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Charlottesville & Surrounding Areas
Nestled in the foothills of the legendary Blue Ridge Mountains, UVA is located in an exceptional community known for year-round natural beauty and a mild climate. The American Association of State Climatologists ranked it the #1 Best Climate on the East Coast.Outside magazine ranked Charlottesville in the top 10 of their survey of "The 40 Best College Towns: The Coolest Places to Work, Play, Study, Party and Live." Other notable rankings include #7 for Best Place to Raise a Family (Reader's Digest), #2 on the list of Healthiest Places to Live (Kiplinger Person Finance Magazine), and #6 by Arts & Entertainment TV as one of the Top Ten Cities That Have It All. Charlottesville has been chosen as an All American City because of its progressive, well-organized government and available services. It is a safe, enjoyable city for families and is consistently ranked as one of the best small cities in the U.S. in which to live. In 1998, Money Magazine ranked it The Top Small City of the South. In 2004, Charlottesville came out on top in Sperling and Sander's Cities Ranked and Rated as the Best Place to Live in the U.S. Categories considered include economy and jobs, cost of living, climate, education, arts and culture, and health care.
The nearby Blue Ridge Mountains and rivers provide numerous opportunities for hiking, fishing, camping at Sherando Lake, and tubing down the James River as well as cycling the Skyline Drive. For skiing enthusiasts, there are two resorts within an hour's drive. Other options include caving at Rip Rap Hollow, rafting West Virginia's Gauley River and climbing Seneca Rocks. There are a number of golf courses available including a first-rate public course and the University of Virginia course, Birdwood. One should not miss experiencing the golf course at Swannanoa, a "wide open" course on Afton Mountain a short drive away, which offers panoramic views of the rolling-hill landscape. The town and the University have an impressive number of parks and tennis courts, as well. Tennis Magazine named Charlottesville The Best Tennis Town in America. The population of the city itself is 40,000 while surrounding Albemarle County has 72,000 residents. An annual film festival attracts notable actors and film directors to the city every fall. Horse farms and prize-winning vineyards checker the foothills. Take a picnic and drive into the countryside; you'll discover numerous Civil War sites and historical markers detailing more than 200 years of history. One can also ride in hot air ballons for a sunrise or sunset champagne aerial "tour".
There are few places in the United States that combine a picturesque and cultivated countryside that is so rich in historical associations with the proximity of a national park and a wide array of cultural opportunities, a captivating blend of colorful history, distinctive architecture, southern hospitality and small city sophistication. The center of the action is the brick-paved Historic Downtown Mall where antique books and furnishings, sophisticated restaurants and art galleries nourish the stomach and soul; it is the legal, financial and social hub of the community. A tree-lined pedestrian walkway connects the convention center and indoor ice skating rink with the city's new municipal amphitheater. Coffee houses, outdoor cafes, and a multi-plex theatre have brought more people to the area for recreation. It's a wonderful place for family fun and social activities. Fridays After Five is a free, lively concert series from spring through fall at the western end of the mall. Summer brings a Fourth of July celebration and ceremonies at Monticello, Thomas Jefferson's home. Fall boasts regional crafts fairs, wine tasting tours and breathtaking scenic drives to view the fall foliage. Every winter brings First Night Virginia's New Year's Eve festivities for families featuring live music, entertainment, and fireworks at midnight. 
For those who wish to travel out of town, Washington D.C. with its vast number of museums and cultural opportunities is two and a quarter hours away. Other places to visit include Richmond (1.2 hours), Williamsburg (2.8 hours) and Virginia Beach (3 hours). Baltimore's Camden Yards and Inner Harbor can be reached in three hours. The Charlottesville Airport, just 8 miles north of the center of town, has connections to many cities with 30-35 flights per day. The Amtrak station offers daily rail service.
The University provides opportunities for cultural and intellectual stimulation as well as sports and recreation. Among the former are several film series, a supurb University-Community orchestra and the Tuesday Evening Concert series which brings artists such as Pinchas Zuckerman, Joshua Bell and the Guarneri String Quartet to Charlottesville. The cultural sophistication of the town is somewhat astounding. In addition to the presence of a major medical center, this is due to the University's business and law schools which are both top ten enterprises and the English department which is generally considered among the nation's top three. In addition, many writers have chosen to live in this area including William Faulkner, Georgia O'Keefe, John Grisham, Rita Mae Brown and Poet Laureate and Pulitzer Prize recipient Rita Dove.
Recreational opportunities include the aforementioned golf and tennis facilities as well as a number of gymnasiums and swimming pools available to residents for a reasonable fee. The University has a very modern and complete Aquatics and Fitness Center that is available to our residents. Our department has fielded teams in softball, basketball, and flag football in both University and community competition. The University of Virginia is also nationally recognized in several sports including football, men and women's basketball, soccer, and lacrosse. Season tickets for football at a reduced rate are available to housestaff.
The beauty of the surroundings, the cultural diversity, and the rich history of Charlottesville make this an attractive place to live. The vast array of activities and opportunities can enrich the time you spend away from your training responsibilities.
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