Feel like a fish out of water in Vienna

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So after going through 8 pages of this, I have decided that I will never, ever move to Vienna. These Vienna posters are AWFUL.

OP was complaining that Vienna families were unwelcoming. Y'all realize you prove every point that she made, right?

+1

It's not just Vienna though. It's most of Northern VA.

OP here. Really? Are, say, Arlington/Fairfax/Burke/Bailey's Crossroads like this as well?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So after going through 8 pages of this, I have decided that I will never, ever move to Vienna. These Vienna posters are AWFUL.

OP was complaining that Vienna families were unwelcoming. Y'all realize you prove every point that she made, right?

+1

It's not just Vienna though. It's most of Northern VA.

OP here. Really? Are, say, Arlington/Fairfax/Burke/Bailey's Crossroads like this as well?

OP, I'm in Vienna. I'm of mom of two, have one dog, I'm married, but I''m opinionated and do not fit the suburban mom mold, want to hang out?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So after going through 8 pages of this, I have decided that I will never, ever move to Vienna. These Vienna posters are AWFUL.

OP was complaining that Vienna families were unwelcoming. Y'all realize you prove every point that she made, right?

+1

It's not just Vienna though. It's most of Northern VA.

OP here. Really? Are, say, Arlington/Fairfax/Burke/Bailey's Crossroads like this as well?

In my experience, having lived in Vienna and other parts of NoVa, no - or certainly not to the same degree.

Vienna is a special case. It’s affluent, but not truly wealthy, which means there’s just enough economic insecurity to foster a mentality that’s a hybrid of keeping up with the Jones and “Lord of the Flies.” In other places, people are busier, or more socially engaged, or there’s an assumption that if you can afford to live there you belong. Vienna is like a sorority rush that never ends.

[Anonymous]

Maybe start by cleaning up your potty mouth. That doesn't make you a social rebel with a cause.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So after going through 8 pages of this, I have decided that I will never, ever move to Vienna. These Vienna posters are AWFUL.

OP was complaining that Vienna families were unwelcoming. Y'all realize you prove every point that she made, right?

+1

It's not just Vienna though. It's most of Northern VA.

OP here. Really? Are, say, Arlington/Fairfax/Burke/Bailey's Crossroads like this as well?

Not that PP but it depends. North Arlington, the Fair Lakes area of Fairfax, newer build neighborhoods in Burke will feel very similar to Vienna. It's the higher income, not the area. Fairfax City has a different feel than Fair Lakes, and in the Woodson zoned area of Annandale, Canterbury Woods has a different vibe than Mantua even though they're really close. Personally, I'd aim for South Arlington or anywhere around Bailey's Crossroads (I think Sleepy Hollow and Lake Barcroft are really nice). I've lived in Vienna and live in Burke now; Burke has less money but it's more similar to Vienna than different.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Maybe start by cleaning up your potty mouth. That doesn't make you a social rebel with a cause.

That's Vienna, again. Being catty and saying nasty things about kids behind their parents' backs is perfectly acceptable, but cursing (for example, when discussing the Supreme Court or DJT) is uncouth and grounds for exclusion from the club.

[Anonymous]

Ironic that Vienna is like this now. 20 years ago it was where the "poors" lived.

[Anonymous]

McLean resident: Eating my popcorn and shamelessly enjoying the schadenfreude

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So after going through 8 pages of this, I have decided that I will never, ever move to Vienna. These Vienna posters are AWFUL.

OP was complaining that Vienna families were unwelcoming. Y'all realize you prove every point that she made, right?

+1

It's not just Vienna though. It's most of Northern VA.

OP here. Really? Are, say, Arlington/Fairfax/Burke/Bailey's Crossroads like this as well?

There is definitely a social penalty for not strictly conforming in the more affluent areas.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:McLean resident: Eating my popcorn and shamelessly enjoying the schadenfreude

McLean doesn't have a mean girls vibe.

-No one

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Maybe start by cleaning up your potty mouth. That doesn't make you a social rebel with a cause.

^^ Northern VA mentality

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So after going through 8 pages of this, I have decided that I will never, ever move to Vienna. These Vienna posters are AWFUL.

OP was complaining that Vienna families were unwelcoming. Y'all realize you prove every point that she made, right?

+1

It's not just Vienna though. It's most of Northern VA.

OP here. Really? Are, say, Arlington/Fairfax/Burke/Bailey's Crossroads like this as well?

In my experience, having lived in Vienna and other parts of NoVa, no - or certainly not to the same degree.

Vienna is a special case. It’s affluent, but not truly wealthy, which means there’s just enough economic insecurity to foster a mentality that’s a hybrid of keeping up with the Jones and “Lord of the Flies.” In other places, people are busier, or more socially engaged, or there’s an assumption that if you can afford to live there you belong. Vienna is like a sorority rush that never ends.

I feel like I live in a different Vienna. Our neighbors are perfectly pleasant. At 40 I am not looking for BFFs next door, I have a bunch of long-distance close friends from various phases of life and some local friends from work. I mostly hang out with a divorced mom whose kids are friends with mine. We live in an older small house which fits our needs. My kids aren’t in team sports, it’s not their thing. I am an immigrant and know other immigrants on our street (not from the same country). I may be oblivious to all the social competition but so be it.

[Anonymous]

OP, do your kids like it? Enough? You can make your own friends, elsewhere. If it's about your kids and they are doing well or ok, it might all be ok. To me it seemed we were different, different in our school community (not Vienna) and what I came to realize is: my kids made a big impact. They ended high school with huge leadership roles (DS, President of the Student Council for the entire school) Imo other students were drawn to them because they were unique and different.

[Anonymous]

Woodson zoned area of Annandale, Canterbury Woods has a different vibe than Mantua

I just have to jump in and ask this poster ... what's your take, what's different?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, do your kids like it? Enough? You can make your own friends, elsewhere. If it's about your kids and they are doing well or ok, it might all be ok. To me it seemed we were different, different in our school community (not Vienna) and what I came to realize is: my kids made a big impact. They ended high school with huge leadership roles (DS, President of the Student Council for the entire school) Imo other students were drawn to them because they were unique and different.

But this goes against the Vienna mentality.