Your EZ Search Moving Guide to Charlottesville, VA

Do you have “C-Ville” in your future? Our moving guide prepares you for your new life in Charlottesville, a city that often steals the spotlight as a top place to live in Virginia. Brace yourself for a love affair with a town that’s not just a dot on the map but a lifestyle, a vibe, and a lot of Southern hospitality. Charlottesville has this magnetic pull, a knack for making you fall head over heels for its high-quality living, and it’s not just us saying it – the rankings agree! Discover why people are moving to Charlottesville, VA.

About Charlottesville

Monticello Thomas Jefferson Home

It’s hard to pin down the best part of living in Charlottesville. The scenery and outdoor recreation access definitely is one: between the Blue Ridge Mountains in the west, the Ravenna River, and in-town rolling hills, residents have many ways to get outside and be active. Around 84% live within a ten-minute walk of a park! In some neighborhoods, the blue-tinted hills backdrop the horizon. Imagine sitting for morning coffee, looking out to the mountains on the horizon while listening to the birds. Bask in the natural beauty that is central Virginia.

Then, there’s the vibes you get walking downtown. It’s energetic, youthful, and fun–all thanks to the University of Virginia campus and the downtown district. While unmistakably contemporary and chock full of college students, those nightclubs, music venues, and cafes embrace the colonial character of the historic buildings and landmarks. It shows old and new can get along perfectly fine.

Having a younger city (resident average age was 32), plus one packed with entertainment, helped make Charlottesville the third-happiest city to live in. Residents live in one of the nation’s best cities for entrepreneurs, with a diverse urban environment that includes quality education, healthcare access, and stable employers. It also often ranks as one of the best college towns.

Centrally located in Virginia’s Albemarle County, some of the state’s best attractions are within driving distance. In two hours, you can be in Washington, DC, to the north, the rugged mountains in the west, or the Virginia coast to the east. Beautiful countryside with horses, wineries, and farms forms the landscape in between these destinations.

Diving into Charlottesville’s Climate

Delight in a four-season humid subtropical climate. What does it mean for your days? Warm to hot, humid summers top out at 87F before transforming into cool, mild winters with 45F as the average highs. In between, the city is blessed with a lovely spring and autumn. The excellent weather is another reason locals have ample opportunities for year-round outdoor activities.

Snowfall happens, but totals vary. Typically, Charlottesville averages about seven inches yearly. It’s not always enough to break out a shovel, but you may on occasion. May is the wettest month with an average of 10 days of rainfall. In terms of severe weather, you’re at a much lower risk for hurricane impacts, severe floods, or extreme weather events like tornados.

Charlottesville Cost of Living

Charlottesville’s cost of living is slightly higher than the national average, reflecting the city’s amenities and high quality of life. According to BestPlaces’ cost of living index, it is 5% higher than the U.S. average.

This includes a higher-than-average cost of housing, which is 37% higher than the national average. Eating out, attending a live music show, and paying for child care are also more expensive. The below-average transportation costs reflect the city’s adoption of pedestrian commuting and public transportation.

Charlotteville VA cost of living chart

Determining the Best Neighborhoods

As you plan for moving to Charlottesville, VA, you can find a Charlottesville neighborhood that works best for your lifestyle and preferences. Some cater to the student population, others to families or young professionals. Popular neighborhoods include:

Belmont: A hip, walkable neighborhood with a vivid arts scene and beautiful historic homes.
Rugby: This neighborhood mixes architectural styles with quiet streets, a central location, and access to Greenleaf Park.
Meadowbrook Hills: Enjoy a family-friendly atmosphere close to schools, shopping centers, and parks.
North Downtown: For urban living, this neighborhood has a mix of historic and modern homes with easy access to the downtown scene, including the Downtown Mall.
Martha Jefferson: Also walkable to downtown, this historic neighborhood is also near the namesake hospital and delicious restaurants.
Greenbrier: A serene neighborhood surrounded by three parks, including the popular McIntire Park. Inside are spacious homes and a welcoming sense of community.
Locust Grove: A suburban enclave with affordable houses ideal for families or retirees, access to the Rivanna Trail, and some river views.

For those college students seeking convenience to the UVA campus, the immediately adjacent neighborhoods are:

Jefferson Park Avenue
Venable
Lewis Mountain
10th & Page
Fifeville

Moving to Charlottesville, VA, is popular, and it has a constant influx and outflow because of the college. Single-family home prices typically trend above the national average for any given month. For instance, in November 2024, the median list price of $570,000 was well above the October 2023 national sold price of $407,200. That figure includes townhomes and condominiums.

