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As a person raised and now living in Chapel Hill/Carrboro, I can tell you that you may want to rent a place centrally located in town so you can easily explore all parts of it. I myself have chosen to live near the Durham/Orange border on the east side because I can conveniently access I-40 and get to Raleigh and Durham within a half hour or so if desired (and RDU airport within 15 minutes). Other people prefer a more relaxed style and like to live on the southern or western edges to access the surrounding rural areas, as well as Fearrington Village, a truly impressive pastoral community south of town. And some like the northern part for easier access to Hillsborough and more rolling hills. It's all what you want to make it for your own personal preference, which is part of the appeal of Chapel Hill for me.
I totally agree with this. There's been a pretty big demographic shift in Chapel Hill over the last 20 years, moving it from a college town to more of a bedroom community for high income families. It's still the most liberal town in NC, but then it is not to hard to claim that prize.
Ever been to Asheville? CH has a lot of liberals, Ash seems even further left...
I'm thinking of the area to retire, but don't want to live (rent) around lots of college folks....so the Hillsboro area has rolling hills? That sounds appealing to me. Coming from SoCal the whole area seems very inexpensive to live.
I'm thinking of the area to retire, but don't want to live (rent) around lots of college folks....so the Hillsboro area has rolling hills? That sounds appealing to me. Coming from SoCal the whole area seems very inexpensive to live.
The thing is, we are all so accessible to each area. I live in Chapel Hill but use a vet in Hillsborough because he is less expensive than my previous CH vet and just as good. Not a bad drive at all. I can go shopping or to dinner in Cary, to the zoo in Ashboro, to the beach for the day, do the museums in Raleigh with the kids in a short day. Not sprawling at all. Just about anything you want is right here.
But we live in Chapel Hill for the excellent schools and because my heart has been here for many decades even tho my feet have been elsewhere.
yes, that's how it is where I live now. ( can visit all the "towns" around depending on what I need. That was a very sweet comment about being where you heart is...ultimately, I guess that's what we are all looking for.
Ok, gotcha. What area would be better for active retiree? I'm used to the burbs but being close to city when I need that once in a while.
Even Chapel Hill is not a "city" in that sense, but you're close enough to Durham or Raleigh to go there when needed. Have you visited the area? All of this is kind of moot if you can't conceptualize what the area is like. You can cover it all in a weekend, easy, and then you'll have a better foundation to ask more specific questions.
Planning on visiting sometime this year...when would be the best time to visit and maybe see some fall foliage at the same time. Do leaves turn in the Raleigh area, or just in the mountains? Late in October?
I'd say no earlier than late October, and early November would be preferable. Of course it depends on the weather and it could always be off a week or two. Hillsborough would be lovely then to visit.
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