Yesterday, Arlington County Board member Maureen Coffey sparked a debate on Bluesky.
“Among my most important and treasured duties as a board member is making sure everyone knows: a) they can submit names for our snow plows and b) we are having more fun than our neighbors in Alexandria,” Coffey wrote on the social network, while linking to our article about Arlington’s snowplow naming contest.
Among my most important and treasured duties as a board member is making sure everyone knows: a) they can submit names for our snow plows and b) we are having more fun than our neighbors in Alexandria
— Maureen Coffey (Arlington, VA) (@maureencoffeyva.bsky.social) 2025-11-20T15:59:51.593Z
The post prompted plenty of harrumphs from denizens of that city to the south.
I love the spectacular fireworks show Arlington does every year for its … wait, no, that's Alexandria. But then there's the water skiing Santas at Christmas … oops, nope. Alexandria again.That being said, there are lots of great things about Arlington. Such as its proximity to Alexandria.
— R. Kirk McPike (@kirkmcpike.bsky.social) 2025-11-20T20:10:41.755Z
I see your hot chocolate and warm pants and raise you with TOWN CRIER and TARTAN!
— Sarah Bagley (the one in Alexandria VA) (@sarahbagley.bsky.social) 2025-11-20T17:49:28.103Z
Former ARLnow reporter (and former ALXnow editor) Vernon Miles chimed in with his oft-expressed belief that Alexandria is simply a weirder and more interesting place compared to its larger northern neighbor.
It’s so funny how Arlington is so culturally and geographically close to Alexandria but the vibe is just tangibly different and delightfully weird.I know I go back to this well a lot, but you have to dig to find out about ‘The Beast of Barcroft’ whereas Alexandria has ‘Goosepigs’ on a city plaque
— Vernon Miles (@corbie.bsky.social) 2025-11-20T21:44:39.939Z
Alexandria turned an expensive sewer project into a cartoon mascot. When Alexandria floods, people canoe through the streets. Alexandria’s police fundraisers feature Kevin Bacon doing karaoke. Let’s be real, Alexandria is the fun city.
— Vernon Miles (@corbie.bsky.social) 2025-11-20T21:44:39.940Z
Even the city’s scandals are funny. A school board member got so mad in a discussion he not only left the meeting but up and quit the board. I’ve been in meetings where speakers threatened to spank council members. I cover all the DMV now and there’s nowhere as delightfully bizarre as Alexandria
— Vernon Miles (@corbie.bsky.social) 2025-11-20T21:44:39.941Z
According to an Alexandria Times opinion column, an unnamed Washington Post reporter agrees, once deeming Arlington “boring” compared Alexandria.
Hell yeah. Take that, Arlington (ignore the rest of the column)
— Alex Goyette (@alexgoyette.bsky.social) 2025-11-20T21:46:03.807Z
Sure, Alexandria is quirky. But quirky and fun are not the same thing. Arlington has not one but two Metro corridors full of walkable neighborhoods with plenty of dining, drinking and entertainment options, including actual nightlife. We have a Tony Award-winning theater, the practice facility of a professional sports team, and a comedy venue that draws a steady stream of big-name comedians.
In short, Alexandria may look with smug satisfaction at its musty history and amusing traditions, but Arlington has more actual fun things to do and, in the final accounting, arguably more fun per capita.
Which side are you taking on this debate? The following poll is running on both ARLnow and ALXnow this morning.
