So I got a Job Offer in Vienna Virginia... - XDTalk Forums - Your HS2000/SA-XD Information Source!

**Kauzi XD45** · 09-12-2006, 11:29 PM

Anyone have any useful insights? Like whats the area like, how hard is it to get a Virginia CC permit? Colorado and Virginia dont have reciprocity. Shooting Ranges? Shooting Clubs? IDPA? General Info? Anything?

The Knight Of Light · 09-13-2006, 12:01 AM

I grew up in Norfolk Va. I liked it but I have no idea of the gun laws.

devochka · 09-13-2006, 05:17 AM

Check www.packing.org for updates on VA gun laws. I didn't own any guns when I lived there. Be VERY careful about crossing into DC with a gun, even if legally owned in VA or Maryland! DC has very strict laws. Again, check packing.org for info.

I grew up in the DC area (Arlington and Alexandria, VA) and I miss it. If I got the job offer I would move back in a heartbeat.

The traffic there is CRAZY. I used to live 17 miles from where I worked, and it took me 1.5 HOURS each way to get there and back. Of course, when it's not in the rush hours, it only took 20 minutes.

People there are in a hurry. Everybody thinks that they are more important than everyone else, and of course, that exempts them from most traffic laws. Cars are a status symbol out there.

Summers get hot and humid (100+ degree days with 90+ percent humidity happen 5 - 10 times in July and August). Winters can get chilly (in the 26 years I lived there we saw temps below zero maybe a dozen times). It doesn't snow much (compared to Colorado) but when it does snow (even 1/2") everything shuts down.

It's a lot greener out there than Colorado. One thing I miss is how green everything is. Here in Colorado everything is brown and dead most of the year. I find it kind of depressing, to be honest.

The DC area is nice because you are close to pretty much everything: the Blue Ridge Mountains and Shenandoah National Park are 2 hours west, the Chesapeake Bay is 1 hour east, the Atlantic Ocean is 2 hours east, Baltimore is an hour north, Philly is 2 hours north, NYC is 4.5 hours north, Richmond is 1.5 hours south. There are many bodies of water (rivers, lakes, oceans) nearby, so if you have a boat you'll really like the DC area!

Another nice thing about DC is there are no natural disasters to worry about: no earthquakes, no hurricanes, no mud slides, no flooding, no tornados, etc. Pretty much the worst thing that can happen is a heavy snowfall (did I mention that is rarely snows there, but when it does, people and the various governments are very ill-prepared for it?).

Just a random note: when I lived there, my car insurance was HALF of what it is here in Colorado, and I lived in the city there! Moving to CO was a surprise in this respect!

If you have any questions about the area, feel free to PM or e-mail me!

_erin

rlh2005 · 09-13-2006, 06:23 AM

I live in Fredericksburg, VA -- about 45 minutes south of Vienna depending on traffic.

devochka is right on about traffic. Traffic can be all over the place. We have several major road that travel due east/west so sunrise/sunset cause traffic headaches. Plus, you get stupid people that will mess up traffic on a perfectly clear day. And we get lots of tourists that can further complicate the situation. And to top the cake, I-95 -- the main interstate for the east coast -- bisects thru the region.

Her weather is pretty accurate but I will add that we get more ice than snow around here. That's why stuff shuts down so quickly. We do have some flooding and tornado issues and we do get hurricanes. Fortunately, we're not like plains or Florida with regards to tornados and hurricanes.

The last hurricane to hit this area was Isabel in '03 but TS/TD Ernesto caused some fun over Labor Day 2006. The area has lots of rivers, creeks, and streams so there is always the flash flooding possibility. Plus, the Potomac River is tidal up to DC so there can be issues with extra large rain falls coinciding with high tide. We've had roughly one or two confirmed tornado per year over the last 5 in the extended DC area (2 hr radius).

Housing prices are crazy around here. New homes in Vienna probably cost $700K+ and are is 6 feet from your neighbor! New homes in Fredericksburg area are $450K (2400 sqft on less that 1/5 acre lot). No one seems to build smaller homes around here now. Even attached townhomes are 2000+ sqft. The housing market has slowed around here recently and prices have started dropping thereby turning it into a buyers market.

