16 minute read
FEATURE
Albemarle County:
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BY KRISTIN BRUNO
Central Virginia’s Albemarle County has become one of the Commonwealth’s most appealing locations for national and international tourists, as well prospective residents and home buyers.
In addition to its breathtaking natural beauty, the county boasts a host of cultural, historical and recreational amenities. It is also home to one of the nation’s premier public universities—The University of Virginia (UVA)— as well as Thomas Jefferson’s famed estate home, Monticello, a world-renowned landmark. And if this isn’t enough, the area is also known for its impressive local wineries and breweries.
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CAAR REAL ESTATE WEEKLY WWW.CAAR.COM A closer look at Albemarle County reveals why so many people choose to vacation and live there.
Albemarle County History
Located in the Piedmont area of the Commonwealth, Albemarle County was established in 1744 from the Western portion of Goochland County. Over time, areas of Albemarle were then carved out to create other counties. The county is named in honor of Willem Anne van Keppel, 2nd Earl of Albemarle and titular Governor of Virginia at the time of its inception. Well known for its association with President and Founding Father, Thomas Jefferson—who was born in the neighboring county of Shadwell (present-day Goochland)—Albemarle’s county seat is Charlottesville.
Monticello
Located just outside of the city of Charlottesville, Monticello was the primary estate and plantation of Thomas Jefferson—Founding Father and third President of the United States. Built in 1772, the home originally sat on 5,000 acres of land, which were given to Jefferson by his father.
Spectacularly situated on the summit of an 850-foot high peak in the Southwest Mountains, Monticello (Italian for “little mountain”) was designed by Jefferson—a self-taught architect. He employed neoclassical architectural principles gleaned from the works of Italian Renaissance architect, Andrea Palladio, in his design. When Jefferson died in 1826, he was buried—per his wishes—on the grounds of Monticello in an area now known as Monticello Cemetery.
Due to its historical and architectural significance, Monticello has been designated a National Historic Landmark. And, in 1987, it became the only private home in the United States to be added to the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites, which means it is legal
ly protected by international treaties, and is an officially designated protected zone. Monticello is now owned and operated by the Thomas Jefferson Foundation, and is a functioning museum and educational institution that is open for tours daily.
The University of Virginia: Rich History and Academic Excellence
The University of Virginia (UVA) is a public research university founded by Thomas Jefferson in 1819. Not only did Jefferson design the architecture for the university’s famed Academical Village—with its student and faculty housing, library (Rotunda), and Lawn—but he also planned the curriculum and recruited the original faculty members.
His goal was to create an educational institution that fostered the open exchange of ideas, along with a focus on personal interaction between stu
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dents and teachers. Today, the university—which officially opened in 1825— boasts an undergraduate student body of over 16,777. In 2019, it was ranked #3 on the list of the best public universities in the United States by U.S. News and World Report.
Moreover, the University of Virginia Health System is nationally recognized for its excellent patient care, its focus on medical research, and for the premier educational opportunities it gives to future healthcare leaders. Not surprisingly, it is the largest employer in Albemarle County.
The Academical Village is both a National Historic Landmark, and a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Endless Opportunities to Head Outside
With 726-square miles of land and water, Albemarle County offers visitors and residents alike an abundance of reasons to enjoy being outdoors. There are activities available for every type of outdoor enthusiast from watersports, hiking and fishing to equestrian sports, to name just a few.
Sharon Merrick—REALTOR® with Roy Wheeler Realty Co.—was born and raised in Southwest Virginia. As an adult, she spent several years in Charlotte, NC where she had a small farm. Twenty years ago, she made the decision to move back to Virginia—to a farm in Keswick—located in Albemarle County. Keswick’s proximity to the city of Charlottesville, along with its rural nature, was especially appealing to Merrick.
“I enjoy living in a rural area where there’s elbow room,” she says. “I particularly like the opportunity to spend time outdoors; tending to my garden and my horses, where I can relish the stunning views of the mountains. Every time I pull into my driveway, I feel like I’m seeing the panoramas for the first time.”
Hiking
Albemarle County boasts 70 miles of trails, which can be used for hiking, as well as mountain biking, walking or running. It is also a gateway community to the famous Appalachian Trail, which runs through 14 states, measuring approximately 2,180 miles in length.
One of the more popular hikes in Albemarle County is the Saunders-Monticello Trail, a 3.9 mile, heavily traveled out-and-back path, which is ideal for walking, biking and running. It features lovely wooded views as it winds its way toward Monticello, as well as stunning mountain panoramas once you reach the historic home. Other popular trails include the 3.9-mile, dog-friendly Rivanna Trail, as well as the 7-mile Ragged Mountain Natural Area Trail, which features lake views and varying levels of incline and decline along the route.
