Cost of living in Charlottesville? (Massanutten: ski resorts, real estate, apartment)

[lbell]

Hi. A job opening was announced in Charlottesville. If I were to get it, it would be a promotion. I live in Northern California and have a wife and three kids, ages 8, 5, and 2. Our current school district is nearly bankrupt, our house is worth 40% of what we paid, and we're pretty sick of the State and we're interested in relocating. I do not, however, want to end up in a miserable location.

I was wondering if people on this site could provide some thoughts on relocating to Charlottesville. There seems to be differing thoughts on the weather. How humid is it in the Summer? How often does it snow?
What is the best elementary school, based on test performances (and where can I find this data)? How much do houses cost near this school? How much would a 4+ bedroom house rent for in the area with the best schools. Is there a good suburb of Charlottesville that would meet my criteria for good schools that might cost less?

How far are good ski resorts?

I'm really looking forward to hearing your thoughts. Thank you.

[Juggernaut1547]

I hope I can help a little. I'm a CT native, and the winters here are nothing to me. That I can remember, this winter has seen non-rain precipitation no more than five times so far. It's funny though because the city goes insane when snow falls (I recall one day last year when some flurries caused certain stores to close for the day). The summers driving me slightly crazy because I don't love heat. It's not unbearable or anything, just my personal preference. I wouldn't, however, call it humid.

Sorry, but I'm unable to help you on the housing/school part. I'm not far from the county (Albermarle) high school, but I don't know anything about it. This part of the city is near the [in]famous Route 29, which is chock full of places to spend your money (everything from gas stations to restaurants to hardware stores). Just to give you an idea on apartment renting, I pay less than $400 a month for a tiny place.

I hope that helps. Remember that a good-sized university is here (University of Virginia). It's for this reason that I hate this city. I love the Commonwealth, though.

Let me know if I can help you some more.

[naomisday]

lbell,

I live in the Bay Area as well, I am considering relocating in a few years---most likely to Nashville, but
I have considered Virginia as well...

I was told by a school teacher that Charlottesville is really nice, she is going to retire there...

Good luck on your move, wherever you decide.

The weather will be an adjustment wherever you move...we are spoiled here in California....

I say definitely visit...more then once....take a look at all aspects, get a relocation package, main
thing I would say though is visit, visit, visit and also get a job before you move....

[StuckBid]

It's humid in the summer, but not unbearable. The city itself doesn't receive much snow and when it does snow, there's only enough to cover the grass. However, if you head west to a higher elevation, you'll often find plenty of snow. Wintergreen and Massanutten ski resorts are just 30min to one hour away. Snowshoe, West Virginia is a great ski resort, but it's about a three hour drive. I attended Hollymead elementary school, which is in Albemarle County and not the city of Charlottesville. I can't help you on the test scores, but I can say that I received a very good education from the county schools.

Housing in and around Charlottesville has always been a sticky issue. I for one believe the homes inside the city limits are over priced. However, if you venture out into Albemarle County you can find good deals in the $250k to $300k range for a three bedroom.

[copperkettle]

My husband and I moved out here this last October from Sacramento. The winter has seemed mild, though much colder than we're used to in Sacramento. Not much snow, but everyone keeps telling me they usually get 1 or 2 one foot snowfalls during the winter. Ski resorts won't be anything like you're used to in the Sierras...but we've been to the nearby resort (45min) Wintergreen a few times and its pretty fun (all manmade snow though) and nice that its so close by. We're interested to see what we think of the summers here. I figure at least we won't have all those smoky skies we got in Sac! We're renting right in town in not a great area and have found it expensive (paying 1595 for a 4bdrm) and the houses seem to be older. We're now looking to buy in the surrounding area outside of town and prices seem pretty good. We don't have kids, so can't really comment on the schools, but others have said the Albemarle county schools are considered better than the surrounding counties. Good luck with everything!

