Is anyone happy living in NOVA? (Richmond: crimes, restaurants, shop)

[saganista]

Unless there is some reason to believe that crime somehow goes unreported far more frequently in Fairfax County than it does in other jurisdictions, the relative conclusions drawn above remain valid.

[Fern435]

Originally Posted by saganista

Unless there is some reason to believe that crime somehow goes unreported far more frequently in Fairfax County than it does in other jurisdictions, the relative conclusions drawn above remain valid.

Right. Clearly, you must always have the last word.

Not everyone has to believe that this is the best place to live. Remember, this is a tolerant place!

[springfieldva]

Originally Posted by walkingnoelle

Sorry to break some people's bubble, but there is actual crime in northern Virginia. Plenty more in DC and Maryland, so if you are using them as the comparison, then yes, this is probably the safest part of the DC region.

Is this some kind of cult-brainwashing where people cannot acknowledge that crime exists here?

Much of my family and friends have lived in the Northern Virginia area for many years. None of us (thank God) has been the victim of a crime in all the years we have been here.

Part of this is because we have learned which areas to avoid. Part of it is because we've learned to be aware of our surroundings. And, yes, part of it is simply good luck (knock on wood).

I don't think the safety of an area has much to do with the size of the homes. Ex: I would feel just as safe in a condo in Burke as I would in a McMansion in Burke. It is a safe area.

[Fern435]

Originally Posted by springfieldva

Much of my family and friends have lived in the Northern Virginia area for many years. None of us (thank God) has been the victim of a crime in all the years we have been here.

Part of this is because we have learned which areas to avoid. Part of it is because we've learned to be aware of our surroundings. And, yes, part of it is simply good luck (knock on wood).

I don't think the safety of an area has much to do with the size of the homes. Ex: I would feel just as safe in a condo in Burke as I would in a McMansion in Burke. It is a safe area.

This isn't meant to be picky; I'm just curious where the highlighted part was brought up in this thread. Did someone link crime with the size of homes or density of housing?

I think the West Springfield/Burke/Fairfax area is a great area. We are very grateful we moved here. It's a beautiful, convenient area with friendly people and surprisingly lower housing costs.

[saganista]

Originally Posted by walkingnoelle

Right. Clearly, you must always have the last word. Not everyone has to believe that this is the best place to live. Remember, this is a tolerant place!

I'm not asking people to believe anything. Love NoVa, hate NoVa, that's entirely up to you. I'm merely pointing out that the crime statistics here justify more in the way of reassurance than alarmism, and that people not familiar with the area should understand that while the traffic can be bad and the cost of living can be high, the need to worry over crime is about as close to non-existent here as it is anywhere...

[springfieldva]

I think a few people linked income (ie wealth) with neighborhood safety. In Burke, condos tend to be less expensive than Mcmansions.

[blueva]

I grew up in Northern Virginia - and what I will say about it. Im from Loudoun County.
What I dont like is because its position, its at this North-South divide, and you have so many people who dont want to associate with anything Southern, they will tell you "Im not from Virginia, I'm from NOVA".

There is natural beauty here- though The Bull Run and Contoctain mountains. Horse Country in Loudoun/Fauquier areas- Oatlands Plantation, etc.

Also the traffic can be very hellish experience. Contrary to what some might think- NOVAns are not pushy drivers. They are USED to sitting in traffic all day so honking the horn is not really of use to them. They can be more aloof.

I feel that Virginia is in a state of flux, and NOVA respresents that big culture shift between North and South, so living here you will feel pulled in those directions. When you hit Richmond you seem to finally feel like you're really in the South, and you have less of that North-South dicatomy (sp?) shift.

Just my 2 cents. Also a lot of peeople who um, aren't quite legal in the area and speak little to no English.

[blueva]

Originally Posted by Artsywoman

DC Northern VA native here. I now live in Florida, but DC is my home and I will always love it and sometimes hate certain things about it. Your husband would find a great job there and there is a lot of military there. It is very very expensive to live there and I mean the houses are almost too high, unless you have a lot of money. I left because I wanted a slower pace and lower rents. Otherwise, they have great schools and colleges there, a lot of beautiful parks and Museums. There is a lot of culture. There is on the other hand a big illegal immigrant problem, no affordable housing and a lot of people are social climbing, workaholic types. I grew up there and was immune to that and there are nice people there, it is just a shock for people coming from the south or West. Its a different lifestyle and fast pace. Since I was f rom the north, the shock of living in the South was a lot to take. I am used to it now. Every place has its good and bad.

How is Virginia the North? Ironically Florida, IMO is much less Southern than VA. Yes its much further South, but South of Jacksonville its basically the North again.

[stacylee926]

Originally Posted by blueva

How is Virginia the North? Ironically Florida, IMO is much less Southern than VA. Yes its much further South, but South of Jacksonville its basically the North again.

Northern VA is the NORTH. You can rarely find Sweet Tea at restaurants.

Go South of Richmond, and you have all the Sweet Tea you can drink.

[stockdale.35]

Originally Posted by stacylee926

Northern VA is the NORTH. You can rarely find Sweet Tea at restaurants.

Go South of Richmond, and you have all the Sweet Tea you can drink.

It really depends where you go in NoVa to find sweet tea, just doubt that many people know of these places.
1.Rocklands BBQ
2.Sweet Water Tavern
3.The Cracker Barrel
4.Any BBQ in VA
5.The Polo Grill
6.Wawa Gas station(I know its odd)
7.Find the small places, especially outskirts of the beltway.

BTW, the metro area is a category of its self, NOT North not South, its mid atlantic. I have been to NJ NY PA MD and DC is nothing like them.

other than that like stacy said head to Richmond, all along the way you will find it. Bojangles, and other places like that start popping up. DC is not North its Mid atlantic, its nothing like MD PA NJ NY MA. Its its own category