Gun ranges: there are ~4 commerical ranges within comfortable distance of Vienna (including NRA HQ range). If you get out in the more sub/exurban areas, you will find rod&gun clubs, Izzac Walton league, etc.

Gun laws are pretty nice. Concealed Handgun Permits (CHP) are no problem assuming a clean background. VA is a shall-issue state with state premption and open-carry. The county and local governments cannot regulate firearms except for things like discharging in a neighborhood. You can carry openly anywhere legal unless instructed otherwise. The one main complaint is you cannot concealed carry in any business licensed to serve alcohol on premise. So, you must open carry when eating at practically every restaurant. No 30.06 signs like Texas. State law allows only 1 handgun a month unless you have a CHP. No hunting on Sundays.

Check out www.vcdl.org as they are very active in promoting and protected all of our 2A rights -- pistol, hunting, black rifles, whatever. They view an assult or encroachment on one front to be a threat to all fronts. Also, packing.org is still a pretty good reference.

We have a good bit of military and LEO in the area with the Pentagon, Fort Belvior, Andrews AFB, Wash Navy Yard, FBI, Secret Service, DHS, DEA, ATF, CIA, NSA, US Park Police etc. We have lots of military and government related business as well. Just about every defense/gov contractor has major office here as do most major technology firms.

Lots of restricted airspace if you're a private pilot.

Lots of lawyers and lobbiests (sp?).

DC and Maryland are very anti-gun.

AlphaFox · 09-13-2006, 06:52 AM

Once the fall foliage and the newness wears off youll wish you were right back here in Colorado.. I've spent 14 of the last 17 years on that side of the country and I finally feel like I'm home again in Colorado Springs. Whatever your decision. God bless the USA and good luck.

Gadget · 09-13-2006, 07:32 AM

I lived in Burke VA for about 15 years. It is just a mile or two further out than Vienna and south of Vienna. Yeah it is a nice place to live if you don't have a house payment and don't need to drive anywhere. Lots to do and the carry laws are nice.

However, the traffic issues will permeate everything you do. When we moved to my home state of Alabama, both my wife and myself were amazed at how less stressed we were. You have to plan everything you do around traffic. You will spend so much time in your car sitting in bumper to bumper traffic. When we first got married we lived in Annadale just inside the beltway and I had to drive nine miles to work in Ballston (just outside Arlington). On a very good day it would take me 30 minutes to get to work but more often than not it would take 45 on average. That was back in 1992, it has only gotten much worse since then.

Plus housing costs are ridiculous there. It worked out for us, as we got in just before the big jump. But I wouldn't even want to pay for an apartment, much less a house. My guess is you could expect to pay 1500/mo for a very average two bedroom apt.

I guess if it was just myself and I didn't have a family it would be okay. But with the other activities that go along with a family and kids, I wouldn't do it.

Let us know what you decide.

DanZ · 09-13-2006, 08:27 AM

I could not get paid enough...well ya know what i mean....to move back east. Devochka has some serious rose colored glass tinting his/her memories - you do get flooding, hurricanes and tornadoes occasionally drop around there.

Traffic is bad here is DFW too -- but NOTHING like NOVA. Gotta tell you, I love being out of the Beltway nonsense. The constant obsession with DC and politics drives you crazy and the liberal media constantly keeps you buried in their nonsense.

Its very 'east coast' to mock the midwest and the south as being backwards and out of touch, but once you step away from the East (and probably west) coast, you realize how nice it is to live away from that constant anti-US, self hating hypocritical chatter.

It was definitely very rare to mention guns where I lived - DC/MD area. We believed that guns killed people because thats the line we heard every day. It amazed me to move to TX and here people talking about guns at work.....I don't think Vienna is that far removed from that attitude.

