Expect it to be Vermont instead of DC.

I don't mean to sound like a dick, but if you want specific information, you need to ask specific questions. People here will put as much effort into answering your questions as you put into asking them. I don't even know how to approach describing the difference between these two places without more info from you on what you want to know.

It's below freezing from mid November through early April. Can expect snow from late October through late April. Then comes the darkness. It's dark before 5 from November through January. And even now it doesn't get light until 7 in the morning and it's dark by 6 pm. January and February are usually the coldest and snowiest months of the years up here. Can expect a minimum of a week of sub zero temperatures where -15 f is normal.

If you like outdoor activities in the winter, you will be fine. Skiing, hiking, and the like. Just get good outdoor gear and bundle up! Agree with the vitamin D comment and a happy lamp. It’s a good excuse to get cozy, read in front of the fire, and make delicious food.

My brother who lives in DC was paying around the same in rent that I am in Burlington but his grocery bill is ridiculous.

There are plenty of sub 400k condos for sale in NW DC. I beg to differ about the gentrification. It is an out of control dumpster fire now. The DC reddit has had to actively moderate daily posts about crime because they think it's just a political hit job from conservatives - even though people include videos/pictures. News flash, it's real and a result of progressive policy. The city is a mess. A lot of people are actively avoiding the metro due to marked increase in crime and unreliable operation. Be safe.

I live in Falls Church and only know Vermont because my kid is at UVM and we’ve fallen in love with your state, like so many on this sub. The DC/Vermont contrast is stark but Fairfax is just a large suburb. Picture a bigger South Burlington with strip malls and neighborhoods. GMU is there. Very car centric. Not surrounded by beautiful mountains or a lake or particularly fresh air. But loads of more variety of places to eat and generally more people.

In general, people don’t let their guard down in public, but you will occasionally find yourself in conversation with strangers. I’d always say hi first to people I passed on neighborhood walks, and that set the tone. I eventually knew all my neighbors. The expectation is that you don’t make eye contact, so the onus is kind of on you to be approachable and create the space for a connection to be made. Really rough if you are reserved!

People are generally friendly but one critique is that everyone is so busy, it can be tough to get a friendship off the ground. Also, many people move here for work and are incredibly work-minded, so don’t be offended if that’s the first question you get in a social situation. I don’t think anyone means to be rude, it’s just like asking where you’re from in other parts of the country.

Northern Virginia in general is pretty solidly blue in presidential elections, I don’t think you will hear much in the way of “libtards.” Conservatives definitely exist, but they’re not waving Trump flags. Sooner or later, someone is bound to cut you off in traffic or tailgate you. There are too many cars on the road for you to NOT encounter an aggressive driver at some point. I can’t tell you there are fewer narcissists, but there are a lot of ambitious people and people with long lists of accomplishments/press notes/degrees. Some are humble and some are not. The local news occasionally has politics, because it’s right in our backyard, but your exposure will completely depend on your workplace, where you live, and your social circle. No one in my family works in politics and only two of my friends work in politically-adjacent fields, so I only heard political talk if I went looking for it. I will say I think more people are aware of current events than in other areas of the country, and at any given time you might suddenly find out you’re talking to the person who started the NGO that proposed the bill to drive that policy forward, or something.

Adjusting to lack of conveniences has probably been the toughest part of my move! I had to take my son to urgent care yesterday and was told to reserve a spot online. Then the website said there were zero spots available. In Virginia there’s an urgent care on every corner, I feel! And if you’re ever feeling lonely at night, you can just head over to the Mosaic District or Tysons or any movie theatre for the late showing, and be surrounded by people. It’s not everyone’s cup of tea, but sometimes it’s nice to have the option!

I moved from Ashburn, Va which is Loudoun to Vermont. Our family loved living there but my husband prefers a slower pace. I can get why someone can feel it’s harsh. It’s certainly exhausting but can also be a lot of fun. It was a great place to raise my kids. I would prefer raising kids there vs VT because of all the activities the kids can pursue. Schools are better in Fairfax and Loudoun county. I think if you can thrive living in a more densely populated area then you’ll love it. I loved living in Ashburn, it’s just way too expensive.

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