What do you like about Northern Virginia? (Arlington, Alexandria: crime rate, townhouse)

[onyva4]

What do you like about Northern Virginia?
We are moving there soon and I'm looking for reasons to feel joyful about it. I do think it's beautiful (I visited) but I'm looking for a random list of things - big and small - that make you happy to live here. It may be an easier question for those of you who moved from somewhere else, as it is easy for natives to take things for granted.

[cb at sea]

Well--hard question! I''ve lived in the area my entire life--and things (transportation, mainly) just keep getting worse. There are sooooo many nice things closeby, but getting to them is nearly impossible. For instance--we had season tickets to the Redskins games---the trip should take 45 min. but as the years went on, our trip home would take 2 1/2 hours!!!!! We finally stopped getting tickets--not because we don't want to go to the game--we just can't seem to get home!
The shopping in the area can be great, but if you live outside of the immediate area, add an extra hour or two to your trip! No lie.
So many good things--but the damn traffic far outweighs the good.

[mlv311]

Job opportunities are very good in the area, particularly for people with careers in public policy. Community resources are widely available and much better than anywhere else we've lived (e.g., libraries, parks, rec centers, museums, schoools, etc.). We've also developed many good friendships through our church, moms groups, neighborhood, and work (that's always a plus). We left the area in 2003 and returned in 2007. We missed it.

[Flamingo13]

It is beautiful most times of the year, little to no snow in the winter. There are so many convenient things (stores, sightseeing spots, metro) - moved here from Pittsburgh. There is traffic, but if you can plan around it or otherwise just "accept" it - it's great. We love Alexandria City - it's wonderful to walk around Old Town, sit by the water and relax, etc.

Contrary to some other threads, I've found friendly people - not many "friends", it's a transient area in some respects, but I think if you're outgoing and friendly, people respond in kind.

Good Luck - Come on to Va.

[Nancy in Nokomis]

NOVA has tons of rec. centers, parks, lakes, hiking trails - lot of things to do. High paying professional Jobs are plentiful here. The climate is nice - early Spring - nice Fall, mild Winter -
The schools are good. Most people are friendly in a standoffish way.

[sgermanguy]

Good sidewalks. Easy to find a job. The Redskins are always the biggest thing happening in the area; probably the best way to socialize (not during the action, though). Law enforcement has become too aggressive (they need the money) in their treatment of hardworking, taxpayin' citizens, while they allow gangbangers to destroy shopping areas.

Remember this: Developers tried to build a world class horse track and Redskins' stadium in Loudon County, but the Leftists wouldn't let them--so instead they turned half of Loudon into townhouse hell.

[TheseGoTo11]

Access to DC and walkable close-in suburbs like Arlington and Alexandria are why this place stands out among pro-business growth areas. I couldn't live in the strip mall paradises of Atlanta, Charlotte, Dallas, and Houston.

Northern Virginia has all the growth in the DC suburbs. Since 1990, close to 80% of all jobs paying over 100k outside the District have been created in Virginia. Maryland lacks airport access and its anti-business politicians have ensured that virtually all new economic activity in the region stays across the river.

Lots of sports teams as well. I used to be a big Redskin fan, but I'm all Nats and Caps now, Dan Snyder and the PG County stadium killed my interest in the team. Noticing others slowly ditching the Skins for other area teams.

We got 5 inches of snow this year, while Boston got 52. Being from New England originally, this is a major benefit for me.

[hj2500]

Doesn't Maryland have an international airport? Anyway NoVA has D.C.'s main national and international airports, great if your an airport lover.
One of the things I like is that it feels safe. It doesn't seem possible when you're just across the river from two of the most murderous places on Earth. D.C. and Maryland have the well earned names of "Murder Capital" and "Murderland" respectively, while Northern Virginia is just "NOVA" (like the stellar nuclear explosion). The river keeps all the baddies out I guess.
Another good thing is that NoVA is so diverse that it should embarrass Washington, how can a suburb be more diverse than the capital of a massive, diverse country?

[luke9.54_56]

I like Northern Virginia because it is one of the more recession-proof areas of the country. However this time, it seems everywhere people are going to suffer.

I heard that Detroit's median home prices are $20,000.yes, that's five zeroes.

I heard that 24% of their students graduate from high school That's one out of every four actuallt finish high school.

I also heard that you can drive the streets of Detroit and not find a single car out on the roads...No one has a job, or money to drive a car these days.

Northern Virginia has decent weather, also...not too much snow, not to much wind or cold, and not too much heat......it al is broken into four seasons, none of which is too long.

Now I am burying myself in one of those immigrant communities (from Inida) because they are young professionals, and our immediate area has a zero crime rate (middle Herndon.) Can't beat that..........I just don't push it by going more than a mile or so in either direction, other than in my car. Walking around here is fab.

[normie]

Originally Posted by hj2500

Another good thing is that NoVA is so diverse that it should embarrass Washington, how can a suburb be more diverse than the capital of a massive, diverse country?

That is an interesting (and profound) question. You're right, the suburbs are more diverse that the city--that is unique.