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Location: That star on your map in the middle of the East Coast, DMV
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Losfrisco
You just made my point by highlighting government facilities as the draw of NOVA. Are people going on vacations to Reston, Virginia and doing romantic tours of government buildings?
This is a bit silly. NOVA has Iwo Jima memorial, Arlington National Cemetary, George Washington's childhood home, more history, better schools, light years better public transit, white water rafting, wine vineyards, pretty decent access to mountains not far away, two major airports of over 45 million passangers between them. Best shopping in DC metro, Tysons Corner Mall sees as many visitors as Disney"world" (FL). None of these are government buildings. Not to mention Alexandria, VA which has no built environment equivalent in all of SoCal.
OC is located on the Pacific Ocean, we get that, location is a plus here no doubt, but certainly this comparison more than fair, even with that included.
Regarding sports, very good chance the Redskins build a new billion dollar plus stadium in NOVA within the next few years also.
Shouldn't Orange County (coastal) be compared to Tidewater/Hampton Roads, VA (coastal) ??
Absolutely not. While they may share some commonalities (multiple cities by a coast, but the sum is more well known than the parts that make them up), Hampton Roads doesn't have OC's or NOVA's wealth, not proximity to a major city, or megasuburb identity that OC and NOVA have. Not to mention Norfolk is a pretty distinctive city with an extensive history, which is more than I can say for OC or NOVA (except Alexandria).
The comparison is between two large suburban areas of major metros.
Yes this is exactly why I put it. biscuit_head comment though is a perfect example of why these two areas are more comparable.
biscuit_head: Another thing about Oakland County is that it grows far too slow to become a NOVA/The OC. I can honestly see Collin County combined with Denton County as already being similar to The O.C and NOVA but that area I just mentioned is twice the size of the O.C. and much bigger than the NOVA portions I defined earlier.
While Fort Bend can be like South O.C, another problem is that it borders some of the most troubling parts of Houston, and like you said besides Sugar Land Business Park which is exactly as it sounds like a sprawl business district with huge amounts of rolling hills and parking lots, literally a park.
Some of the hopes I have is that the Energy Corridor has grown into Katy and since it is 90% a linear development it can hopefully grow into the northern portion of Fort Bend. I have hope though for Rosenberg, Texas as it is the largest grid in FBC maybe something can actually happen that resembles dense development there.
BTW most people haven't heard about it but what are your thoughts on LaCenterra and Sugar Land Town Square developments. These areas are trying to achieve some sort of "urbanity" but IMO could be improved on.
Amenities- OC
Transportation- OC (public transportation only slightly to NOVA because OC has metrolink and OCTA)
Urbanity/Density- density OC, urbanity NOVA
Safety- (Likely the Same) Tie
Affordability- NOVA. You get more for your money
Shopping Districts/Malls- Tie
Business Districts- Tysons vs. South Coast Metro - NOVA. OC may be very slightly ahead but I see NOVA with the better future.
Diversity- OC. They have actual ethnic enclaves.
Wealth- NOVA. With the caveat that OC likely has more high end wealth.
Economy- (Not including LA or Washington) - OC. Probably more independent.
Future- (Which will have the greater population/ more influence on U.S economy). NOVA
Cities- Arlington/Alexandria vs. Anaheim/Santa Ana/ Irvine). NOVA. I like Santa Ana but this is probably the biggest mismatch.
My adds:
Weather - OC. And we have a new winner for the biggest mismatch.
Education - OC. More top tier universities.
Cosmopolitan - Tie. Ok. Cosmopolitan is kinda ambiguous but NOVA has more of it. But it also has more of the opposite.
And mountains, and a baseball team, and a hockey team, a top tier public college (UCI)and some of the best looking women in the world.
What's NoVa have again?
With out DC, NoVa would be "The South"!
So you think OC would have major league sports teams, a top tier public college, and good-looking women without LA being next door? It could possibly have the college but there's no doubt the rest are due to being part of Greater LA...come now.
So you think OC would have major league sports teams, a top tier public college, and good-looking women without LA being next door? It could possibly have the college but there's no doubt the rest are due to being part of Greater LA...come now.
Of course, we all know the LOS ANGELES Angels of Anaheim would exist without LA lol.
OC is such a joke, they want to try to pretend they are some independent region apart from the LA metro area. Though considering what a hellhole much of LA is who can blame them.
So you think OC would have major league sports teams, a top tier public college, and good-looking women without LA being next door? It could possibly have the college but there's no doubt the rest are due to being part of Greater LA...come now.
And what would NoVa be with out DC? It would be just be a giant historical plantation site. So I am not exactly sure what you are getting at. And OC is a lot less economically dependent on LA than NoVa is on DC. OC gets nearly as many commuters from LA county as it gives. Silicon Valley and OC are pretty much the only suburban areas in the country that are not very dependent on the Alpha city of their regions.
Either way, it is the most fully loaded suburban area in the country
The best looking people in the world, top tier university, amazing weather, great beaches, mountains, low crime.
NoVa is a nice enough place, but it can't hold a candle to OC. OC is where wealthy plutocrats move to, AFTER having to live/work in the DC metro.
NoVa is really generic and not any different than say, suburban philly, chicago, long island, etc.
Of course, we all know the LOS ANGELES Angels of Anaheim would exist without LA lol.
OC is such a joke, they want to try to pretend they are some independent region apart from the LA metro area. Though considering what a hellhole much of LA is who can blame them.
^^^^^
Roots for the SF 49ers of San Jose/Santa Clara, makes fun of the LA Angels of Anahiem.
Comical
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And OC is a lot less economically dependent on LA than NoVa is on DC. OC gets nearly as many commuters from LA county as it gives. Silicon Valley and OC are pretty much the only suburban areas in the country that are not very dependent on the Alpha city of their regions.