That being said, I miss:

The C&O Canal
The Potomac
Long Bike Trails and Bike friendly Drivers
Western MD and its hills
Eastern MD and the ocean/Chesapeake Bay
DC and its museums & its metro system
Skyline Drive in VA
Virginia's Countryside
Being driving distance to PA and all that it has to offer
Quick access to Civil War battllefields - Gettysburg, Richmond, Antietam, etc
Trees over 15 feet tall
HILLS!!!! (DFW is all plains no matter what they try to say are hills here)
I do miss having a real fall and having actual snow - nothing beats a crisp cold fall day with the leaves changing colors.

and i really, really, really, REALLY miss Maryland Blue Crabs and Crab Cakes

But you live in CO -- you have most of that still.....

JHA XD40 · 09-13-2006, 06:55 PM

Is that where they make vienna sausage?

I have no real input, but good luck deciding what to do.

jonas

**Kauzi XD45** · 09-13-2006, 07:01 PM

WOW! Thank you for all of the great information! I really appreciate all of your input. I really havent made my decision yet, well actually the company and I havent agreed on a dollar amount we can both accept. But I will keep you posted!

VAXDGUY · 09-13-2006, 08:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kauzi XD45

Anyone have any useful insights? Like whats the area like, how hard is it to get a Virginia CC permit? Colorado and Virginia dont have reciprocity. Shooting Ranges? Shooting Clubs? IDPA? General Info? Anything?

I shoot at Blue Ridge Arsenal in Chantilly . They're in the process of remodeling and half the range is gorgeous and half the range is a dump. Nice range, but an extremely sucky gun store. That's about 15 minutes from Vienna.

Getting a CCW permit is supposed to be easy; I'll know for sure during the winter when I take the test.

But like a previous poster mentioned, get used to traffic. Lots of traffic. More traffic than anyone outside of LA can conceive of.

09-12-2006, 11:29 PM	#1
Kauzi XD45 XDTalk 2K Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: The Wonderful Wild West - Grand Junction, Colorado Posts: 2,152 Blog Entries: 1	So I got a Job Offer in Vienna Virginia... Anyone have any useful insights? Like whats the area like, how hard is it to get a Virginia CC permit? Colorado and Virginia dont have reciprocity. Shooting Ranges? Shooting Clubs? IDPA? General Info? Anything? __________________ Respect Few, Fear NONE! Sic Vis Pacem Parabellum! People understand compassion, mercy, dignity and honor.... Predators understand STRENGTH!

09-13-2006, 12:01 AM	#2
The Knight Of Light XDTalk 5K Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Omaha, Nebraska(sublocated at a Sandy location far, far away) Posts: 8,873 Blog Entries: 13	I grew up in Norfolk Va. I liked it but I have no idea of the gun laws. __________________ No Matter Where You Go, There You Are. USPSA #L3077 What a great number!!! http://theknightoflight.blogspot.com/ Creator of TOP 'O' THE PAGE!!! Moose Fight

09-13-2006, 07:32 AM	#6
Gadget XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Madison, AL Posts: 334	Don't do it I lived in Burke VA for about 15 years. It is just a mile or two further out than Vienna and south of Vienna. Yeah it is a nice place to live if you don't have a house payment and don't need to drive anywhere. Lots to do and the carry laws are nice. However, the traffic issues will permeate everything you do. When we moved to my home state of Alabama, both my wife and myself were amazed at how less stressed we were. You have to plan everything you do around traffic. You will spend so much time in your car sitting in bumper to bumper traffic. When we first got married we lived in Annadale just inside the beltway and I had to drive nine miles to work in Ballston (just outside Arlington). On a very good day it would take me 30 minutes to get to work but more often than not it would take 45 on average. That was back in 1992, it has only gotten much worse since then. Plus housing costs are ridiculous there. It worked out for us, as we got in just before the big jump. But I wouldn't even want to pay for an apartment, much less a house. My guess is you could expect to pay 1500/mo for a very average two bedroom apt. I guess if it was just myself and I didn't have a family it would be okay. But with the other activities that go along with a family and kids, I wouldn't do it. Let us know what you decide. __________________ Stupidity isn't illegal but it can be fatal. There is no sense in being stupid, if you can't prove it

