Not used to NoVa traffic, are you?

In a recent post regarding the dearth of senior housing in our region, I noted a new development coming to Greene County.

One might think (as I did) that it would be a beneficial idea for this developer to provide some form of transportation for the future residents into Charlottesville. This development is being marketed as “Four Seasons Charlottesville” despite its location in Ruckersville.

I asked this question of the developer’s representative yesterday. What follows is a telling example of the direction our region is moving.

Me: Are you going to be providing any sort of transportation into Charlottesville?
She: No, that will be up to the homeowner’s association to decide; they can do anything they want.
Me: I ask because the traffic is pretty bad.
She: Well, it’s right off of 29; it’s a short drive into Charlottesville.
Me: Have you driven 29 lately? It takes a client of mine an hour sometimes to get to his home in Ruckersville from Cville.
She: Oh. You’re actually in Charlottesville. You’re not used to NoVa. traffic. They won’t be driving at peak hours.
Me: Oh.

I am still digesting and formulating my thoughts.

Residential real estate is ultimately about quality of life. Location, location, location. I have been talking about transportation and planning a lot recently. Transportation and planning are tied directly into my and my clients’ quality of life. If the only method of transportation is the automobile and the trip that used to take 20 minutes now takes 60, whose responsibility is it to plan appropriately? Perhaps this evolution is acceptable? What do you think?