I HATE TRAFFIC, where would I live in Northern Virginia?
OK… pause on the slug discussion for a quick commercial break. I have a good friend, you know who you are, who has barely broken the borders of those northern tier states, ND, SD, MT and WY. All because of the above statement.. I HATE TRAFFIC.
So what to tell someone about the greater DC area if they are committed to living in places where it snows September through June just to avoid traffic. Somehow, I find no comfort in the fact that there is no traffic. To me, it is an indicator that really………… no one wants to be there. During my days in the great white north, the clearest moment of panic struck was when I could not see another car, exit or WAWA for 300 miles in either direction. SCARY!
And yet, there is no convincing these “North Face Garbed” brethren that there are places in Northern Virginia that they could survive. What would you advise them…. condo in Arlington .. so they can ride their $1,000 bike to the Pentagon? farm house past Leesburg… so they can pretend they still live in the Mountains?.. train in from Fredericksburg.. because it’s better for the environment? … Who knows!
I do know that the traffic is bad. But is is a clear indicator that there are people that want to be here! That there is great culture, food, shopping, history and incredible experiences to be had. Yes! You have to be bold and listen to WTOP to get the traffic reports or go on trafficland.com to see if there is a pile up on Leesburg Pike…. but there is so much to see and do! SO………………Where would you tell the traffic phobic to live?
October 3rd, 2009 at 3:01 am
One thing to consider is the “reverse commute”. So… if you work at Marine Corps Base Quantico consider living to the North. Most of the rush hour traffic goes North in the morning and South in the evening. So living North of Quantico allows you to avoid most of the traffic.
October 6th, 2009 at 12:04 pm
I get that traffic is bad, but it is a necessary evil here, and as you have so aptly pointed out, there are many ways to deal with it. Slug, carpool, vanpool or just go it alone with a book on your ipod. No matter what, you still have to consider what you come home to as well. Quality of life once you get there is of primary importance. We may have a tougher commute way out here in “the South” but for those of us who live here, the pace slows a little while we are in our suburb. You know the faces in the grocery store and it feels more like a community. AND we are still pretty friendly down here! I wouldn’t trade that for anything!