Within 30 minutes of Charlottesville, Virginia, renowned for the University of Virginia and its bucolic setting at the foot of the Blue Ridge mountains are seven charming small towns steeped in history and affording a lifestyle without a rush hour, diners instead of Applebees and Fourth of July parades with horses and fire trucks where folks still line the streets.
Towns like Scottsville, Palmyra, Gordonsville, Stanardsville, Madison, Orange, Louisa, and Lovingston each have that all American feel with a Main Street lined with fine antebellum homes, a red brick courthouse and probably an old train station. Most are the county seats of their respective county and all have the flavor of their rural surroundings.
We have lived in Orange County for more than 40 years now and enjoy both the town of Orange and Gordonsville which are each just 15 minutes from our small farm. They know us at the bank and the DMV, (never a line) and we love doing business with these homegrown shops and eateries. For major shopping, night life or UVA sports, Charlottesville is less than a half hour away which seems like the best of both worlds to us
Real estate is also more affordable both in residential properties and properties with acreage. I will post some information on each of these counties with useful links to give you a taste of what small town life just outside of Virginia’s favorite university town might feel like.
Orange, Virginia:
- Orange County real estate listings
- Town of Orange
- Visit Orange Virginia
- Orange County VA Economic Development