09-13-2006, 06:55 PM	#8
JHA XD40 XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Central Alabama Posts: 478	Is that where they make vienna sausage? I have no real input, but good luck deciding what to do. jonas __________________ "He who makes a beast of himself gets rid of the pain of being a man." --Dr. Johnson

09-13-2006, 07:01 PM	#9
Kauzi XD45 XDTalk 2K Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: The Wonderful Wild West - Grand Junction, Colorado Posts: 2,152 Blog Entries: 1	WOW! Thank you for all of the great information! I really appreciate all of your input. I really havent made my decision yet, well actually the company and I havent agreed on a dollar amount we can both accept. But I will keep you posted! __________________ Respect Few, Fear NONE! Sic Vis Pacem Parabellum! People understand compassion, mercy, dignity and honor.... Predators understand STRENGTH!

09-13-2006, 05:17 AM	#3
devochka XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Denver, CO Posts: 153	Check www.packing.org for updates on VA gun laws. I didn't own any guns when I lived there. Be VERY careful about crossing into DC with a gun, even if legally owned in VA or Maryland! DC has very strict laws. Again, check packing.org for info. I grew up in the DC area (Arlington and Alexandria, VA) and I miss it. If I got the job offer I would move back in a heartbeat. The traffic there is CRAZY. I used to live 17 miles from where I worked, and it took me 1.5 HOURS each way to get there and back. Of course, when it's not in the rush hours, it only took 20 minutes. People there are in a hurry. Everybody thinks that they are more important than everyone else, and of course, that exempts them from most traffic laws. Cars are a status symbol out there. Summers get hot and humid (100+ degree days with 90+ percent humidity happen 5 - 10 times in July and August). Winters can get chilly (in the 26 years I lived there we saw temps below zero maybe a dozen times). It doesn't snow much (compared to Colorado) but when it does snow (even 1/2") everything shuts down. It's a lot greener out there than Colorado. One thing I miss is how green everything is. Here in Colorado everything is brown and dead most of the year. I find it kind of depressing, to be honest. The DC area is nice because you are close to pretty much everything: the Blue Ridge Mountains and Shenandoah National Park are 2 hours west, the Chesapeake Bay is 1 hour east, the Atlantic Ocean is 2 hours east, Baltimore is an hour north, Philly is 2 hours north, NYC is 4.5 hours north, Richmond is 1.5 hours south. There are many bodies of water (rivers, lakes, oceans) nearby, so if you have a boat you'll really like the DC area! Another nice thing about DC is there are no natural disasters to worry about: no earthquakes, no hurricanes, no mud slides, no flooding, no tornados, etc. Pretty much the worst thing that can happen is a heavy snowfall (did I mention that is rarely snows there, but when it does, people and the various governments are very ill-prepared for it?). Just a random note: when I lived there, my car insurance was HALF of what it is here in Colorado, and I lived in the city there! Moving to CO was a surprise in this respect! If you have any questions about the area, feel free to PM or e-mail me! _erin

