Charlottesville consistently ranks at or near the top for the most desirable places to live in the U.S. It's where U.S. President Thomas Jefferson called home when he lived in his famous abode – Monticello. It's also home of the University of Virginia. Charlottesville is located in central Virginia and 110 miles southwest of Washington, D.C. Proximity to the nation’s capital makes it a desirable location for defense industry subcontractors. Historic architecture and strong support for the literary, visual, and performing arts all lend to the city’s visual and intellectual appeal.