Does anyone miss the Northern VA of the past? (McLean: cul-de-sac, job market)

[ryanco]

not even two decades ago, newington forest was in fact...a forest. and also there were a lot less drug dealers

[Solo904]

This thread is quite humorous.
If you guys miss the good old days then ask the government to ban people from giving birth, otherwise Northern Virginia will become even more 'concrete'!

Haha, no doubt. I wonder what the posts would read like if we could conjure up some Indian spirits from the 1600's

I respect the opinions of the old timers and there is wisdom there but remember- Holding back the tide without action only gets you wet

[saganista]

Population of Centreville today: 50,000
Population of Centreville in 1980: 7,500
Population of Centreville in 1880: 96

[Tone509]

Originally Posted by saganista

Population of Centreville today: 50,000
Population of Centreville in 1980: 7,500
Population of Centreville in 1880: 96

What a difference 128 years makes.

But more seriously, I actually empathize with where the OP is coming from, albeit on the opposite end by lamenting that urban or otherwise dense areas are being overlooked in favor of building on a couple acres of land further out. However, as many of us know, many areas in NOVA as well as DC and MD that once held negative reputations are now being revitalized. The "problem" is that the jobs, especially in NOVA, just keep coming... and people need to live somewhere. So while "spreading the wealth" of government jobs (and thereby related contractors) may be admittedly unrealistic, I believe it's going to require some major "outside-the box" thinking - or continued high(er) gas prices - for sprawl to slow down around here.

[total_genius]

The population has gone up but that did not have to destroy the area.

Fairfax County is full of more and more run down areas that were really nice in the 1950s but not anymore. I think instead of destroying a forest in Centerville, they should of tore down homes built in the 50s and replaced them with nicer high density neighborhoods. I see huge Parking Lots that are empty in Springfield. They should be replaced with homes in high density that can have 21st Century conviences. Build there instead of cutting down the last 100 year old forests in Southern and Western Fairfax.

[springfieldva]

Originally Posted by total_genius

The population has gone up but that did not have to destroy the area.

Fairfax County is full of more and more run down areas that were really nice in the 1950s but not anymore. I think instead of destroying a forest in Centerville, they should of tore down homes built in the 50s and replaced them with nicer high density neighborhoods. I see huge Parking Lots that are empty in Springfield. They should be replaced with homes in high density that can have 21st Century conviences. Build there instead of cutting down the last 100 year old forests in Southern and Western Fairfax.

There are plans to revitalize and rebuild the areas around the Springfield plaza and Springfield Mall areas. I haven't seen all of the details, but as far as I know some high density housing (condos and apartments) is planned for those areas. Many of the 1950s homes have already been torn down and are being replaced with mcmansion style homes. That area is really changing fast.

In other Springfield neighborhoods, older homes are being fixed up and are regaining their lost charm. It is nice to see some of Springfield's history being preserved!

Progress is happening every where in this county. But, I tend to agree with you about the nonstop new construction we are seeing in some of the outer burbs. It would be nice to see some of that stopped - at least until the housing market stabilizes and demand picks up again. Certaintly, no new permits should be issued.

[bricklayer]

I grew up in No. Springfield but was born at the old Alexandria Hosp. in '53. Things sure are different...graduated in '72 from Annandale High.

[coredneck]

Kind of ironic. I have been in the high tech field for 18 years. Here in Colorado, I got laid off from a major DoD company back in January.

It would be advantageous to bring federal gov't work to other places, places where the cost of living is much cheaper which would be an advantage to taxpayers.

At the time I got laid off, they basically gave me an ultimatum to move to the DC area or be let go. On the "being let go", with HR and legal, it took about a few months for them to lay me off. At the time I thought I could easily find a job in the company here in Colorado, didn't happen. I applied for so many positions and I was able to only get two interviews. At the end of the month, I was out the door. So I started applying for other positions within Colorado Springs (home), Denver and Boulder. Hardly any interviews - about 4.

I found out later the company I was laid off from, the executives has decided that any new contracts will have their work done in the DC area which even includes Valley Forge. This is from an insider who has a lot of contact with the high management. They have tried to get him to move to the DC area which he replied, "no way". They tried several times to get me to move to the DC area a few years back.

