Charlottesville is located in the central part of the state of Virginia and a city that is administratively independent but is part of Albemarle county. It sits on the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, along the Rivanna River, and is on the northwest part of Richmond. The city was named after the consort of King George III of England, Charlotte Sophia. The area was developed as a tobacco-trading point and it later eventually became famous and known as home to presidents Thomas Jefferson and James Monroe. British troops were captured at Saratoga in New York during the American Revolution and took solace near Charlottesville. It was also then when the British troops raided the area in the hopes of capturing Thomas Jefferson and the other revolutionary leaders. The University of Virginia was founded by Jefferson at Charlottesville in 1819 and has also designed the original buildings. The institute was used as a hospital during the American Civil War. There’s no shortage of amenities— the Downtown Mall is one of the biggest and longest outdoor malls in the country, the Paramount Theater showcase nationally-acclaimed acts, and the local food scene is a fusion of comfort food and authentic foreign cuisines. More than half of the city’s population hold bachelor degrees, and residents enjoy a high median family income plus low poverty rates. There are plenty of single-family homes and condominiums in the area, catering to year-round residents and professionals who come from other states.