Wake Forest vs. Chapel Hill- comparison? (Raleigh, Cary: where to stay, for sale, houses)

[LRV476]

As some of you have helped with my first thread and know, my husband, toddler and I are hoping to relocate to NC. We've narrowed it down to two cities/counties: Chapel Hill/Orange and Wake Forest/Wake.
My question: Chapel Hill vs. Wake Forest? Orange County vs. Wake County?
My impression from responses is that CH is artsy, pedestrian friendly, (I have a walking addiction) with a strong school system.
My husband understands Wake County's school system to be incomparable, but I know very little about the artsy/pedestrian friendly side- is there one? Our budget would be 250-350K, it seems you get more house in WF, but do you sacrifice close proximity to regular shopping, walking, or parks?
Last of all, any suggestions on where to stay equidistant to both cities when we do our own investigations? Do locals get tired of all these "relocating" questions? Thank you to all, your earlier responses tell me this is a friendly state to choose to move to

[alethaa]

Wow!

Chapel Hill is a great but the homes start about 400K that unless you are in orange county? Wake Forest is a great area and you can purchase a nice home the 250 - 350 home.

I guess if you are going to look into both area I would recommend staying the RTP that will be the central location.

Good luck on your search I will be happy to answer any of your other questions.

[Desdemona123]

Originally Posted by LRV476

As some of you have helped with my first thread and know, my husband, toddler and I are hoping to relocate to NC. We've narrowed it down to two cities/counties: Chapel Hill/Orange and Wake Forest/Wake.
My question: Chapel Hill vs. Wake Forest? Orange County vs. Wake County?
My impression from responses is that CH is artsy, pedestrian friendly, (I have a walking addiction) with a strong school system.
My husband understands Wake County's school system to be incomparable, but I know very little about the artsy/pedestrian friendly side- is there one? Our budget would be 250-350K, it seems you get more house in WF, but do you sacrifice close proximity to regular shopping, walking, or parks?
Last of all, any suggestions on where to stay equidistant to both cities when we do our own investigations? Do locals get tired of all these "relocating" questions? Thank you to all, your earlier responses tell me this is a friendly state to choose to move to

You can't always compare the two...they are different, but it's not an 'either/or' question.

Chapel Hill has awesome schools....they are better in some ways then Wake, but I think Wake does offer some things Chapel Hill doesn't. You have to look at each district and see what works for your child/ren. In my opinion, you really can't go far wrong with either.

There is plenty of walking to be done in Wake Forest....depends where you buy, but we do have parks and sidewalks. Several areas are very walkable to downtown.

Chapel Hill is larger...it will have a larger downtown with more shops and things....Wake Forest does come off on the short end of that. Ours in smaller, more limited. There are artists clubs and it's possible to find artsy folks....you just have to look a bit harder then in Chapel Hill.

You will get more house and lower taxes for your money in Wake Forest...but it may be worth for your family to have a smaller property for the trade off in Chapel Hill.

[MaimounaKande]

Chapel Hill is more expensive, but there are plenty of homes in the 300 range (still in Carrboro-Chapel Hill School district). For new neighborhoods, check out Timberlyne and Parkside. For more established neighborhoods with older homes, check out Booker Creek and surrounding areas (I forget the names of the other neighborhoods around there, but 300 is probably avg. price there). You'll probably get more for your money in Wake Forest, but you do have options in Chapel Hill and it's a great town! Oh, and how about Carrboro? Same school system as Chapel Hill, but less expensive. Tons for the 300 range. I couldn't even list all the areas you could choose from in Carrboro for that price. Small lots, but it's a great town if you like walking, and crunchy people. It's got a great flavor and is a fun town!

[alice_61]

As a walker, you'd probably be more satisfied in one of the towns rather than mid way between them. Chapel Hill has sidewalks downtown but not all the residential streets have them. There are homes under $350K in Chapel Hil/Carrboro. Do you want to live in a town with ~25,000 UNC students or ~2000 Baptist seminary students?

[leighbhe]

I grew up in chapel hill and now live in wake forest, they are just different! Chapel hill has excellent schools, but from what I have heard (and witnessed) there is a lot of academic pressure for success in the schools. That may be a selling point to some, and a deterent to others. Chapel hill thrives through its downtown area, wake forest has a downtown, but it is very small and hopefully will get better with the revitalization, but one never knows. Chapel hill is definitely more expensive, and you have lots of different stores (at least grocery) that are geared toward organic. From a "kid" perspective, there are a number of dual language preschools, activities, etc that you may not find in wake forest.

As far as the students go, you get a different perspective of the place when you live there.........it is a tough transition for the "townies" when the fall semester begins again! But, I always reminded myself that the students were a vital part of the town. So, it takes a little getting used to! In wake forest, I don't seem to notice that there are students here! Not to say that as a slight, it is not, but I have never noticed a problem or felt overrun by students like I did in chapel hill at times.

Both towns have excellent qualities, I think visiting would help. Chapel Hill, to me, is very family friendly but is a college town. Wake Forest is a family friendly town geared toward families.

Leigh

[RaleighRob]

Wow...I never thought I'd see a thread comparing Wake Forest with Chapel Hill. What next, Topeka vs Seattle?

These two are very very different. When I think of Wake Forest, I think suburbia. Not as sprawling as Cary or Holly Springs (yet)...but give it time. (No offense to those that live there, but it is becoming like that.)

When I think of Chapel Hill/Carrboro, I think a "mini-city" that's evolved over time from a college town. Very alternative-transit friendly (walkable, bike lanes, free bus service, etc). Bustling downtown with peaceful residential areas surrounding. Yeah, probably the most expensive houses in the region, but the other pluses make up for it.

[LRV476]

Thank you- we are definitely going to visit both before deciding. Where we live now can be typically described as urban sprawl- all necessities close-by but only chain restaurants/shopping, and you have to drive everywhere. It is tolerable, but if I could choose, I would live somewhere at least closer to "culture."
Please would someone clarify RTP?

[dj32]

RTP= Research Triangle Park

Interesting that you compare the two- they are incomparable as others mentioned above, however, I can see why you like both. I am from outside the Wake Forest area and am looking to move back. We live in Denver now I am keep thinking I'd like to go to Chapel Hill (similar people to our urban Denver neighborhood, walkable, good schoolst etc) but if we are working in downtown Raleigh, Wake Forest may be a good bet (cheaper, still quaint). I think the issue is Wake Forest has evolved into a larger, suburban area where you seemingly have to drive to everything. I find few homes that I like (and are for sale)in downtown/old town Wake Forest.
Best of luck to you and I hope to see more of you on the board. We also a 3 yr old daughter as well and hope to be able to get back there.

[mm_mary73]

Originally Posted by RaleighRob

Wow...I never thought I'd see a thread comparing Wake Forest with Chapel Hill. .

Then I realized it wasn't a BB question