What do you like or dislike about Northern Virginia ? (Arlington: apartments, renting)

[Hazel B.]

As a military family, we have lived all over the country, so I have lots to compare NOVA to.

Likes: diversity, easy access to D.C. and all of its museums and events, living so close to the center of our nation's politics, big trees, lots of shopping (hey, when you've lived in WV you appreciate having lots of choices), good education, density of jobs, our friendly suburban neighborhood, proximity to our families in the Midwest and New England (we're right in the middle), healthcare options, and an abundance of recreational and community education course offerings.

Dislikes: humidity, high price of homes, camel crickets (ewwwww), bad winter drivers, ugliness of some of the commercial areas, competitive nature of schools, my husband's long commute

[stpickrell]

Originally Posted by Fairfax Mom

I like to hear from someone like Moved Often who has actually lived in several differtnt locations and know people here are aloof - I hate hearing from people who have never lived anywhere else - they really dont know what they are talking about.

So anyone who doesn't share your disdain for this region are people who "don't know what they are talking about"?

[FindingZen]

Let's keep this friendly.

[JD984]

Likes: Nice housing, good schools, people who look after their children and property, access to one of nation's top (if sometimes challenged) Metro systems, diverse population, good dining options (particularly ethnic), people with can-do attitude, absence of seriously decaying/abandoned areas (a la Baltimore), proximity to cultural attractions, four seasons.

Dislikes: Traffic, absence of traditional downtowns, newcomers who complain about problems to which they contribute, unfriendliness and lack of basic social skills of some residents, dearth of good 24-hour diners, did I mention traffic?

And, yes, I've lived in other places besides this area, so can compare NoVa to small towns, mid-sized towns, and cities ranging from 200,000 to 8 million.

[Caladium]

Originally Posted by JEB77

And, yes, I've lived in other places besides this area, so can compare NoVa to small towns, mid-sized towns, and cities ranging from 200,000 to 8 million.

Me too... and I think the vast majority of people in Nova have, as well. For example, check out the number of different states and countries most of the people on this forum have lived in:

//www.city-data.com/forum/north...ur-states.html


Nova attracts a lot of highly educated people, and they often also tend to be people who've lived in a variety of places. That's another of the things I really like bout living here, it makes the people interesting and conversations more varied. Add that to my "likes" list.

[Nancy in Nokomis]

stpickrell - that is NOT what I said - I stated that if you have never lived anywhere else you really do no have anything to compare this area to (GOOD or BAD) and you do not know what you are taling about - and I have the right to my opinion without being attacked.

[terrence81]

Originally Posted by Fairfax Mom

stpickrell - that is NOT what I said - I stated that if you have never lived anywhere else you really do no have anything to compare this area to (GOOD or BAD) and you do not know what you are taling about - and I have the right to my opinion without being attacked.

Well just because someone disagrees with your opinion doesn't mean that they're attacking you. I thought the question is what do you like and dislike. One doesn't have to live in a multitude of places to like or dislike something.

[terrence81]

Okay my go:

Likes: job opportunities, opportunities for nightlife in the District but still living in Virginia, more shopping than my hometown, living in a diverse melting pot type of neighborhood, my friends,

dislike: The prices!!! The traffic!!! The weather hot summers without the benefit of warmer winters (than points further south). People are less friendly here than Georgia.

[NOVA_almost_native]

At this point, my response is hardly unique, but here goes:

Likes: close to family; winters aren't extremely cold (though still too cold for me); proximity to museums and historical attractions; lots of shopping and dining options; quality schools (and a great selection of public universities, though that isn't NoVa-specific).

Dislikes: hideous traffic; rush "hour" lasts about 8 hours a day (4 in the morning, 4 in the afternoon/evening); absurd housing prices; new housing is all McMansions/townhouses/condos, none of which I want (I can't believe that not one builder builds modest single-family homes in Ffx Co. Not one!); poor/nonexistent urban planning; just plain too many people. I could go on and on, but I won't.

[pcity]

I think most people have covered my likes/dislikes already (traffic sucks, jobs are awesome, etc.), except that I'd put the introvertedness of the area in the positive column. I hope I never have to live in an area where I'm expected to say "hi" to everyone.