Anonymous wrote:I used to live in Vienna (and have never lived in Bethesda), so take this with that in mind. How could you drive down Maple Avenue and conclude it has a small town feel? It is Chain Bridge Rd with a bunch of strip malls. I just do not understand the view that Vienna has some small town vibe. I mean, sure, Bethesda doesn't either.

Because that's what "small town" feel is these days. When people say small town feel that's what they are referring to, not from back in the day small towns.

Vienna is great. I think a lot has to do with the politics that people dont like to admit to. A lot of people that choose VA over MD do not like the politics and the constant super left feel of MD. Crime also has something to do with it.

Bethesda all the way. McLean, Arlington, and Alexandria are the only areas in Virginia that I find very desirable. The rest of NoVa feels like a plastic and tacky revival of 2000s McMansion and living beyond your means culture.

Anonymous wrote:I used to live in Vienna (and have never lived in Bethesda), so take this with that in mind. How could you drive down Maple Avenue and conclude it has a small town feel? It is Chain Bridge Rd with a bunch of strip malls. I just do not understand the view that Vienna has some small town vibe. I mean, sure, Bethesda doesn't either.

Stay on church st.

I used to live in Vienna (and have never lived in Bethesda), so take this with that in mind. How could you drive down Maple Avenue and conclude it has a small town feel? It is Chain Bridge Rd with a bunch of strip malls. I just do not understand the view that Vienna has some small town vibe. I mean, sure, Bethesda doesn't either.

Grew up in Bethesda but now live in town of Vienna, which I absolutely love. Definitely has a small town feel and I love being able to walk everywhere. Tysons may be similar to Rockville but town of Vienna is not.

In Bethesda terms, Vienna is basically Rockville with worse food.

Vienna, no question about it.

Anonymous wrote:State gov't: Md is much more sane then Va.

State gov't: Md is much more sane then Va.

Bethesda

Schools: Bethesda schools are more focused on academics. Madison HS in Vienna is focused on athletics.

Local Government: Vienna has its own town government but it’s really just known for having its own police force that loves to issue tickets.

Real Estate: Bethesda has more older, charming neighborhoods. Vienna has more cheap, tacky McMansions.

Taxes: Taxes are higher in Maryland.

Vibe: Bethesda attracts better educated people with more interesting jobs. It can also be oppressively Type A. Vienna is extremely conformist and has a “don’t rock the boat” mentality, but if you play by the rules it’s lower-key than Bethesda.

Anonymous wrote:We live in Bethesda but happened to be in Tysons the other day and drove down Maple Ave through Vienna. We really liked the vibe - it felt small town-ish and no super tall buildings unlike downtown Bethesda (but like that that Tysons is nearby). How do the two compare in your opinion (schools, local government, real estate, taxes, vibe, whatever)?

It's not that small a town but sure. I love the Halloween parade and the Fourth of July Celebration. The local HS is Madison. A lot of the students don't live anywhere near the downtown area.

Anonymous wrote:They're very similar in that neither has much of a vibe at all.

They're very similar in that neither has much of a vibe at all.

We live in Bethesda but happened to be in Tysons the other day and drove down Maple Ave through Vienna. We really liked the vibe - it felt small town-ish and no super tall buildings unlike downtown Bethesda (but like that that Tysons is nearby). How do the two compare in your opinion (schools, local government, real estate, taxes, vibe, whatever)?