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The Virginia Festival of the Book is of particular note as it
works to "bring together writers and readers and to promote
and celebrate books, reading, literacy, and literary
culture." Thousands of people attend each year as
Charlottesville is known as a readers' eden (and has more
newspaper readers per capita than anywhere else in the
nation). Many prominent writers, including John Grisham and Rita Mae
Brown, make their home here (as did Edgar Alan Poe and William
Faulkner). For golfers,
the Meadowcreek Golf Course, operated by the city of
Charlottesville, is an 18-hole, 70-par, 6,050 yard course that was
designed by R.F. "Buddy" Loving and Bill Love. A
handful of other private courses are outside of
Charlottesville. For those who love the outdoors, nearby Shenandoah National Park
provides a wealth of opportunities for camping, fishing and
hiking. And, of course, a drive along the nearby Blue
Ridge Parkway is always a nice way to spend an afternoon. The Senior Center of Charlottesville
(for those 50+, although we do not feel that age 50 is
"senior") is nationally accredited and offers a plethora
of classes, programs, workshop and support groups. They also
organize trips and tours and cruises and have special events of
all kinds. More than 500 people volunteer at the Center;
other volunteer opportunities can be found at UVa Hospital, Martha
Jefferson Hospital, Charlottesville Free Clinic, Gordon Avenue
Library, Meals on Wheels, etc. Retirees may also take
classes at the University of Virginia and Piedmont Virginia
Community College. Much of the city is accessible by foot or by
bicycle, but Charlottesville Transportation System (CTS) provides
bus service seven days a week. The fare is .75 (.35 for
those 65 or better), and tickets can be purchased at kiosks
around town. There is also a free trolley with limited
service, and JAUNT provides transportation for those with
disabilities, as well as for everyone else, on a call-in
basis.
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This is a clean city with clean air, clean water and
dense foliage. It holds the distinction
of having the second best climate on the east coast, according to the
American Association of State Climatologists. July high
temperatures average 86 degrees F, and January lows average
27 degrees F. Average annual rainfall is 38-44
inches; average annual snowfall is 18 inches.
Morning humidity averages 80%, and afternoon humidity
averages 50%. |
Health care is outstanding as the city is a
major regional health care center. Two major hospitals,
176-bed Martha Jefferson Hospital and the University of Virginia
Health System, provide most medical services. The UVa hospital was certified as one of
the nation's top 100 hospitals in 1999. Charlottesville is a
friendly place, full of Southern hospitality, but there are drawbacks
to a retirement here, including a high crime rate and high real
estate prices. Charlottesville is also somewhat isolated; the
nearest big city is Richmond, Virginia (roughly 200,000 people), about
one and a half hours away; Washington, D.C. is two hours away.
It is a conservative place but not as
conservative as other southern towns, thanks in part to the
University of Virginia. When Thomas Jefferson
retired, he settled in Charlottesville, and it seems as though he
was onto something! Return
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