Education Exceeding Expectations

front view of University of Virginia

Go Hoos! The University of Virginia (UVA) stands at the forefront of the Charlottesville lifestyle. Thomas Jefferson founded this historic institution in 1819, and it’s been the bedrock of its economy and culture ever since. Ranked among the top public universities in the nation, UVA is renowned for its commitment to a rigorous, world-class education that fosters intellectual growth, innovation, and leadership.

The university’s presence profoundly impacts the city, not just its lively atmosphere. UVA is one of the city’s largest employers, bringing a steady influx of students, faculty, and visiting scholars. It may be the reason you are moving to Charlottesville, VA.

The synergistic relationship between the university and the city is evident. Numerous collaborations advance community projects for veterans and low-income residents, cultural events promote the arts and ecological conservation, and local business initiatives encourage entrepreneurship.

Educational opportunities in central Virginia include the Piedmont Virginia Community College, which has been recognized as the top community college in Virginia. Located south of the city center, it has two-year degrees and certificate programs with focuses on nursing, general studies, business management, and culinary arts.

With such high-quality programs at the upper level, the rigor and standards naturally trickle down through the community. For K-12 education, Charlottesville City Public Schools stand as a beacon of innovation and quality. The district is a charter member of the League of Innovative Schools. These schools exemplify academic excellence. The CCS embraces progressive teaching methods, including a commitment to 1:1 technology programs and low student-to-teacher ratios. The district prioritizes the hands-on, as proven by experiential learning partnerships like its Hospital Education Program at UVA’s Children’s Hospital. Their sustained investment in state-of-the-art facilities, dedicated teacher development, and a diverse curriculum positions Charlottesville City Schools among the state’s leading public education systems.

The Albemarle County Public Schools district surrounds the Charlottesville City Schools. This larger district serves the greater county and educates around 14,000 students through STEM schools, fine arts, and other specialty programs. In fact, the two districts work in partnership to run a technical education center that offers specialty training in culinary arts, fire science, health and medical sciences, and more.

As you move into Charlottesville, families with K-12-aged children may want to research these two districts more to find the best one to serve their needs. Additionally, there are rigorous private schools across Albemarle County that meet additional learning needs and preferences.

The Charlottesville Job Market

The job market in Charlottesville city is stable and varied. UVA is the largest single employer, but many industries contribute to the local economy. Business and financial services is a leading employing industry in Charlottesville, as is government-related work (which includes the school system).

The combination of the prominent education and healthcare sectors results in an unemployment rate that usually tracks beneath the US rate. Case in point, in November 2023, Charlottesville posted a 2.6% rate to the US 3.5%.

To showcase the wide range of opportunities that await in Ablemarle County and Charlottesville, other top employers include:

National Radio Astronomy Observatory headquarters
CFA Institute
GE Intelligent Platforms
StellarOne Bank
Northrop Grumman
Thomas Jefferson Memorial
State Farm Mutual Auto Insurance
UVA Medical Center

Getting Around Charlottesville

Would you like a bike-friendly city? Nearly 18% of Charlottesville residents bike or walk to work, placing the city among the highest in the state for sustainable commuting. The city is deeply committed to promoting biking, with a Bike Rack Giveaway Program, public bike parking all around town, and events like Bike Walk Play.

Public transit is available, too! All Charlottesville Area Transit (CAT) buses accept bicycles and provide wheelchair access. There’s even a free downtown trolley service. The CAT connects to Amtrak Rail service, which is also walkable from the city center and the UVA campus.

Outside of that, Interstate 64 runs south of Charlottesville, with connections through the Bypass Expressway. This road, also known as Highway 29, loops around the rest of Charlottesville, with Business 29 dropping right into the UVa campus.

Be ready for the Charlottesville city early morning rush. It’s notably worse around campus and in the term. That’s when more students and employees try to get to class and work. Certain sports game days may also impact traveling around town, especially if the Tar Heel rivals are playing.

Charlottesville Crime Rate

While Charlottesville is generally considered a safe and welcoming community, the city does experience a higher rate of violent and property crimes compared to other cities in Virginia. In fact, the violent crime rate in Charlottesville city, which stands at 26.68, surpasses the national average of 22.7. Violent crime rates increased from 2022 to 2023, and the city has some challenges to overcome. Property crime is the more prevalent offense, including porch pirates reports.

However, you can find neighborhoods with high marks for safety. Among these are Greenbrier and Locust Grove, plus the more rural areas just outside the city limits.

