Is there any reason to buy in MoCo instead of Fairfax?

[Anonymous]

Grew up in MoCo. Have since moved to Fairfax/Falls Church. See nearly no drawbacks (other than a slightly longer drive to my country club). Commute is better. More house/yard for the money. Lower taxes. Equal access to quality independent schools.

[Anonymous]

Maryland is prettier. Parts of Bethesda, Chevy Chase, and Kensington are some of the most picturesque suburbs I have ever seen. It is also easier for people to Metro which is nice because I have no interest in trying to park downtown when I go to dinner. This isn't really a thing anymore, but traditional Catholics and Jews bought in MoCo and WASPs bought in NoVA.

[Anonymous]

I'm from VA originally, white and currently live in MoCo. While the housing stock is newer in NoVa, I find that MoCo seems more green, forested, has more parks, and is definitely more diverse. I live in East MoCo and there is definitely less traffic here than in NoVa. MoCo also has more transit options and it's easier to get to BWI. NoVa has more shopping.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I grew up in DC, have lived in Arlington and now live in MoCo. I agree that VA objectively has more going for it, especially in terms of higher education options and lower taxes. But, I find MoCo to be more diverse (especially African-Americans), prettier, and I live the variety of urban vs. rural all in the same county. Also, it is a bit cheaper on the whole for housing and there are more reasonably priced neighborhoods closer in than what you find in Fairfax. Just my 2 cents. If I were not from the area, and I were white, I probably would buy in Virginia just for the college options and lower taxes.

It's true Fairfax County has fewer black people (about 10% less), but it also is over 20% asian, which is 5% more than MoCo. So, I guess it depends on what races count to you as "diverse."

[Anonymous]

We have lived in both Fairfax and MOCO. We don’t live in either right now. You do not want to live anywhere in MOCO. I’m a liberal Dem. Its not about politics. It’s quality of life, schools, and crime.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I grew up in DC, have lived in Arlington and now live in MoCo. I agree that VA objectively has more going for it, especially in terms of higher education options and lower taxes. But, I find MoCo to be more diverse (especially African-Americans), prettier, and I live the variety of urban vs. rural all in the same county. Also, it is a bit cheaper on the whole for housing and there are more reasonably priced neighborhoods closer in than what you find in Fairfax. Just my 2 cents. If I were not from the area, and I were white, I probably would buy in Virginia just for the college options and lower taxes.

It's true Fairfax County has fewer black people (about 10% less), but it also is over 20% asian, which is 5% more than MoCo. So, I guess it depends on what races count to you as "diverse."

Remember that with MoCo, where you live means everything as far as diversity. West county is white and Asian. East county is black and Latino.

[Anonymous]

MCPS is going down the drain while FCPS is on the come up

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Maryland is prettier. Parts of Bethesda, Chevy Chase, and Kensington are some of the most picturesque suburbs I have ever seen. It is also easier for people to Metro which is nice because I have no interest in trying to park downtown when I go to dinner. This isn't really a thing anymore, but traditional Catholics and Jews bought in MoCo and WASPs bought in NoVA.

Takoma Park is cute too. I love how hilly and wooded it is, yet you see so many buses running through. You don't see that in a lot of places.

[Anonymous]

I agree that MD is prettier and greener than NOVA. Fairfax grew too fast and it shows - bland architecture, lack of trees, giant highways.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I agree that MD is prettier and greener than NOVA. Fairfax grew too fast and it shows - bland architecture, lack of trees, giant highways.

When I owned a house in Chevy Chase, trees only meant one thing - power outages, destroyed roofs and destroyed cars (ALL of this happened to me). I have since viewed trees as a scourge. It's very sad, but better construction and planning and better infrastructure could fix it. MoCo has none of this.

[Anonymous]

In my opinion, whatever your commute is, is the only reason to choose one over the other.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:MCPS is going down the drain while FCPS is on the come up

All of MoCo is going down the drain. We are moving to Mclean where I can get the same services for much much cheaper.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:No weirdo guys walking around with guns on their hips.

I have literally never seen a gun in 6 years of living in NoVa

I saw one at the toys r us in Fairfax a few years ago. The guy was wearing an anti Hillary shirt and his gun was clearly visible. Disturbing. Haven’t seen one since though.

[Anonymous]

I love my MoCo neighborhood. Diverse, intelligent, kind, not fussy. But I don’t love the schools now, the things I hear about FCPS sound better to me. They get more PE, they get language instruction earlier, they have differentiated classes earlier. They also have more in-state university options.

[Anonymous]

It is very hard for a NOVA kid to get into UVA.