Possible Relocation from Austin to Charlottesville

[donnaaries]

To add to this, we're looking to purchase instead of rent. Would prefer to just move once with a toddler.

[ocngypz]

Originally Posted by donnaaries

To add to this, we're looking to purchase instead of rent. Would prefer to just move once with a toddler.

Since you are not familiar with the area, I would strongly advise you to rent first.

[EasyBeezy]

I would second the renting first sentiment, however, there are many houses for sale all over the city at any given time, so if that's the route you want to go you should have plenty of choices. Whether or not they're affordable is another question because Charlottesville is much more expensive than the rest of central VA. Many people that I work with at UVA live a shocking distance from town so they could get a decent house for their money.

I ride my bike through Woolen Mills all the time and I've never smelled a poop smell. Maybe I riding through the wrong parts. I like that neighborhood. Very quiet and old school. The back of the neighborhood abuts the Rivanna River and there are some nice trails down there. It's a kind of long walk up a long hill to downtown from there, but nothing you can't handle if you're in decent shape.

[Knitterly]

Donnaaries --I am wondering about the result of your scouting trip to Charlottesville. My husband and-- I along with our 2 year old daughter --are considering a move to the area next year. We seem to have similar concerns (like schools) and preferences (like walkability) as yours and am curious to know what your take-away was after your visit to Charlottesville. Did you go in March? Are you still planning to move or have you already? What neighborhood did you ultimately select and why? If you have the time to post a reply, I would be immensely grateful!

[donnaaries]

Hi Kitterly,

Just saw your post. We ended up renting in the Rugby Hills area for the moment. Housing market in walkable areas close to the university and downtown is pretty tight, good houses go fast and we found it nearly impossible to buy from afar. We are actively house hunting and as far as the elementary school level, we are considering Venable, Johnson, and Burnley-Moran Elementary Schools. So we're shopping mostly in the Barracks/Rugby area, North Downtown, Martha Jefferson, and also some parts of Fry Springs in the south part of town. Hope that helps!

[Atheistlady]

Originally Posted by donnaaries

Thanks everyone, we are definitely keeping an eye out on the Martha Jefferson neighborhood but nothing there is on the market at this moment. Does anyone have thoughts on the adjacent Woolen Mills neighborhood? A quick Google search seems to turn up that a "poopy" smell from the nearby wastewater water treatment plant is an issue?

I remember as a kid living near woolen mills that on really hot days in the summer that yes you can smell the plant. It isn't pleasant but it's tolerable. Than again I didn't live in Woolen Mills. Now my parents still live near Woolen Mills and I don't recall having an issue with the smell but that could be because I grew up with it. Again it's only on really hot days when the wind blows it in your direction if you live near woolen mills.

As far as great neighborhoods go may I recommend the Belmont area? It's been growing a lot recently. It is in walking distance to The downtown mall, parks, trails, the corner. There are several resturant/bars, diners, a really good coffee house (best espresso in town) that also had a cool tiki bar. The downtown mall is a short walk away and there is often music or a festival there.

[TownAndCountryPerson]

Originally Posted by donnaaries

Hi Kitterly,

Just saw your post. We ended up renting in the Rugby Hills area for the moment. Housing market in walkable areas close to the university and downtown is pretty tight, good houses go fast and we found it nearly impossible to buy from afar. We are actively house hunting and as far as the elementary school level, we are considering Venable, Johnson, and Burnley-Moran Elementary Schools. So we're shopping mostly in the Barracks/Rugby area, North Downtown, Martha Jefferson, and also some parts of Fry Springs in the south part of town. Hope that helps!

BTW the injector pump in Woolen Mills is gone - and so is the smell. There *may* be times when the wind is right that you can smell the sewage treatment plant on Moore's Creek which is not far away.