Can I just say how much I don't miss NOVA though I as a teen basically grew up there?

[Anonymous]

I hate this place- I don't even know what party (if it matters) I am just that I want sanity and less government. I grew up overseas in many countries but I landed in Nova for HS. I hate the politics, I hate the mean girl moms and - I could go on but gtf out of there for your sanity. I wish we had done this before our kids were born and even more after MS in public school.

[Anonymous]

Girl, trying to live down south! Nova mom’s got nothing on Southern Moms when it comes to raising a bunch of mean girls.

[Anonymous]

DH and I grew up other places and we like NOVA for the most part. I grew up in a place with more natural beauty but far fewer public services. DH grew up in the Midwest.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Girl, trying to live down south! Nova mom’s got nothing on Southern Moms when it comes to raising a bunch of mean girls.

+1 I can’t even imagine what pick up and pta meetings look like for the women I went to school with in the south. I couldn’t hang.

[Anonymous]

What part of NOVA did you grow up in/hate?

DH grew up in the exurbs, but likes living in a walkable part of Arlington. There are a lot of different parts do the region. I also think it’s normal to some extent to want to leave the area where you grew up.

[Anonymous]

I also grew up overseas in various countries and don’t particularly like it here in NOVA. But I do very much appreciate the cultural diversity, the easy access to a wide range of ethnic restaurants and supermarkets, and the proximity to cultural venues (theater, music, art, etc) and good restaurants in DC. My life would be much poorer without these things.

[Anonymous]

I grew up in Nova in the 90s, and it's become very different, left and liberal. It's definitely gone downhill, including the top school districts. I am not white and yes there was some microagressions back in the 90s but now days it looks likes a foreign country, i prefer the 90s version of a little racism from white than this.

[Anonymous]

OP here - I went to HS in Alexandria but then came back to raise my family in Vienna. It is just a toxic environment for me (as an adult) and my kids- our son hated it here and never wants to come back meanwhile the other kid got all trying to fit in and screwed up. We are still working on this 2 years so far since we left that area. I know we both had careers that were dependent on that area so we had "no choice" but I wish we had just left much earlier. As for living in the south- at least there is a strong movement to keep family, religion and other values. There were none in Nova- i moved from spain and religion went out the window, family as well- it was all down hill. This is not unique- I see so amny families we were friends with with kids moving away from core values. Anyway- just wanted to vent since my family is still suffering from living there- and we are not alone.

[Anonymous]

I love NOVA. So many things to do! Beautiful neighborhoods. People who really care about education. So much new developments. Tons of restaurants and malls. Gorgeous park after park. Newly renovated libraries and nature centers all over the cities. Very bright, hard working friends and neighbors. Lots of theaters and concerts in a tri-state area. Sports venues easy to go to. Rich, history in the area. Loads of universities and corporations all over. Very easy to get a job. Very educated population which feeds into very smart kids for your kids to play with.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here - I went to HS in Alexandria but then came back to raise my family in Vienna. It is just a toxic environment for me (as an adult) and my kids- our son hated it here and never wants to come back meanwhile the other kid got all trying to fit in and screwed up. We are still working on this 2 years so far since we left that area. I know we both had careers that were dependent on that area so we had "no choice" but I wish we had just left much earlier. As for living in the south- at least there is a strong movement to keep family, religion and other values. There were none in Nova- i moved from spain and religion went out the window, family as well- it was all down hill. This is not unique- I see so amny families we were friends with with kids moving away from core values. Anyway- just wanted to vent since my family is still suffering from living there- and we are not alone.

Honestly, your experience sounds very personal to you. Religion went out the window? That's something you are directly in control of.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I love NOVA. So many things to do! Beautiful neighborhoods. People who really care about education. So much new developments. Tons of restaurants and malls. Gorgeous park after park. Newly renovated libraries and nature centers all over the cities. Very bright, hard working friends and neighbors. Lots of theaters and concerts in a tri-state area. Sports venues easy to go to. Rich, history in the area. Loads of universities and corporations all over. Very easy to get a job. Very educated population which feeds into very smart kids for your kids to play with.

Where did you move from?

[Anonymous]

I grew up in DC (Capitol Hill) and I don't particularly like it either. It's also gotten a lot more $$$ across the board, which doesn't really help with the attitudes.

[Anonymous]

It is a very diverse area with a lot to do. Probably too much stimulation.

[Anonymous]

How did you feel about it as you were growing up here? DH and I don't love it here and want to move after the kids are out of the house, but my kids love it here right now. I'd love it if they didn't miss it but I suspect they will. We don't have issues with mean moms and I only mildly dislike the politics where we live.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here - I went to HS in Alexandria but then came back to raise my family in Vienna. It is just a toxic environment for me (as an adult) and my kids- our son hated it here and never wants to come back meanwhile the other kid got all trying to fit in and screwed up. We are still working on this 2 years so far since we left that area. I know we both had careers that were dependent on that area so we had "no choice" but I wish we had just left much earlier. As for living in the south- at least there is a strong movement to keep family, religion and other values. There were none in Nova- i moved from spain and religion went out the window, family as well- it was all down hill. This is not unique- I see so amny families we were friends with with kids moving away from core values. Anyway- just wanted to vent since my family is still suffering from living there- and we are not alone.

Honestly, your experience sounds very personal to you. Religion went out the window? That's something you are directly in control of.

True but in the 90s the churches were packed and it was a nicer community. The same churches now are still doing a lot for families but it's just a much smaller group of people even though the population has increased.