Northern Virginia has gone downhill in the last 20 years (Richmond: housing, rent)

[Dingler]

When I came to Northern Virginia 20 years ago it was so nice. In fact it reminded me of many Cities I use to live in the Midwest. Move ahead to the year 2007 and it is not so nice anymore.

Here are my complaints:

They cut down thousands of trees all over Fairfax County for cookie cutter development. I am shocked every time I drive around how ugly everything is getting. It use to be somewhat rural and wooded here. The most successful job in Northern VA is clearing forests for subdivisions and strip malls.

The people are kind of unfriendly. I use to think of this area as a Southern place. People use to be nice and friendly. Now, it is more like being in suburban New York. It is harsh with alot of rude people and neighbors that no longer seem to give a dam about each other. (of course with exceptions) We gave up on the block parties five years ago when they could not get anyone to show up. Even a wave between neighbors is uncommon now days. I talk to many people around here with the same observation.

To much ethic diversity. (I know I am not being PC) The schools have gone down hill fast due to so many students who do not speak English. Everyone seems to break into their own little ethnic groups and ignore everyone else. There seems to be little mixing of people and the White people are now a minority in my town. I would welcome the ethnic diversity-- if people mixed regardless of their ethnic background.

Traffic is incredible and cost of living sky high. I want out!

[5stones]

Well part of the problem is that it is a very trainsient place. The Govern't brings MANY jobs here but alot of people are like us, here for the two- three year stint then move on. No-one gets to know the neighbors because it's constantly rotating who lives here.
And yes a huge immigrant population as well. so it's very diverse but groups will search out and fiond each other. Such as with the problem facing the building of that Huge new Korean church in Vienna.

I lived here 30 years ago and I seriously cry when I drive down old route 659 and see a development being built on my families old cattle ranch. The forest and fields where I used to ride my horse are gone. But I too can be blamed because we bought a house in leesburg that is the type I HATE "cookie cutter" mess of a neighborhood on an old farm. But what could we do? We had to move here and we had to have a house.

No place is like it was 20 years ago. more population and more urban sprawl! Who thought that MONTANA would have a huge METH problem among it's teens??!!

[vickilynn]

Your post has me feeling "down" 5stones...maybe it is just because I am getting older, so I can "wax nostalgic" every once in a while myself?

I am actually selling the home my grandfather had built when he married in 1928. I have held onto it, renting it when we have moved other places for work, but it is getting to be too much to keep it up, and I haven't done the greatest job and it needs some inside cosmetic work and updating. I can only imagine what it will be like to come back and see the changes. No matter where I have gone in the world, this house has been an anchor.

I also do not like "cookie cutter" houses. Last night I told my husband that because of financial considerations, I feel like my search for where we will live in VA is based only on where we can afford to sleep, and not for whether or not we love the community. Realistic, but sad. I am hoping we will find a place we can afford and one that we feel at home in also.

I have only vacationed in VA a few times and driven through many, but it is such a gorgeous state...I am so looking forward to settling in.

[vasinger]

I totally agree !

I grew up in Northern Virginia. I was born in 1979 in Leesburg. It might have been a totally different country back then.

It was very different in Loudoun county in the late 80s and early 90s. They seemed to have a second wave of "immigration" somewhere around 1997 or so. I moved to Richmond in 1998, my late mother's hometown.

I go back to visit every now and then. I sure dont miss it. They just keep building and building. Its like they'll never stop till they destroy every bit of country. Luckily Western Loudoun still seems right well preserved . Still has that horse country feel to it.

But anywhere east of Leesburg is a mess. I just can't stand Fairfax county. Depresses the hell out of me.

I am a musician and play up there a few times. Its just not a place you want to live. Its ok to visit. But my sis went to George Mason U. and she didnt like it either.

Its just a bland, vanilla milkshake up there.

[5stones]

that's why I really love the Leesburg/Purceville area even though it's grown tremendously you can drive just a few minutes and be in farm/ranch land.
So it doesn't feel so clostrophobic. Yes, I had to buy in a development with all the houses looking the same, it's a great family neighborhood and has a community pool etc.. SO it's nice for the kids.


vickilynn,
don't worry NOVA is pretty (esp. spring the cherry/pear trees in bloom) and there are plenty of nice communities. Yes housing is more expensive here, but it's a buyers market and lots houses in nice neighborhoods are under 400k now.(out here near Leesburg) Plus the schools are great! most neighborhoods have swimming pools etc... And you are close to DC we go in about once a month to see the museums etc... The beach is close (VA beach aprox 4hours) OUter banks of NC is aprox 5hours. Williamsburg is 3 hours. SO while yes there are negatives...there are lots of positives as well.

[Alanboy395]

i agree that NoVA has gotten colder and more expensive even though i've been here only since 04. HR is more friendly and cheaper it's problem is it doesn't have the jobs. but i love the diversity unlike any other place in the world.

[richmondpics]

I'm about to head down to Richmond for the weekend, and I'm about to face one of the reasons I'm not a fan of NoVa.... TRAFFIC.. and more specifically I-95 traffic which, from Occoquan to Fredericksburg is down right horrible.

I love it when the highway opens up south of Fredericksburg.

[allivant]

You know all these plans for building and sprawl have been in the county's master plan for the past 20 years or so. I found this out when I went to a meeting to discuss the future construction by Fair Oaks Mall. There's not much anyone can do about it. You'd think that the obvious parking shortage in every neighborhood would prompt a change. I am however bothered by homeowners who have several cars and take up guest parking spots. They knew the situation when buying their homes.

[vasinger]

Northern Virginia used to be very conservative. Now its turning into a blue area.
That's another reason it sucks.

[dullnboring]

I don't think any of the reasons listed for the area going downhill are unique to Northern Virginia. Ugly sprawl paving over fields and small towns with a sea of strip malls and cookie-cutter houses? Yep, but you could say the same about suburban Chicago, Raleigh, Atlanta, Phoenix, Kansas City, Dallas, etc. Unfriendly people? Of course. The area is becoming more fast-paced and urban and as is the case in many such places, people have "less time" for manners. Ethnic diversity? Yep, but I don't see it as a negative and don't really think it's a big deal if white people are a minority in some sections and I dispute the fact that people stick to themselves. I've found the area to be very integrated, residentially and socially. Perhaps the older generation less so where there are more cultural and linguistic barriers between neighbors but amongst my generation, I see very little segregation.

Truthfully, as someone who never knew of this "quaint, friendly, lite-Southern Northern Virginia", I haven't seen much changes for the worse over the years I've lived here; at least no more than what any other similar community is going through across the nation. The only areas where I've seen significant change has been the volume of traffic, the ridiculously exorbitant price of housing, and the sprawl going further and further outwards, all of which are not unique to Northern Virginia. Perhaps the topic should be titled "America has gone downhill the last 20 years"?