I am very resistant to moving to the DC area. As mentioned in other postings, in my opinion, I would not get along too well with the East Coast especially the DC area. Well, I have a change of tune since I have read that most markets in IT is crap except for the DC area. If I left Colorado, my preference would be to stay in the Western States with California being the first pick outside of Colorado. I will start to get serious on finding work in DC/MD/VA and weather the economic storm there until things get better. Don't know how long it will take especially being an election year.

When I was on one contract, we had counterparts in the DC area and their mindset was so different. They would come out to Colorado for a few days and they would be dressed up even on Friday. One person was here for a couple of weeks and I would have to go in on a Saturday to help out. I would show up in my shorts, t-shirt and sandals and the person would give me crap about being dressed too casually. The person was in business casual clothes. I was already taking time away from things I like doing on the weekend and I was on unpaid overtime.

My perception on the DC culture is first, it seems like a "live to work" culture. Proof is dealing with my counterparts in the DC area and I worked for another company back in 1996 - the late MCI (based out of VA). On MCI, you were expected to put in face time on Saturday plus the company sponsored community type of events outside of work hours. Again, face time was expected. The same thing with the DoD company I worked for. Here in Colorado, you were pretty well left alone outside of working hours but our counterparts in the DC area were expected to put in face time at community functions.

Second is the expectations that most places want you dressed up. Blue jeans don't cut it. When MCI had those community things outside of work hours, of course, the company dress code applied as well. I hate dressing up especially if there is no reason for it except it is in the rules but yet, no face contact with important type of people like customers. I am happy in a pair of blue jeans and t-shirt/sweatshirt.

Third and most important reason why I resist going to the DC area, it is simple, the very high cost of living. The house I own here in Colorado is paid for. It is not a fancy mansion, only 1800 square feet but it is mine. To get an equivalent place in the DC area, I would have to go into major debt or live very far out and have to spend 3 or 4 hours a day on commuting.

Another reason I resisted my former company on the relocation with their insistence that I had to sell my Colorado home. I would have considered renting if I transferred to DC area with putting in the minimum time of commitment on relocation. After the time requirement was met, I would have looked at the Colorado market and if it improved, I would have have tried to get a job their and get back, hence keeping my home there.

Originally Posted by Tone509

[ SNIP ]

However, I think the region would not be nearly as prosperous as it is now. The perennially hot job market (which I arrived to take advantage of) is fed by the federal concentration of government jobs, the contractors and high-tech companies that want to be near them, as well as various corporate offshoots that serve those entities and each other. Of course, the cost of living is ridiculous. If the federal government could be encouraged to "share the wealth" of federal jobs and disperse them more throughout the country, I'm sure things would become much calmer.

[Tone509]

Originally Posted by coredneck

My perception on the DC culture is first, it seems like a "live to work" culture. Proof is dealing with my counterparts in the DC area and I worked for another company back in 1996 - the late MCI (based out of VA). On MCI, you were expected to put in face time on Saturday plus the company sponsored community type of events outside of work hours. Again, face time was expected. The same thing with the DoD company I worked for. Here in Colorado, you were pretty well left alone outside of working hours but our counterparts in the DC area were expected to put in face time at community functions.

I'd say you're mostly on target about the "live to work" culture here. In many cases, a salaried person working their standard forty hours may be considered a "slacker". The numerous nonprofits and associations here may be a little less intense. The mandatory community service thing seems a little extreme, though. Ouch!

Second is the expectations that most places want you dressed up. Blue jeans don't cut it. When MCI had those community things outside of work hours, of course, the company dress code applied as well. I hate dressing up especially if there is no reason for it except it is in the rules but yet, no face contact with important type of people like customers. I am happy in a pair of blue jeans and t-shirt/sweatshirt.

Yeah, since a hefty portion - if not the majority - of people work in or for the federal government, a certain level of formality is expected. Bare minimum in most cases may mean a collared/polo shirt with slacks or khakis. I'd agree that wearing a suit and tie may be a little much sometimes.

Third and most important reason why I resist going to the DC area, it is simple, the very high cost of living. The house I own here in Colorado is paid for. It is not a fancy mansion, only 1800 square feet but it is mine. To get an equivalent place in the DC area, I would have to go into major debt or live very far out and have to spend 3 or 4 hours a day on commuting.

Yeah, the cost of housing can be a bummer. If you're used to living in a SFH, you will have to adjust your standard of living to a TH if not even a condo. It's not a factor for the many transients who make their mark (and money) here before moving on somewhere else... but it can be a drag for people who want to establish or maintain their roots here.

[Artsywoman]

Nice people in Richmond??? Not!