When I graduate I plan to go to an out of state college and get out of here as fast as I can. I hate the attitudes of the people who live here, I hate the traffic, I hate the sheer volume of people who live here... Why would anyone choose to live in Fairfax? Even my parents plan to move somewhere quieter once I'm done with HS. I know it's a rich county and all that but seriously -- I'm just wondering.

I was born in Centreville 20 years ago, so that's why I live here. Back when my parents moved here, Centreville was basically the country. I hate this area for the same reasons you listed. I plan to move further west, preferably somewhere closer to Front Royal, sometime in the future.

I live here so I can post on FFU.

As soon as my kid graduates high school and goes off to college, I'm getting the hell out of this shit hole too. Being self-employed, I can move anywhere as long as I have fast internet service.

Qwest Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I live here so I can post on FFU.


+1 Paying for an overpriced Archstone apartment and sitting in traffic for 40 minutes is worth the privilege of posting here. LOL

deeley Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> When I graduate I plan to go to an out of state
> college and get out of here as fast as I can. I
> hate the attitudes of the people who live here, I
> hate the traffic, I hate the sheer volume of
> people who live here... Why would anyone choose to
> live in Fairfax? Even my parents plan to move
> somewhere quieter once I'm done with HS. I know
> it's a rich county and all that but seriously --
> I'm just wondering.


Bye, no one will miss you!

I moved here from another country 10yrs ago because my relatives already called fairfax home. Never lived anywhere else in the states, so I wouldn't know if this place is better/worse compared to Minnesota and Canada where many of my friends live. So meh...

"I hate the attitudes of the people who live here,
I hate the traffic,
I hate the sheer volume of people who live here"

So you're going to move to North Dakota in search of friendly folks and no traffic?

Then you're realize anyway that has decent jobs has all three of these problems.

Trust me LA is worse in all 3 respects, except the weather is better and the chicks are hotter but taxes are also higher and you better like smog.

I'm here because a family member got a job in this area some years ago and since I have had good jobs out here. This area is much less affected by the recession than most of the rest of the country.

Of course I could move to Youngstown, Ohio and buy a house for 10k, have no traffic and friendly neighbors but then have no job thus no money.

I live here for the traffic jams. Sometimes I'll be in one traffic jam that isn't good enough so I get out of that jam and get into a better one on some side road. That makes my day! Some may argue that Los Angeles or New York City have better traffic jams but that is complete BS. If your a traffic jam addict, Northern Virginia baby!

Oh and speed humps... gotta love'm!

I live here because I'm in between the city, country and everything in between. I get the best of all worlds.

I'm also in a county that has anything I could ever need within 30 minutes. Sure it comes with a cost (traffic), but where there's no traffic there's no where to go.

roger Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I live here because I'm in between the city,
> country and everything in between. I get the best
> of all worlds.
>
> I'm also in a county that has anything I could
> ever need within 30 minutes. Sure it comes with a
> cost (traffic), but where there's no traffic
> there's no where to go.

This. You want to live out in Bumpass, Virginia in Bath county? There's nothing there. You driver for half an hour on back roads to get to a country store and hours to get to a mall or Wal Mart or something. Now I suppose you do have such benefits as being able to park as many cars as you want on on the side of roads that are repaved weekly, but there's nobody around to enjoy it with.

On the other end of the spectrum, you could live in DC or even Richmond. Sure there's lots of people and some stores, but nothing good near the residential places. Plus, you can't park anywhere without getting a ticket unless you want to walk far and it is quite likely that you will get shot.

So right in the middle there is Fairfax. There is at least 3 shopping malls within 20 minutes driving, 5 Wal marts and 7 Targets. Each road has another grocery store and shopping center, and if one is backed up there are 3 others that go in the same direction. There are no one way streets to get lost on and there's no pedestrians to watch out for. You have your choice of 3 ISP's who can all give you kick-ass internet speeds and you get cell phone service everywhere. Anywhere you want to drive to has a huge parking lot right there in front that is free. No parking meters, no outrages parking fines. We've got the best public schools in the country and you can have wars with the other parents over which school boundary your kid belongs in. Oh and your kid gets on a bus which drives past 2 other high schools and uses at least one interstate highway to get there.

