They didn't choose to live this way. They'd move to Loudoun County and then find that all the countryside surrounding them was suddenly developed, with thousands upon thousands of new homes. They voted out of office the local officials who permitted this development and elected officals who favored slow growth. But proponents of slow growth who represented the views of the people were overridden by state legislators in Richmond. Developers make very generous campaign contributions of state legislators, of course, and those legislators vote as they are told to.
And of course there are many here on FR who say that landowners (read: developers) should be permitted to develop land in any way they like, no matter how miserable it makes everybody.
Both with issues like development planning, and also a lot of social issues, a lot of people on FR want complete and utter freedom for themselves, but want what everyone else does completely controlled.
Government planning and zoning is typically routinely attacked, right up until somebody has something they don't like built next to their house.
"And of course there are many here on FR who say that landowners (read: developers) should be permitted to develop land in any way they like, no matter how miserable it makes everybody"
Clearly it doesn't make the "thousands" and thousands who are flocking to the area miserable. Developers are landowners and are in the business of making profit. It is called the free market and anyone who wishes to participate in it if can do so they are ambitious enough.
Also, this country is vast enough to live in a rural setting for those who feel cramped. I, for one, have chosen to do this, and when my area becomes too developed for my taste, I'll up and go.