family at the White House in Washington April 14, 2009. With Obama are first lady Michelle Obama and daughters Malia (C) and Sasha. REUTERS/Larry Downing


Washington – It has become habitual for the U.S. president to leave Washington D.C. after his term is over and return to his hometown to live away from the political scene.

President Barack Obama will be the first president since Woodrow Wilson to reside in Washington following presidency.

Recent statements of Obama reveal that his family will not be returning to Chicago, but rather stay in Washington for few more years after Obama’s term is over on Thursday January 19.

According to Politico, Obama will lease, and not buy, a mansion from former Bill Clinton press secretary Joe Lockhart. The home was sold in 2014 for $5,295,000 and has nine beds and 8.5 bathrooms. Built in 1928,the house is 8,200 square feet and is located in Kalorama, northwest Washington, D.C.

Obama confirmed that his family will remain in Washington after he finishes his presidency, at least until his youngest daughter, Sasha, finishes high school.

“We’re going to have to stay a couple of years so Sasha can finish,” Obama said. “Transferring someone in the middle of high school — tough,” he added.

Sasha is expected to finish high school in two years and joining her sister in Harvard to continue her education.

As for the first lady, Michelle wants to live a normal life gardening, buying grocery and supporting women.

After the election day, Obama will have several formal visits to countries including Greece, Germany and Ukraine.

Earlier, during an interview with late show host Jimmy Kimmel, Obama joked saying: “I’m like the old guy at the bar where you went to high school, right? Still kinda hanging around. Like his shirt’s buttoned a little too low. Still thinks he’s cool.”

The president also said that he will use the LinkedIn to search for a job.

He said: “Now that’s a pretty good sales pitch. I don’t mind being America’s pitchman, and in seven months or so — in seven months or so, I’ll be on the job market, and I’m glad I’m gonna be here. I’m gonna get on LinkedIn and, you know, see what comes up.”

Despite constant rumors that Obama’s intentions to remain in Washington is to be elected as a judge at the Supreme Court, he confirmed that he just wants to live a normal life for at least two years.