It seems like Charlottesville is always winning an award for something. Over the last decade, the city has been cited on numerous lists as a top place to live. It has won awards for environmental conservation, being a great place to raise a family, being a great college town, supporting small business owners, and even for being a great place to retire to.
Most recently, CNN, Fortune, and Money named Charlottesville number 18 on their 'Top 100 Places to Live and Launch' list. High-tech industries as well as shipping and manufacturing represent billions of dollars in local revenue.
Business interests do not overshadow quality of living, however. Residents of Charlottesville consistently describe the region as having a small-town feel.
Located in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, the natural geography surrounding the city is breathtaking. Outdoor activities and sports are extremely popular in the mild climate.
Shopping, eating, and drinking wine are also popular pastimes - Charlottesville has one of the country's longest outdoor pedestrian shopping malls, and in 2005 Life Magazine named the city one of the best places to drink wine.
Charlottesville's glowing reputation is nothing new. Thomas Jefferson called the city home, as did U.S. Presidents Madison and Monroe. Jefferson's mountaintop Monticello house is one of the area's many tourist attractions.
Jefferson also founded the University of Virginia in Charlottesville. It is an attraction in its own right with buildings designed by Jefferson himself as well as famous American architect Stanford White. The intellectual reputation of the city is promoted with many local events outside the University as well. A prestigious film festival and a famous book fair attract top names and crowds of visitors to the city each year.
Are you looking for a place where high quality, healthy, affordable living exists alongside a thriving business community? Charlottesville was good enough for Thomas Jefferson, it might be good enough for you.