Welcome to Charlottesville and Albemarle County! Whether you’re moving for a new job, retiring, starting a family, or simply drawn to our Blue Ridge charm, this guide written by Cville moms will help you tackle the essential first-week tasks like a local: utilities, internet, trash pickup, and getting connected to your new community.
For over 25 years, CharlottesvilleFamily Magazine has helped newcomers navigate the Charlottesville area. This guide compiles the practical information families tell us they wish they’d known in their first week.
Understanding Charlottesville & Albemarle County: Two Governments, One Area
Here’s what confuses most newcomers: Charlottesville is both a city AND surrounded by Albemarle County, but they’re completely separate governments with different services, schools, and trash pickup systems.
Quick orientation:
- City of Charlottesville: The urban core including downtown, UVA, and surrounding neighborhoods. Population ~45,900 (U.S. Census QuickFacts, 2023)
- Albemarle County: Surrounds the city entirely, including suburbs like Crozet, Hollymead, and rural areas. Population ~114,500 (U.S. Census QuickFacts, 2023)
Why it matters: Your address determines which school system your kids attend, where you pay taxes, which trash service you use, and which emergency services respond. Before setting up services, confirm whether you’re in the city or county—your realtor or landlord can tell you, or check the City GIS map or County GIS.
What Are People Like Here?
Charlottesville and Albemarle County together are home to just over 160,000 residents, offering a mix of vibrant university energy and long-rooted community connection. The city skews younger (median age 32.9) thanks to UVA’s 25,944 students and young professionals, while the county trends older (median age 41.5) with established families and retirees (American Community Survey, 2023).
Both communities are highly educated: more than 60% of adults in Charlottesville and over 58% in Albemarle hold a bachelor’s degree or higher—well above the national average of 35% (U.S. Census ACS, 2023). Voter participation also reflects strong civic engagement, with Albemarle County reporting a voter turnout of 47.3% in the 2023 general election—among the highest in the region (Virginia Dept. of Elections).
Residents often describe the area as “neighborly,” “engaged,” and “culturally rich”—a reputation supported by its thriving arts scene, local food movement, and widespread volunteerism.
Essential Services Setup: Your First-Week Checklist
Internet & TV
Charlottesville has several internet providers with varying coverage areas:
Ting Fiber
- Speeds: Up to 1 Gbps symmetrical
- Availability: Expanding in city and parts of county
- Website: ting.com/internet/charlottesville
Xfinity (Comcast)
- Availability: Widest coverage in city and county
- Speeds: Cable and fiber options
- Website: xfinity.com
Firefly Fiber
- Availability: Expanding in Albemarle County (Crozet, North County)
- Website: fireflyva.com
Brightspeed
- Availability: County areas, DSL and expanding fiber
- Website: brightspeed.com
Rural Options:
- T-Mobile Home Internet (5G wireless)
- Starlink (satellite, requires advance order)
- HughesNet/Viasat (satellite)
Setup timeline: 1-2 weeks for installation, so order before you move if possible.
Electricity & Gas
Dominion Energy provides electricity throughout the area. Virginia doesn’t offer energy choice.
Set up electricity:
- Phone: 866-DOM-HELP (866-366-4357)
- Website: dominionenergy.com
- Timeline: Request 3-5 days ahead; same-day available for emergencies
- Emergency line: 866-366-4357 (save this for outages)
Natural Gas: Limited availability in Charlottesville. Most homes use electricity or heating oil.
Heating Oil (Common in Rural County Areas): If your home has an oil tank, arrange delivery with private companies:
- Southern States
- Woodsons Oil
- Local Heating Oil
Ask your seller/landlord about tank size, remaining oil at closing, and recent delivery schedule.
Water & Sewer
City residents: Water/sewer included with City of Charlottesville utility account
- Setup: charlottesville.gov/departments-and-services/departments-h-z/utilities
- Phone: 434-970-3800
County residents: Depends on location
- Albemarle County Service Authority (ACSA): Serves many developed areas
- Website: acsawater.com
- Phone: 434-977-4511
- Well water: Common on rural properties (no bill, maintenance is your responsibility)
- Important: Keep extra drinking water stocked. If power goes out during a storm, your well pump won’t work.
- Septic systems: Common in rural areas (no sewer bill, pump every 3-5 years, budget $300-500)
If you have well/septic, request maintenance records from the previous owner. Well water should be tested annually—contact the health department for testing information.
Trash, Recycling & Yard Waste
This is where city vs. county makes the biggest difference.
