In this case, growing is a good thing. The neighborhood is thriving, homes are selling, people are happy. The neighborhood may not be 100% what was originally envisioned, but from my outsider’s point of view, I would argue that it is better – the neighborhood has taken ownership and initiative.
If you haven’t been in the Belvedere neighborhood recently, you might want to take a drive through. Better yet, drive in, park, and talk to the neighbors.
Why is Belvedere doing so well?
1 – It now has the feeling that it’s thriving. Psychologically, buyers need this.
2 – It’s in a great location; well-positioned to both Downtown Charlottesville and the 29 North (DIA/NGIC) Corridor
3 – The inventory has shifted and adjusted to the market – quite a few townhomes are selling there now.
4 – The Meadowcreek Parkway is (probably/supposedly/perhaps) going to be built, Finally, providing bicycle access to Downtown Charlottesville.
But really, when people are looking for homes, they’re looking at the aspects that they cannot control – what’s outside the four corners of the property.
I was showing houses in the Belvedere neighborhood a few weeks ago. Here’s the scene:
We walked out of the builder’s model and up to the back of the neighborhood to where the neighborhood connects to the Rivanna Trail and saw deer. Walking back down to the heart of the neighborhood, we ran into one of my clients who has lived in Belvedere for nearly a year and she spoke of how much she and her family love living here. Leaving her, we walked across the street to buy some homemade organic cookies and lemonade made with turbinado sugar from some of the entrepreneurial kids. We go into the builder’s model home, talk for a while and upon coming outside, see that the cookie-and-lemonade-sellers have been joined by a girl on a stool in a tie-dye shirt strumming a guitar.
To recap:
– Wildlife (deer)
– Happy resident
– Wildlife (happy kids)
– Musical accompaniment
Not bad.
Have I mentioned that the neighborhood has fiber internet (one of the very few neighborhoods in Charlottesville that has fiber internet)?
Related reading:
– A Good Neighborhood (Belvedere) in Charlottesville
– Belvedere Pioneers Celebrate One Year –
– Two Years in Belvedere -clients reflect on two years in Belvedere
– All stories I’ve written about Belvedere
Interested in Learning More?
I have been been representing buyers and sellers in Charlottesville, Albemarle, and Central Virginia since 2001. Get local insight born of experience.
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