How does NoVa compare to similar regions around the country (living, cost)
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I noticed there are a lot of regions in America that may as well be the same city. Northeast Ohio. Southwest Ohio is moving in that direction. New Jersey outside of New York City. New Jersey outside of Philadelphia. Dallas/Ft. Worth. Georgia. California. Where does Northern Virginia fit into this equation? I know how it compares to Hampton Roads and Richmond MSA. But I am interested in hearing how it compares to similar situations in other states.
I'd say the Northern Atlanta suburbs are probably the most similar to NOVA in terms of development, housing and diversity. Orange county has some similarities, though it's kind of in its own category.
I would have to say that the pretentiousness and self-importance of the named areas are similar with the edge to the Montgomery Counties in Maryland band Pennsylvania.
NoVA is where the Sunbelt meets the modern mid-Atlantic. Its density levels and rail transit coverage (for inner NoVA anyway) are more similar to urban regions to the north whereas the newer built environment is pretty reminiscent of places in the Sunbelt. Old Town Alexandria somewhat sticks out like a sore thumb in a good way and is definitely something you don't see in a lot of other suburban regions. NoVA lacks an actual traditional city that acts as an urban anchor a la Camden, Newark/Jersey City, etc. which is pretty much a result of the DC area being mostly white collar.
NoVA is where the Sunbelt meets the modern mid-Atlantic. Its density levels and rail transit coverage (for inner NoVA anyway) are more similar to urban regions to the north whereas the newer built environment is pretty reminiscent of places in the Sunbelt. Old Town Alexandria somewhat sticks out like a sore thumb in a good way and is definitely something you don't see in a lot of other suburban regions. NoVA lacks an actual traditional city that acts as an urban anchor a la Camden, Newark/Jersey City, etc. which is pretty much a result of the DC area being mostly white collar.
Agreed -- parts of NOVA do remind me of the area around Atlanta, but NOVA feels much more dense, at least in the inner suburbs. Also, Arlington, both the orange line stretch through Courthouse, Clarendon and Ballston and the Blue Line through Pentagon City and Crystal City is pretty dense, as you say, there isn't an anchor city, but walkable, dense neighborhoods with high-rise living.
Combo of Northern ATL Burbs and parts of suburban Philly away from the Main Line. The Tysons/King of Prussia parallel is on the money. The extensive and massive defense contractor presence throughout NOVA gives me a taste of Orange County/South Bay LA county in some ways as well. Tysons also reminds me of the area around South Coast Plaza in OC as well. This has nothing to do with anything, but I used to drive by Northrop Grumman’s offices in Redondo Beach all the time and see their HQ from the train during my commute to Tysons.
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