Commute from Briar Chapel in Chapel Hill to RDU (Raleigh: homes, neighborhoods)

[luchbrothers]

We have been looking around N. Raleigh, and Cary/Apex, but are now considering Chapel Hill. Any information on Briar Chapel or other similar neighborhoods? We have three young boys and are looking for a family friendly community with excellent schools.

My husband's office is off Capital (near Yonkers) and he also travels alot. Can anyone give me an idea of expected commute time to both RDU and Yonkers/Capital?

Thanks for the help!

[CaryGal]

I can't help with the commute time to Capital, but I live about 10 minutes from Briar Chapel and your husband would be looking at about a 30-40 minute commute to RDU depending on traffic.

[CHTransplant]

The areas of south Chapel Hill such as Southern Village and Briar Chapel can have rather inconvenient commutes if you need to get to I-40, RTP and beyond. It can be improved through inventive use of certain "back roads," but the main route via NC54 can get clogged both morning and evening. Once you get to I-40, it can generally be smooth sailing, but the traffic to that point can add extra minutes.

[jvick]

15-501 is super congested during rush hours, and would be your best bet in and out of briar chapel. My family has recently purchased a home there. I agree about 54. Forget it if you get behind a school bus.
If you consider looking there, I would just forewarn you about one of the builders. There are only a handful of builders in the development. I was really fond of several of the MI homes, but found them to be very distrustful, rude, demanding, and pushy. Their homes are beautiful, but we weren't willing to sign a contract for that much money with people who would conduct business in such a fashion. We ended up going with Vanguard, but also had very good relationship with McNeil Burbank. Hope that helps--good luck!