To Live or Not to Live in Chapel Hill (Raleigh: rent, crime rate)

[sleeptodream247]

Okay so Im pretty much sold on the Triad area but still have a dilemma as to where to look for a rental, once I do find employment. Chances are, I will be working in Chapel Hill so where should I live? When I was in Chapel Hill during my brief visit, people were recommending to look for housing outside of Chapel Hill. I was thinking that I would live in Chapel Hill until I get to know the surrounding areas and to be close to work....maybe not even have to drive to work, if Im close enough. Since I will be renting and not buying, it would seem to me that I can afford to do so but people referred to Chapel Hill as expensive. So again, to live or not live in Chapel Hill.....that is my question!

[ILMtoRTP]

Originally Posted by sleeptodream247

Okay so Im pretty much sold on the Triad area but still have a dilemma as to where to look for a rental, once I do find employment. Chances are, I will be working in Chapel Hill so where should I live? When I was in Chapel Hill during my brief visit, people were recommending to look for housing outside of Chapel Hill. I was thinking that I would live in Chapel Hill until I get to know the surrounding areas and to be close to work....maybe not even have to drive to work, if Im close enough. Since I will be renting and not buying, it would seem to me that I can afford to do so but people referred to Chapel Hill as expensive. So again, to live or not live in Chapel Hill.....that is my question!

Only you can make that choice. I went to high school in Chapel Hill and it is a very nice town but housing is very expensive. Obviously renting is cheaper but the concern you'll likely have with that is that Chapel Hill is a small college town so you will almost be guaranteed to live in a neighborhood with lots of college students if you rent. That may not matter to you though. Most of my old friends who still live in that area and work in CH/Carborro live on the south side of Durham so you might want to give that a look.

[CHTransplant]

Originally Posted by sleeptodream247

Okay so Im pretty much sold on the Triad area

FYI re: terminology. This is not the Triad; it's the Triangle (or the Research Triangle). The Triad is the Winston-Salem-Greensboro area.

[sleeptodream247]

Well I would prefer not to be overrun by college students...just want wherever I live to be nice and somewhat quiet. I was told to check out Durham but when I looked up the stats on this relocation website, it rated it with high crime. Im sure there must be nice areas in the city so Ill be sure to check it out and hope Im pointed in the right direction if I go with a realtor.

[sleeptodream247]

Originally Posted by CHTransplant

FYI re: terminology. This is not the Triad; it's the Triangle (or the Research Triangle). The Triad is the Winston-Salem-Greensboro area.

Oopss....sorry! I thought I saw someone refer to it as the Triad but Ill be sure to note it is the Triangle

[trt75]

I am also interested in moving to Chapel Hill. How are the schools in the area?

[ILMtoRTP]

Originally Posted by sleeptodream247

Well I would prefer not to be overrun by college students...just want wherever I live to be nice and somewhat quiet. I was told to check out Durham but when I looked up the stats on this relocation website, it rated it with high crime. Im sure there must be nice areas in the city so Ill be sure to check it out and hope Im pointed in the right direction if I go with a realtor.

Durham has a high crime rate for this state and a gang problem (grew up there before moving to CH in the 8th grade) but it is all relative. I see you're moving from Fla so if you live in a major city like Miami then Durham may not seem that bad to you. I consider Durham to be rather bad compared to other towns in that area (CH, Cary, Raleigh, Apex, etc), but having lived in NYC and LA I also realize that it's not that bad overall and that there is crime everywhere. I have a friend who lives in Carborro (neighboring town of CH and basically part of CH) that had his home broken into for the second time this week. Also, the southern part of Durham near CH tends not to be as bad as other parts.

But living in CH college students are just a way of life unless you can afford to live in high end neighborhoods like the Oaks or Meadowmont. The town itself has a pop of about 60k and the university has a student body of about 30k so roughly 50% of the town is college students. And the town is built around the college so if you rent you will live by college students.

[PDXmom]

Originally Posted by ILMtoRTP

Durham has a high crime rate for this state and a gang problem (grew up there before moving to CH in the 8th grade) but it is all relative.

Interesting you consider Durham to have a bad crime rate for the state. Pretty sure that I read that Wilmington, NC has a higher crime per capita than Durham. (ILM part of the you name I assume to mean Wilmington). And given 8th grade was probably at least 8 years ago for you (guessing since you said you went to college), a place can change a lot in 8 years. I've lived in Durham for 4 years now and find it to be safe. In fact on Franklin Street in Chapel Hill on a Friday or Saturday night I feel less safe with the drunk, crazy college students than I have ever felt in Durham.

But to each his own.

[sleeptodream247]

I live about an hour north of Miami....and where I live, crime is on the rise but pretty safe compared to Miami. Its funny that you mention Carrboro....was thinking of checking out that area, since it is so close to CH. It is going to be quite a change to see so many young people versus senior citizens...LOL!

[CHTransplant]

Originally Posted by trt75

I am also interested in moving to Chapel Hill. How are the schools in the area?

Among the most highly regarded in the state. What is it that interests you in moving to Chapel Hill? Sounds like you might need to do just a tiny bit more research before you settle on possible areas to relocate.