And best of all, you think you are poor but you are richer then 85% of the US population

I live here because I'm stupid. Too stupid to find another job. Because of this , I had to go where my company told me to. This overcrowded, expensive shithole which is a terrible mix of Yuppies, gang members and other undesirable third world cretins. This horrible place taxes the shit out of you and doesn't even plow the roads in the winter.The worst, most obstinant drivers in the country, the shittiest, overpriced restuarants, and an entire police force of Barney Fifes round out the profile of the crappiest place to live on the east coast.

deeley Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
>
> Why would anyone choose to live in Fairfax?

High standard of living, strong job market, cultural diversity, and easy access to DC.

I guess the idea of living in a quieter area seems appealing to some folks, but having grown up in small town America, I can tell you: it sucks.

Jobs.

I live here because I like the fact that it takes 45 minutes to drive 8 miles. I mean, do you really want to get to work that bad anyway? Why not enjoy your morning sitting in traffic, burning $3 a gallon gas while listening to your neighbors stereo; the one in the purple Impala on dubs sounds like it's about to shake to pieces, the Tercel is playing Mariachi music.

I live here because there's no sense of community whatsoever. What's the point in saying "Hi" to a stranger or even acknowledging your neighbor? You've gotta get to the mall, or to Wegmans ASAP. There's no time for niceties.

I live here because I love to see kids in high-school driving BMW's and Mercedes. Why teach them to value or work for things? They're entitled, and they're just gonna slam it into a jersey wall one night anyway.

I live here because I enjoy the fact that "Americans" (those whose native language is something close to English) are quickly becoming, if not already, the minority. God forbid they actually learn a bit of the culture or the language. It's much better to just have plenty of enterpreters on hand to pander to them. I enjoy seeing them leaving Macy's or Nordstrom, wearing their brightly colored native garb, jumping into their $60k automobile, cat-calling any "5+" that walk by their construction site, or driving 45 in the fast lane on 66.

I love living here because there are hardly any trees or nature scenes any more, not compared to 15 or so years ago. Those couple acres of woods were an eyesore. I'd much rather look at that strip mall.

I love living here because there's nothing like renting a 1BR, 500Sf apartment for $1000+, or a newly built, single family home for $500k+. I really don't know why there'd be any sort of "housing crisis"?

I love living here because there's nothing more terrifying than a middle-upper class, suburban gang member. There kids are hardened on the mean streets of Alexandria, Arlington, Falls Church, etc. They're most easily identified by their tattoos ($100 a pop), and the fact that regardless of race, usually call eachother "Nigga". If gang-life doesn't work out, they can always get a job with dad's Software Development company.

I love living here because of all the money. All the business executives that leisurely roll into work everyday, usually from somewhere in "new" Loudoun County, Potomac or Bethesda, driving a champagne colored Lexus, wearing their "smart" blazer and slacks, with a bunch of marbles bouncing around in their head. They don't have a clue of what's going on, but they either got their MBA, were an officer in the military, or just knew the right people. Now they make 6 figures sitting at their desks slurping diet sodas, going to "meetings", doing their best to make sure you know they're an "executive", and trying to rip off everyone else so they can get ahead. They contribute nothing to society, have moderately attractive housewives and ugly, pretentious children, and again, do everything they can to let you know they're an "executive". These are the folks that are "leading" business in America today.

Actually, I hate living here, but everytime I try to get out, it pulls me back in. I'm on the three year plan now, and after three years, the place I move to will no doubt have become a mini-Nova itself.

KeepOnTruckin just convinced me to stay here abit longer.

I just dont like being cold. All of my family is from the south and I will never live further north as I do now. I'd love to move to Mississippi, but I wouldnt be able to find a [good] job...

I think the ideal place to live is Fauquier County. You're out in the country, but you're still very close to the hustle and bustle of Fairfax.

TheMeeper Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I guess the idea of living in a quieter area seems
> appealing to some folks, but having grown up in
> small town America, I can tell you: it sucks.

+1 from this former small town kid to another.

this was the last duty station for my dad before he retired. Thus I landed here once he is USN retired.

jhey Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> TheMeeper Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > I guess the idea of living in a quieter area
> seems
> > appealing to some folks, but having grown up in
> > small town America, I can tell you: it sucks.
>
> +1 from this former small town kid to another.


Where did you guys grow up?

General Lee Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
>
> Where did you guys grow up?

The Pocono Mountains of PA (aka "The Birthplace of Alcoholism")

Driving through FXCo I would never have thought it was one of the richest counties in the nation or a prestigious place to live. When I first moved here 10 years ago I felt like I had moved down the socio economic ladder. Still feel that way ten years later. So many neighborhoods and shopping centers are old and dumpy looking. There isn't much local charm or local color. The roads look trashy. There is little landscaping. It's just not a very pretty place to live save our parks. If it weren't for job security I would leave. I would make less money elsewhere, but I believe I would have a better quality of life.

