If You Grew up in MD, Would you ever move to VA?

[Anonymous]

McLean feels more southern and conservative than Bethesda? Nah.

Anne Arundel or PG versus Tidewater? Sho' nuff.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:"When I say "I don't know why" it's because it's more a feeling of not being comfortable when I'm in VA. I've been called a n-i-g-g-e-r when I was vacationing in Virginia Beach, so perhaps that's played a role. VA just seems really backward and unwelcoming. As a white woman, I'm sure YMMV."

But Virginia Beach is full of military and rural hicks. It's much closer demographically to WVA than to NOVA. Are you aware of the differences in income and racial and ethnic diversity?

Understood and point well taken. Honestly, though, I just believe VA to be a place of bigotry. Whether my opinion is founded or not does not change my views. I'm sure there are really nice people in all areas of VA, but it just would not be where I would choose to live for the reasons I stated. For the people that I know of that are from VA, they are either:

1) backward, red-neck'ish with racist beliefs
2) Hard-nosed conservatives who hold really staunch views where there seems to be a low level of tolerance for those that don't measure up financially.
3) HHI folks who measure their success and those around them by what designer labels they wear, in what gated community they live, in what school their child attends, etc.

Again, my opinion based on my experiences. Other people's MMV.

I am the PP from CT who likes VA. I can understand why you would have this impression. In my experience it's inaccurate, but then not being black, I don't know what the black experience is here.

VA does have more of a deep south feel, outside of NOVA. HQ of the confederacy and all that. Robert E Lee day, wasn't that our invention? MD has a more New Englandish, liberal, non-slave state FEEL although yes I know there were slaves there.

You explained my POV in a very PC-way! Thanks! I guess I should've been less blunt in my opinion. I was dancing around it, but really my main beef with VA and while I'm not totally comfortable there is because of its history with slavery. Perhaps when I'm in the state, I'm hyper-sensitive and, as a result, notice unsavory things more. I'm not sure, but it's exactly as you describe...For me, VA feels more Southern/conservative while MD definitely feels more New England'ish/progressive/accommodating.

Depends on where in MD. I'm from MD and can tell you I've lived in some pretty redneck areas with horrible racism which is why I moved to DC and then eventually to Alexandria.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So PP, where in MD do you live?

I somehow think that no matter where I say, it will be ridiculed. So, I'll just say in a very progressive, accommodating and accepting city.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:McLean feels more southern and conservative than Bethesda? Nah.

Anne Arundel or PG versus Tidewater? Sho' nuff.

We are not talking about just the blue island that is NOVA, but the state overall.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So PP, where in MD do you live?

I somehow think that no matter where I say, it will be ridiculed. So, I'll just say in a very progressive, accommodating and accepting city.

Takoma Park? If so, yes, there's really noplace that can compare with TP.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:McLean feels more southern and conservative than Bethesda? Nah.

Anne Arundel or PG versus Tidewater? Sho' nuff.

We are not talking about just the blue island that is NOVA, but the state overall.

But I live in McLean, not Virginia Beach. The choice is between a close in suburb of MD vs. a close in suburb of VA, right? Hence, the DC urban area.

[Anonymous]

Southern MD was essentially just as much a part of the confederacy as Virginia - the whole state of MD really. they had to keep it garrisoned with union troops.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: Understood and point well taken. Honestly, though, I just believe VA to be a place of bigotry. Whether my opinion is founded or not does not change my views. I'm sure there are really nice people in all areas of VA, but it just would not be where I would choose to live for the reasons I stated. For the people that I know of that are from VA, they are either:

1) backward, red-neck'ish with racist beliefs
2) Hard-nosed conservatives who hold really staunch views where there seems to be a low level of tolerance for those that don't measure up financially.
3) HHI folks who measure their success and those around them by what designer labels they wear, in what gated community they live, in what school their child attends, etc.

Again, my opinion based on my experiences. Other people's MMV.

Wow. You need to get out more if these are the only people (or even the majority of people) you have met in VA.

Honestly, as a native Virginian, it is really hard not to take offense to your statements. It would be akin to me saying that I would never move to Maryland b/c the people who broke into my house, robbed me blind, and stole my car, happened to be from PG County, so based on my experiences, Marylanders must all be hard-core criminals.

To state such a thing (and believe it) would be horribly ignorant and disrespectful to the millions of great people who live and work in Maryland.
Do you not realize that what you are saying is just as hurtful and ignorant?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: Understood and point well taken. Honestly, though, I just believe VA to be a place of bigotry. Whether my opinion is founded or not does not change my views. I'm sure there are really nice people in all areas of VA, but it just would not be where I would choose to live for the reasons I stated. For the people that I know of that are from VA, they are either:

1) backward, red-neck'ish with racist beliefs
2) Hard-nosed conservatives who hold really staunch views where there seems to be a low level of tolerance for those that don't measure up financially.
3) HHI folks who measure their success and those around them by what designer labels they wear, in what gated community they live, in what school their child attends, etc.

