Hampton Roads vs. NOVA vs. Richmond (Newport News, Alexandria: violent crime, home, neighborhood)

[7citiesVA]

Here is a picture comparison

Missy Blankenship's Homepage: Hampton Roads and NYC comparison from space

[CNI]

7citiesVA,
I know the point you're trying to make.
Many people have a difficult time envisioning what you speak of.
On the surface many people see very little similarities between the setup/arrangement in HR and today's NYC. But I think when you view NYC prior to the boroughs unifying it is easy to see how HR could follow a similar path (if not with the same level of success...or failure...depending upon your view of NYC).
I hope someday HR will get its act together and provide VA with that undisputed "showcase city" that can be our urban alternative with world-class offerings (professional sports, entertainment, employment opportunities, etc.).
I'm rooting for you!
No offense to NoVA but they do seem to forget that they are part of the state of VA and that DC is a completely separate (if not closely tied) entity.

[popalnet]

If you're in the Rosslyn part of Arlington in Nova, you walk over the Key Bridge and in you're in Georgetown in DC in less than 5 minutes. You could be in Crystal City in Nova and be in DC in less than 5 minutes and in Baltimore in 40 minutes in no traffic. You can be in Tysons Corner (Nova)make it to DC in 10 minutes, Bethesda Maryland in less than 20 minutes, and Baltimore in 50 minutes. If this is the case how can you separate DC from NoVa? Okay Baltimore might be stretching it a bit, but it's a part of the metro area.

You could be in Tysons in Nova and commute to another suburb in Nova like Gainesville or Fredericksburg and it will take you well over an hour. How can you then include Gainesville and Fredericksburg as a part of NoVa, yet it takes no time to get to DC or even way less time to get to Baltimore from NoVa, and then say that DC is not a part of NoVa?

Again, no comparison. Just look at sheer population. The CSA metro population of the DC area is well over 8.2 million, as of 2006 (http://www.city-data.com/forum/gener...-areas-us.html) Estimate of 2008 bring the NoVa DC area to almost 9 million. The Hampton Roads entire metro population including all of its cities/counties is only 1.6 million (http://www.city-data.com/forum/gener...-areas-us.html).

In terms of GDP/money, the amount of money that circulates the DC/Nova/Bmore area in one day might be equivalent to a years worth of money that circulates in the HR area.

The only thing that HR has over NoVa is the close proximity to the beach. Even then, I'd rather drive an extra 4 hours and go to Myrtle Beach where the beach is much better. Even Ocean City trumps Virginia Beach. Except OC water temps are a little cold as compared to VA Beach.

[damian]

Originally Posted by popalnet

If you're in the Rosslyn part of Arlington in Nova, you walk over the Key Bridge and in you're in Georgetown in DC in less than 5 minutes. You could be in Crystal City in Nova and be in DC in less than 5 minutes and in Baltimore in 40 minutes in no traffic. You can be in Tysons Corner (Nova)make it to DC in 10 minutes, Bethesda Maryland in less than 20 minutes, and Baltimore in 50 minutes. If this is the case how can you separate DC from NoVa? Okay Baltimore might be stretching it a bit, but it's a part of the metro area.

Too bad that none of your examples are in reality...the traffic in NOVA is suffocating the region.
You could be in Tysons in Nova and commute to another suburb in Nova like Gainesville or Fredericksburg and it will take you well over an hour. How can you then include Gainesville and Fredericksburg as a part of NoVa, yet it takes no time to get to DC or even way less time to get to Baltimore from NoVa, and then say that DC is not a part of NoVa?

NOVA is still Virginia, in fact, you could argue that DC is linked moreso to VA than the revese.

Again, no comparison. Just look at sheer population. The CSA metro population of the DC area is well over 8.2 million, as of 2006 (http://www.city-data.com/forum/gener...-areas-us.html) Estimate of 2008 bring the NoVa DC area to almost 9 million. The Hampton Roads entire metro population including all of its cities/counties is only 1.6 million (http://www.city-data.com/forum/gener...-areas-us.html).
Actually, you cant compare the two since there is no CSA for Hampton Roads. If and when it merges with Richmond MSA to form a CSA, then it would be over 3 million.

In terms of GDP/money, the amount of money that circulates the DC/Nova/Bmore area in one day might be equivalent to a years worth of money that circulates in the HR area.

The only thing that HR has over NoVa is the close proximity to the beach. Even then, I'd rather drive an extra 4 hours and go to Myrtle Beach where the beach is much better. Even Ocean City trumps Virginia Beach. Except OC water temps are a little cold as compared to VA Beach.

Typical NOVA snobbery. How exactly does OC trump VA Beach? and go ahead drive the closer to 5 to 6 extra hours to MB, to a so-called much better beach...besides, one thing that you forget that is in in HR's sphere....the OBX, hands down the best beaches on the east coast

[snosurfa7]

Ok, to each their own - everybody loves something different, NoVa and DC is for some but not for others. It has its merits if you are into that kinda stuff - museums, shopping, etc. But from an outdoorsman/waterman perspective, it is kinda dull and takes forever to escape on a weekend.

But all this talk about NoVa and all the money it makes - who cares? Is that what defines how "great" an area is? And they still want to take more money from tax payers across Virginia to pay for their roads.

And VA Beach is weak? Maybe if all you visit is the oceanfront...what about biking down to catch an empty break in False Cape State park (thats VA beach still..) - that is priceless. Then there are Sandbridge, Croatan, North End beaches which are all distinct in their own way. And yeah only 2 hours from the outer banks - no disputing that as a top beach in our country. And Ocean City is only 3 hours too if you want to eat some good boardwalk food. And if you are lucky enough to have a jon boat or kayak and some local knowledge you could head out to the eastern shore barrier islands only 30 minutes away for a true private beach experience (though some are owned by the Nature Conservancy and you have to set up a trip). Myrtle sucks unless you like golf and sitting around.

