How does Chapel Hill, NC compare to Madison? (Portland, Athens: real estate, house)

[Megan1967]

Well, so far I've ruled out San Diego and Austin in my search for a warm version of Madison. A friend suggested I check out Chapel Hill, NC. Anyone live in both? I'd like to get an idea of how the two communities are alike and how they are different.

Thanks much!

Megan

[ComfortablyNumb]

Why have you ruled out Austin? I've been there a handful of times and it is a lot like Madison, just S P R E A D O U T and without much water. I too need to get out of Madison because of the winters, though, and have been thinking of many, many different cities. Anyway, I have no idea what Chapel Hill is like. It's a lot smaller than Madison, though, I know that, but the Raleigh-Durham area is growing very fast right now and holds a lot of long-term promise.

[quijote]

I haven't lived in Chapel Hill, but it seems a bit more genteel and subdued than Madison. Parts of it are also very spread out, and I didn't get a sense of any kind of "State Street Vibe" there.

Have you looked into Athens, Georgia? It's a bit more Madisonesque.

[Megan1967]

Austin is too expensive. The suburbs are cheaper, but I don't want to live in a suburb. Plus, the property taxes make up for the low cost of housing. I pay $3600 on my house assessed at 197K here, and down there it would be something like $4925- $59100 (.025-.03%!). They don't have state income tax down there, but for me that doesn't even begin to compensate for the high property taxes. Plus it is too big for my taste and I agree really SPREAD out.

Actually, Athens is on my list. People suggested Chapel Hill (Raleigh/Durham) when I asked about Athens. When I went to the CH/R/D forum there was a suggestion of Asheville or Charlottesville as well.

I'm going to take some time next summer and travel to these various cities in NC to check them out personally.

[radraja]

Chapel Hill is a nice college town. It's not nearly as big as Madison, but it's close to Raleigh. And it definitely has a sunnier, more moderate climate. (WI winters are horrible, I can relate.)

You also might like Portland...it's not a college town, but it does have some Madison-like qualities. And the winters are milder...it never really gets below 40, I believe.

[nanannie]

Having visited all, CH is a lovely town, beautiful around the campus which is right in the heart of 'town'. Very cute town but smaller then Madison and seems much 'cleaner', (I guess thats from not dealing with snow,salt etc.) Yes, much milder climate, but really hot/humid for several months. Seems to have a more conservative vibe/atmosphere then Mad. Raleigh Durham is not so impressive, but growing like mad and alot of employment opportunity, more affordable Real Estate/apts then in CH and pretty sub divisions and n'hoods around it. Duke is a beautiful campus.I liked how you can visit the mountains and the ocean and it is surrounded by much to do outdoors year round. I loved Asheville, been there alot and came this close to moving there. Expensive, huge growth that they are having trouble keeping up with,not alot of jobs, beautiful smaller city (some streets do remind me of Mad, very much so)In the Blue Ridge Mountains, the city has gorgeous n'hoods some up in the hills with beautiful views. Four mild seasons, but ALOT of homeless.

[suecen]

I think Chapel Hill is a pretty town too and had nice campus. But (just in my opinion) I feel Raleigh isn't all that great. I visited last year because I'm looking for a new place to eventually relocate to from WI. I really didn't think there was that much happening in Raleigh but do know that many people are moving there because of jobs I guess. I think Asheville is pretty too and have heard both pro and con - I was there a while back and don't remember much of it except the Biltmore. It seems though that North Carolina is a very popular place for people to relocate to.

[suecen]

P.S. I think you really do have to personally go to a potential place and see what YOU think. I have a friend who is a former truck driver and she's been in every city/town across the U.S. - her opinions couldn't be more different than mine so I've gotten to the point of just going with my own feeling because everyone looks at a place differently.

[nanannie]

Originally Posted by suecen

P.S. I think you really do have to personally go to a potential place and see what YOU think

I think thats always a given I would assume that people ask for opinions for a general idea and no one-NO ONE would move to a place by what annonymous posters would say.

[Harpoon]

Try Boulder, Colorado. Great college town, close to Denver, snows a bunch but melts quickly as well, mountains are pretty, and a very liberal town.