It is if you're 20-something and don't have any kids.
I'm dying to move back to the DC area someday but I refuse to move back to the city while I have school-aged kids living at home.
We moved to Fairfax for job proximity and quality of public schools, and the chance to have a decent sized yard. It's a fine place to raise kids. I really miss living in the center of Alexandria, however, where I lived for 19 years. Funky old houses and diverse, interesting neighbors and restuarants, shops, and other diversions.
