I don't find Fairfax to be as much of a family town as other places (Arlington: transplants, living in)

[Chip Morton]

One thing I really notice about Fairfax is there are so many people alone. Walking alone, sitting alone, shopping alone and lonely looking too. So many people who live in Fairfax don't have the life long friends or family nearby, like they do in most regular areas. Family is likely cross the country or half way across the world.

For example, when I visit Pittsburgh, PA, it seems like everyone is with a group. Mostly with family or long term life long friends. In Pittsburgh most people are part of a local large extended family that has been living there for six generations. People are more similar in Pittsburgh which causes easier connections to the community.

I think this has a strong impact on the general feel of Fairfax County and the mental health of it's residents. Do you agree?

Yes, I agree, some people here have lots of family near by.......... some people.

[stateofnature]

I can't be the only who has his mental health significantly IMPROVED by not living near my family.... because they drive me crazy!

Maybe for those who get along well with their family, it's a different story.

[spencgr]

Originally Posted by Chip Morton

. Do you agree?

Yes, I agree that more people in the NoVA area (not just Fairfax) tend to be transplants over other areas.

No, I do not agree that this makes them less connected to the community or that people without their extended families around are lonely.

[ffx rez]

A lot of people come to metropolitan areas specifically to get away from people they grew up with and on the other side of the coin, most regular people can make new friends if they want to. If you like being around "more similar" people in Pittsburgh, move to Pittsburgh. I think when most people talk about disliking "the feel" or friendliness or family-style of Fairfax County, there are very similar reasons to your "more similar" comment behind what they're saying

[ChristineVA]

Yes, it's probably not a "family" town. Whatever that means. Any suburb outside of any city with lots of "industry" is going to have people coming in from all over for jobs. In fact, there are a TON of people from Pittsburgh, PA as well as many other areas in PA living here because they can't eek out a decent living in Pittsburgh AND they want to widen their horizons. I have a PA transplant working for me know that left PA in 2009 and IS NEVER GOING BACK. Loves it here and says there is no career for her in PA.

So yeah, it is a large area without any centralized "town" and people from all over who kind of stick to their own circles. I don't view it as a bad thing--just different.

[Flamingo13]

I left Pgh. and I'm not going back unless I have to either

[FCNova]

Originally Posted by Chip Morton

One thing I really notice about Fairfax is there are so many people alone. Walking alone, sitting alone, shopping alone and lonely looking too.

I haven't really observed this, especially lonely looking people. I see people doing things by themselves sometimes, but I don't take much notice of it. There's times I go out and run errands or do things alone and I have tons of family and friends here and have lived here my whole life. Maybe I'm just ignorant of how the rest of the country really is.

[NOVA_guy]

That's odd, I find Fairfax to be very family oriented. I'd say you'd be more likely to see "lonely" people in Arlington and Alexandria since they're right outside DC and tend to attract less families but suburbs like Fairfax, Loudoun and Prince William are very family oriented.

[Flamingo13]

I'm still trying to figure out how you decide someone is lonely because they are shopping by themselves.

[ChristineVA]

Originally Posted by Flamingo13

I'm still trying to figure out how you decide someone is lonely because they are shopping by themselves.

I know what you mean. I still scratch my head over many posts that use the word "family" or "family friendly." I'm not even sure exactly what that means as I ever place I seem to go seems "family friendly." As I said, I don't have a good grasp on what constitutes a "family" though!

I can think of a few places near my office where families definitely do not live but everywhere else????

I may just need a trip to Pennsylvania to open my eyes.