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This is a place where the world spins as it should. It changes with the world. And in some cases, it is changing the world. The university feels like a major part of this community and town. There is this separation but also togetherness. The beauty of the place and the intricacy and the complexity of it struck me.
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There a lot of features of a metropolitan place that we have here in Charlottesville, but without some of the metropolitan headaches. Activities outside with friends and family, being able to eat at great restaurants, hang out at coffee houses, attend great art events. The cultural scene here is way bigger than a town this size should have. There’s always something happening. The riches of that are fantastic.
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Charlottesville is literally nestled at the foot of the Blue Ridge. Any scale that you want to be getting outside and seeing incredible sites, we’re in a place that can facilitate that. The beauty of the outdoors around here is what drew me to Charlottesville, but the people are what made me stay. There are people that care about you, your family, and care about your goals and hopes and dreams. You want to be part of a community that is constantly evolving, not in a rush, but gradually, so you can piece the place together and make it work for you.
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I think Charlottesville has a way of drawing people back. It’s home. It becomes home pretty rapidly. I have a connection to neighbors and friends that I’ve not had in any other city I’ve lived in. After a while, you wonder how you could have lived anywhere else. I remember saying this to myself after my first year--I’m never going to take this place for granted. I’m never going to take for granted what I’m seeing. It’s just beautiful.
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Located in Central Virginia just east of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Charlottesville offers stunning beauty, rich culture and an endless list of things to do. In the span of a single day, you can hike through the mountains, catch a concert, grab a bite at one of Charlottesville’s many celebrated restaurants (we rank among the nations’ top 15 places with the most restaurants per capita!), stroll the historic Downtown Mall, and explore Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello or James Monroe’s Ashlawn Highland. Whatever you do, Charlottesville brings together the best of many worlds, offering the livability and community of a small city with the amenities and cultural attractions of a metropolis.
#3
Happiest City in U.S., 2017 National Geographic and Gallup
#10
Top Ten College Towns, 2018 Livability
#5
U.S. community for well-being, Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index
Beyond being an exceptional city in its own right, Charlottesville is also conveniently located two hours south of the nation’s capital by car and just over one hour from Richmond, VA, to the east. The Appalachian Trail and the Blue Ridge Parkway can be reached with a 30-minute drive from Grounds.
Just outside the city limits, Albemarle County offers a 726 square-mile area of land that is home to an unusually rich variety of cultural, natural and historic attractions. Most notable among these is Monticello, the famous home designed by Thomas Jefferson, where he spent many years of his life living, working and writing. A mere 6 miles from UVA, this UNESCO World Heritage site offers daily tours. The county also hosts President James Monroe’s Ashlawn Highland. And in nearby Orange, VA, Montpelier offers a glimpse into the life and work of President James Madison.
Located just eight miles from the University, Charlottesville-Albemarle Airport (CHO) offers 50 daily non-stop flights to and from Charlotte, Philadelphia, New York/LaGuardia, Washington/Dulles, Chicago/O’Hare and Atlanta. It is served by United, Delta and American Airlines.
If you’re traveling by train, the Charlottesville Amtrak Station is two miles from the University at 810 West Main Street. And if you’re traveling by bus, the Greyhound Bus Terminal at 310 West Main Street is just two miles from Grounds.
