Area population increase slowing down according to census figures (Arlington: upper-class, condo)

[airjay75]

Well, I don't know if I would go so far as to say this is no problem at all - maybe not a problem now, but one that could develop. I think that much of government spending and services is predicated on population/economic growth to fuel growth in tax receipts. I think municipalities sometimes find themselves in a situation where the costs of the services they provide continues to grow, but their tax base is either constant or decreasing - that can become tricky situations for governments because they either have to cut services or raise taxes, neither of which have the most positive effect on economic growth, and you can quickly find yourself in a bit of a vicious cycle. I think you already see some of this in Fairfax County with the raising of property taxes last year and the county talking about services it needs to cut and the lack of funds it has for the schools. I don't think we've reached anywhere near a really bad situation, but I do think that areas with year after year of stagnating growth accompanied by governments that have not prepared for such situations can face difficulties down the road. Only time will tell, I suppose.

[NOVA_guy]

According to Washigtonian, Falls Church, Loudoun, PW, Stafford and Spotsylvania will continue to grow but FFX, Alexandria and Arlington will experience a slow down but that just seems off to me. I don't see people willing to skip closer suburbs to live and commute further from their jobs. I guess we'll see.

[TheWatchmen]

Originally Posted by airjay75

Well, I don't know if I would go so far as to say this is no problem at all - maybe not a problem now, but one that could develop. I think that much of government spending and services is predicated on population/economic growth to fuel growth in tax receipts. I think municipalities sometimes find themselves in a situation where the costs of the services they provide continues to grow, but their tax base is either constant or decreasing - that can become tricky situations for governments because they either have to cut services or raise taxes, neither of which have the most positive effect on economic growth, and you can quickly find yourself in a bit of a vicious cycle. I think you already see some of this in Fairfax County with the raising of property taxes last year and the county talking about services it needs to cut and the lack of funds it has for the schools. I don't think we've reached anywhere near a really bad situation, but I do think that areas with year after year of stagnating growth accompanied by governments that have not prepared for such situations can face difficulties down the road. Only time will tell, I suppose.

All of this. Fairfax County has just got to be smarter. I would fully support adding another penny to the real property tax rate, and trying to wrangle more money out of Richmond for our school system.

[fcyolo]

Originally Posted by Hudlander

Good, about ****ing time.
Hopefully those stupid McMansions, shanty town homes, and greedy developers can get the hell out soon before they ruin anymore of Nova.
Don't let the door hit ys.

Yes, because those post ww2 tract homes: rambler, splits, cape cod and tiny brick colonials are awesome.

[frostopsy]

Originally Posted by fcyolo

Yes, because those post ww2 tract homes: rambler, splits, cape cod and tiny brick colonials are awesome.

Those cookie cutter, identical looking, boring and overpriced town homes are a complete eyesore. Having lived in one of those homes built in the 40's, I would take the aesthetics and character over the modern bourgeois atrocities I see all over the area.

[FCNova]

Originally Posted by frostopsy

Those cookie cutter, identical looking, boring and overpriced town homes are a complete eyesore. Having lived in one of those homes built in the 40's, I would take the aesthetics and character over the modern bourgeois atrocities I see all over the area.

I'm pretty sure townhomes aren't built for aesthetics. They serve a purpose, a lower cost alternative to SFHs. After all, some people don't mind living in a townhouse in an area they can't afford a house in order to have a better commute.

[gomason]

Originally Posted by FCNova

I'm pretty sure townhomes aren't built for aesthetics. They serve a purpose, a lower cost alternative to SFHs. After all, some people don't mind living in a townhouse in an area they can't afford a house in order to have a better commute.

Most of the new single family homes look just as bad if not worse.

[TheWatchmen]

Originally Posted by gomason

Most of the new single family homes look just as bad if not worse.

I've seen some LOVELY new arts and crafts/craftsman style rebuilds from teardowns in neighborhoods near me, but other than that, the monstrous colonial McMansions are just hideous.

[dkf747]

Originally Posted by NOVA_guy

According to Washigtonian, Falls Church, Loudoun, PW, Stafford and Spotsylvania will continue to grow but FFX, Alexandria and Arlington will experience a slow down but that just seems off to me. I don't see people willing to skip closer suburbs to live and commute further from their jobs. I guess we'll see.

Why can't you see it? It's too expensive in FFX, Alexandria, and Arlington. The commute from further out sucks, but it's more affordable.

[FCNova]

Originally Posted by dkf747

Why can't you see it? It's too expensive in FFX, Alexandria, and Arlington. The commute from further out sucks, but it's more affordable.

I agree with the previous poster. There are still lots of people who would rather live in a townhouse or small older house closer in and have a decent commute than move far out for a bigger house and commuting hell. That won't change. In my townhouse complex there's a bunch of families who have raised their kids there. A lot of people in the next generation will do the same. This slowdown in growth in the inner counties is happening because of the govt budget cuts, not because more people decided they can deal with a 2 hour commute.