The city of Charlottesville itself is a thriving mid-Atlantic hub with the charm of a small town and the amenities of a major city. The surrounding locations are close enough for you to enjoy Charlottesville’s various offerings but far enough to have developed their own identities. Gayle Harvey Real Estate has tons of properties in the counties surrounding the city. Together we’ll take a look at a few of the neighborhoods that comprise the “Greater Charlottesville Area.”
Crozet
An unincorporated, census-designated place, Crozet is roughly 20 miles west of Charlottesville. It is situated on the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains and, consequently boats some truly breathtaking scenery. Places like Mint Springs, (with its 502 acres, three lakes, and “artificial beach,”) or Beaver Creek (with .42km2 of water, teeming with sunfish, channel catfish, and largemouth bass) make the most of a beautiful natural environment. Crozet’s gentle, rolling uplands also make it an ideal setting for many breweries and vineyards, including: Starr Hill, King Family Vineyards, Stinson Vineyards, White Hall Vineyards, and many others. Crozet has seen some increased development, evidenced by an influx of members into the community. Despite this, it’s still a close-knit rural town at heart. There’s an annual 4th of July celebration complete with a downtown parade, a carnival, and fireworks. Every Mother’s Day, the Crozet Arts and Crafts Festival brings live music and barbecue to the people. Events like this are what make this town great.
Earlysville
Earlysville is nine miles north of Charlottesville, towards the CHO airport. It’s been around since 1822, when its namesake John Early bought nearly 1000 acres that now comprise a part of the town. It’s a quiet place, and great for families, but you don’t have to give up the live music, high-profile sporting events, and stellar restaurants that are intertwined with city life, because Charlottesville is such a quick and easy drive south. As far as Earlysville itself is concerned, there will be plenty of room to spread your legs in this charming, rural area. That’s not to say Earlysville is without its resources; there’s a central business plaza with retail stores, groceries, a dentist, daycare, and mechanic…all the essentials.
Keswick
If you like horses, this is the place to be. Keswick is yet another unincorporated community, located six miles east of town. It’s mostly residential, full of farms and estates. The spirit of foxhunting is alive and well in Keswick. The Keswick Hunt Club works to promote foxhunting by leading hunts around the community from November through March. It’s conveniently situated next to Belcourt and Bridlespur, two big Albemarle County horse farms. It is also across the street from Keswick Hall, a country club with great amenities like an 18-hole golf course, tennis courts, and a full spa! Keswick is one of the most beautiful places in the state. It doesn’t have a central business center and is pretty sparse when it comes to development (there’s a blacksmith, a post office, and a handful of other offerings), but who needs it, with all these bucolic Southwest Mountain visages? The drive through Keswick has been cited as “one of the most scenic in America” according to the New York Times. The Albemarle County government is pretty discerning when it comes to adding infrastructure to the community, in part because there is so much natural beauty to maintain.
Glenmore
Glenmore is a gated community near Keswick, just east of Cville. A suburban development/country club, Glenmore has a wide breadth of amenities and luxuries all its own. You’ll be able to enjoy golf on 18-holes, horseback riding and other equestrian activities, tennis and basketball courts, premier swimming, and a host of other activities. It’s also a family-friendly community with clinics in tennis and golf, bicycle lanes, and so much more.
Afton
Afton is spread between Albemarle and Nelson counties. It’s a little over 20 miles west of Charlottesville, and driving out there will afford you some of the most objectively beautiful sights you can imagine, bursting with lush greens and deep, contemplative blues all over the skyline. Maybe it’s just the elevation, but one can’t help but feel uplifted here. Afton has a strong brewery/vineyard presence, with Blue Mountain Brewery at the helm of the beer scene in the area and both Afton Mountain Vineyards and Veritas Vineyards proving that Charlottesville terroir is a force to be reckoned with. Afton is sparsely populated, but there’s quite a close community nestled in the mountains.
There are many communities in the Greater Charlottesville area that perfect for enjoying the city from a distance. Friendly, close-knit communities, beautiful views, and plenty of breathing room. Visit www.CentralVaProperties.com or get in touch with Gayle Harvey Real Estate to learn more about these and other areas today!