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Old 03-17-2016, 07:28 AM
 
21 posts, read 61,179 times
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My family will be relocating this summer. We've seen areas of Ashburn that look amazing and are within our budget (600K). However, a few people have mentioned that Ashburn has a reputation for having a Stepford Wife/ hoity toity air about it. I don't mean to offend anyone who lives there by any means!! I'm honestly just asking for feedback. These same friends have recommended South Riding/Chantilly as a good alternative and said they were very happy with the area. Ashburn seems to be well planned with so many amentities...and I don't know if the other communities would compare. Does anyone have any feedback? I have 3 kids so schools are important as well. Thank you!
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Old 03-17-2016, 08:03 AM
 
147 posts, read 351,513 times
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I think most new communities have that 'Stepford' quality about them. A few years down the line, and it will have more character. Personally, I like Reston better. It's also a planned community, but has been around long enough that it has more personality.
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Old 03-17-2016, 08:46 AM
 
Location: Northern Virginia
407 posts, read 372,111 times
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We relocated to Ashburn in 2014. I don't fell that anyone I've encountered has been of the Stepford-wife personality. People have been very nice and welcoming. Our son is involved in a various number of sports/extra-curricular activities - all have been good experiences thus far. That said, I'm sure there are some that might have that personality - there are probably a few in every suburban community. But we haven't found it prevalent here and have loved it so far.

Good luck with your search and welcome to NOVA!
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Old 03-17-2016, 09:29 AM
 
2,189 posts, read 3,326,624 times
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If by Stepford you mean clean, cookie cutter, new, then yeah Ashburn fits the bill. Not meant to be a slight, I like Ashburn and would consider moving there if it weren't so far out.

If you meant pretentious, then I don't think Ashburn is any worse than South Riding or most other places. People I know in Ashburn are very down to earth and friendly. You can certainly find pretentiousness anywhere in this region but I don't think it's pervasive save for a few select areas.
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Old 03-17-2016, 10:43 AM
 
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I would pay more attention to what the commute is like from each to wherever you will be working. I know Ashburn can be no fun to get out of but I've heard horror stories about getting out of the South Riding area. Someone will know better than me but it seems there may be more alternatives, although all busy from Ashburn than west of 28 off of 50 where South Riding is. Of course, this depends on where you are working. If you are working in Chantilly Fair Lakes area, then Ashburn wouldn't make sense.
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Old 03-17-2016, 06:38 PM
 
21 posts, read 61,179 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by FCNova View Post
If by Stepford you mean clean, cookie cutter, new, then yeah Ashburn fits the bill. Not meant to be a slight, I like Ashburn and would consider moving there if it weren't so far out.

If you meant pretentious, then I don't think Ashburn is any worse than South Riding or most other places. People I know in Ashburn are very down to earth and friendly. You can certainly find pretentiousness anywhere in this region but I don't think it's pervasive save for a few select areas.
I actually did mean the pretentious, better than thou attitude. And I'm happy to hear how everyone has responded. I agree that you will find people like that in all areas, it was just made to sound like it was hard to fit in, in Ashburn, if you weren't a certain way and that it was very clique.

My husband will be commuting to Tyson's but only some days a week, otherwise will WFH. I am stay at home mom so it's only him we have to worry about. I have read on here that commuting from Rt. 50 into McLean area is a nightmare.....not that Ashburn is great, but I've heard the Chantilly commute is no picnic.
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Old 03-18-2016, 06:30 AM
 
170 posts, read 200,195 times
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Not to throw shade, but if you're a stay at home mom with 3 kids and your husband works in Tyson's and are looking for $600,000 houses...you're pretty much exactly like lots of the people in Ashburn and South Riding
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Old 03-18-2016, 07:12 AM
 
2,189 posts, read 3,326,624 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Spartachick View Post
I actually did mean the pretentious, better than thou attitude. And I'm happy to hear how everyone has responded. I agree that you will find people like that in all areas, it was just made to sound like it was hard to fit in, in Ashburn, if you weren't a certain way and that it was very clique.

My husband will be commuting to Tyson's but only some days a week, otherwise will WFH. I am stay at home mom so it's only him we have to worry about. I have read on here that commuting from Rt. 50 into McLean area is a nightmare.....not that Ashburn is great, but I've heard the Chantilly commute is no picnic.
With Ashburn you'll have easy access to tollroads which will significantly cut down on commute time to Tysons. Although they are expensive. From Chantilly access to the tollroads isn't as easy, and yes traffic on route 50 is real bad.

If he's commuting to Tysons I'd look at Ashburn, because even if he doesn't take the tollroads every day at least it's an option.
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Old 03-18-2016, 10:37 PM
 
4 posts, read 3,670 times
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i haven't been living in NOVA long but I have spent quite a bit of time in Ashburn and I have ran across nothing but friendly people. It's possible I have a jaded view considering that I just moved here from Sacramento, CA, where a friendly face was far and few. It's most definitely suburbia but I don't believe in a Stepford wife way. We just bought in South Riding and in the week that I have been here, I have met 3 neighborhood moms who are very down to earth. I mean, one carried helped carry in our furniture and made me feel like a shrimpy. Totally not Stepford wife... ��
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Old 03-19-2016, 08:09 AM
 
Location: Chicago IL
490 posts, read 651,678 times
Reputation: 525
I have some friends in the ashburn area, I totally agree with the "stepford" atmosphere over there. Every house looks identical, there seems to be no personality in the town, just seems generic while driving through it.

You should check out some of the older towns in fairfax. Vienna has gotten high marks, just as an example. Good luck.
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