Why is DC metro Maryland so much better than DC metro Virginia (unemployed, utilities)

[dkf747]

Maryland has a lot going for it that rarely gets mentioned, but in some ways I prefer Virginia, and other ways, Maryland. Perhaps the OP could give us his or her reasons for their view?

[e30is]

I also prefer VA in some ways as well but it is really hard to narrow down which state is better because every individual situation is different.

[RamblingMan]

I have lived in VA, MD, and DC over the years. I chose Maryland this time and have been very happy with my choice. That said, I don't believe that Maryland is somehow objectively "better" any more than I believe that Virginia is objectively "better" no matter how much people on both boards will argue otherwise. "Better" or "worse" depends on every individual's priorities.

[jayman1981]

Personally speaking Maryland and Northern Va have both there Pros and Cons. For me the choice was Maryland. Cheaper housing, less traffic and I have been fortunate enough to find employment in MD so I don't have to deal with super long distance commutes. In some regard I felt Va was better and in others MD was better. In the D.C. area suburbs you kinda have to pick what's best for the individual. If you like being near the shops and trendy location by a metro station, then I think Va is better. If you want less traffic and more down to earth folks, I think MD is better.

[slowlane3]

I could go on and on about how more liberal MD is than VA. Partly because VA has more rural southern areas than MD - less history of Union labor, etc.

MD for at least 40 years has had WAY more women holding political office.
MD has historically been more friendly to gambling.
Langley Park MD builds a meeting place for its Hispanic day laborers, while Herndon VA discourages them. (Correct me if I'm wrong).
Montg County MD has established its own minimum "livable" wage level, higher than the Federal one.
MD is more willing than VA to contribute to cleaning up Chesapeake Bay. (Correct me if I'm wrong).
MD voters were the first in the USA to approve same-sex marriage by popular vote.
MD is pro-gun control, VA is anti-gun control. VA prefers instead having the "three strikes law" mandating prison time for repeat offenders using guns.
NoVA in the 21st century still has tons of roads, streets, schools, parks, and community centers named after Civil War Confederate leaders.

Right now VA's Governor McConnell (sp?) is proposing eliminating the state gasoline tax - while imposing a special new tax on alternate-fuel vehicles - and raising the general sales tax by 0.8%. (This is now being discussed on Greater Greater Washington ).

[cry_havoc]

To some people saying VA being better, it only has more traffic. Besides having more congested roads VA offers nothing better than MD, and many people would argue congested roads are not a good thing.

[John13]

Originally Posted by cry_havoc

I find the quality of life, the quality of people, the atmosphere, the traffic, etc are better in MD.

Wrong on all accounts.

And I never lived in VA! But I did work in Springfield recently for about a year.

Until very recently I lived in the Maryland side of the DC suburbs for the last 55 years.
I do not know where you are going with this topic or what the actual point is but it is false. Maryland has traffic woes too and the people who live in Maryland are not better.

[cry_havoc]

Originally Posted by John13

Wrong on all accounts.

And I never lived in VA! But I did work in Springfield recently for about a year.

Until very recently I lived in the Maryland side of the DC suburbs for the last 55 years.
I do not know where you are going with this topic or what the actual point is but it is false. Maryland has traffic woes too and the people who live in Maryland are not better.

Right on all accounts.

MD does have traffic, but VA puts it to shame.

We cant generalize all people, and VA has plenty of good people, but overall MD has better people.

[MrMaryland455]

We cant generalize all people, and VA has plenty of good people, but overall MD has better people

Lol I agree...but it was just funny the way you put it "Better People" LOL.......Overall Im a DC area Native, I love Both sides Montgomery County, Howard and Northern Va......We have the best schools in the Nation and we are always rank among the Affluent/Elite.....But yes its sad to say Maryland is ranked Number 1 as a Power house State

[cry_havoc]

Originally Posted by MrMaryland455

Lol I agree...but it was just funny the way you put it "Better People" LOL.......Overall Im a DC area Native, I love Both sides Montgomery County, Howard and Northern Va......We have the best schools in the Nation and we are always rank among the Affluent/Elite.....But yes its sad to say Maryland is ranked Number 1 as a Power house State

I feel NOVA could be as good as MD if the southern part of the state didnt drag them down a few notches.

VA always bites the hand that feeds it, NOVA.