| A stroll through the tree lined avenues of the Belmont Neighborhood in Charlottesville can evoke a whole host of impressions depending on your perspective. To the native Belmonter whose family has called these hilly streets home for generations, it may remind them of how quickly things change in this world and how important it is to hold on to what’s really important. To the more recent resident, the gorgeous views and unique homes burst with character, creating a deep sense of community that’s so rare in these times of sprawling suburbia. To a visitor, the sheer diversity of the many unique homes and businesses all nestled within the nation’s oldest planned neighborhood creates an appreciation for the ingenious simplicity of the design.
What is certain about Belmont is the passion its residents feel for it. A “real neighborhood” as it is often called, is something to be appreciated. A community thriving in its diversity… building on its established character to accommodate the changing world around it without compromising its personality.
The outside world rediscovered Belmont around the turn of the millennium. The changes that were coming could not have been anticipated, but were somehow taken in stride by the community. The saturation of character among the neighborhood homes, proximity to a booming downtown cultural scene in Charlottesville, and drastically under-valued housing prices led to a tripling of real estate values in Belmont within about five years. The results have included a wave of home renovations, a renaissance in the small downtown strip including several new restaurants, and a large host of residents struggling with skyrocketing property taxes.
The influx of new residents has created a community that fits no stereotype. Renters and owners, liberals and conservatives, the elderly, yuppies, and hipsters alike all seem to find Belmont an ideal place to call home. No one could have planned for Belmont to find its way to this incredible place. It’s a special time to be a part of our neighborhood and it’s a great place to take a stroll.
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