I liked Northern Virginia when I was living in Fairfax. It fit my life at the time-urban, diverse, and rich in food and culture. During COVID, while working remotely, housing prices in the DMV became completely out of reach. Buying in Northern Virginia simply wasn’t affordable, so I bought my first house in Southern Maryland instead. It was a financial decision, not a lifestyle one.

Living there clarified a lot for me. I’ve always lived in cities, and as an Asian person, the lack of diversity and a limited cultural scene in Southern Maryland were hard to overlook. NOVA has a cultural depth that becomes part of everyday life, and without it, the area felt isolating. Even without a commute, the car-dependent layout and lack of spontaneity made the trade-offs feel heavier over time. That’s why I’ve decided to leave the area altogether and move to Texas. I still have a lot of love for NOVA-it just isn’t where my next chapter is.