What is the appeal of this area? IDGI

[Anonymous]

You chose to live in Fairfax, which is not representative of the entire area. People live in Fairfax for the schools, the jobs, and the not-entirely-soul-destroying commute.

If pure aesthetics are what's important to you, you should have lived in Georgetown, or Dupont, or Old Town Alexandria, or any of our many charming neighborhoods that's not mid-ring suburban sprawl. If you wanted a Stepford-wives picture perfect suburb, you should have lived in Chevy Chase or Potomac.

You moved to the most boring suburb in the area and got exactly what you signed up for.

[Anonymous]

As an immigrant, sometimes, a lot of times, what OP describes can apply to the whole US

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, I've brought up many of your points on this board and people refuse to believe there are nicer places -- better weather, less traffic, not as dense and rundown, and not as expensive. I really think people don't travel enough within the U.S. I am OK with this area mostly because I like my job but if I lose the job or decide to do something else, I'll definitely be looking to move.

I don't agree with this. Lots of people agree. But most US cities aren't better than this. I can think of a lot of resort towns I'd rather be living in, with there being something to do. But as far as major metro areas are concerned, most are pretty much the same song outside of Manhattan.

ITA. American suburbia outside of major metro areas is pretty much the same with the climate or some aspects of building architecture being the only diff. The same fugly strip malls everywhere and power lines too. There are a few cute town centers (I call them “leisure towns”) in every affluent residential cluster mainly catering to weekend crowd or tourists that are maintained to look quaint to draw people to spend time/money there and get away from the ugliness of everyday errands and job commutes. Unfortunately a lot of these town centers are not for practical everyday living having shortage of businesses people actually need for routine errands. It’s because of car centric lifestyle. PP is on point that the only places you can find practically located businesses on the urban grid is in the major cities dense residential areas. Everything else is built to be accessible by car around vast parking areas and fast roads.

Check out DC proper, it’s very different. And power lines are buried.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You chose to live in Fairfax, which is not representative of the entire area. People live in Fairfax for the schools, the jobs, and the not-entirely-soul-destroying commute.

If pure aesthetics are what's important to you, you should have lived in Georgetown, or Dupont, or Old Town Alexandria, or any of our many charming neighborhoods that's not mid-ring suburban sprawl. If you wanted a Stepford-wives picture perfect suburb, you should have lived in Chevy Chase or Potomac.

You moved to the most boring suburb in the area and got exactly what you signed up for.

Residential parts of DC have nice areas that look like this. And there are beautiful hilly wooded roads around NOVA suburbs too with nicer homes. OP must be living near the ugly parts.

[Anonymous]

OP, if you aren’t an engagement farming troll, where have you lived before?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, I've brought up many of your points on this board and people refuse to believe there are nicer places -- better weather, less traffic, not as dense and rundown, and not as expensive. I really think people don't travel enough within the U.S. I am OK with this area mostly because I like my job but if I lose the job or decide to do something else, I'll definitely be looking to move.

Or we've traveled enough to know that much of the country looks like that.

I also don't get complaining about the weather here. The summer is a little hot but not as bad as further south, and the winters are mild. It's nice here.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
OP, I've brought up many of your points on this board and people refuse to believe there are nicer places -- better weather, less traffic, not as dense and rundown, and not as expensive. I really think people don't travel enough within the U.S. I am OK with this area mostly because I like my job but if I lose the job or decide to do something else, I'll definitely be looking to move.


Or we've traveled enough to know that much of the country looks like that.

I also don't get complaining about the weather here. The summer is a little hot but not as bad as further south, and the winters are mild. It's nice here.

Yes, the winters are mild. We have three great seasons here. We always plan a trip north during the summer.

[Anonymous]

No place is perfect. Schools and activities for kids are great in Fairfax County. People are highly educated. You come to appreciate neighbors and friends here. There are some really nice parks and rec centers in Fairfax. You can find just about any activity.

[Anonymous]

Temporary transplant here - only living here for a year. I guess I expected this area to be a bit nicer being that this is one of the most wealthiest counties/areas in the US. I'm living in Fairfax and I am a bit stunned at how run down so many places in this area look. The traffic is terrible, I am shocked at the sheer amount of overhead power lines that look like they're going to fall down with a 10 mph wind gust (parts of FFX almost look like power lines you'd see in SE asia), neighborhoods that don't look well kept, shady strip malls, I could go on. Small houses on the market nearing a million dollars, town homes at 1.4million with a postage-stamp size yard. I'm currently living in an apartment my company pays for and it's $3600/month!

I get that the jobs are good out here (or they were before the new admin came in) but you get nothing for your money here. It's so dense. You're not paying for the weather here, that's for sure. Is it just the jobs?

Density is the reason we have so many amenities and opportunities. In Fairfax you are close to the biggest university in Virginia, a whole lot of higher end stores and restaurants, great medical facilities, and the capital city with many museums, theaters, etc., etc. We have many historic areas and national parks (have you been to Great Falls, Shenandoah, or Prince William Forest yet?). There are tons of day trips you can take from here as well. You are in an apartment so of course it will feel denser. Get out and travel around the area.

[Anonymous]

The good:

1. Located close to high paying jobs in NoVA and surrounding area.
2. Good school options
3. Top ethnic food options. Korean, Vietnamese, Thai, Afghani options are all as good as it gets in the US.
4. Decent public infrastructure. Parks, libraries, etc. aren't bad
5. Decent housing options. Good choice in SFHs, townhomes, condos, etc. Generally can find affordable options for what you like.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, I've brought up many of your points on this board and people refuse to believe there are nicer places -- better weather, less traffic, not as dense and rundown, and not as expensive. I really think people don't travel enough within the U.S. I am OK with this area mostly because I like my job but if I lose the job or decide to do something else, I'll definitely be looking to move.

You would have a much stronger argument if you actually listed those places. You just listed a bunch of superlatives and said : they exist. Where?

[Anonymous]

Fairfax County is pretty fugly. Check out Cleveland Park / Chevy Chase, etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, I've brought up many of your points on this board and people refuse to believe there are nicer places -- better weather, less traffic, not as dense and rundown, and not as expensive. I really think people don't travel enough within the U.S. I am OK with this area mostly because I like my job but if I lose the job or decide to do something else, I'll definitely be looking to move.

You would have a much stronger argument if you actually listed those places. You just listed a bunch of superlatives and said : they exist. Where?

I’m guessing Research Triangle, Boise, Colorado towns, and Madison.

3 are really far from ocean and all get pretty intense winters.

RT is a contender but you have state politics in NC which are dicey.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, I've brought up many of your points on this board and people refuse to believe there are nicer places -- better weather, less traffic, not as dense and rundown, and not as expensive. I really think people don't travel enough within the U.S. I am OK with this area mostly because I like my job but if I lose the job or decide to do something else, I'll definitely be looking to move.

You would have a much stronger argument if you actually listed those places. You just listed a bunch of superlatives and said : they exist. Where?

I’m guessing Research Triangle, Boise, Colorado towns, and Madison.

3 are really far from ocean and all get pretty intense winters.

RT is a contender but you have state politics in NC which are dicey.

Triangle traffic is also terrible.

[Anonymous]

OP moves to one random not aesthetically pleasing neighborhood in a region filled with better options; declares game over.

OP this is a real estate forum—what’s your budget and needs? We can probably recommend something better…