Belmont is a historic, walkable neighborhood just south of Charlottesville’s Downtown Mall. It’s best known for having one of the city’s best restaurant clusters within a few blocks. Most homes are early 1900s bungalows and cottages on a tight street grid. The neighborhood sits about a 15 minute walk from downtown over the new Belmont Bridge.
It suits renters who want a real neighborhood feel close to downtown, and owners looking for steady demand in a part of the city where people want to live. BlueSky manages homes in Belmont and across Charlottesville, so this guide is written from the ground level: where to eat, how to get around, what rent looks like, and what to know before you move or invest.
Where is Belmont, and how do you get around?
Belmont is in southeast Charlottesville, directly across the railroad tracks from the Downtown Mall. It’s roughly bounded by the CSX railroad tracks to the north, 6th Street SE to the west, and Moores Creek to the south, which is also the line with Albemarle County. The heart of the neighborhood, sometimes called “downtown Belmont,” is where Hinton Avenue meets Monticello Road.
Walking to the Downtown Mall. The Belmont Bridge carries Avon Street over the tracks and is the main link between Belmont and downtown. The city opened a rebuilt bridge in June 2024 with protected bike lanes and wider sidewalks, which makes the walk or ride to the Mall noticeably easier and safer.
Getting to UVA. Grounds is about 2.5 miles away. Most people drive or bike it, and Charlottesville Area Transit (CAT) buses connect Belmont to downtown, where you can transfer toward UVA.
Driving. Monticello Avenue (Route 20) runs along the edge of the neighborhood and connects to I-64 in a few minutes, which helps for commutes to Pantops, Zion Crossroads or Richmond.
Our take. The city’s Belmont neighborhood factsheet gives Belmont a Walk Score of 42, and about 70% of residents commute by car. Daily errands like big grocery runs usually mean a short drive, but dinner, coffee and the park are all walkable (and enjoyable).
What is Belmont’s history?
Belmont takes its name from Belle-Mont, an early 1800s estate whose brick house still stands on Belmont Avenue. Slaughter Ficklin bought the 551-acre property in 1847, renamed it Belmont, and ran it as a horse farm. After his death, the Belmont Land Company laid out the street grid in 1891 and sold it off as building lots.
That 1890s grid still defines the neighborhood today. Its small, regular lots became a template for much of the rest of Charlottesville. Many of the early homes housed families who worked for the nearby railroads, which is part of why Belmont still has a modest, unpretentious feel.
The northern part of the neighborhood is now the North Belmont Historic District, listed on the Virginia Landmarks Register and the National Register of Historic Places. It covers about 75 acres and nearly 400 contributing buildings, mostly built between the 1890s and 1940s. Homes farther south are mostly mid to late 20th century.
What it feels like now. Front porches, sidewalks, mature trees and a mix of longtime residents and newcomers. About 5,200 people live in Belmont, making it the second most populous neighborhood in the city.
What are the best restaurants in Belmont?
Belmont has one of the densest restaurant clusters in Charlottesville, and most of it sits within a few blocks of Hinton Avenue and Monticello Road. These are the spots locals keep going back to.
Tavola
A neighborhood Italian restaurant with a warm, cozy dining room. It fills up fast, so arrive early or plan ahead.
The Local
A Belmont institution serving locally sourced Virginia cooking. The upstairs deck makes it a go-to for larger groups and warm evenings.
MAS Tapas
A long-running Spanish tapas spot with a strong wine list. Come early to skip the longest wait.
Conmole
Oaxacan-inspired Mexican with tamales, empanadas and mole. The dining room is small, which is part of the charm.
Belle
A neighborhood coffee shop with breakfast sandwiches, toast and outdoor seating that’s made for people-watching.
More worth knowing
- Lampo: Neapolitan pizza, known for its Margherita
- Mockingbird: Southern cooking from the team behind The Local, think biscuits and shrimp and grits
- Southern Crescent: a New Orleans-inspired bar with an outdoor patio and fire pits
Looking beyond Belmont? Our Charlottesville local guide covers our team’s favorite spots across the city.
What is there to do in Belmont?
Beyond dinner, Belmont life centers on its parks, its porches and the short walk downtown.
