[silver912e]

Jim,

It's a great place to live, if you have a job here or are independently wealthy. I was "downsized" last year. I was a network enginneer and have tons of experience in UNIX sysadmin and CISCO equipment, but couldn't find a job to save my life. After looking for a job for a year, I started a small home-based business just so I could stay in the area. I'm struggling, but I'm still able to keep the P-car.

For the most part it is a very tolerant, liberal area with interesting, friendly people and alternative lifestyles. If you prefer the conservative route, just drive 20 miles in any direction and you can hear Rush Limbaugh blaring from pickup trucks. It doesn't have all the culture of DC, but there are some great restaurants and off beat theatre. The University tends to take itself too seriously, but it is also a nice source of culture, if that's what you're looking for.

I've been here for 10 years now, and the pace is much slower that Northern Virginia.

Hope this helps.