Claire31

Insurance is slightly cheaper than the uk, we use geico and they are really good. There's a fair bit for kids, loads of water spray parks that are free in Charlottesville, some communities where you live have pools included for you to use and they all open this weekend as its Memorial Day on Monday. There's a place about 30mins from Charlottesville called wintergreen that's a ski/activity place. Washington is about 2 hours away and always nice to visit. Shopping for clothes etc is not all that great in Charlottesville, the nearest best place is Richmond which is about 40 mins away. Then for a good day out or overnight there's Virginia beach which is about a 2 and a half hour drive away. If there's anything you want to know just shout

Claire31

We are with geico insurance who seem good and it's a little cheaper than uk. All the pools open this weekend so lots of swimming and there are some spray parks which are free. Nearest good shopping place is Richmond which is about 40 minutes away. There's tons of sports clubs etc of kids in Charlottesville if there is anything else you want to know just shout

Jdaffern

Could you give us the names of any good restaurants in charlottesville. Are there any Indian, or british restaurants. Do you manage to get any british tv?

Claire31

You can get bbc here but it's a little behind the uk, my hubby watches too gear on it. Indian is something we miss here there are a couple of them which are ok but not the same as what you get in the uk, the best is milan on main 29. If you like Chinese type food there is a great restaurant called Sakura which is in hollymead shopping centre it's a teppanyaki bar where they cook th food in front of you. There is also a new restaurant called burtons grill on 29 which is excellent for steak etc, then if you go downtown there are tons of restaurants and most are pretty good and it's all pedestrianised so you can sit outside and it's really nice at the weekend as it gets a little busy especially on Fridays from 5pm as there is a open air pavilion concert place where local bands place for free.

Claire31

Regarding British food we haven't come across any great restaurants but you can buy some British food from the main supermarkets, like some chocolate, tea, bistro, oxo etc, then there's a supermarket called food of all nations that sell a selection of foods from all over the world and you can get a lot of stuff from there

Jdaffern

We are thinking of widening our search on schools. What reputation does Fluvanna schools have? Whats Lake monticello like?

ottotheboar

For kayaking try Scottsville on the James River. There is a shortish run from Hatton Ferry to Scottsville and a longer run from Scottsville to Bremo Bluff.

Claire31

At the moment we haven't done much research on schools because our daughter only just turned. Don't know anything about fluvanna but I've heard good things about lake Monticello

ottotheboar

The school is around one year old and the school ranked well in the state.
I am told the is an "us and them" attitude beteen the people that live in Monticello and those who live in the county.
We had some friends who lived in the Monticello community and they had no complaints.
We are in Buckingham and the schools are some of the worst in the state, private is the only real option.