Is Chapel Hill really the most expensive area in NC? (Raleigh: low income, attorney)
Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill, CaryThe Triangle Area
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C. H. is certainly a great place for many people, but don't make the mistake of thinking it is some place made of gold that everyone is trying to get into.
Does that relate to the COL or just in general? Because I didn't think that at all. Limiting growth/access and in return having higher prices/taxes didn't have me thinking it's some area made by god...only a few areas of the Triangle really appealed to me and Chapel Hill/Carrboro is what was left standing.
Does that relate to the COL or just in general? Because I didn't think that at all. Limiting growth/access and in return having higher prices/taxes didn't have me thinking it's some area made by god...only a few areas of the Triangle really appealed to me and Chapel Hill/Carrboro is what was left standing.
If you like it, by all means consider it. I know people who are very happy there. It's not at all that I think it is a bad place, just run in such a way that provides the results it has and I prefer something a bit different. The price of homes and taxes are the main COL issues, as well as not having as easy access to cheaper shopping options.
I think Cary is a more of a town for the well-off, economically fortunate.
Who would you say Chapel Hill is for, given the similar prices? It seems to me that the high prices/taxes just create an illusion of the area being a place for the elite, and that Chapel Hill is actually a pretty down-to-earth area and a perfect place for regular people and/or those wanting to live in an area that provides them with what they want.
I think Cary is a more of a town for the well-off, economically fortunate.
I'm not sure what makes you say that. I think both Cary and Chapel Hill have there share of economically fortunate residents, but Chapel Hill has long struggled to offer housing opportunity for the less fortunate. That coupled with the higher average cost of housing and higher taxes makes Chapel Hill seem like the more likely candidate for the well-off.
I'm not sure what makes you say that. I think both Cary and Chapel Hill have there share of economically fortunate residents, but Chapel Hill has long struggled to offer housing opportunity for the less fortunate. That coupled with the higher average cost of housing and higher taxes makes Chapel Hill seem like the more likely candidate for the well-off.
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Originally Posted by North_Pinellas_Guy
I honestly think they have it they way they want it. I believe they would prefer to keep the less economically fortunate out.
I hate to agree but..... They are politically the bluest in the state but they want to help the poor as long as they aren't living within Chapel Hill. Democratic think tank without the ugly day to day problems or desire to implement in their own town. Cary has a similar reputation but theirs is based on income whereas Chapel Hills is based on educational prestige.
You're off base on this, I think. My kids' elementary school in Chapel Hill/Carrboro is a Title 1 school, meaning 40% or more of kids qualify for free or reduced meals. It's an excellent school with dedicated teachers and staff and they and the kids do amazing things.
I think Cary is a more of a town for the well-off, economically fortunate.
It is interesting that this is your perception because the reality for me is the opposite. I could not afford to buy more house or pay the taxes if it were in Chapel Hill. BTW, I do not live in a McMansion, my house is under 2500 square feet.
You're off base on this, I think. My kids' elementary school in Chapel Hill/Carrboro is a Title 1 school, meaning 40% or more of kids qualify for free or reduced meals. It's an excellent school with dedicated teachers and staff and they and the kids do amazing things.
I think Cary is a more of a town for the well-off, economically fortunate.
I grew up in Cary/Apex; in a few of those nice new upper-middle class neighborhoods. I'd say you are right. Cary is much more of a "keep the riff-raff out" kind of town.
Chapel Hill is far more socio-economically diverse than Cary; and really most of the Triangle outside Durham and inner-Raleigh.
If you think CHCCS schools are full of privileged white kids whose parents are trying to keep them away from poor minorities you've probably never seen FPG, Ephesus, Estes Hills, or Carrboro elementary schools.
Kids who live in Meadowmont and The Oaks go to the same school (Rashkis Elementary) as those who live in South Estes public housing.
Are there entitled and snobby "Ivory Tower" families in CH? Hell yeah. Are they the majority of the population? Far from it. Again; having lived in both, I personally have noticed more snobbery in Cary/Apex than Chapel Hill.
If my career keeps me in the Chapel Hill area long-term I'd probably "settle" out in Hillsborough or Chatham County to be honest because you can get more house for your money and with lower taxes out there; but not because I think CH is too pretentious. I'll not deny that the politics of the place mean the powers at be ensure that driving in this area is as difficult as possible as to encourage walking and public transporation and that can be frustrating at times; but at least it has a little more personality than what most of the Triangle has become over the past 20 years.
Last edited by TarHeelNick; 07-24-2015 at 08:21 PM..
I hate to agree but..... They are politically the bluest in the state but they want to help the poor as long as they aren't living within Chapel Hill. Democratic think tank without the ugly day to day problems or desire to implement in their own town. Cary has a similar reputation but theirs is based on income whereas Chapel Hills is based on educational prestige.
I really don't agree with that at all. Affordable housing is a very high priority in Chapel Hill and Carrboro. That's one of the reasons why there are so few new developments in town compared to places like Cary, Apex, Holly Springs, etc. There are so many hoops to jump through many developers build in Chatham County instead (hence Briar Chapel, Legend Oaks, etc). The town requires that any development have a 15% affordable housing units or that the developer contribute to an affordable housing fund in-lieu-fees.
I think people who choose to live in Chapel Hill and Carrboro do so because they really like the college town vibe and the good schools and of course if their job is close by. And people who choose to live in Cary do so because they like the safe suburban, good schools, great-place-to-raise-a-family vibe. People who choose Chapel Hill often spend more to live here because they value the culture of the town. They aren't all rich folk, though.
For the record Chapel Hill and Carrboro taxes are high in part because they fund programs that help lower income people such as the city-wide completely free bus system, the excellent schools (CHCCS provides much more local funding than WCPSS), the recently rebuilt library (with the largest per capita circulation of any library in the state), etc. If you really want to delve into it you can see the town budget at Town of Chapel Hill, NC : 2015-2016 Recommended Budget . One of the first line items is in support of affordable housing.
Speaking for myself and my family, we're happy to pay more taxes when they go for good services like the town of Chapel Hill provides.
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