From families to retirees, from professionals to students, Charlottesville truly has something to offer to everyone. Here's a look at just a few of the reasons why so many are interested in calling Charlottesville home.

The University of Virginia
Renowned as one of the best academic and research universities in the world, The University of Virginia offers more than just educational opportunities to Charlottesville residents. Even for those who are not students of the university, numerous activities take place throughout the year at the university that are open for anyone to enjoy.  The University of Virginia Athletics, including football, basketball, lacrosse and baseball, are popular university attractions among Charlottesville residents. The university is also a strong supporter of the arts and, of course, the mere existence of the university's many students adds an exciting energy to the city.

Award-Winning Hospitals
Whether interested in a career in the health field or simply wanting to live near to high-quality medical facilities, Charlottesville has its residents covered. For example, The University of Virginia Health System is a teaching hospital routinely been ranked among the top 50 hospitals in the country by U.S. News & World Report. The hospital has also been ranked as one of the top 100 hospitals by Thomas Reuters and 50 of the hospital's doctors were included in the sixth edition of Castle Connolly's America's Top Doctors, while 19 were included in its companion listing entitled America's Top Doctors For Cancer. The hospital also received Magnet Recognition for nurses in 2006, which is a designation enjoyed by less than 5 percent of all healthcare organizations in the country.

In addition to being home to the University of Virginia Health System, Martha Jefferson Hospital can also be found in the city of Charlottesville. The Martha Jefferson Hospital has also received Magnet Recognition as well as a number of other awards, including receiving a silver recognition through the Get With the Guidelines-Stroke program in 2010. The hospital also received nine separate 5-Star and 4-Star Patient Perception Awards from the Professional Research Consultants in 2010 and was named an Advanced Primary Stroke Center by the Joint Commission. The eco-conscious hospital also received a "Partner for Change Award" from Practice Greenhealth in 2010 in recognition of its commitment to engaging in environmentally responsible operations. With construction of a brand new hospital already underway on Pantops, the hospital is poised to provide even more services to Charlottesville residents. Below is the new 2013 location for the Martha Jefferson Hospital.

The Charlottesville Downtown Mall
The outdoor Charlottesville Downtown Mall offers more than just excellent retail and dining opportunities. Considered to be one of the finest urban parks in the country, the Downtown Mall is also home to a movie theater, boutiques, hotels and opportunities to enjoy live art. Not only do local musicians regularly throughout the mall's streets, but the Charlottesville pavilion located at the end of the mall also hosts outside concerts on a regular basis, including big name acts such as Sheryl Crow. The Paramount, which is a renovated historic theatre, is also located at the Downtown Mall, as is the Live Arts community theatre. Due to the fact that the mall does not feature any big chain stores coupled with the farmer?s market it features during the warmer months, the Downtown Mall manages to offer a little bit of everything while still maintaining an authentic and local appeal.

Natural Beauty
Whether looking to commune with nature, to go camping or to find excellent opportunities for photography, the natural beauty of Charlottesville can be found in abundance. As home to the Blue Ridge Mountains, Charlottesville serves as the gateway to all of the following scenic wonders:

• Appalachian Trail
• Blue Ridge Parkway
• Shenandoah National Park
• Skyline Drive

The bluish hue of the surrounding mountains creates a soft, peaceful feel that transforms with each changing season.

Historical Significance
Several significant historical events took place in Charlottesville, many of which still impact the city today. With Monticello being the former home of Thomas Jefferson and Montpelier being the former home of James Madison, these areas are clearly popular tourist attractions. The same is true of Pantops, which is where Thomas Jefferson's father once lived. It is not just the tourist dollars from these attractions that impacts Charlottesville, however, as these forefathers left their footprints in many other ways. Most notably, Thomas Jefferson is responsible for founding the aforementioned University of Virginia.

Location, Location, Location
Thanks to the location of Charlottesville, its residents enjoy easy access to a number of other beautiful cities within the state. All of the following are just a short car ride away:

• Richmond - 1 hour
• Virginia Beach - 3 hours
• Washington DC/Northern Virginia - 2.5 hours
• Williamsburg - 2 hours

The city also has a small airport and is located near to major airports in both DC and Richmond.

Thanks to its location, residents of Charlottesville are also able to enjoy a wide variety of recreational activities. Some popular activities enjoyed by residents of Charlottesville include:

• Attending concerts
• Attending sporting events
• Biking
• Canoeing
• Dining at one of many local restaurants
• Hiking
• Horseback riding, including trail riding and fox hunting
• Kayaking
• Peach picking
• Spending time at one of the many lakes and rivers
• Shopping at the farmer's market and numerous retail establishments
• Tubing
• Visiting the numerous parks throughout the city
• Wine tasting at vineyards

Thanks to the wide variety of housing options that are available in Charlottesville, ranging from affordable $150,000 homes in the city or the country all the way to luxury million dollar estates, there is certain to be something for everyone in Charlottesville. From students to the long list of celebrities who call Charlottesville home,  there is something to suit virtually any budget or lifestyle.