Central Grounds
Central Grounds begins at the corner of Rt. 29 (Emmet St.) and Ivy Rd./University Ave. To get to that intersection from the Engineering School, go north on Emmet Street, past Memorial Gym. The intersection of Emmet Street and Ivy Rd./University Ave. is the first stoplight.
The Rotunda, the heart of the University, is two blocks east of the above intersection on University Ave. Alderman and Clemons libraries are across McCormick St.
To reach U.Va. Medical Center go east on University Ave. past the Rotunda, under the railroad bridge, to Jefferson Park Ave. and turn right. Or continue on Emmet St. past Ivy, veer left with the road as it turns onto JPA, then make a right into the hospital.
Just one block east of the Rotunda, the Corner is the restaurant and shopping strip along University Ave. that serves Central Grounds. Elliewood Ave. is a sidestreet at the west end of the Corner.
University Transit System
Website
924-7231
U.Va. Parking and Transportation, Millmont St (behind Barracks Road Shopping Center)
U.Va.’s blue-and-orange buses are free to University students, faculty, and staff. See the web site for routes and schedules.
Community
Charlottesville has one major north-south corridor, Rt. 29, where most of the major shopping centers are located. Many businesses listed in this book are in one of the following shopping centers:
Barracks Rd. Shopping Center
Corner of Barracks Rd. and Rt. 29 North.
Seminole Square Shopping Center
Rt. 29 North, on the right side going north, about a mile north of the 250 Bypass overpass.
Fashion Square Mall
Charlottesville’s only indoor mall. Corner of Rt. 29 North and Rio Rd., just south of Rio Rd.
Albemarle Square Shopping Center
Rt. 29 North and Rio Rd., on the right side going north, just north of Rio Rd.
Rio Hill Shopping Center
Rt. 29 North, about one-half mile north of Rio Rd. at Woodbrook Dr., on the left side going north.
Hollymead Town Center
Rt. 29 North, about one mile south of the airport.
Downtown Mall
Charlottesville’s community showpiece, this pedestrian outdoor mall with its patio restaurants is the best place to hang out and people-watch outside the University. From the Rotunda, take University Ave./W. Main St.east. When W. Main turns into Water St. park in the parking lot to the right or in the parking garage just beyond it. Cross Water St. and walk one block north. Additional parking is available on Market St. or on any of the sidestreets off Market St.
Pantops Shopping Center
From Rt. 29 North just north of Barracks Rd. take 250 Bypass going east. Cross the bridge over the Rivanna River, the shopping center is on the right.
Rivanna Ridge Shopping Center
From Rt. 29 North just north of Barracks Rd. take 250 Bypass going east. Cross the bridge over the Rivanna River, the shopping center is on the right, past the Pantops Shopping Center. Map
Charlottesville Transit System
Website
296-RIDE (7433)
CTS Office, City Yard, 315 4th St. N.W.
Buses serve many parts of Charlottesville Mon-Sat. Some evening service.
U.Va. students may ride free by using a transfer ticket issued by any University bus driver. Otherwise, the fare is 75 cents, exact change. You may purchase a discount ticket book of 10 tickets or 40 tickets for substantial savings.
Last Updated: February 9, 2023 by admin
Volunteer with ISI
Help other internationals have a great transition to the US! Say “thank you” by making ISI better! …
Get involved by volunteering and leading in the ISI group — ISI runs best when students are involved and there are lots of ways you can be involved more than just showing up to events. There’s a team of students who are looking for volunteers to help with events, computer expertise with our various web communication tools, photography, and many other possibilities. See the form below to sign up to be a volunteer or email us for more info on getting involved.
Last Updated: February 9, 2023 by admin Leave a Comment
ISI Sign-up Form
Last Updated: February 9, 2023 by admin Leave a Comment
Where can I find inexpensive dental work?
“I have a toothache–I know what I would do in my home country, but what’s the best way to handle this situation while here in the U.S.? Where can I get inexpensive dental care?”
Many students have asked me similar questions. Unfortunately there is not a good alternative that will allow you to get cheap dental work.
The school of dentistry at MCV in Richmond does offer some lower-priced work (maybe 40%-50% less). The work is done by dental students, and they generally do a great job because the quality of their work is being evaluated by instructors. Here are some possible problems with this option:
My dentist is Dr. Thomas Starkey 434-973-2224. His clinic does excellent work, and they make the experience very comfortable. There are around 100 dental practices in Charlottesville. If you have one cavity, I would guess that you might have to pay about $150. All the dental practices have similar prices. Be aware that their schedules are usually pretty full, so you might have to wait a couple of weeks before your appointment.
Some students opt to wait to receive treatment when they return home during UVA’s winter or summer break. I do not think this is a good option for most people because waiting can allow the problem to become much worse. If it gets bad enough and you find yourself unable to work or study, you may end up having to get dental work immediately, and then you would have to pay much more because the problems have become more advanced.
Dental insurance policies are available for purchase. In some cases, there is not a long waiting period before coverage becomes effective. In some cases you might even find out you have the dental problem, and then buy insurance before receiving treatment.
Last Updated: February 9, 2023 by admin Leave a Comment
Short-term Temporary Housing
Almost all apartments in Charlottesville operate with a year-long lease. So that makes it more difficult to find short-term housing. Hotels are expensive–they are best for stays of one week or less. Here are some suggestions to help your search:
First, check this site that lists opportunities for short-term housing: http://charlottesville.craigslist.org/sub/ be careful to make sure the places are near UVA or at least near a city bus stop.
