Crozet vs. North Charlottesville (up 29) (Richmond, Waynesboro: homes, established neighborhood, private school)

[Mother's Favorite]

We are considering a move to the C'ville area. We have heard that Crozet and north of C'ville (up 29, Hollymead and surrounding areas) are both nice places for families to live. How are these spots similar and different? Which is growing faster? We'd like a quiet neighborhood but we don't want to be too far from downtown. We want to feel connected to others who are raising families but we don't want a new subdivision. THANKS!

[deserthorse]

Originally Posted by Mother's Favorite

We are considering a move to the C'ville area. We have heard that Crozet and north of C'ville (up 29, Hollymead and surrounding areas) are both nice places for families to live. How are these spots similar and different? Which is growing faster? We'd like a quiet neighborhood but we don't want to be too far from downtown. We want to feel connected to others who are raising families but we don't want a new subdivision. THANKS!

North of the city is going to land you in massive traffic. Basically, 29 is the only actual main road through town. What that means is that most days, it seems like the entire county, plus Greene and Orange, are on it.

Yes, there are family friendly neighborhoods there. Both relatively established and newer. A good number of transients in that area- army jobs, people move around.

There are tons of conveniences (this can also be read as heavy-duty sprawl) north of the city. Shopping, jobs, housing, restaurants (chains, mostly). No small town feel, this is the suburbs.

Crozet is west of town, loved by many, family friendly and keeps you out of the 29 traffic better. Approximately 1/2 hr from downtown. Definite small town feel, though I haven't been out there in a while. A nearby park, gorgeous scenery, art and craft festivals.

[Mother's Favorite]

Originally Posted by deserthorse

North of the city is going to land you in massive traffic. Basically, 29 is the only actual main road through town. What that means is that most days, it seems like the entire county, plus Greene and Orange, are on it.

Thank you for the info. Are there plans to expand or bypass 29? I keep hearing about how bad it is, traffic-wise...

[deserthorse]

Originally Posted by Mother's Favorite

Thank you for the info. Are there plans to expand or bypass 29? I keep hearing about how bad it is, traffic-wise...

Well, not exactly. They will widen it again farther north, I'm sure. The government bought up land to the west of 29, ostensibly to make the bypass extend farther north, but I don't know if we'll ever see it. The way Charlottesville is situated makes it singularly difficult to do anything now, after the fact. The mountains and at least one reservoir, as well as lots of established neighborhoods, lie to the west of 29, where the bypass would go. Taking the bypass east of the city would do little good, because that's not where the traffic is. Meadowcreek Parkway is a supposed improvement, but it's still not here, and many people are against it. Also, bypassing the myriad businesses that line 29 would make them irate. A lot has been written about it I'm sure. Googling it would bring up more ins and outs than I can think of.

Downtown is easy to navigate. The bypass is fine, although the design of one of the on/off ramps is questionable. 250 is fine. Down by the college is usually a mess, and all the way from there up through Hollymead on 29 is either busy (mostly) or a mess- 8-10am and 4-6:30 pm. You can get most anywhere without actually going on 29, but the it will still take you longer, even including the traffic!

All in all, it's a small price to pay for such an otherwise great area.

[Tanja M]

Hi Mother's Favorite,
Hope I can help a little. Deserthorse has pointed out well about the north of town, 29 traffic and Crozet. However, I believe that you need not to get that far out of town (Crozet) to find a “quiet neighborhood” in Charlottesville area. Not even the prices differ that much. A few years ago, you could have found a lot more for the money in Crozet. Not the same case now-days.
Hollymead and Forest Lakes (South) are both well established neighborhoods, about 15-20 minutes drive to downtown. As for similarities to Crozet, some (newer) subdivisions in Crozet also have walking paths and feature look-alike homes. Suburban feel. Both areas are growing in their own ways…
There are many old neighborhoods closer to downtown I consider family friendly and quiet too.
Question is, do you need to be in a subdivision with its own amenities (pool, playgrounds and/or fitness facilities)? If not, many small streets closer to downtown are beloved by families because of walkable proximity to downtown, its parks and pedestrian mall, and of course family friendly environment.
Hope this gives you somewhat a better feel for the area.
Let me know if you have more questions.

[Mother's Favorite]

Originally Posted by Tanja M

Question is, do you need to be in a subdivision with its own amenities (pool, playgrounds and/or fitness facilities)? If not, many small streets closer to downtown are beloved by families because of walkable proximity to downtown, its parks and pedestrian mall, and of course family friendly environment.
Hope this gives you somewhat a better feel for the area.
Let me know if you have more questions.

No, we'd rather NOT be in a subdivision -- seems like yards are small and trees are scarce. We'd rather have a big yard and trees than "amenities."

[Rhett_Butler]

Originally Posted by Mother's Favorite

No, we'd rather NOT be in a subdivision -- seems like yards are small and trees are scarce. We'd rather have a big yard and trees than "amenities."

Look out in Earlysville then. Still has a country feel in places but is established at the same time.... Probably a bit pricey, but it sounds like what you're looking for...

[Tanja M]

If you prefer staying closer to Downtown Charlottesville and still have a yard, there are older and well established neighborhoods here (not subdivisions). My family has chosen just that. We love the walkable proximity to parks, school and Downtown.
I checked and at the moment, you would have about 30 properties to choose from. (all with yards =>0.4 acre, 3br and up, prices staring in lower 300K)

[JimDuncan]

Mother's Favorite -

Define "far" from downtown Charlottesville. For some that's 5 minutes, others 30 ...

Crozet is becoming more and more self-contained ... so much so that more people choose to shop in Crozet or Waynesboro -

Help a new neighbor get acclimated to Crozet | RealCrozetVA
29 North? Where’s that? | RealCrozetVA

I live in Crozet and find that there is a pretty strong sense of community here, more so than what I perceive to be that in the 29 North area.

[toychri]

I currently live in Richmond (Midlothian), and my family and I are currently looking to relocate to C-Ville. While I love the downtown area, I'm not sure I could afford to send 3 kids to private school (have not heard good things about city of C-ville schools).

That being said, we explored Albermarle up 29, I hated it, it's nothing but a strip mall nightmare. No character at all, all typical chains and the traffic headaches you would find in any other city in the US, there is nothing in the 29 north area that lets you know you are in C-Ville.

So now we are considering Crozet ot Lake Monticello, have not seen either yet, we are planning trips very soon.