5 Reasons to Call Central Virginia Home
From booming businesses to the Blue Ridge Mountains, here's why you should consider moving to Charlottesville and Central Virginia.
Central Virginia, often called the “Piedmont,” is known for its history, culture and cuisine. But look below the surface and you’ll discover this region of more than 360,000 residents offers abundant educational and career opportunities, boasts an affordable cost of living, and is a notable craft beverage destination. Here are five compelling reasons why you might want to consider moving to Charlottesville and Central Virginia.
In This Article
1. Score a Top-Notch Education
Students who are moving to Charlottesville and Central Virginia have nationally recognized colleges and universities right at their doorstep. Founded by Thomas Jefferson, the University of Virginia (UVA) – ranked as the No. 3 best public university by U.S. News & World Report – boasts a distinguished faculty, houses a major academic medical center and attracts students from around the world. The region is also home to two community colleges. Piedmont Virginia Community College and Germanna Community College offer certificate and associate degree programs to prepare students for four-year universities or the next step in their careers.
2. Get Business Done
Central Virginia’s diverse economy offers career opportunities across innovative industries like bioscience, advanced manufacturing, and defense and security. Serving these industries is a skilled labor pool, which comprises over 175,000 workers and is expected to grow by 5% by 2027.
3. Sip Your Way Through Central Virginia
Boutique wineries and vineyards are a staple of Central Virginia’s infamous craft beverage scene, complemented by the scenic backdrop of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Winning accolades from the Virginia Governor’s Cup state-wide wine tasting competition, the region’s winemakers are considered some of the best in their trade. Popular wineries in the region include Afton Mountain Vineyards, Early Mountain Vineyards, Old House Vineyards, DuCard Vineyards and Mountain Run Winery. For a hint of history, try Barboursville Vineyards where visitors can sample its whites, reds and sparkling wine and book a stay at The 1804 Inn.
Bonus: Entrepreneurs Love It Here
Central Virginia offers entrepreneurs a number of resources, including coworking locations such as Codebase Coworking in Charlottesville and Elevate Co-Work & Community in Culpeper. Both provide a fun and functional environment for entrepreneurs to produce their best work.
4. You Can Afford to Live Here
If you’re thinking about moving to Charlottesville and Central Virginia, get ready to enjoy a relatively low cost of living, especially in the counties of Greene, Louisa, Madison, Nelson and Orange, where the median home price is below the national average. New developments are on the rise, too. For example, under construction in Greene County, the Villages at Terrace Greene is a new 63-acre mixed-use development where residents will be able to live and work next to restaurants and shops.
5. Immerse Yourself in History
People moving to Charlottesville and Central Virginia will also find a rich history to be told, from Locust Hill (the birthplace of Meriwether Lewis) to important sites “on the Grounds” of UVA like the Memorial to Enslaved Laborers. Civil War buffs will want to visit preserved battlefields, such as Brandy Station, while politicos will love presidential residences like Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello, James Monroe’s Highland and James Madison’s Montpelier.
Get to Know Central Virginia
Want to learn more about living and working in Charlottesville, VA, and the surrounding communities? Check out the latest edition of Livability Central Virginia.