I hate NOVA/DC and I am blowing this joint!!! (Fairfax: crime, home)

[Nancy in Nokomis]

I came from Sopranoland - NJ - and even there people were friendlier - I cant figure it out - I am a SAHM and am having a very hard time making friends for me and my small children. People seem stuck up and clickish.
The friendlier people are the ones that have a slight southern accent - I guess they are the natives. I notice the more South I travel - the friendlier people get - in Fredericksburg people are much friendlier than Fairfax.

[normie]

It's funny to read these posts and realize how lucky I must be to be out in Loudoun County. I haven't had any of these experiences. The people in my neighborhood are very friendly. The general atmosphere seems relaxed (until you get on 66, of course ) It makes me very glad we didn't buy a house closer to the city.

At any rate, I just wanted to wish you well. I moved here from Redondo Beach, CA 8 years ago. San Diego is a lovely town. I personally prefer it here, but everyone has a different paradise. If you are unhappy here, I'm glad to hear that you're go to try some other spots. Life is too short to stay where you are unhappy.

Also, I wanted to tell the guy who went to an unfriendly catholic church that he should try the church on the corner of Algonkian Parkway and Cascades Parkway (Cascades section of Loudoun, not far from Fairfax). The congregation is very friendly.

[Do a Barrel Roll]

I'm consistently reading how the people in Northern Virginia are "rude," when in reality, many people who live in NoVA are more insular, dealing with various challenges (working 50+ hours, traffic, high prices), and keeping to themselves more than anything else. I'm not saying how these people are acting are in any way positive or pro-social (because it surely isn't), but if you went to MD and parts of DC, then you will see absolute overt rudeness: people going out of their way to give you bitter stares, ignore you when you try to ask a question, and et cetera.

[clorenzo17]

I've lived here for over four years and overall I must say that I haven't had much of an issue at all. I moved here from Cleveland for school and now I commute to Fredericksburg for work. So yes, I must say that I am lucky my commute is pretty good (albeit its 55 miles, I encounter very little traffic and I get travel at posted speed). I used to work on Capitol Hill and I commuted to there from Fairfax, so yes that was pretty horrific by car, but besides the traffic I haven't had any issues at all. You're going to find idiotic, self-centered people everywhere. And yes, the real-estate is more expensive. But what is the trade-off? You get one of the most diverse, cultured metropolitan areas in the country. Additionally, people her tend to be much more accepting of other cultures, which further enriches your quality of life.

To sum it up, you have to take the good with the bad. Any large metro area with a great job market is going to be expensive. Yes, there is cheaper real estate elsewhere. But do you think they have the same unemployment rate as we do here? Hell no! I definately give you props for going to San Diego, beautiful city. But jobs are hard to come by there, you definately lucked out with getting that job transfer. Maybe when I'm married and want to retire I'll move somewhere cheaper, but as a 20 something I'll stay here.

To each their own, but for me the good outweighs the bad.

[canofcorn]

There are plenty jobs elsewhere under 6 figures. A common response I hear from people that make 40-80k a year," There are no jobs elsewhere." Yeah keep telling yourself that. If you make well over 100k or work for the government I can understand where you're coming from.

[tenken627]

With as many transplants the DC area gets, you are certain to get a bunch of people who just don't mix well, and a bunch of people who do.

What I don't understand is why people who leave this area, or any area, like to make these "I'm leaving this place because it sucks" type of threads.

What are you, like 12 years old? Just leave and be happy elsewhere.

[normie]

Originally Posted by tenken627

With as many transplants the DC area gets, you are certain to get a bunch of people who just don't mix well, and a bunch of people who do.

What I don't understand is why people who leave this area, or any area, like to make these "I'm leaving this place because it sucks" type of threads.

What are you, like 12 years old? Just leave and be happy elsewhere.

LOL, I think most of them are secretly hoping someone will say "Oh noooo, not that! No, no, please don't go!"

You have to wonder why they think anyone cares--I'm sure all you other posters are nice people but you're complete strangers to me, so it's no skin off my back if you choose to live here or not.

[Fern435]

Originally Posted by normie

LOL, I think most of them are secretly hoping someone will say "Oh noooo, not that! No, no, please don't go!"

You have to wonder why they think anyone cares--I'm sure all you other posters are nice people but you're complete strangers to me, so it's no skin off my back if you choose to live here or not.

Far from it.

Some people are here due to military assignments. Difficult as it may be to understand, there is no choice.

[normie]

Originally Posted by walkingnoelle

Far from it.

Some people are here due to military assignments. Difficult as it may be to understand, there is no choice.

LOL, good point. Let's change that to "it's no skin off my back if you live here or not."

[car54]

Originally Posted by walkingnoelle

Far from it.

Some people are here due to military assignments. Difficult as it may be to understand, there is no choice.

OMG! Has the draft been reinstated?