Commuting to UVA (Charlottesville, Staunton, Waynesboro: rent, houses, living)

[GreenFootprint]

My wife is up for a job at UVA. We're not really "city people." Is it possible to work at UVA and live in a surrounding area or is that a bad idea? Is morning commuter traffic a big problem? What suburbs around Charlottesville are best for commuting in? Or would a rural area be better? Obviously we haven't spent a lot of time there, so any information would be appreciated.

[gregir]

I do not find the traffic in C-ville bad at all. It may be bad compared to pother similar sized cities (some on this board have noted this) but compared to the rest of cities in Va./metro areas it is easy. If you lived in Crozet I would be surprised if the commute took more than 15 minutes on a regular basis. now it was gridlock Wednesday when the president came to town and they closed roads etc for security but that kind of unusual event does not occur often. The only major regular issues are during football games or large UVA events when people come here in numbers. They are usually limited to specific areas but if you need to get to that area (UVA for example) it would be more traffic.
I personally like the Western albemarle county areas like Crozet etc. there are lots of little towns/hamlets that are rural in nature dotted around the area.
You really need to visit and scope out the area if at all possible, my preference for open space and country living event though that includes 20 minute ride to any town in the area along winding roads may not be yours.

[usuario]

There are a lot of people who rent houses in the rural countryside in Albemarle County. The population density is very low in most of Virginia, mostly dense forests and hills. Keep in mind that you will have to deal with traffic if you work in a 9-to-5 job, especially if you plan to live close to US-29.

[emsman]

If your used to "rural living" then commuting into Charlottesville/UVA will not be that bad, it has volume in morning and evenings but moves fine unless there is an accident. The traffic engineeres seem to to a good job in the area and have no quams changing the roads in town to move traffic. Parking is another issue, UVA staff has parking at most places and hospital staff can pay monthly to park at a special garage next to the hospital.(in case her job is at hospital).

"rural" areas;

Albermarle County: Crozet, Covesville, Stony Point, Earlysville
Nelson County: Lovingston
Louisa County: Louisa, Zions Crossroads
Fluvanna County: Lake Monticello, Palmayra
Greene County: Ruckersville, Stanardsville
Augusta County: City of Waynesboro, City of Staunton, Fishersville, Stuarts Draft

These are some of the more common areas people commute from, there are others of course, but this should get you started looking. The "cities" in Augusta county are emphisized because like Charlottesville their government is seperate from the county they are in. I say this because I don't know if your currently in Virginia or not.

[GreenFootprint]

Thank you, everyone, for the responses. Could anyone fill me in a little on the towns emsman mentioned? How is the cost of living and are any of them better for commuting from? It looks like Crozet is on the same side of town (just further west) as UVA, and it looks close. Does that make for an easier commute than somewhere like Ruckersville? Do any of the towns have a more "small town" feel to them with a sense of community and a center? Community 4th of July gatherings, barbecues, Christmas tree lightings, stuff like that? Maybe looking for something that doesn't exist...

[emsman]

The Albemarle/Charlottesville area will cost the most of the areas I mentioned. The cities of Waynesboro/Staunton each have their own websites w/ all the info you could need. Each have festivels, parades, 4th of July stuff, and lots of other community events throughout the year, Charlottesville City has just as many if not more and a growing concert series downtown, with some REALLY big name singers.

Prices vary greatly, even in the same area. An example, in Augusta County you can get a 3 bed/2 bath house anywhere from $125,000 to $300,000 depending on location. All these areas on average are 30 to 45 minutes from each other so your 'wants' will influence your decisions.

There are tons of events throughout the year in all the small towns in the Shenandoah Valley, short trips all close.

For your specific question on Crozet, the shortest route to Charlottesville is a 2 lane road, about 15 min.. Most other areas are 2 lane-divided (US 29). The Augusta co. side(waynesboro/staunton) is a straight shot on I-64. Yes, there is a mountain in between, but it's not bad at all. Some fog sometimes but you get used to it.

[gregir]

Albemarle County: Crozet- not super walkable but centered around a little community with festivals etc. VFD and Volunteer rescue and a few other activities. Commute 15 to 30 minutes depending on how far out define Crozet boundaries.
Covesville- no real center or places to walk and I have never seen any festival except orchards with apple events. 25 minute commute straight shot to C-ville.
Stony Point- dunno Earlysville- dunno

Nelson County: Lovingston- walkable but not a lot in the town. Most retail is in the shopping center across the highway. Rapunzels is great and there are festivals and parades and VFD/rescue and a very active Humane society with events. 35 plus or minus 7 minute commute to C-ville
Don’t have direct knowledge of the rest so can’t help much.
Louisa County: Louisa, Zions Crossroads
Fluvanna County: Lake Monticello, Palmayra
Greene County: Ruckersville, Stanardsville
Augusta County: City of Waynesboro, City of Staunton, Fishersville, Stuarts Draft

[emsman]

GreenFootprint,

Another neat thing in this area as far as "events" is the cities talk to each other and try not to schedule stuff on the same days. For example, in Augusta County the City of Staunton traditionally holds their 4th of July celebration on the 3-4th, the City of Wyanesboro then holds a celebration the following weekend. Since the towns are only 10 miles apart they work with each other. It's great, you get 2 parades, fireworks, ect.....

And since nothing is a really far drive you can get a lot of neat stuff in, heck, Washington D.C. is only 2 hours away. With a little homework and some gas money this area is an awsome central location to get to just about anything when your done w/ work