Charlottesville attitudes (Richmond, Leesburg, Washington: fit in, university, living in)

[pawpaws]

I just found this forum and am hoping for some input. I am planning to be a mid-50s retiree in a year or so and am interested in relocating from the west coast back to the east coast to be closer to my family in DC as we all get older. I cannot stand the DC area, which is why I left when I was 30. I currently live in a university college town about the same size at Cville, and am considering moving there. I haven't been there since the early 1980s, but I've done some research on the area, and for many reasons I think it would be a good fit for me. I would be closer (but not TOO close!) to my family in NOVA, but living in the type of area I prefer, with lots of nearby outdoor activities, good concerts, and an educated populace. I'm wondering whether I would have any trouble fitting in or making friends there. I'm not a knee-jerk liberal at all, but I'm very tolerant of different kinds of people and lifestyles. I work as a conservation biologist and try to live fairly lightly, but I'm not an ecofreak type - sometimes I even ask for plastic bags at the store to use as trashcan liners. I read that Cville was named a "green city" by some group or other and that encourages me. Also, I'm active in my church, but I'm a Unitarian, so I would want to live somewhere that isn't overrun with religious zealots trying to convert me. (I know there is a UU Church in Charlottesville so that gives me hope.) Is Charlottesville a fairly tolerant place for a more or less unreligious moderate Democrat? I don't press my views on anyone and just ask the same in return.

Thanks for any insights/encouragement/discouragement you can give me. I plan to visit this summer when I go back to visit my family in June, if it seems like a possible place for me to relocate.

[Mr,Jonas]

Originally Posted by pawpaws

Is Charlottesville a fairly tolerant place for a more or less unreligious moderate Democrat? I don't press my views on anyone and just ask the same in return.

Simple answer: Yes.

[vamtncat]

You'd fit in just fine in Charlottesville. There is also direct train service from Charlottesville to DC every day.

[pawpaws]

Originally Posted by vamtncat

You'd fit in just fine in Charlottesville. There is also direct train service from Charlottesville to DC every day.

Wow, "thumbs up" from two people; this is good news. I had already checked the Amtrak situation and seen that it would work fine for weekend visits if I didn't feel like driving. Can't wait to go back this summer and check it out more closely.

Thanks for the reassurance!

[meskito]

Charlottesville is beautiful, and it has much to offer. Housing costs are high (compared to the surrounding area) - and traffic can be terrible at times. Many people commute to C-ville because of rising costs. It used to have more of a "small town" feel, but that is changing with growth. The university is tops, and the locals have immense pride (which can come across as snobby sometimes).
No worries about religious zealots accosting you, most folks are open-minded.
I like Charlottesville and would recommend it to anyone. The good outweighs the bad.

[WanderVA]

You will find C'ville much to your liking! It's a great place!

[cpr4k]

You would fit in fine in Charlottesville. I came here as a graduate student from Richmond, VA, and have never had a pull to locate elsewhere. Housing in the city is more expensive in the city, but you have the benefit of not having to fight the 29North traffic jam twice a day ... and that is maybe a 10-15 minute delay at most ... I just can't stand the traffic so I steer clear of it. As a retiree you will have the advantage of being able to navigate when you want, and that is a big plus. In terms of your fitting in - no problem.

[theshan]

Yup, Charlottesville is both blue and green. Plenty of retirees who want to remain active. The Unitarian church is actually quite large, lots of activities. Sounds like a good fit to me.

[vanyali]

C'ville has an airport too (small, but there) with twice-daily shuttle flights to NYC (last time I checked) and I would be surprised if they didn't also have twice-daily shuttle flights to DC. So you're not really stuck with the train.

[Milina]

Oh ew you lived in DC? As in Washington D.C.? I've heard nothing but terrible things about that city from other residents.
You'll like Charlottesville as I say to anyone thinking about moving here (to any new city for that matter) come check it out first, make a trip down and stay awhile see how you feel then continue with plans to move. Another city I recommend but isn't in Virginia is Alpharetta, GA. The Democrat population there is about 60% I spent a lot of my mid-teens there and it was just wonderful. Leesburg, VA is also nice.