Again, my opinion based on my experiences. Other people's MMV.

Wow. You need to get out more if these are the only people (or even the majority of people) you have met in VA.

Honestly, as a native Virginian, it is really hard not to take offense to your statements. It would be akin to me saying that I would never move to Maryland b/c the people who broke into my house, robbed me blind, and stole my car, happened to be from PG County, so based on my experiences, Marylanders must all be hard-core criminals.

To state such a thing (and believe it) would be horribly ignorant and disrespectful to the millions of great people who live and work in Maryland.
Do you not realize that what you are saying is just as hurtful and ignorant?

which is why I too think that prior poster must be a troll trying to get a rise. nobody is that ignorant. Nova is identical to Montgomery County. Southern MD is identical to the northern neck. SWVa is identical to western md. two peas in a pod.

[Anonymous]

Grew up in ChCh and live in Arlington now. No way would I move back to MoCo. It's becoming such a dump. Not much shopping, all the roads are crowded and the taxes are insane.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: Understood and point well taken. Honestly, though, I just believe VA to be a place of bigotry. Whether my opinion is founded or not does not change my views. I'm sure there are really nice people in all areas of VA, but it just would not be where I would choose to live for the reasons I stated. For the people that I know of that are from VA, they are either:

1) backward, red-neck'ish with racist beliefs
2) Hard-nosed conservatives who hold really staunch views where there seems to be a low level of tolerance for those that don't measure up financially.
3) HHI folks who measure their success and those around them by what designer labels they wear, in what gated community they live, in what school their child attends, etc.

Again, my opinion based on my experiences. Other people's MMV.

Wow. You need to get out more if these are the only people (or even the majority of people) you have met in VA.

Honestly, as a native Virginian, it is really hard not to take offense to your statements. It would be akin to me saying that I would never move to Maryland b/c the people who broke into my house, robbed me blind, and stole my car, happened to be from PG County, so based on my experiences, Marylanders must all be hard-core criminals.

To state such a thing (and believe it) would be horribly ignorant and disrespectful to the millions of great people who live and work in Maryland.
Do you not realize that what you are saying is just as hurtful and ignorant?

Have you had people break into your house, rob you and/or steal from you while in Maryland? If not, you are not drawing an equal comparison. My opinions are based on my experiences, not hypothetical scenarios. Many people do feel that PG Co is crime-infested....the only problem is that most haven't even been in the County...they get their info from the sensationalized news stories.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:From MD and we would NEVER move to VA. We are gay and would never live in a such a bigoted state. My husband actually won't even visit friends there. Then again we wouldn't visit Nigeria for the same reason.

See, we need people like you to come here and be voters!

I grew up in CT, been in VA 20 years. I am a total democrat, liberal, unitarian from an LGTB "welcoming" congregation. I love VA. I live in FFX City. Small town feel, great schools, two minutes to metro, wonderful parks, nice people, very diverse, lots of conveniences and within a short drive of many things I like to do. Even traffic is not THAT bad as long as you work the system - flex your hours, use HOV, a hybrid, metro, what have you.

I think of MD as being either high crime or unaffordable farm land turned into mcmansions. Not saying VA doesn't also have the mcmansions but NOVA also has so many nice old neighborhoods to choose from.

I am very happy with the place I landed; no interest in moving.

I am the poster to whom you replied and I think you have your priorities way out of whack. Foremost we have kids and I would never take a chance that the state would try to take them. Second, I am happily married and would never take the chance that the state would actively try to both invalidate my marriage and all rights whatsoever (including those in wills, deeds, contracts and trust agreements) from us. As little as 10 years ago it was a crime to engage in homosexual behavior in VA (it technically still is a crime, but the Supreme Court has permanently injuncted the state from enforcing the law).

Maslow's highest need is safety and it just isn't safe as a gay person to live in VA.

[Anonymous]

PP, dramatic much?

[Anonymous]

I lived in MD for two years as a kid. Lived in DC for four years in college. Have lived in VA in the 17 years since then. I wouldn't rule out living in Maryland, but after 17 years, most of my friends live in Virginia, and I don't really see any great advantage to moving. Fairfax and Arlington schools are similar to Montgomery County schools, the housing stock is no greater there, and I don't see any real commuting advantages. But if I found the perfect job there, I'd consider it.

[Anonymous]

Virginia girl here, I was born in Arlington and grew up throughout No. Va (Arlington, Falls Church, Fairfax, Manassas) went to college in Richmond and moved to Maryland after college. I lived in Montgomery, Anne Arundel and now Prince Georges. Get this, I live in Bowie and I think it is this area's best kept secret! Great schools, easy commute and diverse. Don't believe the hype about No. Va, I was there when Route 66 was still a two lane country road, my 94 year old grandmother still lives in Arlington and I still think that even with all of the sprawl that's occured in that area, it still doesn't feel progressive. I have no idea why, other than the fact that I am black, but I am never going back to VA!