Is Hillsborough too far? (Raleigh, Durham: renting, chapel, houses)

[NCGator]

My husband got a job just off of where I-40 and 15-501 intersect in Chapel Hill. Down the road, ideally we'd like to live in Chapel Hill, but for now, we will probably be renting somewhere cheaper. We've been looking at southwest Durham, but we like what we're able to afford in Hillsborough! I've heard good things about Orange County schools as well.

Google Maps says that some of the houses we're looking at are only 15 minutes away from my husband's work. Is that an accurate estimate if both places are near the interstate? Also, I'm used to being out and about pretty much every day with my two young kids. Are there enough things to do out there, or will we be commuting into Chapel Hill and Durham for anything interesting?

[CHTransplant]

Originally Posted by NCGator

My husband got a job just off of where I-40 and 15-501 intersect in Chapel Hill. Down the road, ideally we'd like to live in Chapel Hill, but for now, we will probably be renting somewhere cheaper. We've been looking at southwest Durham, but we like what we're able to afford in Hillsborough! I've heard good things about Orange County schools as well.

Google Maps says that some of the houses we're looking at are only 15 minutes away from my husband's work. Is that an accurate estimate if both places are near the interstate?

Nine miles of I-40 separate central Hillsborough (exit 261) from the Durham/Chapel Hill 15-501 exit (exit 270). Traffic between those points won't generally be a problem, except perhaps on westbound I-40 on Friday evenings (I-40 narrows from 3 to 2 lanes after 15-501 toward Chapel Hill and Hillsborough).

[sneezecake]

Not at all too far - a great option to consider. Depending on your definition of "too far", Mebane could be a consideration as well - probably no more than a 20 minute commute to 40/15-501.

[DanielleNC]

I think Hillsborough is a great town with a lot to offer for its size, with even more to do in Durham and Chapel Hill. It is really close to both and I don't think you or your kids will be bored or have to travel far. I love Hillsborough, it truly is my favorite town and I think you would love it!

The Triangle Sports Plex is in Hillsborough.
Triangle SportsPlex - Hillsborough, NC

[JebediahScooter]

We've started heading over to Hillsborough pretty regularly to visit some friends of ours. There's a really nice little downtown area, and it seems like there are always kids out with their parents whenever we go. Make sure to hit up the Wooden Nickel pub. They allow kids until 9 or 10pm (whenever smoking is allowed to start at night). Good chicken wings...

[sneezecake]

Originally Posted by JebediahScooter

We've started heading over to Hillsborough pretty regularly to visit some friends of ours. There's a really nice little downtown area, and it seems like there are always kids out with their parents whenever we go. Make sure to hit up the Wooden Nickel pub. They allow kids until 9 or 10pm (whenever smoking is allowed to start at night). Good chicken wings...

Disagree with you on this one.




GREAT chicken wings!!!!!!

[whiteboyslo]

not too far at all, although I-40 westbound can be a bit of a PITA during the evening rush hour. this is especially true of the EXACT section your husband would be traveling on because it bottlenecks down to 2 lanes from 15/501 until west of Hillsborough where I-40 and I-85 converge.

if you can find backroad routes, though, you're golden.

Mike

[HomeHuntress]

Congrats to your family on the new job

[roguesmom]

we live in hillsborough & are happy with the schools (although we havent hit middle/high school yet). from that intersection you mentioned, you wouldnt have far to go before you hit hillsborough by using backroads & not i40. we spend more of our time in durham (friends, shopping, sports team for kids,pool, etc.) but it all depends on what kind of activities you are looking for, for the kids. you can pm me if you like.

[rockinmomma]

My husband commutes to Raleigh from Hillsborough. I won't be moving anywhere else (except maybe the coast when all the kids are grown). We have two in elementry and one in his first year in High School. I moved here after my divorce because of the school system. My (now) husband lived in North Raleigh and my son and I tried living there, we missed Hillsborough too much. There is always some activity going on at the Rec center, there's Last Fridays during the summer, parades and just bumming around town. Granted there aren't too many of the Chucky Cheese type places for kids, but I believe that having a family dinner at Anna Maria's is a whole lot more fun. We're clost to the Eno so we can go exploring at the river or go to the creek and look for frogs. And if there are times you want to go somewhere that you can't find in Hillsborough, you can find it within a few short minutes on the highway.