Arlington, Virginia. The best of both worlds...

So this weekend in boycott of Valentines Day, a few girlfriends and I decided to take "girls weekend" to New York City. Being from North Carolina, I had never been to the "big city." As we got there, we were bombarded by taxis, people running into you on the streets, buildings so tall you can't see the next block 100 ft away from you...everything I could have imagined. Don't get me wrong, we had an amazing time going to shows, seeing old friends, and experiencing the amazing restaurants and night life, but how quickly it was that I missed Arlington, and the the smaller scale of a big city.

Some of the main things I missed:

1. Driving. I would never have even attempted to bring a car up there. Luckily in Arlington VA, there is a considerable amount of parking (although we always complain there isn't!)
2. Full stocked grocery stores. A few minute drive and you can be at Harris Teeter in Ballston with a full range of produce, and everything else you could never need. Every grocery store in NYC was tiny, with limited selection.
3. Nicer people. Arlington still holds somewhat of a "southern charm," with people saying please and thank you, instead of yelling at you to walk faster.
4. Terrific outdoor shops and restaurants. Arlington still has amazing restaurants everywhere you turn, and outdoor shopping that serves both purposes of shopping, and outdoors time.
5. The metro (which is a lot less confusing.) In Arlington we have only the Orange Metro line. Everything in Arlington that you would want to go to is in one location. Compared to NYC where the city spans miles and miles, you are only a few metro stops from anywhere you want to go, especially downtown DC.

In short, I loved visiting NYC for the weekend. But, I was quite excited to head back home to Arlington after my long trip. I realize we still get the lifestyle of the big city, without the hassle!