Ugh Shallow vent but need to ask

[Anonymous]

So, my coworker and I had a debate that kind of turned a bit show-offy and competitive. She lives in Ashburn, I live in N. Arlington. When we got into an argument about our houses, she was saying how great Ashburn is - and by default her house is because "Louden County is the richest county in the country!" I countered (since I read the same damn article) that while Louden may be the richest county, that just means that residents are the highest paid. But Arlington has the most expensive houses. She didn't understand that it matters.

I KNOW, I KNOW. This is completely shallow and I hate myself for even getting into the pissing match with her, but it got me thinking. Does anyone know why Louden is the richest county in the country? I mean, with all the riches in DC, close-in MD and VA, you'd think they would rank higher than some area that includes Ashburn - new houses all built looking exactly the same, no older trees, greenery or anything.

Does anyone know what made Louden county rank the way it did? Is there some secret nook tucked away somewhere in Louden with million dollar homes?

[Anonymous]

Wow. You both need a new hobby.

[Anonymous]

I believe Loudon county has some "old money" houses - horse country, fox hunts, etc. Big mansions on large (horse farm large) plots of land.

[Anonymous]

I would like to know how a conversation like this even starts!

[Anonymous]

I also think the key is that there are fewer poor people to drag down the average.

[Anonymous]

it's because of several billionaires that live in and around Middleburg--like BET founder (forgot her name). Not because of Ashburn.

[Anonymous]

It's Loudoun County. Not Louden. Also, Loudoun County is HUGE. It includes Middleburg and Leesburg, where there are definitely older, very expensive homes. Ashburn is not what pulled Loudoun to the top of the list, it just happens to BE in Loudoun County.

[Anonymous]

I agree with the previous posters. I don't know a single person with money who lives in Ashburn. The people I know in Ashburn moved there because they didn't have the money to have a nice house any closer in, and they picked "nice house" over "close to DC."

But yeah, who cares? She prefers a bigger house; you prefer to be closer to DC. I'm with you, personally.

yesterday we were visiting friends in Haymarket. They have a gorgeous new-ish house in a gated community, and it cost less than my tiny old cape in Arlington. My friend and I joke about it sometimes. Different strokes.

[Anonymous]

Ashburn is a new development with a lot of affordable townhouses and apartments. I would say the average cookie cutter single family home probably goes for 300-400 k. Personally, I would not want to live there. It is quite boring unless you are an 8 year old child.

[Anonymous]

Well, Arlington County SAT scores are higher than Loudon County's. Does that help the fight?

[Anonymous]

Your colleague is probably not too bright if she can't figure out that her community in Assburn is not what is pulling Loudoun to the head of the monetary heap. She can't possibly think that her $500k townhouse or the $900k clusters of McMansions are what is driving that statistic.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So, my coworker and I had a debate that kind of turned a bit show-offy and competitive. She lives in Ashburn, I live in N. Arlington. When we got into an argument about our houses, she was saying how great Ashburn is - and by default her house is because "Louden County is the richest county in the country!" I countered (since I read the same damn article) that while Louden may be the richest county, that just means that residents are the highest paid. But Arlington has the most expensive houses. She didn't understand that it matters. I KNOW, I KNOW. This is completely shallow and I hate myself for even getting into the pissing match with her, but it got me thinking. Does anyone know why Louden is the richest county in the country? I mean, with all the riches in DC, close-in MD and VA, you'd think they would rank higher than some area that includes Ashburn - new houses all built looking exactly the same, no older trees, greenery or anything.

Does anyone know what made Louden county rank the way it did? Is there some secret nook tucked away somewhere in Louden with million dollar homes?

It actually does not matter.

[Anonymous]

Just remind her that your Dad could beat up her Dad.

After that, put your fingers in your ears and say "la la la la la".

Boom. Winner.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I also think the key is that there are fewer poor people to drag down the average.

This.

[Anonymous]

Wow