Life in Charlottesville
About
Located only 45 minutes from Richmond and two hours from Washington, D.C., Charlottesville fuses the finest aspects of city life with the spectacular topography of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Charlottesville presents an illimitable offering of restaurants and microbreweries that have been featured in national publications, such as The New York Times, as well as a flourishing wine industry.
Charlottesville is a bastion for live music, from large venues such as the John Paul Jones Arena to more intimate settings like the Jefferson Theater. The area further espouses the visual arts with the nationally-acclaimed Virginia Film Festival and Virginia Festival of the Book.
Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, and James Monroe all called Charlottesville home. Their residences
are open to the public and provide a fascinating glimpse into the everyday lives of three of our Founding Fathers.
There are abundant cultural attractions and some of the finest golf courses in the country. The region is perfect for the outdoor enthusiast, whether it’s tubing down the James River or hiking through Shenandoah National Park.
Favorite Local Activities
There are lots of things to do in Charlottesville! Some of our recent resident favorites include:
- Food & drinks at the many incredible restaurants around town Mountain Sunset Series (live music, cider, and an incredible view)
- Fridays after Five (a free concert series on the Downtown Mall)
- Hiking in the Shenandoah or the Blue Ridge Mountains
- Tubing on the Rivanna River
- Concerts big and small – at venues ranging from The Jefferson on the Downtown Mall to the John Paul Jones Arena
- Starry Nights at Veritas
- Exploring the numerous local wineries and breweries
Our residents’ favorite happy spots include Three Notch’d, Quirk Rooftop, Kardinal Hall, Tillman’s, Lost Saint, Bang, Renewal, Fitzroy, and Zocalo. In our current times, we also greatly enjoy happy hour at resident’s homes and “anywhere that is open”!
Activities and Attractions
There is so much to explore in and around Charlottesville! Discover what’s happening around the University and in the community by checking-out the Charlottesville-Albemarle Convention & Visitors Bureau website. Also, view this short video Why you should come to C’Ville.
Try watching this brief clip to familiarize yourself with the University of Virginia lingo. The University also maintains several online maps, so start your explorations with the Maps & Directions page.
Finding Your Home
For off-grounds housing options, start your search online through a site maintained by the Charlottesville Area Association of REALTORS®, providing listings in Charlottesville, Albemarle, and other nearby counties.