Are people more stuck up in Fairfax or Loudoun County? (Arlington: lease, house)

[Tom Lennox 70]

People are definitely a lot more uppity and stuck up in Fairfax. Keep in mind Fairfax was ranked one of the top richest counties in the entire country, on the same level as Long Island and Orange County. Arlington, Alexandria, Tyson's Corner, and Rosslyn are yuppie elite central. John McCain's brother referred to Fairfax County as communist country, it is filled with yuppie, snobby, liberal elitist people who not only like to show off their wealth (or borrowed wealth thanks to credit cards, a common practice among yuppies) but also feel they are more intelligent, educated, or enlightened than anyone else. McLean is also a very exclusive, elite suburb of DC and is in Fairfax County. Tysons Corner is also one of the most expensive, upscale malls in the entire country. I don't think there is a single Walmart in Fairfax.

Loudoun County is more newer suburbia mixed with rural. Sadly its rural character is disappearing quickly. I think in the outer reaches of Loudoun there are still small rural towns that are authentic small town USA while practically ALL of Fairfax is built up and high density. However Loudoun is one of the fastest growing areas in the country and while its not AS snobby as Fairfax it can feel quite stuck up, shallow, and unfriendly compared to let's say Charlottesville, Winchester or Lynchburg. Most people in Northern Virginia in general are not native, they are either from up north or from other countries. While there are many illegals there are also lots of rich legal immigrants who were in the upper class in Third World countries like India which contributes to the elitism and pretentiousness. As for the much larger waves of people from the New York area.....no explanation is necessary.

[ScranBarre]

Actually, not to disagree with some of your other observations, but Loudoun County now outearns Fairfax County.

[athousandlogins]

Originally Posted by Tom Lennox 70

I don't think there is a single Walmart in Fairfax.

There are Wal-Marts in Fair Lakes, Burke, and the FFX County portion of Alexandria.

But you know, what good are facts when you can quote some odd insult from the noted scholar "John McCain's brother?"

[mdcrim]

I just can't equate "snooty" with a lot of the other chararacteristics the OP is talking about-"overeducated, competitive, McMansion loving, volvo driving, Sub Zero refrigerator coveting, keeping up with the Jones type of people".

Just because someone has multiple degrees, is competitive (competition can be good), lives in a big house, drives an import, has nice stuff in their house doesn't mean the give a hoot what the Joneses are doing.

I can personally admit to some of these things-I have a degree (one is fine with me), I am relatively competitive (not to the point of being obnoxious), I live in a cookie cutter neighborhood in a house that is probably a small step down from a McMansion (I had to live in not-as-desirable areas, sell, buy other properties at opportune times, sell, etc and basically work my way up), no Volvo for me-we're an Acura family, I would love a SubZero but prioritize where I spend my money and that is just not a huge priority and I could give a rats-patootie what the Joneses are doing.

That being said, I don't think I'm snooty at all. I am actually probably completely different than you would expect from someone that has some of the qualities that would make you define people as snooty. I have tattoos, ride motorcycles, snowboard. That doesn't prohibit me from getting along really well with my neighbors, who are some of the nicest people I've ever met. Fact is, this weekend is probably going to be spent going from neighbors house to neighbors house for various barbecues while the kids all hang out together. Doesn't get any better than this.

I haven't seen snooty or maybe I just don't care what other people think...

I live in Loudoun County, by the way.

[Fairfax Mom]

JEB77 - you hit the nail right on the head!

Sorry - I also like to stir the pot a little on this forum - its getting a little tame again.....

[HEATHER72]

I guess us Prince William County folk aren't snooty. Do you really think a county line stops the "snooties"? After living in the area for awhile now, I've never met anyone like the OP has mentioned. No one cares what my degree is or what I do or don't do. I've found everyone to be friendly.


-- Signed the Bachelor degreed owner of a 8 year old Volvo and McMansion with only a bisque colored GE fridge, but others do covet my front yard

[Fairfax Mom]

HEATHER - I know I am over generalizing - I know people cannot be put into little categories - I guess I was just trying to find out which county I might like more - in general.
And I do like Volvos - just foolin around -
McMansions are going out of style anyway - I would love to live in a restored Victorian

[normie]

Originally Posted by HEATHER72

Do you really think a county line stops the "snooties"? .

LOL! Hmmmm... I smell a campaign promise for the next up and coming politician! We need a Stop the Snooties program!

I'm envisioning inspection stations along all the roads that lead into the county... anyone caught entering Loudoun with a case of the snooties will be fined!!!! And the grocery stores can dispense anti-snooty lotion that people can rub on their hands before entering public places.

[normie]

Originally Posted by Fairfax Mom

I would love to live in a restored Victorian

It's always great to see other people restoring a bunch of old houses, especially if they really make it a work of love, sort of like the homes in Cape May. Not a project I'd like to take on myself--old houses aren't that energy efficient and they need a lot of work. A lot of work, and a lot of money. Besides, everyone has different tastes, my taste is for the cookie cutter houses built about a decade ago. But I'm glad other people like other types of architecture, it adds to the variety and color of a neighborhood.

[twinmma]

I live in Ashburn and I would say I am pretty down to earth and so are my neighbors. I live in a single family home that is 15 years old (we bought it a year and a half ago) on a tree lined street where the neighbors gather at the end of the cul de sac and watch their kids play. Most on our street drive your standard cars: Honda Accords and Pilots, Mini Vans, and Toyotas. I was a stay at home mom for 2 years and recently went back to work. My husband and I both have bachelor degrees. We spend what we can afford.
My point is I find most people in Ashburn like this. Educated, outgoing...
I think people tend to live near people like them. For example when we bought our home we looked at many. One in particular was more of a Mc Mansion type (in our price range b/c it was destroyed...Ended up selling for $490K when the houses around it were going in the high $600K range. We didn't buy that house. Although it was probably the best investment in terms of money it just didn't have the feel in the neighborhood that we wanted. The trees were not mature, seemed like all the neighbors were into decorating to out do one another (it was Christmas time) and yet they all were inside their homes. We found the home we are in and loved that we saw the kids out playing and the modestly decorated homes. We paid a little more than that McMansion home but I can tell you I am pretty happy here. I do wish I had the nicer kitchen (ours needs updated...) but I figure we can do that down the road and be with the type of people who are like us: Hard working, down to earth.
If you do decide to buy here in Loudoun just check out all the different neighborhoods. There are stuck up people in Ashburn, Sterling, Fairfax, Centreville, Middleburg, Aldie...Everywhere!