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!

About Charlottesville

It’s hard to pin down just one perk 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.

Then, there’s the vibe of walking downtown. It’s energetic, youthful, and fun–all thanks to the University of Virginia campus and the downtown district. While unmistakably contemporary, 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.

Centrally located in Virginia, some of Virginia’s best attractions await in 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, wine, and farms surrounds the landscape in between.

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 are topping out. to cool wintersat 87F, and mild 45F as average highs. 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, so it’s not always enough to break out a shovel. 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, which reflects the city’s amenities and high quality of life. According to BestPlaces’ cost of living index, the cost of living in Charlottesville is 5% higher than the U.S. average.

This includes a higher-than-average cost of housing, which runs 36% more than the national average. Eating out, attending a live music show, or child care are more expensive. The below-average transportation costs reflect the city’s adoption of pedestrian commuting and public transportation.

Determining the Best Neighborhoods

As you plan your move, you can find a Charlottesville neighborhood that works best for your lifestyle and preferences. A few standouts include:

• Belmont: A hip, walkable neighborhood with a young, artsy vibe and beautiful historic homes.
• Rugby: This neighborhood mixes architectural styles with quiet streets, a central location, and access to Greenleaf Park.
• Meadowbrook Hills: A family-friendly community 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 DTM.
• Greenbrier: A serene neighborhood surrounded by three parks. Inside are spacious homes and a strong 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.

Education Exceeding Expectations

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. Chances are high, you are moving to Charlottesville because of the university. 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. 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.

With such high-quality programs at the upper level, the rigor and standards naturally trickle down through the community. For public K-12 education, Charlottesville City Schools stand as a beacon of innovation and quality. The district is a charter member of the League of Innovative Schools. These schools with low student-to-teacher ratios exemplify academic excellence. The CCS embraces progressive teaching methods, including a commitment to 1:1 technology programs. The district prioritizes hands-on, as proven by experiential learning partnerships, such as 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.

Surrounding the Charlottesville City Schools is the Albemarle County Public Schools district. This larger district serves the greater county and educates around 14,000 students with STEM schools, fine arts, and other specialty programs. In fact, the two districts work in partnership to run a technical education center for 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.

The Charlottesville Job Market

The job market in Charlottesville is stable and varied. UVA dominates as the largest single employer, but many industries contribute to the local economy. Business and financial services are actually the leading employment industry in Charlottesville.

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

Other top employers include the National Radio Astronomy Observatory headquarters, CFA Institute, GE Intelligent Platforms, StellarOne Bank, and several healthcare facilities, including the 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 here, 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 downtown and the UVA campus.

Outside of that, I-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.

As a new resident, be ready for the Charlottesville 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 in town.

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, 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.

Exploring Charlottesville’s Key Attractions

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.
• 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 its locally-owned restaurants. Or, have a fun shopping day perusing the boutique stores and art galleries. In addition to DTM, 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.
• 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 just a short drive away. These two amenities alone guarantee endless adventures of hiking, camping, 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…an adventure of yours every weekend.
• 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 a totally outdoor public art experience that kids love. Plus, there are orchards for fruit picking, summer festivals, and youth sports programs.
• Culinary delights: Charlottesville surprises 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 an expectation of farm-to-table dining, guaranteeing the freshest and most seasonal ingredients. C-Ville also has ten craft breweries and is ideally positioned for access to Virginia’s wine country.
• 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, the Railroad Ford Trail, the Rivanna Trail, and the 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. Chances are, when you live in Charlottesville, you’re minutes away from some kind of park.

Moving to Charlottesville

Are you ready to swap your old zip code for a new adventure in C-Ville? The adventure awaits, and it’s guaranteed to be a fun ride. The cost of living may be higher, but 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.