The view of the Potomac River from Riverbend Park. Photo by Shannon McCullough/The Connection
“There’s a lot to like about Great Falls, but I would say my favorite part is the feeling of community here. For instance, here at the library people come for books, but they also use it as a place for meeting and gathering together. It makes it more than just a library. I feel like I’m connected with my town in a place like Great Falls.”
--Anne Montgomery
Librarian at Great Falls Public Library
36 year resident
“I really appreciate the fact that living around here is safe. I can walk around without worrying about trouble. I also like the general attitude of the people here. Everyone who walks into where I work is nice and down to earth, and it’s also cool to have repeat customers. It makes you feel the association here.”
--Kevin Nejad
College student at Northern Virginia Community College
Great Falls Starbucks employee
eight year resident
“My favorite part about our town is being able to play in the Great Falls basketball league each winter. It’s nice to be able to play with the same kids every year, and we get closer each season. It’s also a way for me to get involved with my community, because I think that sports are important here. I also like working in Great Falls Village because I see friends and families that I know every day. It’s impossible to come to the Village and not recognize somebody.”
--Rashad Shakib
Langley High School student
Great Falls Safeway Employee
nine year resident
“I like that they’ve done an excellent job preserving the historical aspects of this community with places like the Colvin Run Mill. We don’t have skyrise buildings or huge roads—it’s scenic instead of commercialized. I also like visiting the parks like Riverbend and the Great Falls.”
--Diane Strahan
Consultant
15 year resident
“I moved here from Southern California, and living here is very different. I like that it’s smaller in Great Falls because it makes the town much more close-knit. All of my friends live near me, and that I can walk to work from my house because everything is accessible and close by. My co-workers are also Great Falls residents, so we hang out from time to time. Saying goodbye to everyone here before college was definitely sad, and I’ll miss it.”
--Ashley Irvin
James Madison University student
Great Falls Animal Hospital veterinary assistant
four year resident