I live in NOVA. I love it. Removed from the city, but very easy to get there if I want. The problem is COMMUTING TO SCHOOL.
I have to walk to the metro, then take the metro to a georgetown bus stop, then take the bus to school. If the stars are aligned I can get to school in half an hour. If no, it can take up to an hour! You wont realize until you're in the situation how much living near school is a MUST if possible. The problem with GU is that housing near campus is expensive, shoddy, or both. So living in a nice place means a horrendous commute. The extra hour it takes make a huge difference, believe me. When I'm walking to the metro station, my classmates near school are still tucked in bed. i know i know
but i value sleep, especially in the morning.
By contrast, George Washington has a metro stop so living in VA is fine. It only take me 15 minutes to get to GWU even though its farther away!