Charlottesville or Harrisonburg, VA?

Harrisonburg is clearer going to be the less expensive choice. Both are beautiful locations, although Charlottesvile has an exceptionally cute downtown shopping area. Both have college town influences, although Charlottesville's UVA is a more prestigious school than Harrisonburg's JMU. Both have easy access to the mountains, and I would consider neither to be very unsafe. Charlottesville is the larger of the two. Honestly, if cost of living wasn't a big priority, my choice would be Charlottesville largely because of the variety of things to do and better culture, as well as shear quaintness. (Although right now, living in the Midwest, I'd settle for either one!!!)