CITY OF CHARLOTTESVILLE RESIDENTS:
Services included (in your city taxes):
- Weekly curbside trash pickup
- Bi-weekly recycling pickup
- Yard waste collection (seasonal)
- Large item pickup by appointment
- City provides trash and recycling carts
Pickup schedule: Depends on neighborhood—check charlottesville.gov/trash
Recycling accepts: Paper, cardboard, glass, metal cans, plastics #1-7 (no sorting needed)
Drop-off location:
- McIntire Recycling Center: 611 McIntire Rd (extra recycling, electronics, donations)
ALBEMARLE COUNTY RESIDENTS:
What you get:
- No curbside pickup (except some HOA-managed neighborhoods)
- Free convenience centers for drop-off
- Option to hire private trash hauler
County Convenience Centers (Free for Residents):
Ivy Material Utilization Center (MUC)
- Address: 4576 Dick Woods Rd, Charlottesville, VA 22903
- Hours: Mon-Sat 7:30am-4:30pm, Sun 1-4:30pm
- Accepts: Trash, recycling, yard waste, large items, appliances
- Bonus: Recycling/reuse area with donated items still in good condition (half cans of paint, furniture, windows, building materials—all free to take!)
Southern Albemarle Convenience Center
- Address: 6269 Esmont Rd, Esmont, VA 22937
- Similar services, southern county access
McIntire Recycling Center
- Address: 611 McIntire Rd (just north of city line)
- Recycling only
Private Trash Haulers (County): Many county residents hire companies for curbside pickup (~$25-40/month):
- Patriot Disposal
- County Waste
- Valley Proteins (some areas)
Check with your HOA: Many subdivisions (Hollymead, Forest Lakes, Dunlora) include trash service in HOA fees.
Special & Hazardous Waste:
- Household Hazardous Waste (HHW): Paint, chemicals, electronics, batteries
- Free Collection Days: Several times per year at Ivy MUC—check rivanna.org/hhw for schedule
- Electronics Recycling: Year-round at Ivy MUC and McIntire
Libraries: Jefferson-Madison Regional Library (JMRL)
Get a library card immediately—it’s free for Virginia residents and unlocks valuable resources beyond books.
Your Free Library Card Includes:
- WiFi hotspot checkout (helpful if internet installation is delayed)
- Museum pass program (free/discounted admission to 15+ museums)
- Digital magazines, newspapers, ebooks, audiobooks via Libby app
- Streaming services (Kanopy for movies, Hoopla for music)
- Notary services (free)
- Meeting rooms (free to reserve)
- Programs for all ages (storytime, homework help, author talks, tech help)
JMRL Locations:
- Central Library: 201 E Market St, Charlottesville (largest, most programs)
- Northside Library: 705 Rio Rd W, Charlottesville
- Gordon Avenue Library: 1500 Gordon Ave, Charlottesville
- Crozet Library: 2020 Library Ave, Crozet
- Scottsville Library: 319 Bird St, Scottsville
- Bookmobiles: Serve rural areas on rotating schedule
Sign Up:
- In person: Bring photo ID and proof of Virginia address (lease, utility bill)
- Start online: jmrl.org (complete in person later)
- Website: jmrl.org
Community Tool Library: Charlottesville Community Tool Library (cctlibrary.org) lets you borrow tools for projects. Membership: ~$50/year for unlimited borrowing.
Driver’s License & Vehicle Registration
You have 60 days from establishing Virginia residency to get a Virginia license and register your vehicle.
Charlottesville DMV Locations:
Albemarle DMV Select (Main Location)
- Address: 1007 Seminole Trail (Rt 29 N), Charlottesville
- Services: Licenses, ID cards, vehicle registration, titles
- Hours: Mon-Fri 8am-5pm, Sat 8am-12pm
- Make an appointment: dmv.virginia.gov (walk-ins accepted but expect long waits)
Barracks Road DMV Customer Service Center
- Address: 1320 Greenbrier Place, Charlottesville
- Services: License/ID only (no vehicle transactions)
For VA Driver’s License, bring:
- Current out-of-state license
- Social Security card (or proof of SSN)
- Proof of Virginia residency (2 documents: lease, utility bill, bank statement)
- Birth certificate or passport
- Payment: $32 (debit/credit/check—no cash)
For Vehicle Registration, bring:
- Current title (or lienholder info)
- Current registration
- Proof of Virginia insurance
- Payment for registration + vehicle property tax
Virginia Requirements:
- Safety inspection within 30 days (any VA inspection station)
- Emissions test NOT required in Charlottesville/Albemarle
- Vehicle property tax (city and county both assess annual tax on vehicles)
Insurance: Update your policy to Virginia coverage before visiting DMV.
