Replies

1. 
   asher | Dec 18, 2003 05:38am | #1

   I grew up here, what do you want to know?

   Great place to live.

   Land and hoses are expensive close to charlottesville.

   Lots of building going on north and west of Charlottesville. Moderate amount of custom stuff.

   Let me know if there is any thing specific I can help you with.

   -asher

1. 
   Floss | Dec 19, 2003 05:45am | #6

   Asher,

   Right now I build alot of period pieces and am wondering if that style of furniture, (queen anne,chippendale,federal) would be marketable in and around Charlottesville? And are there people there who have the meanes and desire to purchase such furniture? I have found more period builders near the D.C. area, at least those that have websites.

1. 
   asher | Dec 19, 2003 03:46pm | #9

   I don't know how well period reproductions would sell. There is pleanty of wealth in the C'ville area but things rapidly become working class outside of Charlottesville/Albmarle. When you come to town you might want to go to the "downtown mall" and check with some of the shop owners to get a better idea of what sells.

   Eat at "Bang" -- great food (located near the downtown mall)

   -asher

2. 
   Kell | Dec 19, 2003 06:16pm | #11

   j.p.

   I live in Richmond, about an hour away, and know C'ville fairly well.  There is plenty of the higher income demographic you desire in that area and a good many Richmonders drive up there to go antiquing and wine tasting.  Real estate is quite affordable compared to the NE but there are also some big dollar estates there.  A number of wineries in the area along with horse farmers.  (OT Virginia wine is pretty fair and getting better every year.  Check out Oakencroft and Barboursville for some award winning wines.)

   The Old Dominion is a great state (I'm a little biased having been born here) and Charlottesville is a wonderful town.

   Kell

2. 
   MikeRooney | Dec 18, 2003 08:18am | #2

   One of the best places in the country for a garden. Lot's of sunny days. Thomas Jefferson knew what he was diong.

    

1. 
   billsams | Dec 18, 2003 03:13pm | #3

   Asher and Mike, Where are you? I'm in the Scottsville area? You both have your own shops? Contact me if you like at http://www.jwsjoinery.com 

   Bill

1. 
   asher | Dec 19, 2003 03:49pm | #10

   Bill,

   I live in waynesboro and am just a hobbie guy.

   -asher

2. 
   MikeRooney | Dec 19, 2003 11:49pm | #13

     Hardy County, West Virginia a pretty good ways from you. Did some work on an old Sears kit house in Barboursville 'bout a dozen years ago. Sun doesn't reach the garden 'til 10 o'clock here.

                                        MIKE 

3. 
   billsams | Dec 18, 2003 03:19pm | #4

   j.p., Mild winters, hot summers, pricey homes and land as Asher has said, Great gardening as Mike said as long as you don't have the hard albemarle country red clay.

   Lots of woodworkers, cabinetmakers, plenty of work. Contact me if you like via my site posted on previous message.

   Bill

4. 
   MarkRoderick | Dec 18, 2003 03:31pm | #5

   I went to school there.

   Extremely hot, humid summers.

   Very hilly.

   College town, so lots of cultural opportunities.

   Horse country. Lots of wealthy people. Folks who view themselves as a sort of pre-Civil War landed gentry.

   It's a growing area, which is starting to have some of the problems associated with urban areas - sprawl, downtown blight, etc.

1. 
   Floss | Dec 19, 2003 05:56am | #7

   MARKRODERICK.

   I have been getting the local paper and it seemes like a kind of small town. Which is what I am looking for. But I am wondering if there is a community of individuals who support artists and craftsmen and have the disposable income to spend $2500 on a Chippendale chair? Eventhough some of the property is evpensive, it seems that there still affordable, may need renovation, homes around that are reasonably priced in the $120-$150,000 range. And the cost of living is, I am sure, less than that of Salem MA where I live now.

1. 
   MarkRoderick | Dec 19, 2003 03:34pm | #8

   First, let me say I was in school there 20 years ago. Charlottesville has grown considerably since then. I wouldn't call it a small town anymore. It's really a small city now.

   I would think Charlotteville would be a pretty good market for what you're talking about. There definitely are a lot of wealthy people per-capita, and these people think of themselves as cultured and want to show it. Hence, I'd think there would be a market for high-end woodworking.

   What you might do is check whether there are any competitors there. If there are and they're doing well that's good because it means there is a strong market.

5. 
   MarkC | Dec 19, 2003 07:56pm | #12

   Also went to school there and love the town.  Summers are pretty humid but winters are quite tolerable.  Definitely an arts community but I couldn't answer the question about whether there are enough $2500 chair customers to support your business.  I'd recommend two things:

   1.  Contact the chamber of commerce and/or the local economic development office.  Find out the income demographics for C'ville proper and surrounding areas.  You've probably got some idea about what median income level buys your work and this should tell you whether this is in the ballpark. 

   2.  Consider that DC is ~2 hrs away and Richmond is less than 1 hour.  While C'ville itself may not be a large enough market, you might be able to generate enough business by marketing to these other areas to justify the move.  I've also lived in DC (haven't in Richmond) and would HIGHLY recommend Charlottesville over DC.