Please help me appreciate NOVA

[Middlin]

Originally Posted by ChristineVA

I sure do! Well, I don't overly remember Oscar's but my friend in junior high--her parents owned Regina's! GREAT place. Yes, you were our rivals (Surrattsville). Also Friendly HS was a rival. I went to Stephen Decatur Junior High though which fed some of Clinton and mostly Camp Springs.

Small world. Of course, you can't mention Camp Springs without a comment on our proud establishment of the Hanger Club! Growing up in Camp Springs was great and I'll always have fond memories of the area.

[JD984]

Originally Posted by Middlin

Small world. Of course, you can't mention Camp Springs without a comment on our proud establishment of the Hanger Club! Growing up in Camp Springs was great and I'll always have fond memories of the area.

So the one person I knew from Camp Springs, if you asked him how he was, he'd say "fair to middlin".

[Nancy in Nokomis]

I, too hated NOVA - so I got myself out and am much happier. If you are unhappy you must find a way to get out. I do miss some aspects of NOVA but don't miss the terrible traffic, unfriendly people, high priced housing and the fact that it took a grueling 2-3 hours to get to a beach - now I can bike to the beach - so happy now!

[MikeyCNY]

If you live within walking distance to a Metro stop, NOVA is one of the best areas of the country. High standard of living, educated people, and all the amenities that DC has to offer.

[Mnseca]

Originally Posted by NOVAnite

POINTLESS RANT:

I've lived in NoVa for about a year and am completely frustrated with the area. Even the cheapest studio apartment is well out of reach for most working people. You work your 50 hour week and sit in traffic for two hours a each day and what the heck do you get for your effort?

- A rented room in another person's house
- no personal life because the culture here is work work work
- The tiny amount of money you're able to save despite NoVa's best efforts to take it from you

And if you really grind it out and try to make a life here you get what?

- A 450k townhouse
- Friendly Neighbors who will smile to your face.... and report you to the HOA if you paint your door the wrong color

END POINTLESS RANT

what am I missing here? I'm sure this area has fantastic things about it. I just probably have not seen them because of all the moping and complaining

I can't really disagree with any of this. I've never liked NoVa. However, you can do better than a 450K townhouse, and there are neighborhoods without HOA's (we found one).

The good thing about NoVa is the job market. That's why most people come, and why most stay. It's why I ended up here. I've been here over 20 years now, and probably made peace with it only within the last 10. I got a decent job and married someone with a decent job, and having more money made living in NoVa a lot better. Then we moved to a place we actually like within NoVa (there are actually a few places that aren't just boring suburb). Then I found some hobbies, and that helped even more. I still don't love it - there's just not much to do, and everything is so darn expensive - but I don't hate it so much anymore. Stay long enough and you'll be assimilated too.