Exploring Charlottesville’s Key Attractions

Cafe sidewalk restaurant

Among the city’s perks are the multiple and diverse selection of things to do. To highlight a few of the best attractions in Charlottesville:

Historic Sites: Three US Presidents are tied into the greater Charlottesville area. Visit the homes of Thomas Jefferson, James Monroe, and James Madison—Monticello, Ash Lawn-Highland, and Montpelier, respectively. It’s worth making a trip to each of these at least once as a Charlottesville resident, as they hold worthwhile educational experiences and national historical value. UVA itself is a UNESCO-listed historic site, and more historic taverns, churches, and memorials around the city add to its rich history.
Cultural Hotspots: Residents love the Downtown Mall, a renowned walking shopping and entertainment district destination with over 120 stores. Locals know it as the “DTM.” The Southern Cafe and Music Hall, the historic Jefferson Theater, and the renovated Paramount are in its mix of theaters and music venues. Complement any night out with a meal at locally-owned restaurants. Or, have a fun shopping day perusing the boutique stores and art galleries. In addition to the Downtown Mall, the city’s Market Street Park is a hub for community gatherings and live events. The Corner is a popular strip across from the UVA campus with bars and shops catering to its student population. The Barracks Road Shopping Center is a popular destination for its premier stores and dining.
Natural Escapes: The roster of what you can do for fun outdoors from Charlottesville is incredible. For starters, Shenandoah National Park and Skyline Drive are a short drive away–no more than an hour! These two amenities alone guarantee endless adventures of hiking, camping, mountain biking, and scenic drives. Shenandoah Valley is the center of Virginia’s wine country. Add to that the Appalachian Trail and Blue Ridge Parkway, the Rivanna Trail, and the orchards of Ablemarle County…outdoor enthusiasts will be busy every weekend.
Cycling Paradise: Welcome to a haven for cyclists, with 3,000 bike trails covering over 30,000 miles in the city and its surroundings. Seek out local favorite routes like the High Bridge Trail, John W. Warner Parkway Trail, Railroad Ford Trail, Rivanna Trail, and Saunders-Monticello Trail. Charlottesville has an incredibly high bike and walk score due to its bike-friendly efforts.
Extensive Park System: Charlottesville manages over 26 public parks. Facilities include “Spray” grounds, indoor and outdoor swimming pools, and community fitness centers. Plus, there are playgrounds, skate parks, and sports fields for more recreation! Chances are, your future home will be minutes away from a Charlottesville park.
Family-Friendly Activities: The Virginia Discovery Museum has a variety of exhibits and hands-on activities for children. The Fridays After Five is a free series at the Sprint Pavilion hosted from April to September. The IX Art Park immerses you in an outdoor public art experience that kids love. Plus, there are orchards for fruit picking, summer festivals, and youth sports programs.
Culinary delights: Charlottesville delights the palate with over 100 independent restaurants. Many draw global inspiration into their menus, reflecting the city’s diversity. The restaurant scene is supported by excellent farm-to-table restaurants, guaranteeing the freshest and most seasonal ingredients. Get a taste of the range of cuisines during Cville Restaurant Week, where local restaurants offer tasting menus and low-cost plates of their customer favorites.
Craft Beverage Scene: C-Ville also has ten craft breweries which you can experience on the Charlottesville Ale Trail. It makes the city a destination for beer lovers. Stops include the South Street Brewery, Champion Brewing Company, and Notch’d Brewing Company. The locals are also ideally positioned for access to Virginia’s wine country. The award-winning mountain vineyards are known for their Chardonnay, Merlot, and Viognier varietals. The craft beverage scene also includes cideries, meaderies, and distilleries.

Charlottesville Special Events

Charlottesville has a lot going on, and not just the championship sports at the university. The community events span the entire year, and tap into the city’s deep arts and music scene. Some signature annual events include:

Magic on the Mall: A full month of holiday-themed events including a peppermint trail, scavenger hunt, train rides, holiday lights, and extended retail hours.
Foxfield Races: Hosted in the spring and fall, the steeplechase horse race event draws national attention.
Crozet Arts and Crafts Festival: Another bi-annual event, the juried show celebrates the vibrant arts scene of Central Virginia
Charlottesville Restaurant Week: Eat deliciously without breaking the wallet as local restauranteurs offer discounted three-course meals.
Soul of C’Ville: A three-day festival at IX Art Park with diverse selections of art, music, and eating.
Virginia Film Festival: An international audience comes for the wide range of independent films at the 5-day VFF.

Moving to Charlottesville, VA

Are you ready to swap your old zip code for a new adventure in C-Ville? Amazing experiences await, and it’s guaranteed to be a fun ride, even if you’re a grad student hitting the books hard. The cost of living in Albemarle County may be higher, but the access to a well-rounded lifestyle is hard to match. The combination of excellent schools, entertainment, recreation, health care access, and beautiful homes makes Charlottesville one of the best places to buy a home in Virginia. Come check it out with a local real estate agent.

Updated December 2024