<p>What can everyone tell me about the area around UVA, on campus and off. I'm applying as a transfer student, but have never visited, just been told lots of good things about the school. I'm not going to go without visiting, but my dad doesn't think I would want to go because he says the area is very dangerous, and kind of run down with not much to do. I've heard the opposite from a few people as well, so I was looking to get some insight. Is Charlottesville a nice city, or is it kind of quiet with nothing to do?</p>
<p>There is an area northeast of the grounds that is perhaps not wonderful, but there really is no reason for students to be there. Cville always gets so highly rated in those “Places Rated” almanacs. It’s a great place to be a student, and maybe an even better place to raise a family. Already looking forward to my retirement there! (P.S. Besides strolling around the amazing history of the school itself, be sure to check out the downtown mall. Awesome outdoor pedestrian mall with loads of cool shops, a movie theater, and skating rink.)</p>
<p>This town is safe, as long as you are prudent. College students everywhere are targets for crime, as they sometimes let their guard down while on their campuses and tend to carry laptops, iPods, phones, etc. </p>
<p>Heads up students: This Saturday, MusicToday is having a yard sale of sorts at the Pavilion. They’re cleaning out their warehouse and putting older merch on sale.</p>
<p>Yeah, the not-so-wonderful horror of Lowe’s, Fashion Square, auto-retailers overstocked with SUVs enduring recession, and all those ugly box stores asking to be rife with crime!! ;-)</p>
<p>(Actually I would say it’s the downtown area at 3 am that tends to be sketchy, but even then it’s rather safe. You just start to become aware of the urban blight downtown at 0300 once you veer off W. Main and all. But most UVA students seem rather sheltered from all of that – well I mean, transferring from a UTS bus to a CTS bus can be a mini-culture-shock. And there’s always the free saferide service at night.)</p>
<p>There are a lot of things to do around C’ville, be it the partying/social-event sort, or the nature / stargazing / camping tranquility sort of activity; just that I can’t get around to them thanks to all nighters. >.<</p>