Short notice moving to Cville area (Charlottesville, Crozet: apartments, to rent, townhome)

[tsommerio]

I've been scouring the internet the last few days since I found out we will be moving to the Charlottesville area. As soon as I find somewhere that looks nice to rent, it seems the schools aren't very good...or the schools are excellent but the apartment/townhome reviews are horrible! Can anyone suggest a nice apt/townhome area with good schools for middle and high? We also have 2 dogs.

I was looking into Hollymead...but the middle school had horrible reviews on greatschools.org (personal reviews).

Most townhome/apt places I have seen all look and sound great until you read reviews complaining about mold issues! Is that a common problem in the Cville area?

We are looking to move by the end of August since that is when schools start up there. Any help is greatly appreciated!

T

[Green Irish Eyes]

I used to live in Charlottesville and, honestly, I don't think you could go wrong with any county school (which are generally considered to be "better" than Charlottesville City schools). Any internet review site will generally, IMHO, attact people with complaints more than people with compliments -- so the results are likely skewed more towards the negative.

Great Schools ranks Sutherland highest among county middle schools and Albemarle highest among high schools, so if you're going by that site, you should look for housing that will put you in the zone for those schools.

Don't know anything about housing in the area, sorry.

[candycen]

You'd be better off moving to a location that would send your kids to Albemarle County H.S. The middle schools in that district are better as well. Try going to realtor.com and see if you can rent a house from a private owner. I haven't lived in the area for quite some time, but I know that there is a nice community located in the Pantops area. The apartments are somewhat newer and located in front of Wilton Farm Apartments.

[tsommerio]

Thanks so much for your input. I didn't consider that most replies would be those that weren't happy...and actually didn't pay attention to the greatschools.org rating, just went by the reviews.

I've heard that Albemarle County schools are better than Charlottesville's schools and have already decided that's the way we'll go...hard part is trying to figure out what areas are zoned for ACS when you don't know the area at all!

I really appreciate the help!

[emsman]

Charlottesville is an independant city, so if you find a place you like look at a map and see if it's inside the city limits. If it is then your kids will go to Charlottesville city schools. Anywhere else they go to Albermarle county. Check the area of Crozet, VA. still in Albermarle co. and growing at nice easy pace.