Charlottesville: Liberal or Conservative? (Jefferson, Staunton: buy, middle school, colleges)

[JimDuncan]

"My wife and I are considering a move to Charlottesville from Fairfield County Connecticut. Part of the reason we want to leave the NE is to escape the extreme liberalism (and the taxes that go with it) that we have here. There is not much in the way of political diversity in CT, so we thought that a college town in the midst of a conservative population might be just the mix we are looking for.

Charlottesville was looking like a great choice for us until, to my great surprise, I found that 80% of the population of Charlottesville voted for Obama in the last election! Still, I have read here (on this forum) that CV is conservative. Please explain. Is that voting percentage skewed from 18 year old students at UVA?

I'm sure that most liberals don't believe such people exist, but my wife and I are highly educated conservatives, and we enjoy true diversity of thought, not just skin color. A right-leaning "purple" city is were we would be happiest. We are not going to be happy living among rednecks, or 60 year old hippies."


We welcome highly educated liberals and conservatives. Seriously.

Second - understand that the City is very, very liberal. But still a good place to live.

Third - the County of Albemarle used to vote very conservative, but has seemed to be trending more 50-50 over the past several years to due a) the influx of people from the West and North East and b) that's just what's been happening; I'd like to think that they are more socially liberal and fiscally conservative.

But to simply answer your question - the City of Charlottesville, often referred to as the "People's Republic of Charlottesville" is very, very liberal and the County is less - so. But I really and truly believe that collectively we are welcoming to all.

[Jesco White]

Originally Posted by thatbrian

we enjoy true diversity of thought, not just skin color. .

Don't come if you think the only reason people voted for Obama was skin color. You just threw your "highly educated" argument right out the door.

[Moving on up to C'ville]

Good one Jesco!

[Giesela]

Originally Posted by Jesco White

Don't come if you think the only reason people voted for Obama was skin color. You just threw your "highly educated" argument right out the door.

Yes, having read the OP I'm not sure their self-picture or self-awareness is accurate. What you think you are and are looking for don't track.

To anyone on the farther edges of the political spectrum (whether right or left), the middle (or moderates, or those who enjoy diversity) looks like the other side. The only way to tell if your really a moderate, or truly independent is if both sides make you uncomfortable - which from your post I suspect is not the case. You know your conservative, but just not how really conservative. Your definition of 'diversity' is probably pretty right leaning specific.

I saw this post because I'm currently visiting Cville. I can add my speculation that the influx of ever more Dept of Def orgs will increase the number of conservatives in the area. So there will be a big left community, a big right community and while moderates won't feel welcome in either, you can join your side.

[proudestmonkey]

I'm from Cville and now live in MA. I laughed when you said you wanted to go to Cville to escape liberalism, so there's your answer.

[LeeLee77]

lol,...
once you get out of DC, most people who are not transplants are going to be rednecks and republicans. Jessshhh, if you have a redneck problem, avoid the Shenandoah Valley. Why anyone would want to move to these God forsaken places is beyond me! Only yanks with money or in retirement have such desires. The job market is worse in Appalachian regions than anywhere, then sprinkle a recession on that! If you are still interested in having a life I would not go to Charlottesville. Places like Charlottesville are for retired New Yorkers who want to sit in a chair, look out their window and stare at a tree.

[ShadowBat]

Originally Posted by LeeLee77

lol,...
once you get out of DC, most people who are not transplants are going to be rednecks and republicans. Jessshhh, if you have a redneck problem, avoid the Shenandoah Valley. Why anyone would want to move to these God forsaken places is beyond me! Only yanks with money or in retirement have such desires. The job market is worse in Appalachian regions than anywhere, then sprinkle a recession on that! If you are still interested in having a life I would not go to Charlottesville. Places like Charlottesville are for retired New Yorkers who want to sit in a chair, look out their window and stare at a tree.

LOL!

[Jesco White]

Originally Posted by LeeLee77

lol,...
once you get out of DC, most people who are not transplants are going to be rednecks and republicans. Jessshhh, if you have a redneck problem, avoid the Shenandoah Valley. Why anyone would want to move to these God forsaken places is beyond me! Only yanks with money or in retirement have such desires. The job market is worse in Appalachian regions than anywhere, then sprinkle a recession on that! If you are still interested in having a life I would not go to Charlottesville. Places like Charlottesville are for retired New Yorkers who want to sit in a chair, look out their window and stare at a tree.

While cville has some retirees, it has a lot more going for it than most other cities of its size. The number of high quality, non-chain restaurants is insane. It has one of the largest outdoor pedestrian malls in the country, it has sports if you care (UVA), and thanks to UVA's desire to finance sports arenas, the large acts that come through there are better than Richmond and comparable to DC sometimes (Rolling stones, Radiohead, NIN, U2). Charlottesville does it's best to preserve mom & pop stores (often meaning that they're behind the times with big box chains, still no Costco or Home Depot, etc), but that's a good thing for the most part. The income levels are relatively high, although the real estate prices can begin to rival the inner areas of the Beltway in some places. Additionally, it's not a cookie-cutter commuter community that sprung up in the last 30 years to serve the beltway. It's an actual town, with actual history, and existed as such when places like Tysons Corner were literally just a gas station on a dirt road.

Don't knock it until you try it, just try to avoid it if you're a tea partying type, because you won't fit in.

[Tiger Beer]

Originally Posted by Giesela

To anyone on the farther edges of the political spectrum (whether right or left), the middle (or moderates, or those who enjoy diversity) looks like the other side. The only way to tell if your really a moderate, or truly independent is if both sides make you uncomfortable

You basically just described me.

Interesting that you are the first person who has voiced it that way though. Rep point for that.

[proudestmonkey]

Originally Posted by Tiger Beer

You basically just described me.

Interesting that you are the first person who has voiced it that way though. Rep point for that.

Me, too.