I live off Old Lee Hwy and I'm sure other areas around here are nicer and prettier. My 40 year old home is small and always needing work. I paid over half a million for it. I could be living in a house 5 x as big in a nicer suburb near another big city. When the housing market turns around I'm moving to either Austin, Orlando, or Charleston.

This place is a mystery. Where does all the money go?

LURKERS post LMFAO!!!!!!!!

+1 on jobs. Traffic is rough, hot and humid in summer, cold in winter, housing cost is high - but the economy is good here

ya'lls got a bad commute? awwwww i have a 2 hour commute.

yall fairfax fuckers are rich, gimme some

Someone mentioned a very good point on how you can drive an hour west or south and be in a totally different area. (Meaning people actually have "southern" accents and live a very non urban life). One time I went down to Colonial Heights for business I felt like I was at least in a different state.

I also like the fact you are only a couple hours drive from Philly, New York, mountains of WV, shore of MD or DE.

This place really isn't so bad as everyone makes it out to be.

I live here because I can, and to mock douchebags like you that can't hack it. Now GTFO.

I was left behind by my family...

Don't like it? We don't like you either. Go back where you came from, we know you're not FROM NoVA. Oh that's right, where you came from sucks! So you moved here and made it suck too! Congrats!

I love it around here. I couldn't do what I do any place else in the country and get paid what I get paid. I grew up in RI and believe me, even without the floods, it's no place for anyone with a brain. I've lived all over the East Coast from Maine to Florida and NoVA rocks! Yeah the traffic sucks but no place is perfect. My kids go to an amazing school, I have a half-acre lot, and things in general are pretty darn good.

I came here for the teen pregnancy rates and I stayed for the gang I plan on starting in Fall of 2010 look for it were going to be called "Consentual Candy" much like Rayful Edmond III and his band of cronies. There are also numerous poverty stricken jackasses that live in Mt. Vernon. I try to stay away from them because poverty like A.I.D.S. is contageous and smelly. I also like to yell obscenity's on the Beltway at old people and Volkswagen Chiraco's stuffed with day laborers.

Bob in Southeast Loudoun Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I love it around here. I couldn't do what I do any
> place else in the country and get paid what I get
> paid. I grew up in RI and believe me, even without
> the floods, it's no place for anyone with a brain.
> I've lived all over the East Coast from Maine to
> Florida and NoVA rocks! Yeah the traffic sucks but
> no place is perfect. My kids go to an amazing
> school, I have a half-acre lot, and things in
> general are pretty darn good.


funny, i came here from newport...

I live here because I like living here. Like Meeper I grew up in small town PA. The idea of going back scares me more than life threatening cancer.

I don't even mind the traffic anymore. My drive home from work is perhaps the most relaxing part of my day.

General Lee Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I think the ideal place to live is Fauquier
> County. You're out in the country, but you're
> still very close to the hustle and bustle of
> Fairfax.

Don't give anyone ideas - it's nice and quiet out here, and I'd like it to stay that way for a while.

"NOVA Is the Bestest" I think I love you! Been living in these parts for 50 years. Around the mid 80's the money grubbing hey look at me poopyheads took over and ruined what was a really nice community and now I see it as f8cking mess that I'd love to move out of except I'm old and decrepit and wouldn't be able to get health insurance. They use to talk about the corruption that took place on the Fairfax County board way back in the 1960's but that was absolutely nothing compared to the ten's if not hundreds of millions that have passed thru pockets in the last 20 years. Frankly, I don't think Facquier is all that nice anymore with cookie cutter mcmansions dotting the once beautiful landscape. I believe one of the major perpetrators of this mess lives out in Facquier County these days, lives on his muti multi million $ estate sitting in his grande room surrounded by his bags o' money as he tries to figure how with harvard educated mind he's going to take it with him. Repeating "I know I can, I know I can". Meanwhile a lot of folks who had deep roots in Fairfax got rolled over in the process. I know "survival of the dick4's" tough luck loser get out. Goodbye city life, green acres here I come. I wish.

My husband's job....

wrongerser



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/02/2010 01:33AM by newmoonboy.

Mofo Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Someone mentioned a very good point on how you can
> drive an hour west or south and be in a totally
> different area. (Meaning people actually have
> "southern" accents and live a very non urban
> life). One time I went down to Colonial Heights
> for business I felt like I was at least in a
> different state.
>
> I also like the fact you are only a couple hours
> drive from Philly, New York, mountains of WV,
> shore of MD or DE.
>
> This place really isn't so bad as everyone makes
> it out to be.


