New to NoVA, people in Vienna ARE nice, helpful and friendly, and we can (and do) walk places (transplants, new home)

[Movingwesttoeast]

Our move was planned for months, and we researched and plotted. We picked Vienna for a reverse commute and a walkable inner core (Walkscore 82). We have been here about 6 weeks. The first few weeks were quiet. Then the kids went back to school...and we have been overwhelmed with helpful neighbors, playdates, help with conflicting soccer practices, invites and overall welcoming kindness...

For example...at my child's soccer practice yesterday, I mentioned to another Mom how busy our day was with back-to-back kids' practices. Today she emailed me and offered to take my one son to practice with her to make the evening easier.

I met a neighbor at a lemonade stand. I told her I was looking for a hairdresser. Within hours she emailed me with her stylest. She also invited us to a neighborhood party. People at the neighborhood party filled us in on same aged children (potential pals for our kids), how to get around a avoid the worst of the traffic, and the in and outs of the town. We also walked away with phone numbers for play dates, and more invites for us.

Another neighbor arranged her teenage daughter to help with a school bus pick up when I was tied up with a doctor's appointment. The teenager refused pay, b/c "that is what neighbors do for each other"

I am not working yet, but I met another neighbor who is in the same field as I am. She offered to have coffee with me on Monday to bring me up to speed on our profession in VA.

These are just a few examples. True people do not always say "hello" when I run by them on the w & OD trail, but when we do talk to people, for the most part, we have found them friendly and helpful.

We did pick Vienna for walkabilty. We walk to the farmers market, the library, the town office, the town green, the custard shop, the park, and more. The other day, I was in a rush to return library books, and my kids could not believe we were going to drive to the library. In talking to neighbors, most chose close-in Vienna for walkability and, though everything is not walkable, they do feel what they get is worthwhile.

I did not know what to expect when I moved here. I am far from settled. We are a long way from having real friends. However, when people ask if NoVA is friendly, I have to say it is. People have been kind and welcoming, and many have surprised me with their over and above efforts.

[michgc]

Welcome to Vienna! Glad you are liking it so far. I love it for all of the reasons you mentioned. It's a great town, and I walk everywhere, too!

[Denton56]

So glad that you like Vienna! It's the perfect place to raise a family. Congratulations on your move and your choice of Vienna!

[Movingwesttoeast]

I really do like Vienna. Like any place, it is not perfect, but there is a lot of good here. Interestingly, I have had some people (here) tell me it is not a friendly place, included some people from here. However, thus far, our experience has been quite positive.

[Melbourne Family]

Welcome! We too are transplants to the area and I'd also agree with you that most people seem to go out of their way to make you feel welcome, at least that has been our experience. Hope you and your family settle in well to your new home.

[Caladium]

Originally Posted by Movingwesttoeast

I really do like Vienna. Like any place, it is not perfect, but there is a lot of good here. Interestingly, I have had some people (here) tell me it is not a friendly place, included some people from here. However, thus far, our experience has been quite positive.

I certainly agree. Vienna isn't perfect, but it's always seemed like a nice place to me. Especially if you have kids. We used to have a thread about random acts of kindness people would see taking place, and as I recall a good number of those seemed to happen in the Vienna area.

[preppyglam]

I have been lurking here for a few weeks (very unexpected impending move...join the club, right?!), and I can tell everyone is very friendly and welcoming....just by reading the posts! Thanks for reporting about your experience so far.

[normie]

Originally Posted by preppyglam

I have been lurking here for a few weeks (very unexpected impending move...join the club, right?!)

Well... welcome to northern Virginia! Lots of Californians here, seems like half the state is moving in these days. I'm from Redondo Beach, and quite a few of the other reulars on this forum are also from CA. Feel free to ask lots of questions, we'll do our best to help if we can.

[normie]

Originally Posted by Caladium

We used to have a thread about random acts of kindness people would see taking place, and as I recall a good number of those seemed to happen in the Vienna area.

Yeah, whatever happened to that thread? I'm going to have to revive it the next time I see someone doing a random act of kindness. Which will probably be any day now.

[Caladium]

Originally Posted by normie

Well... welcome to northern Virginia! Lots of Californians here, seems like half the state is moving in these days.

It's funny, I was at an event in Vienna yesterday and most of the ladies I was talking to had just moved to Vienna from California. Is anyone else noticing this? I never thought of Vienna as being especially attractive to Californians but it seems like it's become the CA magnet.