Northern Virginia, or NoVA, is a land unlike any other part of Virginia. When someone asks you where you’re from and you answer with "NoVA," the response you receive is most likely one of two things. Either this person is also from NoVA or they give you a slight eye roll and assume you’re stuck up. While this area gets a pretty bad rep from the rest of the state and even sometimes the people that live there, here are 11 things you love to hate about NoVA.
1. The traffic.
Surprise, surprise. Everyone from outside of Northern Virginia has heard about “NoVA traffic,” and it’s true. From endless construction to getting caught in rush hour traffic, Northern Virginia never fails to hold you up.
2. Going to D.C. for every school field trip.
Living so close to the nation's capital has its perks, but when you’ve been to the city so much and all friends or relatives want to do is go to D.C., you definitely have to force yourself to see the monuments for the 30th time.
3. An abundance of Starbucks.
On every corner, there is a Starbucks and if there isn’t then they are probably planning on putting one there soon. Everyone always loves to complain about this, but in reality, this is one reason why NoVA is so great.
4. Unpredictable weather.
One minute you are in a tank top, and the next you’re breaking out your winter jacket.
5. Snow days.
For every middle school and high school student, a snow day meant rain or sometimes nothing at all.
6. The high school you attended was nowhere near your house.
You probably passed other high schools on your way to school in the morning, because that’s how illogical your school boundaries were.
7. Overcrowded schools.
Speaking of high school, you most likely had about 2,000 students in your school and definitely graduated with at least 500 in your class. Getting to class on time was nearly impossible since no one was moving in the halls.
8. New shopping centers built every month.
No matter where you live in the NoVA suburbs, you can probably walk to at least two different shopping centers that most likely have a Harris Teeter, McDonald's, and Starbucks.
9. Too many malls to choose from
Whether it's Tyson's, Fair Oaks, or even sometimes Dulles, there are always options. The only thing getting in your way is the traffic.
10. NoVA slang.
Getting weird looks when you use words like "sus," "sice," and "bet."
11. NoVA cars.
Seeing new teenage drivers drive hand me down Mercedes, Audi's and BMW's is not uncommon. On one trip to Tyson's you're bound to see a Lamborghini.
Everyone talks about how they can't wait to leave...but always end up back.