Charlottesville Expert: Lifestyle in Charlottesville Blog

This page serves as an archive of posts related to lifestyle in Charlottesville, VA and surrounding counties. Do you see a horse farm in your future? Rolling hills on a new country property? Or do you love the rich history that is a cornerstone of living in our neck of the woods? If so, check this page often! We love to boast about our area.

Charlottesville Real Estate

Charlottesville Real Estate covers a lot of ground. From a four story condo with panoramic Blue Ridge views, to an historic plantation with roots to Thomas Jefferson, it’s all here. We are situated at the foot of the Blue Ridge mountains, Virginia’s Piedmont, and home...

New kid in town?

When you’re 29 there are still a lot of new things that might be coming your way. The years were longer then and the end was not in sight. My 29th year with my birthday just a week away in May, 1982 found me driving through the night in my camper topped 68 Dodge step...

Now you need a tractor!

When I first looked at Firefly Farm in 1985 its 13 acres were overgrown with broom sage, vicious blackberries, and two foot tall cedars. I had walked it, carefully avoiding rusty barb wire fencing, truck parts, rows of abandoned dog houses and a three sided barn that...

What are horse farms like in Charlottesville?

Is Virginia’s Piedmont horse country? You bet! With five active hunts, Olympic caliber trainers, some of the best equine vets in the country and all the assets any breeder, trainer or hobbyist could ask for, this is natural horse country.It’s no wonder that the...

What is like to live in Orange County VA?

I’d actually be a pretty good person to ask. I’ve lived in Orange County since 1983. I was a transplant from Sonoma County CA and never imagined I’d live here the rest of my life. But, here I am 40 years later having raised a family, grown a career and roots in one of...

Historic Properties in Charlottesville

United States history pretty much begins in Virginia with the founding of Jamestown in 1607.As the colonization of Virginia moved westward, the Piedmont Valley, bounded by the BlueRidge mountains to the west and sloping eastward to the Tidewater became recognized for...

Your Dream Horse Farm

Before we talk about your dream horse farm, I want to give you a bit of insight into my own personal journey and experiences with horses and horse farms. In my younger days I managed horse farms in Northern California, Southern California and deep east Texas. My...

Elegant short term rental in Somerset!

Gaby and I are thrilled to present Maple Crest as a delightful short term rental less than 15 minutes from five wineries, great antiquing in Orange and Gordonsville and just 30 minutes from Charlottesville and UVA. We would love to host you for a weekend or a week....