As a northern Virginian, do you identify more with the Md. suburbs, or with ROVA? (Charlottesville: live, metro area)

[BigCityDreamer]

I've wondered about this, since there's something of a "tri-state" competion that goes on in D.C/Md./Va. area.

But given a choice, which of these 2 areas do you feel more connected with?

[Carlingtonian]

Connected in what way? Culturally? Politically? Economically? And by "connected," do you mean "similar" or "inextricably bound"?

[saganista]

Really. What's all this "connectedness" mumbo-jumbo?

[Caladium]

I don't really feel "connected" to either choice, but if I had to choose, I suppose I'd choose Virginia since I spend a fair amount of time going to events in Charlottesville, Winchester, Williamsburg, etc. but I rarely do things in Maryland. Nothing against MD, it's a great place--but everything that's there is also over here so I don't really see a need to go out of my way to go over there.

I also call myself a Virginian, not a person who lives "in DC." Sometimes if I'm talking to someone who doesn't know the area I might explain that my town is "near DC" or "in the DC metro area."

[HokieFan]

What's ROVA?

I'm more connected to Virginia since I'm a native Virginian.

[Caladium]

Originally Posted by HokieFan

What's ROVA?

I'm more connected to Virginia since I'm a native Virginian.

It's a nickname for "Rest of Virginia." I never use it because 1) it sounds affected, plus 2) it's a bit demeaning, IMO. As if northern Virginia is so much more important than anywhere else in the state that it get's it's own label but all the other cities get lumped together and given a single label. Kind of snobby, you know.

[The Dissenter]

RoVA due to being from Tidewater.

[BigCityDreamer]

Originally Posted by Caladium

It's a nickname for "Rest of Virginia." I never use it because 1) it sounds affected, plus 2) it's a bit demeaning, IMO. As if northern Virginia is so much more important than anywhere else in the state that it get's it's own label but all the other cities get lumped together and given a single label. Kind of snobby, you know.

I only recently learned about the acronym myself, so I wasn't sure if it was demeaning or not.

[Forehead]

Probably Southern Maryland since my mother lives in Wheaton and the area doesn't feel much different than your average Nove suburb. Visiting friends in other parts of Virginia, you certainly notice a change. As far as the Tri-State competition you refer to, I assume you mean the one where D.C. and Maryland fight over a distant second place, correct?

[CaliTerp07]

Definitely Maryland. I am far more likely to go to an event in Rockville or Baltimore than Winchester or Charlottesville.