At DC privates - Why are VA parents considered "inferior"?

[Anonymous]

I completely agree with the perception that certain areas of nova is new money, with all the negative connotations that such a label brings. So I fully understand that those from the area who send their kids to private would be perceived as such- even by people who aren't old money. I'm not from old money and actually have the resources to live in the nouveau riche areas but don't want the negative taint on me or my kids or, even worse, my kids to get caught up in it.

[Anonymous]

New to the DC area and currently live in VA with young kids not yet in school.

Maybe it's the same as in NYC where you are either in Manhattan or not? People can be snobby about the Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens, etc. When we lived in Manhattan, I thought it was a bit odd when people from NJ would bus their kids in to Manhattan for private school. I thought it was really inconvenient.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

There is a feeling among some denizens of NW DC and the close-in MD suburbs that people who buy houses in Virginia don't quite "get it". They choose more space and lower housing prices over all that the more densely populated and more expensive NW DC and MD areas offer (including the private schools).

I know this is a stretch, but its sort of the way Manhattanites feel about people who live in NJ. Not so extreme. but the same sort of thing. Their thought is, "Who would live in Virginia?"

I think this PP + the PPs who say that NOVA screams flashy new money nailed it. I don't think politics really explains it, as many of the people who look down on NOVA residents are conservatives themselves. Yes, there are plenty of conservatives in DC and MD and most of them send their kids to private.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

There is a feeling among some denizens of NW DC and the close-in MD suburbs that people who buy houses in Virginia don't quite "get it". They choose more space and lower housing prices over all that the more densely populated and more expensive NW DC and MD areas offer (including the private schools).

I know this is a stretch, but its sort of the way Manhattanites feel about people who live in NJ. Not so extreme. but the same sort of thing. Their thought is, "Who would live in Virginia?"

I think this PP + the PPs who say that NOVA screams flashy new money nailed it. I don't think politics really explains it, as many of the people who look down on NOVA residents are conservatives themselves. Yes, there are plenty of conservatives in DC and MD and most of them send their kids to private.

Well, those people would look down on anyone that isn't them. What they fail to forget is we in NoVA look down on them, the strangely insecure OP not withstanding. Not only that, we snicker. There's far more old money in NOVA than in DC or, snicker, Bethesda.

[Anonymous]

Wow - I am glad that we just moved out to VA from DC. We are far from old or new money and couldn't afford to send 3 kids to private. And now I'm really relieved that our children won't be surrounded by so many pompous snobs. I have to imagine that most of the families in our public will be much more down-to-earth.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:PP, while Virginia went for Obama in the 2nd, it was too close to call initially and it was NoVa that carried the Obama vote not middle or more southern VA. But that's water under the bridge.

We are a private school family for years, and I have met wonderful people from Virginia. With that being said, I have noticed a hint of more conservatism (not frugal) for specific fundraisers or community service activities. Not a bad thing but I wonder if it is because of the political Virginia climate? But one could say you could have that attitude regardless where you live.

It was never too close to call in Virginia. What are you going on about? There was never any doubt.

But it's Old Money that tend to vote mindlessly Republican, anyway. So your argument really contradicts your thesis.

You are entitled to your opinion and I mine. I suggest you might go back and read the numerous reports on the voting returns. I am not going on about anything as this was my first (and definitely last) post. If you want to argue, do it with somebody else.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:PP, while Virginia went for Obama in the 2nd, it was too close to call initially and it was NoVa that carried the Obama vote not middle or more southern VA. But that's water under the bridge.

We are a private school family for years, and I have met wonderful people from Virginia. With that being said, I have noticed a hint of more conservatism (not frugal) for specific fundraisers or community service activities. Not a bad thing but I wonder if it is because of the political Virginia climate? But one could say you could have that attitude regardless where you live.

It was never too close to call in Virginia. What are you going on about? There was never any doubt.

But it's Old Money that tend to vote mindlessly Republican, anyway. So your argument really contradicts your thesis.

You are entitled to your opinion and I mine. I suggest you might go back and read the numerous reports on the voting returns. I am not going on about anything as this was my first (and definitely last) post. If you want to argue, do it with somebody else.

NP, here. I thought your point was a good one. Don't scurry away from DCUM b/c some cow hasn't yet had her first cup of coffee.

[Anonymous]

We live in Alexandria and decided to send DD to one of the top DC privates for high school. She had been at an Alexandria K-8. We felt the DC option was much better for her, socially and academically. We love living in Alexandria; it's got all the advantages of a smaller community while being close to DC. And we have in-state preference to UVA and William and Mary.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We live in Alexandria and decided to send DD to one of the top DC privates for high school. She had been at an Alexandria K-8. We felt the DC option was much better for her, socially and academically. We love living in Alexandria; it's got all the advantages of a smaller community while being close to DC. And we have in-state preference to UVA and William and Mary.

I think the difference may be that your DD is going to high school. Before then, the families are much more involved. So it's before then that VA residents can feel like outsiders at a Big 3.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Ill bite. Even though I know I shouldn't buy I've had 3 glasses of wine. There is a gut reaction that I get when I meet the few parents from Virginia. I realize they live far away, may have different political views and I sure as hell don't want to drive out there for a play date. I also get the sense of social climbing and that stench is hard to ignore. So I say hi and then ignore them completely because if DD makes a friend who lives in McLean I sure as hell don't want to drive out there on a Saturday.

Social climbing? More Old Money and status in Virginia than in MD, darling. Probably DC, too.

Well I live in DC. And you know you're wrong. Nova is so new money it hurts. Everything is gaudy and flashy. People trying to live outside their means so they lease a new car yearly to try and create false status. Eh. Call me when your family has a crest and funded America's railroads.

The railroads failed you retard , you should refund us your money.

[Anonymous]

Old money didn't earn it

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:To answer the OPs question, maybe because unless these VA parents live in close-in McLean or Arlington, they're choosing to send their kids to DC privates in spite of long commutes and few possibilities of nearby school friends. Their public school options are good and there are privates in VA they could attend that would afford more of a community for their kids. My read on these VA parents is that it's all about the perceived status of DC privates to them. They're climbers. Plain and simple.

Hey, I think the feeling extends to McLean and Arlington! That is the point of why this is so funny! So let's see - so because they may think some of the DC privates are better than FFX or Arlington VA public they are AUTOMATICALLY social climbers???????????????

[Anonymous]

Using the r word isn't cool.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I completely agree with the perception that certain areas of nova is new money, with all the negative connotations that such a label brings. So I fully understand that those from the area who send their kids to private would be perceived as such- even by people who aren't old money. I'm not from old money and actually have the resources to live in the nouveau riche areas but don't want the negative taint on me or my kids or, even worse, my kids to get caught up in it.

NP here: Which parts of NoVA are considered "nouveaux riche" - I am curious. This thread is hilarious!

[Anonymous]

Aren't the Salahi's from NOVA?