Watersports and Fishing: The Rivanna River
Named for Queen Anne of England, the tranquil Rivanna River flows through Albemarle and Fluvanna counties, as well as the city of Charlottesville. It is home to several species of birds, fish, turtles, and other wildlife, and is an ideal spot to canoe, fish, swim, or boat.
The river is considered safe for canoers in winter, spring and early summer—there are even some non-hazardous Class I rapids along the way. On particularly hot summer days, the river is an ideal spot to float, and stay cool.
Equestrian Events and Horseracing
There are a host of events and clubs in Albemarle that cater to equestrians. The Keswick Hunt Club—founded in 1896—promotes the sport of fox hunting with group, organized hunts from September through March. It also facilitates group trail rides for members, as well as the public, in the offseason. For those with an affinity for horseracing, Foxfield Racing Associates and Racecourse hosts a set of steeplechase races bi-annually—one in the spring and one in the fall.
Craft Beer and Fine Wine
Albemarle County is a popular spot for beer and wine tourism. Charlottesville alone has nine breweries within or near its city limits, some of which are on the self-guided Brew Ridge Trail that includes breweries in neighboring Nelson County. Popular craft breweries in Albemarle include: Starr Hill Brewery in Crozet, Three Notch’d Brewing Company in Charlottesville, and Blue Mountain Brewery in Afton. These, and other breweries in the county, are also known for their impressive cuisine.
The Commonwealth of Virginia is the fifth largest producer of wine in the United States. The fact that Albemarle County has become a leader in the production of fine wine in Virginia is not surprising, as Thomas Jefferson was the first to elevate winemaking from the mere planting of grapes in one’s backyard, to full-fledged cultivation of vineyards with acres-upon-acres of vines. As such, Jefferson is often touted as the father of wine and wineries in Virginia.
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Albemarle’s topography is ideal for winemaking. The mountainous terrain around Charlottesville, along with its undulating hills, is perfect for creating complex wines due to its slight variations in altitude, the quality of its soil, and the area’s brilliant light. Pippin Hill in North Garden, Veritas Vineyard in Afton, and King Family Vineyard in Crozet are among the 35 wineries located within a 30-mile radius of Charlottesville itself, collectively known as the Monticello Wine Trail.
Real Estate Market
According to 2018 estimates, Albemarle County boasts a population of 108,718 residents. Debi Dotson—REALTOR® with Real Estate III—finds that there are varied reasons why people choose to move to the county.
“People in the area are polite, it’s quiet, and laid back,” she explains. “The scenery is beautiful. There’s so much to do outdoors—there are abundant hiking trails, there’s the James River. Plus, there’s so much history here!” Dotson sees a significant number of people relocating from Northern Virginia for all of these reasons.
Additionally, Dotson finds that a big draw for prospective homeowners is UVA, which is the largest employer in the county. She explains that, “First time home buyers—including families—find Albemarle County appealing because the area schools are excellent [and] the taxes are less than in places like Fluvanna County.” In addition, “they enjoy the proximity to work and school for picking up their kids.”
There are also a number of pricepoints available; homes closer to Charlottesville are—not surprisingly— significantly more expensive than those further from the city. “For instance, a moderately sized home further from the city can range from $250 to $350 thousand” says Dotson, “but closer to town, a similar home can command a price of $350 to $450 thousand.”
Merrick has recently seen an uptick in retirees looking to relocate to Albemarle, many of whom are from Northern Virginia. She finds they are looking for a slower pace and a better quality of life that is not necessarily afforded them up north.
She has also assisted out-of-state retirees, who are looking to find homes closer to their children who live and work in and around D.C., but who don’t want to live in D.C. themselves. She finds that Albemarle is ideal for these clients, as they are in close proximity to Northern Virginia, yet are far enough away to enjoy some tranquility. Larger plots of land at an affordable price are also a big draw for some of Merrick’s out-of-state clients. “I recently helped a client who rescues Mustang horses to find an appropriately sized parcel of land for her rescue operation at a significantly lower price than she would have been able to afford in the area around Chicago where she lived.” She adds, “Similarly, recent clients from Bedford, New York—which is horse country—were looking for an appropriate and more affordable place to relocate their horse farm. The taxes and regulations in New York were killing them. I was able to find them just what they were looking for in Albemarle!”
Replete with places of historical and cultural significance—as well as an array of opportunities to commune with nature—Central Virginia’s Albemarle County is not only an exceptional place to live, but a “must see” for tourists and travelers of all ages.
Kristin is a writer—and transplanted New Yorker—now living in Nellysford, Virginia.
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