Is Nova a Metro Area or a Geographic Description (Arlington: suburbs, commute to) - Northern Virginia - Virginia (VA) - City-Data Forum

Caladium · 07-23-2010, 09:35 AM

Interesting discussion lately about the little towns such as Strasburg that are within an hour's drive but aren't really populated by people who commute to work in the metro area. Are these towns considered to be part of Nova? Or are they part of "general Virginia"?

IMO, the question really boils down to this:

When you hear the words "Northern Virginia" (or Nova) do you think it means the DC metro area that happens to be in Virginia? Or, do you think it refers to the entire geographic area that makes up the northernmost part of Virginia?

cdmurphy · 07-23-2010, 09:53 AM

Well, I'd be curious to know if people in Strasburg or places like that consider themselves to be part of NoVA. I know that there are some people in Arlington who think that Loudoun and Prince William are too far out to be NoVA (never mind that "Washington-Dulles" is mostly in Loudoun County). I guess it's all relative.

Stephen 81 · 07-23-2010, 10:08 AM

To me, Northern Virginia means the DC suburbs, not the geographically northern portions of Virginia. Winchester may be the northernmost large town in the state, but culturally it's got more in common with Harrisonburg and Staunton than with Herndon or Alexandria, because it's in the Shenandoah Valley.

Twenty years ago, I wouldn't have said that Loudoun was part of Northern Virginia, because it was just starting to become a suburb of DC. Now it's clearly part of NoVA. Maybe in twenty more years, Front Royal will be part of Northern Virginia, culturally speaking, but I feel like right now it's just in the north of Virginia.

It's not that strange, really. When people refer to Northern California/NorCal, they aren't talking about Eureka or Redding, they mean the Bay Area, despite the Bay being fairly central when you look at a map of California. Similarly, South Florida = Miami/Ft. Lauderdale/West Palm Beach, not Fort Myers and Naples, which are just as far south.

Bigfoot424 · 07-23-2010, 10:15 AM

When I first moved here in 73 Prince William Co was not considered part of NOVA by most people. Now it easily is included. I include Loudoun and maybe even Fauquier as well but barely. I would not include places like Front Royal, Strasburg and others out there as part of NOVA.

ChristineVA · 07-23-2010, 10:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stephen 81

To me, Northern Virginia means the DC suburbs, not the geographically northern portions of Virginia. Winchester may be the northernmost large town in the state, but culturally it's got more in common with Harrisonburg and Staunton than with Herndon or Alexandria, because it's in the Shenandoah Valley.

Twenty years ago, I wouldn't have said that Loudoun was part of Northern Virginia, because it was just starting to become a suburb of DC. Now it's clearly part of NoVA. Maybe in twenty more years, Front Royal will be part of Northern Virginia, culturally speaking, but I feel like right now it's just in the north of Virginia.

This is how I feel. It is a DC suburb and encompasses an area of like attitudes/concerns/issues. The NoVA borders are ever-changing.

Caladium · 07-23-2010, 10:17 AM

IMO, I think of Nova as the DC metro area. And, I right now I think it stretches as far west as Round Hill.

The tricky towns are Front Royal and Winchester. Sometimes I think they can also be included because a fair number of people commute from there. OTOH, sometimes I think of them as a separate entities from Nova (and, to be honest, that's the way I'm leaning today. Ask me again tomorrow and I may have a different answer.

)

In the southerly direction, I include Stafford but not Fredericksburg.

ajzjmsmom · 07-23-2010, 10:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Caladium

IMO, I think of Nova as the DC metro area. And, I right now I think it stretches as far west as Round Hill.

The tricky towns are Front Royal and Winchester. Sometimes I think they can also be included because a fair number of people commute from there. OTOH, sometimes I think of them as a separate entities from Nova (and, to be honest, that's the way I'm leaning today. Ask me again tomorrow and I may have a different answer.

)

In the southerly direction, I include Stafford but not Fredericksburg.

Oh please don't include Stafford, I was all excited when noone on this thread mentioned Staffod, I was hoping to keep NOVA from infringing on what I have found out there. LOL

normie · 07-23-2010, 11:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stephen 81

Twenty years ago, I wouldn't have said that Loudoun was part of Northern Virginia, because it was just starting to become a suburb of DC. Now it's clearly part of NoVA. Maybe in twenty more years, Front Royal will be part of Northern Virginia, culturally speaking, but I feel like right now it's just in the north of Virginia.

I totally agree. IMO, Nova includes Loudoun, but not Front Royal. Not quite yet (although I'm comfortable calling it an exurb, so I can see it merging in with the rest of us fairly soon).

terrence81 · 07-23-2010, 11:12 AM

Yeah I'm going to chime in and say that when I think of Northern Virginia I'm not thinking of Front Royal or Winchester. I'm thinking Arlington, Alexandria, Loudoun, Fairfax, Prince William, Stafford and maybe Fauquier counties. But def not anywhere in the Shennandoah Valley.

terrence81 · 07-23-2010, 11:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by normie

I totally agree. IMO, Nova includes Loudoun, but not Front Royal. Not quite yet (although I'm comfortable calling it an exurb, so I can see it merging in with the rest of us fairly soon).

I hope not. Northern Virginia is spread out enough. It takes forever to get anywhere especially outside the beltway. Front Royal needs to stay a small town. I've driven through and its nice. It should stay that way. Not that I don't like NoVA I love it here but its too gosh darn big as it is.