1.2 hours to Shenandoah-fall leaf changes are pretty the first year if you've never been on the east coast during autumn. 2. Drinking and promiscuous living make it easier to make friends, but tech sector makes teetotaling easier than say State College. Lots of temp buddies to do things with for a day, but many transients that keep each other single until 29 out of hidden competition. 3. Politicos live in McLean and on Capitol Hill, not Arlington. Many careers in Law, Health, and IT, and being a US Citizen (cleared office work with a few espionage). 4. The car accidents in Falls Church and Arlington are bad, the judicial system is very orchestrated, there is a constant "hustle", and many perma-singles and DINKS vs deep connections and easy baby-making. Arlington has lots of money, but it is better for guys who want to marry a foreign national at 29 than women who want families. PS-Europe has a great rail pass if you are under 26.