Belmont Park. The neighborhood’s main park covers 3.1 acres between Stonehenge Avenue, Rialto Street and Druid Avenue. It has a playground, a spray ground for summer, a full basketball court, picnic shelters, restrooms and big shady oaks. A courtyard shelter hosts outdoor concerts.
Other nearby parks. Jordan Park, Rives Park and Meade Park, home to one of the city’s outdoor pools, are all close by.
The Downtown Mall. Cross the Belmont Bridge and you’re at the Mall’s east end, with the Ting Pavilion, the Paramount Theater, shops and dozens more restaurants. IX Art Park is also just across the tracks.
Getting involved. The Belmont-Carlton Neighborhood Association meets on the second Monday of each month. It’s an easy way to meet neighbors and keep up with what’s changing.
What is it like to rent in Belmont?
Renting in Belmont usually means a house, a duplex or a unit in a small building rather than a large complex. Single-family homes take up about 62% of the neighborhood’s land, and about 45% of homes are rented.
What rent costs. The city reports a median rent of about $2,300 a month in Belmont, compared with about $2,100 citywide. In practice, a one-bedroom apartment often rents for $1,400 to $2,000, and two to three bedroom homes and duplex units commonly run $1,700 to $2,600, depending on size, condition and updates.
Who rents here. Young professionals who want to walk to downtown, UVA and health system staff, graduate students, and families who want a yard and a neighborhood feel without leaving the city.
What to look for. Many homes are 75 to 125 years old. Ask about heating and cooling, insulation, parking (much of it is on the street) and how maintenance requests are handled. Our guide to signing a lease covers the questions worth asking.
Ready to look? See every home we have available, including in Belmont, on our Charlottesville rentals page.
Is Belmont a good place to own a rental property?
Belmont combines a lower entry price than the city overall with rents above the city median, which is why it draws interest from owners and investors. Here’s what stands out.
- Entry price. The city puts Belmont’s median home value at about $385,000, compared with about $516,000 citywide.
- Rent strength. Belmont’s median rent of about $2,300 sits above the city median of about $2,100.
- Demand drivers. Walkability to the Downtown Mall, a well-known restaurant scene and a short drive to UVA keep rental interest steady.
- Zoning flexibility. Under Charlottesville’s 2024 zoning ordinance, most of Belmont is zoned R-A, which allows up to three units per lot, or four if the existing house is kept. Corridors like Avon Street and southern Monticello Road allow more.
- New supply. Several larger projects are planned or proposed nearby, including about 281 apartments at Monticello and Quarry and about 206 condos at 735 Walnut Street. That’s a sign of demand, and it also means well-kept, well-marketed homes will stand out.
What to plan for as an owner. Older homes need consistent preventive maintenance. Historic district listing in North Belmont doesn’t restrict renovations, but it’s worth knowing a home’s history before major changes. Check zoning and permits with the city before adding units.
BlueSky has managed homes in Charlottesville for decades. Our property management services cover marketing, tenant screening, leasing, rent collection and 24/7 maintenance. Curious what that costs? Read our breakdown of what property management costs in Charlottesville, or call us at 434.295.4663.
Belmont FAQs
Yes, for people who want a walkable, historic neighborhood close to downtown. Belmont has a strong restaurant scene, Belmont Park and an easy walk to the Downtown Mall. It’s also the second most populous neighborhood in the city.
About a 15 minute walk. The Belmont Bridge, rebuilt in 2024 with protected bike lanes and wider sidewalks, connects Belmont to the east end of the Mall.
About 2.5 miles. Most residents drive or bike, and CAT buses connect through downtown.
The city reports a median rent of about $2,300 a month in Belmont, slightly above the citywide median of about $2,100. One-bedroom apartments often rent for $1,400 to $2,000.
Belmont’s best-known restaurants include Tavola, The Local, MAS Tapas, Conmole, Belle, Lampo and Mockingbird. Most sit within a few blocks of Hinton Avenue and Monticello Road.
Mostly early 1900s bungalows and cottages in the north, many within the North Belmont Historic District, with mid to late 20th century homes farther south. There are also duplexes and small apartment buildings.
Belmont’s median home value is below the city’s while its median rent is above it, and 2024 zoning allows up to three units on most lots. Talk with a local property manager about rents and maintenance for older homes before you buy.
Yes. BlueSky manages rental homes in Belmont and across Charlottesville. See current listings on our Charlottesville rentals page or call 434.295.4663.