[markomalley]

It is beyond my comprehension that anyone would willingly or want to live in an area like that, with that kind of traffic EVERY. SINGLE. DAY.

Consider the following:

• The median income in the United States (2016) was: $55,322
• The median income in Loudoun County Virginia (2016) was: $125,672
• The median income in Fairfax County Virginia (2016) was: $114,329
• The median income in Howard County Maryland (2016) was: $113,800
• The median income in Arlington County Virginia (2016) was: $108,706
• The median income in Montgomery County Maryland (2016) was: $100,352
• The median income in Prince William County Virginia (2016) was: $98,546

(Source)

How does this translate into reality?

• For an admin assistant, high school diploma, 3-5 years of experience, US Citizen with Secret clearance (which, in this area, is basically not a "high clearance") I'm paying (on average) $60K
• For a mid-level systems administrator, high school diploma, 5 years experience, Security+ and MCSA certifications, US Citizen with Secret Clearance, I'll have to pay about $110K
• For a mid-level network engineer, high school diploma, 5 years experience, Security+ and CCNP certifications, US Citizen with Secret clerance, I'll have to pay about $115K-$125K.
• A mid-level project manager, Bachelor's degree, PMP certification, US Citizen with Secret clearance, will make between $130K-$140K -- if you add some other specialization in there, such as a Agile certification or a CISSP, you can add on another $10K-$15K for the salary.
• I could go on, but the point is that the salaries are a lot higher here than most anyplace else in the country.

How does this compare? For example, a couple of years ago I hired a system administrator with the above specs in Memphis Tennessee...and paid him $65K per year. At the same time, I had a couple of SysAds in Los Angeles County (same specs as above) and paid them an average of $80K each. And, by the way, these folks counted themselves lucky.

Bottom line: people will put up with a lot to be able to provide well for their families.

[ronnie raygun]

A socialists utopia where the rich (middleclass) continues to pay for everything

[metmom]

And the standard of living is much higher, too.

You’re not talking about places where a three bedroom, two story house with a full basement, an attic, a dining room, a living room and a den and a very large garage (bard actually) are on the lot, can go for $120,000 AND you don’t have to pay $15 a day just for the *privilege* of fighting rush hour traffic every day just to go to that job.

We know and trust our neighbors and packages are left outside without worry about theft. Many people in our little town don’t even lock their doors.

Some things are just not worth the money and some things are beyond price.

[PeterPrinciple]

I could go on, but the point is that the salaries are a lot higher here than most anyplace else in the country.

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Not arguing your point but sometimes more is less, and less is more. I doubled my salary in a move to Memphis but saved much, spending every dime on living there.................................