Does anyone miss the Northern VA of the past? (Centreville: apartments, houses)

[DCguy03]

I have to say that I like NOVA as it is today. Admittedly, I am a newer resident, but here are my reasons:
-Ability to live car free in many areas
-Superb access to metro stations makes it easier + safer + cheaper to get around
-proximity to DC!
-Excellent employers

[car54]

Originally Posted by DCguy03

I have to say that I like NOVA as it is today. Admittedly, I am a newer resident, but here are my reasons:
-Ability to live car free in many areas
-Superb access to metro stations makes it easier + safer + cheaper to get around
-proximity to DC!
-Excellent employers

Hey DCguy, NOVA's proximity to DC hasn't changed a bit!

The Metro system is pretty good, but public transportation existed before it. We had streetcars up until 1962....here's some pics:

National Capital Trolley Museum - Streetcar Collections

Public bus service was provided by three private companies...AB&W Transit Co, DC Transit, and WV&M. All three operations were taken over by WMATA (Metro) in the early 70's. Those bus companies ran much more extensively than the present day Metrobuses do. I remember riding the AB&W from Seven Corners to DC Stadium (now RFK) to see the Senators (major league baseball) play.

[bluecountry]

I moved out to Centreville in 89...I was still in grade school...and don't remember much.

I had a few questions for long timers...as well as observations.


Observation.

I really do not like Nova.
-Yes I understand the job market is good...but overall...NOBODY can deny it is an ugly hodgepudge of cookie cutter developments that pays no tribute to the old culture and nature in the area.
-The area my understanding went from being green, scenic, and rural, to now a concrete maze of chain restraunts, congested roads, and overdevelopement.

In my opinion...I wonder why the area could not have been balanced with more open space, preserving and building around trees...along with a more cohesive design.
Instead it looks to have been bought and sold by greedy profiterring politicians and developers.
I just hope West Loudon/Clarke/Winchester/Spotsy/Fauquier/Culpepper don't become E. Loudon and Fairfax.

No matter what...the area could have been developed but done so in a much more beautiful way.


Questions

1) When did NoVA become sprawled out?
-Specifically...I'm not concerned with Tysons and inner areas along the beltway.
-More, how about areas west of Fairfax...Chantilly....Centreville?

2) Why did it happen this way?
-Was there just a total lack of apathy by orignal Fairfaxers...were they greedy looking to make a profit...or were they overpowered by newcomers demands?

[bluecountry]

Originally Posted by 5stones

we moved "out" to the burbs in 1971...built a house in McLean.

Then in 1975 we WAY OUT to Chantilly had a buffalo ranch and cattle with 3 other families on 400 acres. Right off of rt 659 (now Gum springs rd)

My old farm, is now what is called South Riding. The land is now set for develpment.
We used to ride horses across RT50 to Pangles store. I went to Arcola elem school.
NOW..near the the corner of 50 and 659 is a development of TH row and row of them.

Remeber in the 1970's when the concord used to fly right over our farm...it was a huge deal back then!!

So, yes it makes me sad that so many old farm land are being turned into planned develpments etc... BUT...pour population si growing etc...
what makes me sadder.......... is that my Dad sold that land in 1979 FOR a LOSS. His partner held on to his until 2004...and made millions.


BUT, what still amazes me everytime I drive across the country is HOW much UNDEVELOPED land we have her in the US. UPSTATE NY where my inlaws live, it's still very rural etc... huge forests in NY and PA etc...

So while we a bulldzoing away near urban centers the US still has ALOT of farm land forests etc...

I was curious

1) Back when you moved to SE Loudon....was that area even remotely suburban or was it considered the deep sticks?

2) When did development start to occur?
-I moved to Centreville in 1989...and I thought until the mid 90s this area was all rural?

3) Where exactly did you live...I thought there was a road called Buffalo Lane near Braddock Road?

4) Would you say this area is all completely lost and will be just like Centreville soon..or is there some chance the farms along Braddock, the woods to Rt 15 will remain and not be bulldozed?

5) Why did your partner sell out?
That's too bad...I get sad when I hear about people selling out to developers...and losing all the green.

[lindy112]

My family and I JUST moved to Springfield (less than a week ago) and, I have to say, we think it's beautiful here. I realize most of you are comparing the current NOVA to one that you remember but, as an outside observer, it's unbelievably green here. My son is attending a camp this week at Burke Lake Park and it is such a pretty spot. Granted, we're moving here from Fayetteville, NC, a town that doesn't have a whole lot of green areas.

[springfieldva]

Hi Blue - Centreville really didn't get going until the mid 90's and a lot of the development has happened within the last 5 years. This is partly due to business development in the Dulles and Fairlakes areas. There are jobs where there weren't any before. That has impacted residential development. As land values rose, private citizens have sold their acres to developers. Centreville still has some beautiful parkland, though. Check out Eleanor Lawrence Park and Bull Run Regional Park (which has a wonderful Christmas light show). Also, stop by Cub Run Rec center - one of the best rec center pools in the area, IMO. Within a quick drive, you will also find Frying Pan Park - with playground, general store, farm, stables and historic farm house. Cox Farms (not owned by the county) offers wonderful pumpkin patch festivities in the fall - hay rides, giant slides, live performances, fresh cider. And if you need to get to the mountains - just hop on 66. There are lots of great things about Centreville!

Lindy112- Welcome to the area. I love the beautiful parks in and around Springfield, too!

[ONLYISLANDLADY]

yep yep i really miss it. we used to drive to nova from md to get away form the ghetto lol. now with the exception of a few key areas my choices are ghetto or snooty yuppy.

what is up with the wana be rich in nova now ha ha? especially in ashburn and south riding...you know the ones who came out of trailer park haven in pittsburg and moved here and got a great job. making money or being educated is not enough. they are still so close-minded and think going out to taco bell is experiencing "mexican food" lol.

[janie01]

lindy112- Welcome to the area. I also feel it is very green. Yes, there were a lot more trees back in the day, but it is still greener than where I grew up. If you are ever looking for a nice close place to see more lush greenery (aside from Burke Lake Park which I admit is beautiful) take a ride through the roads of Fairfax Station and Clifton and stop at Peterson's Ice Cream Depot in Clifton on Main St. (aka Clifton Rd.) It is so pretty around these areas. I love driving around these "country roads" knowing that every amenity I could possibly want is minutes away.

[bluecountry]

Fairfax used to be green and rural...now it's ugly neon glowing lights with ugly cookie cutter developments and yuppies.
YUCK.

[NOVAmtneer82]

Most places USED to be green and rural back in the day but guess what...progress happens and alas out with the old and in with the new. I hate to break it to you bluecountry, but if you moved to Centreville in 1989 then you helped contribute to the paving over of western Fairfax. Your neighborhood grocery store, the mall where you shop, the restaurants where you eat, local Starbucks, schools, offices, roads you travel etc. weren't a part of this pristine Fairfax of yesteryear that you speak of. I know being anti-sprawl is the flavor of the week here in NoVa but let's be honest, our lifestyles have all contributed to sprawl in one way or another!