I heard people in Northern Virginia were snobby? (Tysons Corner: townhouses, neighborhoods)

[Yankeesfan]

Originally Posted by IndiaLimaDelta

I have always measured wealth as one's ability to live without having to earn income, especially wage income -- being a gentleman or a lady of leisure if you will.

I know a number of people in their 70s and 80s who could have retired long ago and lived very comfortably but continue working full-time or part-time because they enjoy their work.

[Yankeesfan]

Originally Posted by IndiaLimaDelta

In any case, despite the reputation of Northern Virginia as a place inundated with luxury cars and McMansions, I actually find this area perhaps the least showy mass affluent area in the United States.

Totally agree with you on that.

[MrsHunny]

I am a NoVa native. In my opinion you've got to be an ambitious, highly-educated, white collar career (wo)man to be truly happy here. People flock to this area from all over because the job market is still decent. However, that means theres a lot of competition. If you aren't an IT major, or don't hold a Master's degree (AT LEAST!) - you're going nowhere fast.

Also - BEWARE! It's every man/woman for him/herself out on the roads! I feel like NoVa drivers are so incredibly RUDE! The worst in the country without a doubt!

[CAVA1990]

Originally Posted by MrsHunny

I am a NoVa native. In my opinion you've got to be an ambitious, highly-educated, white collar career (wo)man to be truly happy here. People flock to this area from all over because the job market is still decent. However, that means theres a lot of competition. If you aren't an IT major, or don't hold a Master's degree (AT LEAST!) - you're going nowhere fast.

Bit of an exageration. My kids grew up here and they and their 20 something friends are doing just fine with bachelors degrees. Most work for big companies and seem to be progressing well. They mostly don't work in IT. Some work for consulting or accounting firms and/or do finance or marketing. Others work for lobbying groups. They have tremendous social networks and actually don't spend a lot of time in the office, unlike their elders.

[DeafChick]

Yes, we are. I don't give a ... about people and they don't give a ... about me. It's everyone for themselves.

Think of NOVA as "battle royale" and be sure to use your weapon to take out the competition.

[michgc]

Whether you're wearing $8 shoes, $80 shoes, or $800 shoes, it doesn't matter. It's all about attitude. I've met and known rich people who wear very expensive clothing bought first-hand at fine boutiques who are down-to-earth and unpretentious. I've also known people who pretend they can afford to wear expensive clothes and buy expensive things but are show-offs with their nose stuck in the air. Being a snob is an attitude that you are better than other people.

I've met both types in NoVa. I think certain areas are more snobby than other areas. When I lived in Bethesda, it was much snobbier than when I lived in Vienna, for example.

[frostopsy]

Snobby? More like jerks.

[ceomom703]

I happen to be one of the busy people who, as much as I would like, can't find the time to meet up with friends or cultivate new friendships. It never dawned on me that others would even consider me a snob as I have nothing to be a snob about.

I tend to meet people who live in the same area (Loudoun). There are some with money and many on budgets but I think we all find a way to interact and form friendships during the times we are able to carve out. Some of the wealthy people I know are the most frugal.

It may be a commuting thing, it may be finding common ground with neighbors but I don't necesarily think it's snobbery. There are cliques, for sure but I've found that to be true everywhere.

[IndiaLimaDelta]

Originally Posted by DeafChick

Yes, we are. I don't give a .... about people and they don't give a ... about me. It's everyone for themselves.

Very Wall Street, c. 1980s... or Hollywood anytime.

Think of NOVA as "battle royale" and be sure to use your weapon to take out the competition.

That quote is probably lost on anyone who is not a fan of Japanese cinema or Beat Takeshi... although maybe with the slight controversy over The Hunger Games, more would understand it.

[tsuric]

Yeah I have a pair of shoes I only paid $25 for and I constantly get complements for those shoes from random strangers and friends. I've even had complements from the exact people who might be considered "snobs" (only buys designers such as Louis Vuitton, Versace, etc...). They are very comfortable too.

Price isn't everything.