Costs:
- Registration: ~$40/year
- Title transfer: $15
- Vehicle property tax: $100-800/year depending on vehicle value
More info: dmv.virginia.gov
Local Taxes
Virginia State Income Tax:
- Progressive rates: 2% to 5.75%
- File by May 1st
- Website: tax.virginia.gov
City of Charlottesville:
- Real estate tax: $0.95 per $100 assessed value
- Personal property tax (vehicles): $4.20 per $100 assessed value
- Treasurer: 434-970-3130 or charlottesville.gov/treasurer
Albemarle County:
- Real estate tax: $0.842 per $100 assessed value
- Personal property tax (vehicles): $4.28 per $100 assessed value
- Treasurer: 434-296-5851 or albemarle.org/treasurer
Real estate and vehicle taxes are billed semi-annually (June and December). Some mortgage lenders escrow real estate taxes, but vehicle taxes are always billed separately.
Getting Around Town
Charlottesville Area Transit (CAT) – FREE Bus Service
CAT operates 11 bus routes serving the city, UVA, and select county areas. All rides are completely free—no fare required.
Popular routes:
- Route T (Free Trolley): UVA Grounds → The Corner → Downtown Mall
- Routes to UVA, hospitals, shopping centers, residential neighborhoods
- Real-time tracking: “Charlottesville Transit” app or charlottesville.gov/transit
- Frequency: Every 15-30 minutes on major routes during weekdays, less frequent evenings/weekends
Regional Transit: JAUNT
JAUNT provides regional bus service to rural Albemarle and surrounding counties, plus paratransit for older residents and people with disabilities.
Info: ridejaunt.org or 434-296-3184
Scooters & E-Bikes
Veo dockless scooters and e-bikes available via Veo app.
Rules:
- Ride in bike lanes or streets (NOT on sidewalks)
- Prohibited on Downtown Mall and pedestrian areas
- Age 18+ to rent
Schools & Healthcare
For detailed information on these topics, see our specialized guides:
Schools:
- Charlottesville City Schools Guide
- Albemarle County Public Schools Guide
- Private Schools Guide
- Preschool Guide
- Daycare Guide
Healthcare:
- Charlottesville’s Favorite Pediatricians
- UVA Health: uvahealth.com
- Sentara Martha Jefferson: sentara.com
Finding Your People: Community Connection
Greater Charlottesville Newcomers Club
- Website: cville-newcomers.org
- Active social group for new residents with monthly events and interest groups
Charlottesville Regional Chamber of Commerce
- Website: cvillechamber.com
- Business networking and community connection
Charlottesville Area Association of REALTORS (CAAR)
- Website: caar.com
- Resources for homebuyers and homeowners
Parent Groups: Join local Facebook groups like “Charlottesville Moms” or neighborhood-specific groups to connect with other families.
CharlottesvilleFamily Resources:
- Join our Birthday Club for free printables and giveaways
- Subscribe to our weekly newsletter for local events
- Follow us on Instagram and Facebook
Important Local Phone Numbers
Save these in your phone:
| Service | Number | Notes |
| Emergency (Police, Fire, EMS) | 911 | Immediate emergencies only |
| Charlottesville Police | 434-970-3280 | Non-emergency |
| Albemarle Police | 434-977-9041 | Non-emergency |
| Dominion Energy Emergency | 866-366-4357 | Downed lines & outages |
| Poison Control (Virginia) | 1-800-222-1222 | 24/7 |
| Teen Crisis Hotline | 1-800-852-8336 | teenline.org |
| Shelter for Help in Emergency | 434-293-8509 | Domestic violence support |
| VA Child Abuse Hotline | 1-800-552-7096 | CPS reporting |
| UVA Health Emergency | 434-924-2231 | |
| Sentara Martha Jefferson Emergency | 434-654-7000 |
Your First Week Checklist
Before Move-In:
- Schedule internet installation (1-2 weeks lead time)
- Set up electricity with Dominion (3-5 days ahead)
- Arrange water/sewer or well/septic inspection
- Order heating oil (if applicable)
- Update car insurance to Virginia
- Forward mail (usps.com)
First Week:
- Confirm utilities are working
- Get library card at JMRL
- Learn your trash/recycling system (city schedule or county center location)
- Explore your neighborhood
First Month:
- Get Virginia driver’s license (60-day deadline)
- Register vehicles in Virginia (60-day deadline)
- Vehicle safety inspection
- Register to vote
Local Snapshot: Quick Facts
| Metric | City of Charlottesville | Albemarle County |
| Population (2023) | ~45,900 | ~114,500 |
| Median Household Income | $69,829 | $102,624 |
| Median Home Value | $448,400 | $471,000 |
| UVA Enrollment (2023) | 25,944 total students | n/a |
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts (2023), American Community Survey (2023)
More Resources from CharlottesvilleFamily
Relocation Guides:
- Complete Moving to Charlottesville Guide
- Charlottesville Neighborhood Guide
- FREE Relocation Flipbook
- Moving Checklist
- Charlottesville Fun Facts
Family Life:
Questions about settling in? Visit CharlottesvilleFamily.com for updated guides, school information, and family-friendly resources to help make your move easier.