[naomisday]

copperkettle,

There was a segment about the foreclosures really affecting Sacramento....too bad..

I know many people who moved there--to escape the high prices here in the Bay Area--luckily
they weren't in that group...

I haven't been to Sacramento in a long, long time...they usually come down...

Glad the move worked out for you

[deserthorse]

Many of the people I know who have moved from CA to Charlottesville and environs have been less than thrilled. Neither the climate nor the customs are anything like CA. I live here, and have been in CA since we have multiple relatives there.

I adore it here- my idea of paradise. You'll find the winters much colder than Sacramento, not enough snow to make it count for you, and not nearly as sunny. The summers are more humid, but not what people really dread- you need to go to the Tidewater in July for that... or KY, or Ohio. We get a lot of lovely days, but still not like CA. Our gorgeous mountains will seem like mere hills to you.

Wintergreen and Massanutten are nearby and offer skiing. It was mentioned that we have to make the snow

IMHO, Albemarle county public schools are quite good. The western albemarle schools are widely considered to be the best- Murray, Jouett, Broadus Wood, Henley, Western Albemarle High. That would put you west of 29, all the way to the county line. The north Albemarle schools are also good- Hollymead Elem and Sutherland middle particularly, and I've heard good things about the school at Rio Hill. There are several private schools, most Christian based, but not all are fundamentalist. The best known of these is St Anne-Belfield. It has an advanced curriculum, and is expensive to attend.

The cost of real estate here (buying or renting) is what I'd consider high, but other COL prices being lower might help offset that. For rents, check Craigslist charlottesville This is actually a good time to buy, because prices are lower than they have been, and lower than they will be again, IMHO. The college here is a good one, and helps keep the city and county going strong. IMHO- I know some people like to hate on the college. The army is also a major source of employment. The college has a good teaching hospital, and there is also a non-affliated hospital. There is also a good community college located here.

Compared to almost anywhere else, Charlottesville and indeed, a lot of Virginia is prettier and a great place to live. California and the west is the one area that is so different, though, I don't know if you can compare. Charlottesville and the county has diversity and an overall tolerant vibe, with well educated people and cultural pursuits, but it's still the South once you're out of the city itself. I think it's a LOT different than most of California.

Good luck!

[suziq5004]

I lived in CH'ville in the 80's and now I'm moving back. We lived in SoCal for a yr. and thankfully didn't buy a house! Ch'ville has City school system and a County one. Both are very highly rated and from my personal experience better than (and smaller) than SoCal schools even in burbs. You can view some stats on the Va DOE website: https://p1pe.doe.virginia.gov/reportcard/ . The term "City" is sort of a misnomer....it's just a smallish university town...which is an asset due to the types of cultural events sponsored and which are drawn to UVA. Wintergreen Ski Resort is about forty-five min. away and is not Mammoth or anything...I mean it is an East coast slope & Masanutten is an hour away...check them out online. It does get humid in summer, but I lived in lower GA which was much worse. Its not SoCal weather, but then it's not SoCal schools, traffic, and cost of living either!!! I can't wait to get there myself as I am leaving OH....need I say more?

[vjm]

Hi,

In Charlottesville, Venable and Greenbrier are the best elementary schools. Many people opt out of public schools after elementary school, although I think that is kinda a country-wide phenomena among the middle/ upper class at this point.

I lived in northern California for 20+ years, and Charlottesville for the last eight (I moved, so no longer there). I felt that Charlottesville was cheap for housing, but I came from SF. The quality of life is higher if you want a lower stress existence. Lots to do outside with the kids. The seasons are actually great. Four distinct seasons, little snow (a few times a year, maybe two-four snow days for the kids) but enough for occasional sledding, spring and fall are gorgeous, summer is hot but not terribly humid. You get used to what humidity there is very quickly, and the warm summer nights are great.

I am not a fan of Charlottesville, but many people ADORE it, especially those with kids.

Good luck!