Virginia Estates is your official "Charlottesville VA Real Estate Guide". Our central Virginia real estate agents have access to Charlottesville MLS listings and are equipped with the state's most comprehensive array of services for the Charlottesville real estate market.

Whether you are interested in buying or selling homes and properties in Charlottesville, Virginia Estates "Virginia's Finest Real Estate" offers you access to central Virginia MLS properties and localized expertise on C-ville real estate and surrounding markets:

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Homes for Sale in Charlottesville

Located in central Virginia, Albemarle County, in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Charlottesville has much to offer to the prospective home buyer. "C-ville" is home to 40,000 residents, the University of Virginia, and boasts diverse industry and abundant investment opportunities. Unemployment rates remain low, and it's no wonder Charlottesville was voted "best place to live in America" (Cities Ranked and Rated).

Charlottesville is considered by many to be the cultural capital of Virginia. Recreational opportunities abound and the city is home to a diverse array of artisans and intellectuals. Homes for sale in Charlottesville range in price and architecture; local homes represent a number of different architectural styles, including southern antebellum, colonial, and modern new construction. In many neighborhoods great emphasis is placed upon aesthetics, resulting in beautiful park like-streets. Outside Charlottesville, vineyards, equestrian properties, and farms maintain the bucolic integrity of the Monticello region.

History of Charlottesville

Charlottesville has been home to three presidents, most notably Thomas Jefferson. The University of Virginia, which he founded in 1825, is located within the city and currently has an enrollment of more that 20,000 students.

Charlottesville was designated as an official city in 1762 by an act of the Virginia assembly. A courthouse was built in 1803 to serve the residents of Albemarle County, and portions of the courthouse still stand today. In 1877 the city's residents began preparing the streets for horse-drawn carriages, and by 1820 it was able to claim an impressive two miles of concrete.

After World War Two, Charlottesville experienced great prosperity and has been growing every since. During the 1970s the city decided to eliminate automobile traffic along the down town section of Main Street. The area was preserved for pedestrian use only. This "Downtown Mall" has become a popular attraction and has been replicated by other municipalities across the country.

Charlottesville Area Attractions

• Monticello, the home and plantation of Thomas Jefferson, is located on Route 53, approximately two miles southeast of Charlottesville. Tours are given daily of both the house and gardens, where the life and times of our third president are both celebrated and reflected upon. Hiking opportunities are also available affording beautiful Blue Ridge Mountain views.
• The Rotunda at the University of Virginia was designed by Thomas Jefferson and was intended to be the intellectual and academic heart of the area. Initial construction began in 1822. The university restored it to match Jefferson's original design in 1975. Walking tours are offered to the public.
• The John Paul Jones Arena, a 16,000-seat indoor stadium and the largest arena in the Virginia, accommodates sporting events, national entertainment acts, and some of the biggest names in rock and roll.
• In addition, Charlottesville is within close proximity to the Blue Ridge Parkway and the Shenandoah National Park. Ample hiking and camping opportunities are available in both places and spectacular views unfurl around every turn.

Best Places to Retire Young

Blessed with a thriving economy and plenty to do, it is no wonder that Money Magazine with Bert Sperling of BestPlaces.net selected Charlottesville as one of America's Best Places to Retire Young:

"For retirees with a serious sense of history, Thomas Jefferson's Monticello is here, as is the University of Virginia and the rugged and picturesque Blue Ridge Mountains, all imbued with a strong sense of colonialism and 18th-century ideals. For relaxing retirement days, there is a steady diet of serene golf courses and refreshing water sports. There's plenty of kitsch too amid the numerous bookstores and antique shops."

With its renowned public school system, affordable housing opportunities, and relatively low cost of living, it comes as no surprise that the city of Charlottesville has garnered man awards and much praise in the media.