I can see the geographical comparision you are trying to pull between NYC and HR, I'll give yall that. Once again, to each their own, but I'm not just not a fan of NYC. Too urban. Too cosmopolitan. If HR ever becomes that urban, I'm out of here and headed back to the mountains of VA...At least now I still see some corn fields on the way to work...

[popalnet]

7CitiesVa - you do have a point about the similarities between NYC and HR from a geographical standpoint. The satelite image speaks for itself. Never knew that. I just meant from an urbanization/culture/things to do point of view that you can't compare NYC to HR.

On the comment about OBX - I agree OBX does have some of the nicest beaches on the east coast. OBX probably my second favorite after South Florida beaches. Only reason I like Myrtle Beach better than VA Beach is because it's more commercialized and I thought the ocean water quality was a bit cleaner and clearer - also much warmer. Myrtle Beach also has more of a vacation feel with all of its palm trees and things to do. VA Beach does have a few palm trees, but there isn't a lot and not that noticeable.

MB isn't that far from Nova as people would think. According to google maps from Woodbridge (near Springfield in NoVa) to North MB it's 398 miles. From VA Beach to North Myrtle Beach it's 341
miles. I've made it to MB in 6 hours.

All in all I agree that it's all based on personal preference. I just like more of an urbanized area. That's why I love NYC.

Nova is what it is today because of DC. if DC didn't exist, there would be no Nova.

[CNI]

Originally Posted by popalnet

If this is the case how can you separate DC from NoVa? Okay Baltimore might be stretching it a bit, but it's a part of the metro area.

To the best of my knowledge...
NoVA residents cannot vote in DC.
NoVA residents cannot qualify for DC or MD in-state resident tuition rates.
If DC had a residency requirement for public office NoVA residents would not meet it.
Etc, etc.

That's how I separate NoVA from DC.
NoVA residents are VA residents.
DC is its own entity.
And I think many DC residents will make that very clear.

[popalnet]

You're totally right and I agree with you 100%. I was in no way saying that Nova is the same city as DC. All I'm saying is Nova is a major part of the DC metro area - that's all.

[ToughLuv]

Originally Posted by popalnet

If you're in the Rosslyn part of Arlington in Nova, you walk over the Key Bridge and in you're in Georgetown in DC in less than 5 minutes. You could be in Crystal City in Nova and be in DC in less than 5 minutes and in Baltimore in 40 minutes in no traffic. You can be in Tysons Corner (Nova)make it to DC in 10 minutes, Bethesda Maryland in less than 20 minutes, and Baltimore in 50 minutes. If this is the case how can you separate DC from NoVa? Okay Baltimore might be stretching it a bit, but it's a part of the metro area.

You could be in Tysons in Nova and commute to another suburb in Nova like Gainesville or Fredericksburg and it will take you well over an hour. How can you then include Gainesville and Fredericksburg as a part of NoVa, yet it takes no time to get to DC or even way less time to get to Baltimore from NoVa, and then say that DC is not a part of NoVa?

Again, no comparison. Just look at sheer population. The CSA metro population of the DC area is well over 8.2 million, as of 2006 (http://www.city-data.com/forum/gener...-areas-us.html) Estimate of 2008 bring the NoVa DC area to almost 9 million. The Hampton Roads entire metro population including all of its cities/counties is only 1.6 million (http://www.city-data.com/forum/gener...-areas-us.html).

In terms of GDP/money, the amount of money that circulates the DC/Nova/Bmore area in one day might be equivalent to a years worth of money that circulates in the HR area.

The only thing that HR has over NoVa is the close proximity to the beach. Even then, I'd rather drive an extra 4 hours and go to Myrtle Beach where the beach is much better. Even Ocean City trumps Virginia Beach. Except OC water temps are a little cold as compared to VA Beach.

There seems to be some frustration behind this post, Your arrogance is through the roof, You've even resulted to throwing up money, Just remember what ever city you live in, in NoVa says: city, VA. Not DC or MD. I am from Baltimore, MD and we dont claim a single piece of NoVa or associate ourselves with you all. We are hard-working everyday blue-collar people, nothing like NoVa. And the people of DC will disclaim themselves from NoVa in a heartbeat.

Now lets talk about the areas in VA that actually have something going for them INSIDE their respected boundaries, you know things that are actually within the VA state line.

[DC's Finest]

Popalnet is right! And as a Washingtonian, I would like to shed some light on this topic. NOVA is definitely a major part of the DC fabric. Just look at the attitudes, lifestyle, etc.. Believe it or not, many people in NOVA dont consider themselves Virginians. I view NOVA (some parts of it) as an extension of the city in some aspect.

One factor that binds this area is the Metro. The Metro gives you the perception that all three (DC, MD, VA) jurisdictions are one big cohesive unit. In fact, I can leave my office in urban Bethesda, MD and hop on the train and be at urban Pentagon City, VA in less than 40 minutes on a good day. We also share the same sports teams (Skins, Nats, Caps, Wiz, United).

Fact is, most people in DC hate VA (the state) because of its conservativeness and backwards a$$ attitudes. NOVA is more connected to DC than the rest of VA as recent voting patterns have shown. At the end of the day, we are all Washingtonians! I can make the same case for Montgomery County & PG County on the Maryland side. They are definitley influenced by DC than Baltimore.