Central Virginia

From the breathtaking beauty of rural mountain landscapes to the bustle of charming Charlottesville and the stunning sophistication of its smaller towns, Central Virginia has earned a reputation as the right place to roost.

The Blue Ridge Mountains and picturesque roadways such as the Blue Ridge Parkway may draw visitors into the region, but Central Virginia’s excellent quality of life, rich diversity, top-notch educational options, ample job opportunities and outstanding outdoor activities tend to turn those visitors into residents.

Business is booming in Central Virginia. Information technology, advanced manufacturing, bioscience and medical devices, agribusiness, and defense and security are just a few of its thriving industries. The region is also powered by a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem and the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, which contributes more than $644 million to the commonwealth’s economy. In the past 25 years, more than 50 companies have been started because of the university’s innovations, and more than 65,000 companies have been started by UVA graduates globally.

When the weekend rolls around, there’s plenty of dining, shopping, entertainment and outdoor options to keep you busy. From a robust network of trails for hiking and biking to a deep reservoir of water sports (boating, rafting, fishing, waterskiing), the sky’s the limit when it comes to things to do in the area. And serving as a beautiful backdrop to it all is the Shenandoah National Park, filled with wildlife, wildflowers, waterfalls and 200,000 acres of wonder.

History buffs will love exploring the presidential history of the region at Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello, James Madison’s Montpelier and James Monroe’s Highland.

Livability Central Virginia is sponsored by the Central Virginia Partnership.