I'm actually shocked at how small NoVa is (Richmond, Alexandria: neighborhood, living in)

[VTHokieFan]

Yeh I know what you're thinking: .

But honestly, this past weekend when I was driving to and from Richmond I decided to do 50 to 29 to 17 to 95 just to do a bit of exploring. I was shocked at how quickly it becomes rural in this area. Furthermore, I'd like to add that when I first drove down 66 for job interviews, I was equally surprised at how quickly things become rural (essentially western Loudoun).

I don't know, I had always assumed with millions of people metro area, there'd be all this sprawl that spanned the entire Northern part of the state, but in reality, (with I-95 corridor as an exception), urban and suburban/urban development of the DC area really only seems to go about a 25 mile radius outside of the beltway.

Specifically, I was shocked how Fauquier is so rural, yet still pretty close, with only 65,000 people or so. With telecommuting being a big thing, you'd think more people might take advantage of "rural DC area living."

Anyway, just a thought.

[gomason]

uhhh I think Haymarket is the furthest western suburb about 37 miles out.

When I visit my sister in Altanta, there is not much civilization 30 miles out, let alone 37 miles out. Sprawl around here is ridiculous.

[VTHokieFan]

Originally Posted by gomason

uhhh I think Haymarket is the furthest western suburb about 37 miles out.

When I visit my sister in Altanta, there is not much civilization 30 miles out, let alone 37 miles out. Sprawl around here is ridiculous.

Haymarket is 25 miles from I-495 per google maps. Did you read my post about where I said it's basically a 25 mile radius from the beltway? So if it's Haymarket, then it seems like I'm on target.

[Natthapol]

That's the nice thing about this area that you can get to the woods quite quickly and it's so green!

You will be surprised about the traffic though!

[FindingZen]

It certainly depends on one's perspective. As an Alexandria resident, my reference point would mean a longer ride outward.

[slowlane3]

Yes, for a County such as large on a map as Fauquier Co., it has a surprisingly low population. They must have strict zoning laws there, compared with Prince William Co.

[tysonsengineer]

Yes, sprawl is not an issue in Nova. The area is tiny, just 300 times the land mass of manhattan.

This thread will just encourage people to live farther out. What seems so close on a random off hour seems like it might as well be living in New York and commuting to DC by train. While telecommuting has helped reduce the number of hours one has to be in the office, very few positions are completely relieved of travel and commuting. More than ever having a face to face experience with clients is becoming the standard. If you are pure technical, you could get away with it, but I assure you, you will be making less than those who do come to the office, will be the first to get the axe in downturns, and the first to be overlooked for promotions.

But then again, I'm about as far biased against sprawl ... insert topical political humor here.
(wasnt that a funny joke and so timely!)

[VRE332]

One time I was flying down to IAD, and I looked out the window and all I could see were cu-da-sacks. I thought, geez what is this like a giant neighborhood!????

[spencgr]

Originally Posted by tysonsengineer

Yes, sprawl is not an issue in Nova. The area is tiny, just 300 times the land mass of manhattan.

This thread will just encourage people to live farther out. What seems so close on a random off hour seems like it might as well be living in New York and commuting to DC by train. While telecommuting has helped reduce the number of hours one has to be in the office, very few positions are completely relieved of travel and commuting. More than ever having a face to face experience with clients is becoming the standard. If you are pure technical, you could get away with it, but I assure you, you will be making less than those who do come to the office, will be the first to get the axe in downturns, and the first to be overlooked for promotions.

But then again, I'm about as far biased against sprawl ... insert topical political humor here.
(wasnt that a funny joke and so timely!)

While I've come to understand your hatred for those that commute daily from Loudoun (and other exterior counties) into DC or the closer counties, this particular post seems to show distaste for those that may even do this occasionally (one or two days a week, perhaps)?

What emperical data do you have to support the idea that those who telecommute will be the first to be fired or overlooked for a promotion? Can I assume, along with your engineering and techincal savvy, you are also an HR expert?

[VRE332]

Originally Posted by spencgr

While I've come to understand your hatred for those that commute daily from Loudoun (and other exterior counties) into DC or the closer counties, this particular post seems to show distaste for those that may even do this occasionally (one or two days a week, perhaps)?

What emperical data do you have to support the idea that those who telecommute will be the first to be fired or overlooked for a promotion? Can I assume, along with your engineering and techincal savvy, you are also an HR expert?

You might be reading the forum way too much to notice that.