Welcome to Just Outside DC — the only newsletter that levels up your local news game like it’s Super Mario.

THE BIG IDEA

Tech execs are turning Northern Virginia into Silicon Valley (but with even more expensive houses)

Remember when Amazon announced its HQ2 in Northern Virginia back in 2018? Buckle up.

That was just the beginning of a tech-fueled housing frenzy that's turning the DMV into the Bay Area's equally expensive cousin.

Amazon's planning to employ 25,000 people by 2031 in National Landing. As a result, tech bigwigs are absolutely flocking to the area. You’ve probably heard this all before though… so here's the interesting part: 

Many of these people get paid in stocks options and bonuses, making it tough to actually qualify for those swanky homes they're eyeing. Talk about a first-world problem!

So, where are these Silicon Valley transplants setting up shop?

• Arlington: $2 million gets you a nice house or a fancy condo (but don't expect a palace)

• McLean: The OG luxury spot, now with added tech flavor

• Alexandria: Teardowns for $1 million+ are all the rage (because who doesn't love a good fixer-upper?). Not to mention the Fort Hunt river views going for a cool $4 mil.

Some tech folks are even venturing into uncharted territory like Springfield. I guess when you can't afford McLean, you gotta improvise, right?

Now dear reader, you might be thinking to yourself, "is this all sustainable?" Well, according to 75% of top real estate agents in the area, the luxury market's gonna keep on keepin' on.

So, what's the takeaway?

If you're a tech exec looking to move to Northern Virginia, you might want to start playing the lottery. And if you're a local? Well, hopefully you bought your house a decade ago, because affordability just left the chat (as the kids say).

P.S. Anyone want to start a GoFundMe for tech execs who can't afford their dream homes? No? Just me? Okay then.

Together with Mood

These cannabis gummies keep selling out in 2024

If you've ever struggled to enjoy cannabis due to the harshness of smoking or vaping, you're not alone. That’s why these new cannabis gummies caught our eye.

Mood is an online dispensary that has invented a “joint within a gummy” that’s extremely potent yet federally-legal. Their gummies are formulated to tap into the human body’s endocannabinoid system.

Although this system was discovered in the 1990’s, farmers and scientists at Mood were among the first to figure out how to tap into it with cannabis gummies. Just 1 of their rapid onset THC gummies can get you feeling right within 5 minutes!

Order Now

Bulletin Board 📌 

📺️ * TV static noises * 📺️ 

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Now back to your regularly scheduled programming…

Reader Restaurant Recommendation: One of our readers, (Andrew, seen below) recommends you guys checkout Hajara’s Kitchen in Woodbridge.

This place is actually inside a pizza shop at the Prince William Square Shopping Center. According to Andrew, they serve incredible West African food in a casual setting.

QUICK HITS

• George Mason University welcomed their largest undergraduate class ever this year — parking spots be damned! 🎓️ 

• Check out this video of Frank Sinatra performing at what is now the Workhouse in Lorton back in 1965 🎙️

• The NoVA Breakfast War ends on Monday. You can see how the bracket played out and vote for your favorite restaurant in the grand finals here 🍳 

• This mysterious black circle was seen floating over Williamsburg ⚫️ 

• A recent survey revealed that 1.3 million Virginia workers loathe their current career 😭 

LIVE MUSIC

• Avril Lavigne will be performing at Jiffy Lube Live tomorrow evening.

• The Roots are going to be at Wolf Trap tomorrow night.

• Jason Aldean is performing in Bristow tonight.

• Old Crow Medicine Show are performing at Wolf Trap tonight with Molly Tuttle & Golden Highway

• 20th DC JazzFest | the biggest festival yet is back in DC with rising and world-renowned artists this weekend.

• National Symphony Orchestra | the NSO is putting on their annual Labor Day concert on the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol on Sunday.

• Appaloosa Music Festival | the D.C area’s award-winning roots-music camping fest kicks off tomorrow in Front Royal.

• Music at Arrowbrook Park | Cloud Cult is performing tomorrow night in Herndon.

• Mars Rodeo | original, classic, and modern rock from the ‘60s and the modern era tonight at Grist Mill Park in Alexandria.

• Live Music ft. Junkyard Jones | an evening of live music, farm fresh beer, and food. Overlooking the Loudoun Valley at Dirt Farm Brewing in Bluemont.

• Live at the Lyceum | a chamber music concert series on Sunday afternoons at Alexandria History Museum.

• Mykle Lyons Jazz Festival | a family-friendly day of live music performances and food at Lake Anne Plaza in Reston.

• Dancin’ in the Dark | Bruce in the USA returns to Reston Station this weekend. Get some Springsteen on the cheap!

LIVE EVENT LOWDOWN

• Corn Maze & Apple Harvest | a weekend celebration with fresh apple picking and cider, a 1.5-acre corn maze, pig racing, and more at Great Country Farms in Bluemont 🍏 

• 2024 LoCo Festival | over twenty Loudoun County musicians jam together all day long with wine, Lost Rhino beer, and food trucks available at 868 Vineyards 🍷

• Equinox Market | a marketplace for the witchy, weird, and everything in between with 50+ vendors selling their unique wares at the Salisbury in Manassas on Sunday 🌙 

• Middle Eastern Food Fest | the 31st annual festival will feature authentic Middle Eastern food, pastries, music and dancing, and activities for both children and adults in McLean this weekend 😋 

• 50th Virginia Scottish Fest | an annual celebration of Scottish heritage and traditions this weekend at Great Meadow in The Plains 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 

• DC Festival of Magic | the best magicians from across the country coming together for three nights of entertainment at the Capitol Hilton 🪄 

• Asanka Food Festival | a celebration of all things Ghana tomorrow in Dale City. Gourmet foods, music and dancing, art displays, an artisan craft market, and more! 🇬🇭 

• Labor Day Car Show | the show is back for a 25th year along University Drive in Fairfax on Monday 🏎️ 

• Porktober | celebrate Labor Day at Old Ox Brewery in Ashburn featuring delicious pork dishes, music, games, and more! 🐷 

• Vino Virginia Wine Tour | enjoy private group tastings at boutique wineries while enjoying the beautiful Virginia countryside on Sunday 🍇 

• Pixar Putt | the last few days of the Pixar-themed golf sensation, this weekend at the Wharf  ⛳️ 

• Lobster Fest! | The Winery at Bull Run is hosting a day of delicious food and wine, gorgeous views, featuring the cuisine of Cousins Maine Lobster tomorrow 🦞 

Thanks so much for reading today’s issue of Just Outside D.C.

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