I think that people, like myself, are overwhelmed with the politics, the snootiness, the selfishness and don't really think about what else there is to the place. Especially, if you come from a small town, (again, like myself).

Tug Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Driving through FXCo I would never have thought it
> was one of the richest counties in the nation or a
> prestigious place to live. When I first moved
> here 10 years ago I felt like I had moved down the
> socio economic ladder. Still feel that way ten
> years later. So many neighborhoods and shopping
> centers are old and dumpy looking. There isn't
> much local charm or local color. The roads look
> trashy. There is little landscaping. It's just
> not a very pretty place to live save our parks.
> If it weren't for job security I would leave. I
> would make less money elsewhere, but I believe I
> would have a better quality of life.
>

> This place is a mystery. Where does all the money
> go?

WERD

Tug Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Driving through FXCo I would never have thought it
> was one of the richest counties in the nation or a
> prestigious place to live. When I first moved
> here 10 years ago I felt like I had moved down the
> socio economic ladder. Still feel that way ten
> years later. So many neighborhoods and shopping
> centers are old and dumpy looking. There isn't
> much local charm or local color. The roads look
> trashy. There is little landscaping. It's just
> not a very pretty place to live save our parks.
> If it weren't for job security I would leave. I
> would make less money elsewhere, but I believe I
> would have a better quality of life.
>
> I live off Old Lee Hwy and I'm sure other areas
> around here are nicer and prettier. My 40 year old
> home is small and always needing work. I paid
> over half a million for it. I could be living in
> a house 5 x as big in a nicer suburb near another
> big city. When the housing market turns around
> I'm moving to either Austin, Orlando, or
> Charleston.
>
> This place is a mystery. Where does all the money
> go?


+1

I was enthusiastic about living near DC, but soon realized it's just another mediocre city with shit neighborhoods. Get lost in SE DC on a Friday night, it makes Richmond and Petersburg look like a picnic.

As far as Fairfax, yeah, it's great for job advancement/security and educational opportunities, but the endless strip malls, parking lots and uniform suburbs create a real bland experience.

If you want a bucolic setting without the rednecks, move to parts of New England or the Southwest.

Oh how I miss visiting my grandmother in SE DC. The stares, the crack selling attempts, and then finally the bullets through the windows.

DC the capitol of the US of A!

I've lived in N.VA all my life and can personally attest to how much has changed in the last 25+ years. Traffic sucks, the area is so full of transplants/transients that the sense of community is pretty much dead, it's strip mall after strip mall, yada, yada, yada.

But the schools are good, employment is much better than what the rest of the country has to offer, and because of the endless urban sprawl - anything you could possibly want/need is likely within an 45 minute drive. When my kids are grown, I'm getting out of here and going to a place that's a little more slow paced and quieter. But for now, I'll stick around. It could be worse. We could be living in Richmond or Newport News.

The one thing that I cannot get used to is that stretch of I-66 from about 123 to Westmoreland (both directions). It used to be decent on the weekends, but now even those days suck between 10am and 5pm. It's crazy.

__________________________________
That's not a ladybug, that's a cannapiller.

eesh Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> If you want a bucolic setting without the
> rednecks, move to parts of New England or the
> Southwest.

The Southwest and bucolic in the same sentence?

I guess...

TheMeeper Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
>
> I guess the idea of living in a quieter area seems
> appealing to some folks, but having grown up in
> small town America, I can tell you: it sucks.

+1

Quiet = boring

I love this area because I can ride my bike, on a paved bike trail no less, into just about every city (DC, Bethesda, Arlington), find a decent crowd of people in their 20s-30s who have ambitions beyond squeezing out 8 tykes and waddling around WalMart for fun on the weekends followed by a fancy night out at Applebees. Which is what at least half of the people I went to high school with are now doing. No thanks. There's a reason a lot of people live here - stable jobs, decent weather, and lots of entertaining things to do, proximity to beach, mountains (using this term loosely), country, city, etc. Anywhere without traffic is, almost certainly, like that way for good reason.

"NoVA is the bestest" you are 100% right about NOVA. Thats exactly how it is. I've lived here all my life, and while we have good schools, and good jobs, there is NO community. I'm leaving after I graduate this summer and won't miss this place. It's just way overpopulated for me. Oh, and fuck the traffic too.