09-13-2006, 06:23 AM	#4
rlh2005 XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Fredericksburg, VA Posts: 206	I live in Fredericksburg, VA -- about 45 minutes south of Vienna depending on traffic. devochka is right on about traffic. Traffic can be all over the place. We have several major road that travel due east/west so sunrise/sunset cause traffic headaches. Plus, you get stupid people that will mess up traffic on a perfectly clear day. And we get lots of tourists that can further complicate the situation. And to top the cake, I-95 -- the main interstate for the east coast -- bisects thru the region. Her weather is pretty accurate but I will add that we get more ice than snow around here. That's why stuff shuts down so quickly. We do have some flooding and tornado issues and we do get hurricanes. Fortunately, we're not like plains or Florida with regards to tornados and hurricanes. The last hurricane to hit this area was Isabel in '03 but TS/TD Ernesto caused some fun over Labor Day 2006. The area has lots of rivers, creeks, and streams so there is always the flash flooding possibility. Plus, the Potomac River is tidal up to DC so there can be issues with extra large rain falls coinciding with high tide. We've had roughly one or two confirmed tornado per year over the last 5 in the extended DC area (2 hr radius). Housing prices are crazy around here. New homes in Vienna probably cost $700K+ and are is 6 feet from your neighbor! New homes in Fredericksburg area are $450K (2400 sqft on less that 1/5 acre lot). No one seems to build smaller homes around here now. Even attached townhomes are 2000+ sqft. The housing market has slowed around here recently and prices have started dropping thereby turning it into a buyers market. Gun ranges: there are ~4 commerical ranges within comfortable distance of Vienna (including NRA HQ range). If you get out in the more sub/exurban areas, you will find rod&gun clubs, Izzac Walton league, etc. Gun laws are pretty nice. Concealed Handgun Permits (CHP) are no problem assuming a clean background. VA is a shall-issue state with state premption and open-carry. The county and local governments cannot regulate firearms except for things like discharging in a neighborhood. You can carry openly anywhere legal unless instructed otherwise. The one main complaint is you cannot concealed carry in any business licensed to serve alcohol on premise. So, you must open carry when eating at practically every restaurant. No 30.06 signs like Texas. State law allows only 1 handgun a month unless you have a CHP. No hunting on Sundays. Check out www.vcdl.org as they are very active in promoting and protected all of our 2A rights -- pistol, hunting, black rifles, whatever. They view an assult or encroachment on one front to be a threat to all fronts. Also, packing.org is still a pretty good reference. We have a good bit of military and LEO in the area with the Pentagon, Fort Belvior, Andrews AFB, Wash Navy Yard, FBI, Secret Service, DHS, DEA, ATF, CIA, NSA, US Park Police etc. We have lots of military and government related business as well. Just about every defense/gov contractor has major office here as do most major technology firms. Lots of restricted airspace if you're a private pilot. Lots of lawyers and lobbiests (sp?). DC and Maryland are very anti-gun.

09-13-2006, 06:52 AM	#5
AlphaFox XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Global Operations Posts: 219	Once the fall foliage and the newness wears off youll wish you were right back here in Colorado.. I've spent 14 of the last 17 years on that side of the country and I finally feel like I'm home again in Colorado Springs. Whatever your decision. God bless the USA and good luck.

09-13-2006, 08:27 AM	#7
DanZ XDTalk Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Fort Worth, TX Posts: 39	I could not get paid enough...well ya know what i mean....to move back east. Devochka has some serious rose colored glass tinting his/her memories - you do get flooding, hurricanes and tornadoes occasionally drop around there. Traffic is bad here is DFW too -- but NOTHING like NOVA. Gotta tell you, I love being out of the Beltway nonsense. The constant obsession with DC and politics drives you crazy and the liberal media constantly keeps you buried in their nonsense. Its very 'east coast' to mock the midwest and the south as being backwards and out of touch, but once you step away from the East (and probably west) coast, you realize how nice it is to live away from that constant anti-US, self hating hypocritical chatter. It was definitely very rare to mention guns where I lived - DC/MD area. We believed that guns killed people because thats the line we heard every day. It amazed me to move to TX and here people talking about guns at work.....I don't think Vienna is that far removed from that attitude. That being said, I miss: The C&O Canal The Potomac Long Bike Trails and Bike friendly Drivers Western MD and its hills Eastern MD and the ocean/Chesapeake Bay DC and its museums & its metro system Skyline Drive in VA Virginia's Countryside Being driving distance to PA and all that it has to offer Quick access to Civil War battllefields - Gettysburg, Richmond, Antietam, etc Trees over 15 feet tall HILLS!!!! (DFW is all plains no matter what they try to say are hills here) I do miss having a real fall and having actual snow - nothing beats a crisp cold fall day with the leaves changing colors. and i really, really, really, REALLY miss Maryland Blue Crabs and Crab Cakes But you live in CO -- you have most of that still.....

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