Finally, moving back home to PA..

[Peterbilt379]

It is definitely better here in Saxonburg. Guess, VA is another chapter. We all have to take chances to better ourselfs..I'll update more on Monday..

[ScranBarre]

Originally Posted by Peterbilt379

Can't wait. Virginia sucks, my advice is never move to Virginia.

Preach it!

[ScranBarre]

Originally Posted by hinsey86

There is So much more character to be had here.

That's why I'm seriously studying Pittsburgh---and more specifically old mill towns like Vandergrift---as a place to relocate to after I obtain my Master's Degree. NoVA looks like a never-ending Cranberry Township with nothing but subdivisions filled with ugly vinyl-clad homes, chain restaurants, parking lots, big-box stores, etc. It's a VERY depressing environment with very few redeeming qualities. I was stuck in traffic here today (on Saturday), and am certain I'll hit more traffic jams tomorrow (Sunday). Give me a $50,000 "dump" of a home in Vandergrift with its hardwood flooring, natural woodwork, and gracious front porch ANYDAY over a $550,000 4 BR/3 BA McMansion with a dominating front-facing garage.

[ScranBarre]

Originally Posted by szug-bot

this is my first post on this incredible website. too bad it will go something like this...

what kind of company did you keep? honestly, "virginia sucks"? are you crazy? this state is beautiful. there is plenty to do. it is the home to very significant events in our country's history.

i live in northern VA - Washington is just a short car ride away.
this state's government is one of the most efficient in the United States.

i actually hope to relocate back to PA (my state of birth) before the end of 2009, but I must say i am absolutely floored at hearing that "virginia sucks"!

So you like ugly residential housing developments, traffic jams, horrible mass transit, socioeconomic segregation, big-box stores, chain restaurants, large egos, people who care more about your status than your inner workings, overpriced housing, high gas prices, people who wear sunglasses and "pose" at night at lame chain bars in faux downtowns, etc., etc.? I'm sorry, but Fairfax County has a tremendous number of "issues" that I just can't get past. I moved to Reston earlier this year and still feel like I'm living in a hotel room instead of being a contributing member of a tight-knit community, even though I've joined a church, helped out at the library, attended political meetings, etc. There's just no sense of permanence here. Everyone's in a rush, looking out for themselves, and is generally not interested in befriending you unless it can be found to be advantageous for them or their careers. People here define themselves by where they went to college, what car they drive, their salary, and where they work (and how many hours they work). It's sad to see a culture so heavily focused on one-upping one another.

[Fiddlehead]

Great rant! Rarely do they combine bile with substantive critique so well.

I think the person above was just mentioning that Virginia has many beautiful features, which is true. A lot like California, I suppose. But I do get the sense of suburban sprawl hell you are reacting against. I have seen it in many places, and it is no less appealing there. We really need to think a bit about how to build communities in the modern era. Most places developed in the last 50 years leave me pretty cold too.

[ScranBarre]

Originally Posted by Fiddlehead

Great rant! Rarely do they combine bile with substantive critique so well.

I think the person above was just mentioning that Virginia has many beautiful features, which is true. A lot like California, I suppose. But I do get the sense of suburban sprawl hell you are reacting against. I have seen it in many places, and it is no less appealing there. We really need to think a bit about how to build communities in the modern era. Most places developed in the last 50 years leave me pretty cold too.

This is why I would love to live in Pittsburgh. The people of the Steel City wouldn't know what would hit them as I'd pound the pavement doing everything I could to make a good city great. Pittsburgh has the "bones" and the skin---it just needs to work on flexing its muscle. NoVA has eveything except soul, and you really can't fix that---it's too late unless someone drops a nuclear bomb on Tyson's Corner and says "let's try it again."

[Hopes]

Originally Posted by ScranBarre

This is why I would love to live in Pittsburgh. The people of the Steel City wouldn't know what would hit them as I'd pound the pavement doing everything I could to make a good city great. Pittsburgh has the "bones" and the skin---it just needs to work on flexing its muscle.

From reading your posts over the past three years, I KNOW you would become a passionate activist for Pittsburgh if you lived here!

Hope you can make it here soon!

[pman]

I don't like NoVa either

[Tiger Beer]

Originally Posted by ScranBarre

That's why I'm seriously studying Pittsburgh---and more specifically old mill towns like Vandergrift---as a place to relocate to after I obtain my Master's Degree. NoVA looks like a never-ending Cranberry Township with nothing but subdivisions filled with ugly vinyl-clad homes, chain restaurants, parking lots, big-box stores, etc. It's a VERY depressing environment with very few redeeming qualities.

I'm not in Pittsburgh either, but it is certainly a place I am seriously looking into.

I have also driven around in the DC area and absolutely hated NOVA...however, DC itself looked pretty cool, tons of really interesting architecture, etc. Granted the prices are insane - BUT not anymore insane than NOVA.

Why not try living within the District of Colombia itself?

[szug-bot]

Originally Posted by ScranBarre

So you like ugly residential housing developments, traffic jams, horrible mass transit, socioeconomic segregation...large egos, people who care more about your status than your inner workings, overpriced housing, high gas prices...I'm sorry, but Fairfax County has a tremendous number of "issues" that I just can't get past. I moved to Reston earlier this year and still feel like I'm living in a hotel room instead of being a contributing member of a tight-knit community, even though I've joined a church, helped out at the library, attended political meetings, etc. There's just no sense of permanence here. Everyone's in a rush, looking out for themselves, and is generally not interested in befriending you unless it can be found to be advantageous for them or their careers...It's sad to see a culture so heavily focused on one-upping one another.

haha - i live in reston as well! just a few minutes walk from the town center. God, i hate it.

i agree with ALL that you have said, but i think your post is unfair.

i would actually prefer to live in north arlington or the District over fairfax county. falls church, vienna (the town, not the sprawling zip code!), clarendon, ballston, virginia square, and mclean are all wonderful places. all of NW DC is great, and parts of NE really arent so bad. DC is a beautiful, inspiring city.

fairax county does have ugly housing developments, but plenty of beautiful ones, too. try those off of the reston parkway near the fair lakes area. ever hear of mclean? falls church has beautiful streets as well.

your characterizations about the people are exaggerated. its an upscale area. there are simply different tastes and priorities because of that. the economy is robust, and so people are rushed, and expect and want the best for themselves. i could derive negative generalizations about pittsburgh if i wanted to. there are definite characteristics about pittsburgh that might not please someone else.

people in pittsburgh arent "rushed"? wow - have you driven the parkway at all in your life?