It seemed like a crazy question and then I laughed. The buyer was headed to Northern Virginia from Arizona. They had checked and they couldn't find Northern Virginia anywhere on the map. It just wasn't there.
Oh well actually there isn't a Northern Virginia like there is a North or South Carolina it is just a local term.
Why do you make the distinction?
Ahhhh we just do. It is more about a difference in economics and politics than anything.
So where are the boundaries?
Hmmm, good question. Before housing developments pushed west to the Shenandoah Valley and south through Fredericksburg we would have said it was a much smaller area. Now with the expanded highways, the commuter options and employment centers are further and further outside of the beltway extending the area we consider Northern Virginia.
Okay well it seems to be clear as mud and I'm looking forward to the move. I think I'll just tell everyone I'm moving to the State of Virginia.
Ummm, just one more little point.
What is it?
Virginia isn't actually a state. It is a Commonwealth.
Oh come on you have got to be kidding me?
No honestly it is.
Can you vote?
Oh absolutely and Northern Virginian's go to the polls in record numbers.
Alright I'll bite what about Southern Virginian's?
Oh there aren't any Southern Virginian's just Virginian's.
Can I ask you one more question?
Sure what is it?
I'm flying into Washington Dulles Airport. That is in the city isn't it?
Sigh. How much time do you have for this explanation?
So if you are relocating to Northern Virginia give the Cindy Jones team a call at 703-346-2213. Rest assured we know how to help you find you way around the area even if you won't find it specfically mentioned on a map. We know it is a great place to live with wonderful neighborhoods, loads of commuting options and some slightly confused people trying to figure out where it really is.
No Hassle-No Pressure-Just Straight Talk About The Northern Virginia Real Estate Market
Military Relocation Specialist serving military families relocating to and from the Pentagon, Fort Belvoir, Quantico MCB and all of the Military District of Washington installations.
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Cindy, great choice for an image to go with this. Yes, I've had to explain "Northern Virginia" to relocating homebuyers, and I don't think there are any boundaries. LOL.
Margaret-I'm beginning to think that NOVA is about to reach Richmond! Of course I guess there is a "Southern Maryland" too.
Cindy, great post! I grew up in Virginia and did not understand this until I went away to James Madison University. The boundaries have definitely moved south. My husband just tells people we live outside of Washington D.C. I don't like to do that since I consider my self a Virginian (sort of).
The Dulles thing is really funny...turns out it is a place now that it has its own zipcode. And all this time I thought it was just an airport!
Holly-even though I was raised in "Northern Virginia" I like to tell everyone I am a native of DC :-) I went to Bridgewater just around the corner from JMU and it was a different world from here. Dulles is the next hot corridor to watch with the new metro station coming in....oh another 3-5 years!