UVA’s International Center provides short term accommodations for internationals. However, they have limited numbers of rooms and this option might be a bit expensive depending on your budget. here’s their site: http://www.virginia.edu/iso/ic/
If you are a grad student or visiting scholar, it would be appropriate for you to write the head of your department (or your immediate advisor) and ask if he/she could put you in touch with other faculty who might be able to help provide a room or offer some recommendations.
“Sublease” (the verb form) means that person-A has signed a one-year lease but is not using his/her room or apartment for some giving length of time. As a way to save money, person-A will try to find person-B, who will rent the room/apartment (during the period of time, in which it is not being used). In the areas near UVA, it is most common to find “sublet” (the noun form) opportunities for the summer (when many undergrads are out of town). Sometimes there are opportunities for either the Fall or Spring semester because person-A is out of town for one semester (studying abroad, for example). It is more rare to find a sublet for one month or similar short period of time.
Last Updated: February 9, 2023 by admin Leave a Comment
Have Fun With ISI
Some Must-Dos for a UVA student
ISI organizes all of the mentioned activities and more. Not only to help you adjust to the new setting, but also to assist you in enjoying your college life to the fullest. I promise you won’t want to miss out having fun with us!
International Friendship Night
Horseback Riding
Picnic
Trip to DC
Trip to New York City
Ice Skating
Kings Dominion Amusement Park
Last Updated: February 9, 2023 by admin Leave a Comment
Comments Forum
Our discussion forum is hosted on FACEBOOK(CLICK HERE). A new window will pop up with our ISI Facebook group. That’s a place where you can post questions, comments, try to sell stuff… anything you want to say to other members of the ISI community.
Last Updated: February 9, 2023 by admin Leave a Comment
Resources for Newcomers
Local and national websites that offer some great information for newcomers to Charlottesville…
Read More
Last Updated: February 9, 2023 by admin Leave a Comment
Finding Your Way Around Charlottesville
Central Grounds
Central Grounds begins at the corner of Rt. 29 (Emmet St.) and Ivy Rd./University Ave. To get to that intersection from the Engineering School, go north on Emmet Street, past Memorial Gym. The intersection of Emmet Street and Ivy Rd./University Ave. is the first stoplight.
The Rotunda, the heart of the University, is two blocks east of the above intersection on University Ave. Alderman and Clemons libraries are across McCormick St.
To reach U.Va. Medical Center go east on University Ave. past the Rotunda, under the railroad bridge, to Jefferson Park Ave. and turn right. Or continue on Emmet St. past Ivy, veer left with the road as it turns onto JPA, then make a right into the hospital.
Just one block east of the Rotunda, the Corner is the restaurant and shopping strip along University Ave. that serves Central Grounds. Elliewood Ave. is a sidestreet at the west end of the Corner.
University Transit System
Website
924-7231
U.Va. Parking and Transportation, Millmont St (behind Barracks Road Shopping Center)
U.Va.’s blue-and-orange buses are free to University students, faculty, and staff. See the web site for routes and schedules.
Community
Charlottesville has one major north-south corridor, Rt. 29, where most of the major shopping centers are located. Many businesses listed in this book are in one of the following shopping centers:
Barracks Rd. Shopping Center
Corner of Barracks Rd. and Rt. 29 North.
Seminole Square Shopping Center
Rt. 29 North, on the right side going north, about a mile north of the 250 Bypass overpass.
Fashion Square Mall
Charlottesville’s only indoor mall. Corner of Rt. 29 North and Rio Rd., just south of Rio Rd.
Albemarle Square Shopping Center
Rt. 29 North and Rio Rd., on the right side going north, just north of Rio Rd.
Rio Hill Shopping Center
Rt. 29 North, about one-half mile north of Rio Rd. at Woodbrook Dr., on the left side going north.
Hollymead Town Center
Rt. 29 North, about one mile south of the airport.
Downtown Mall
Charlottesville’s community showpiece, this pedestrian outdoor mall with its patio restaurants is the best place to hang out and people-watch outside the University. From the Rotunda, take University Ave./W. Main St.east. When W. Main turns into Water St. park in the parking lot to the right or in the parking garage just beyond it. Cross Water St. and walk one block north. Additional parking is available on Market St. or on any of the sidestreets off Market St.
Pantops Shopping Center
From Rt. 29 North just north of Barracks Rd. take 250 Bypass going east. Cross the bridge over the Rivanna River, the shopping center is on the right.
Rivanna Ridge Shopping Center
From Rt. 29 North just north of Barracks Rd. take 250 Bypass going east. Cross the bridge over the Rivanna River, the shopping center is on the right, past the Pantops Shopping Center. Map
Charlottesville Transit System
Website
296-RIDE (7433)
CTS Office, City Yard, 315 4th St. N.W.
Buses serve many parts of Charlottesville Mon-Sat. Some evening service.
U.Va. students may ride free by using a transfer ticket issued by any University bus driver. Otherwise, the fare is 75 cents, exact change. You may purchase a discount ticket book of 10 tickets or 40 tickets for substantial savings.
Last Updated: February 9, 2023 by admin Leave a Comment
Best Places to Get Furniture
Inexpensive used furniture or household goods can be found at:
+ The Salvation Army store at 604 Cherry Ave is the easiest place to start (434) 979-523
+ Goodwill 1720 Seminole Trl (434) 872-017
+ Goodwill 1242 Richmond Rd (434) 295-3967
New furniture
2112 Berkmar Dr
(434) 973-4818
(434) 295-3410
421 W Main St
Household goods and appliances are available from Wal-Mart, Best Buy, Circuit City, Sears, Target, or K-Mart.
Last Updated: February 9, 2023 by admin Leave a Comment
Contact ISI
ISI is always willing to help you.
If you have any questions about our group, need any help, want to share your stories with us, etc, pleasefeel free to send us an email.
ISI Mailbox: info@isivirginia.com