It seemed like a crazy question and then I laughed.  The buyer was headed to Fort Belvoir 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.  Where is Northern Virginia

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 and have orders to Fort Belvoir rest assured you won't find it on the map anywhere but 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.

Northern Virginia Map

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________

 

 

                No Hassle-No Pressure-Just Straight Talk About The Northern Virginia Real Estate Market

If you are interested in learning more about the Northern Virginia Real Estate market including Alexandria, Arlington, Fairfax and Prince William Counties give Cindy Jones and CJ Realty Group, Inc a call at 703-346-2213. 

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. 

Check out www.varealestatetalk.com and www.cjrealtygroup.com for more information.
CJ Realty Group Woodbridge VA 

Licensed in Virginia



 

 

 
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27 Comments on Where is Northern Virginia Exactly?

20 Most Recent Comments Displayed Show All

APR
14
2008
1,525,919 Points 163 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master
Jim-I'm sure Virginia isn' t the only "state" that the residents have divided up into areas that aren't on any map.
9:25pm • #8
1,525,919 Points 163 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master
Steve-having been born in DC and lived in the Commonwealth of VA I know about those odd little "states"  that aren't really states.  If I remember correctly it should be PA, MA & KY!  My son who was born in Okinawa used to love the little game in elementary school when the teacher would point to the US Map and ask where were you born?  He loved to stand up and say I wasn't born in a state and neither was my mom!
10:05pm • #9
1,525,919 Points 163 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master
Brian-My ADC map says that it should only be Fairfax, Prince William, Loudoun, Alexandria and Arlington.  Now I think you almost have to include Stafford and Fauquier even though they have a different map book :-)
10:07pm • #10
APR
16
2008
122,952 Points Localism Sponsor
LOL!!  Thanks for the good laugh, Cindy.
11:21pm • #11
APR
17
2008
1,525,919 Points 163 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master
Tchaka-Thanks for stopping by. Glad if the post gave you a NOVA chuckle!
8:33am • #12
305,908 Points 14 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp
Northern Virginia is absolutely one of the prettiest areas in the entire United States!
10:02am • #13
APR
18
2008
1 Featured Post
Cindy- My ADC map book has Fauquier, but not Stafford....hmmm... however, I include both in the Northern VA area.  Great topic and so true with people relocating to this area.
12:11pm • #14
122,952 Points Localism Sponsor

Now I'm a generous guy and all, but I think it's a stretch...or should I say streeeeeeeetch to add Fauquier County as part of Northern VA.  You're getting close to Warrenton by then.  

Side question:  Is Clark Brothers still on 29?

12:43pm • #15
APR
19
2008
1,912,278 Points 385 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master
Cindy, like DC, Virginia isn't a state.  Unlike DC, Virginia has representation in Congress!  You are a Commonwealth, we are a Colony! 
3:15pm • #16
122,952 Points Localism Sponsor

My favorite license plate slogan by far is:  Taxation Without Representation

There really isn't anything close to that, so perfect!  Was it Eleanor Norton Holmes who came up with that idea?  BTW, I love the picture on your AR page Patricia - a little waterfront action.  I even see the road i've zipped on from Key Bridge to downtown many times.....K Street if I recall correctly. 
3:30pm • #17
APR
20
2008
1,525,919 Points 163 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Eric-NOVA is a great area.  Lots of history, parks and friendly people too :-)
7:29am • #18
1,525,919 Points 163 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master
Chelle-just as many areas of the country have their strange quirks about how they name their areas so do we.  I love the fact that Northern Virginia is getting bigger and bigger though the land mass is still the same!
7:30am • #19
1,525,919 Points 163 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master
Tchaka-Warrenton is NOW commuting distance to DC.  I've been involved in two real estate transactions in Warrenton so go figure.  If you are asking about the Clark Brothers Gun store in Warrenton yes it is still there.  So is the tack store in town too.  Some things stand the test of time.
7:34am • #20
1,525,919 Points 163 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master
Patricia-you have me on that one.  Having been born in DC I used to chide my parents about my status as a citizen.  When you fill out most forms they say what state were you born in?  Hmmm I wasn't born in one and I don't live in one :-)
7:37am • #21
130,235 Points Outside Blog
these stories scare me....we don't know our way around our own country??? I think everyone had to learn the 50 states in middle school, didn't they????
11:18am • #22
APR
28
2008
1,525,919 Points 163 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master
Bill and Barbara Jo-there are plenty of folks who geography isn't there strong suit.  When my daughter was very young she used to be able to name all 50 states in alphabetical order in under a minute.  I'll have to test her now that she is in her twenties and see if she can still do it.
7:27am • #23
OCT
10
2010
3 Featured Posts

Nice post. Just to expand (?) on it a bit:

Oh there aren't any Southern Virginian's just Virginians.

Well, almost all Virginians would call themselves Southerners, even those in Northern Virginia (even if there isn't a Northern Virginia). And what about West Virginia--part of Virginia before the Civil War (or War Between the States or, perhaps as Virginians who consider themselves Southerners would call it, "The War of Northern Aggression." And if you take a look at a map, West Virginia is actually North of Northern Virginia, so maybe there is no real Northern Virginia any more--just West Virginia (which is the true North). Huh?

District of Columbia

As for flying into regional airports, what about National Airport? (Or Reagan National, if you prefer.) That must be in the city, right? It's so much closer in. But, no. National Airport is in Arlington . . . Northern Virginia (if you accept the dubious premise that there is a Northern Virginia). Except, of course, that that area of Virginia used to be part (for awhile) of the District of Columbia. If you look at a map of the District, it looks as if someone took a bite out of its southwestern region . . . which is pretty much what happened.

And we haven't even touched on the subject of Southern Maryland which, thankfully, is not where that couple was moving! But to drive from Virginia into Maryland (which no one in their right mind really wants to do--traffic problems, nothing wrong with Maryland, hon!), you cross over a bridge named for a Virginia (Woodrow Wilson) who made his name by serving as governor of New Jersey (definitely North) before being elected President.

Somehow, I think I just added to the confusion!
7:49pm • #24
122,952 Points Localism Sponsor

Well no, very few Northern Virginians of the past few decades consider themselves Southerners.  Old timers and those not really in the area might.

Arlington County was actually part of Virginia before being taken by DC, then returned some years later.

Speaking of National Airport, I was there a few weeks ago and had time to kill so I walked through the former 'waiting area' and looked at all the pictures from way back (I believe the 40s) through now.  My memories only span 30 years, but the change in that time has been significant.

 
10:05pm • #25
OCT
11
2010
1,525,919 Points 163 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Donald-you forgot the fact that for some reason people also think the Pentagon is in DC when it is in Arlington.  Thanks for adding to the confusion.  Now we will never get anyone to move here :-)
8:44am • #26
1,525,919 Points 163 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Tchaka-my memory span is a bit longer :-)  I CAN remember when the street cars were running in DC and Shirley Highway was a four lane road.  We used to sit on the grassy bank at Ridge Rd to watch the fireworks on the 4th of July.  My mother considered it a days drive to get to Centreville on a 2 lane winding Braddock rd.  Not sure all of the changes are positive but the area has changed.
8:47am • #27

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Cindy Jones-Northern Virginia Real Estate & Military Relocation Services

Woodbridge, VA

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