If not Carrboro/Chapel Hill, then...? (Raleigh, Durham: homes, schools, live)

[shoes4birds]

We're relocating to NC within the next year. We like the look and feel (from what we know) of the Carrboro/Chapel Hill area, but we know that in other areas we can get a bit more home for the money. My question is, knowing that we like the Carrboro/Chapel Hill area, what would be the next closest option to these areas in the triangle area?

[Bull City Rising]

Originally Posted by shoes4birds

We're relocating to NC within the next year. We like the look and feel (from what we know) of the Carrboro/Chapel Hill area, but we know that in other areas we can get a bit more home for the money. My question is, knowing that we like the Carrboro/Chapel Hill area, what would be the next closest option to these areas in the triangle area?

Probably parts of Durham (near downtown, some South Durham areas), followed by inside-the-beltline Raleigh.

[Esperanza27713]

What is it you like about Chapel Hill/Carrboro? Is it all the trees? The older homes? The crunchy feel (especially Carrboro)? The intellectual atmosphere? The great schools? The small town feel? Having things within walking distance (would apply to some areas of both towns)?

I think we'll be able to help you better if we know what Chapel Hill/Carrboro mean to you.

[geoff2v]

Originally Posted by Esperanza27713

What is it you like about Chapel Hill/Carrboro? Is it all the trees? The older homes? The crunchy feel (especially Carrboro)? The intellectual atmosphere? The great schools? The small town feel? Having things within walking distance (would apply to some areas of both towns)?

I think we'll be able to help you better if we know what Chapel Hill/Carrboro mean to you.

The pale blue firetrucks?

[Esperanza27713]

"pale blue firetrucks" - Not every town can pull that off, that's for sure!

[lamishra]

Parts of Durham, maybe the 5 Points area in Raleigh or Hillsborough!

[Esperanza27713]

Found this from shoes4birds on another post - thought it might be helpful to know what caught the eye in Carrboro -

We've just started looking at the Carrboro area and love what we see of it...I'm posting here to see if what I understand about the area is correct. From what I understand...

*It's a very diverse area
*Nice restaurants
*Nice schools (not part of WCPSS)
*Decent nightlife

Is it affordable for housing? We have 2 kids (ages 2 and 4) and we're looking to spend between 300-400K for a home. Are there nice restaurants? We don't want to be in an area where there are a ton of chain restaurants that are considered the best in the area. Although we are family-oriented, we like our nightlife too and would like to meet other couples who are interested in the same (family plus some fun with other couples at night). We don't mind suburbs as long as it has character to it and isn't completely cookie-cutter.

I have to say, the nightlife part stymied me. I can think of areas that are similar to the other things you mention, but I'm not sure about nightlife. Take that out and I think Hillsborough and some parts of Durham. Chatham County is also up and coming, I think, and it's gorgeous, but a lot more rural than the others. (Nightlife and restaurants are not plentiful in Chatham County, but the natives will know better.)

[In & Out]

cary!

[lamishra]

LOL, definitely not Cary! (and I live there!)

[lottamoxie]

If not CH/Carrboro then yes, inside the Beltline in Raleigh and maybe around the Cameron Village area in Raleigh since you get lots of stores and NCSU fairly close, with a ton of restaurants there. That also puts you in close proximity of Raleigh nightlife activities off of Glenwood Rd.