Safest areas within Chapel Hill/Raleigh? (Durham, Cary: apartments, crime, townhomes)

[oceanrow]

What are the absolute safest areas within Chapel Hill and Raleigh? I am planning on moving to Raleigh-Durham for grad school, although am concerned regarding the recent shooting on the edge of Chapel Hill.

[Zoya]

Originally Posted by oceanrow

What are the absolute safest areas within Chapel Hill and Raleigh? I am planning on moving to Raleigh-Durham for grad school, although am concerned regarding the recent shooting on the edge of Chapel Hill.

There is NO way to answer your question. Random crime can happen anywhere. Domestic voilence can turn bloody anywhere.

I feel safe in almost all areas of Raleigh. Durham (yes, even Durham), Chapel Hill, Wake Forest (where I live) and every other town in the area.

The areas that aren't the best are going to be quite evident.

[frogandtoad]

I would say Cary, if you look at the stats. However, if you're looking at UNC, that would be a long and totally unnecessary commute as most areas in the Triangle are very safe. If you're looking at UNC, I'd say to stick with Chapel Hill and Carrboro for convenience. Plus I don't like Cary at all, but that's another conversation I guess. Like the PP said, a random bad thing can happen anywhere. Most of the Triangle would be totally safe!!!

[mzd]

Originally Posted by oceanrow

What are the absolute safest areas within Chapel Hill and Raleigh?

Any place that's next to a doughnut shop, because that's where you'd find a lot of cops...

Seriously - as the other posters have mentioned, random crime can hit anywhere.

In Chapel Hill, the main police station is on MLK Blvd (ex-Airport Rd). There are a couple of apt complexes right next to it, or across from it. I imagine those would be fairly safe, as a criminal wouldn't normally want to ply his trade right in the cops' backyard. However, if s/he is high on crack or other drugs, all bets are off.

[mike052082]

I would say that if you are going to UNC then I would live in SW Durham off of HWY 54 somewhere. Close to shopping, eateries, grocery stores, etc. as well as being safe. I lived in Park Ridge Estates for about 2 years and it was a nice community. Be warned that apartments and townhomes have more car break ins but if you don't leave things visible you should be okay in that respect.

[Francois]

Chapel Hill is by and large safe 'most everywhere. Don't let one random shooting scare you; there is a very small part of town that is "sktchy" but otherwise, Chapel Hill or Carrboro (many, many grad students live in Carrboro) are much more "safe" than they are "not safe". And forget Raleigh if you'll be in grad school in Chapel Hill; I made that commute for two years when I was in grad school (10 years ago when traffic and UNC parking were decidedly better than they are now) and it's NO fun.

[lonecracker]

CARRBORO! Hands down!

[2BZee2Pee]

Originally Posted by Francois

Chapel Hill is by and large safe 'most everywhere. Don't let one random shooting scare you; there is a very small part of town that is "sktchy" but otherwise, Chapel Hill or Carrboro (many, many grad students live in Carrboro) are much more "safe" than they are "not safe". And forget Raleigh if you'll be in grad school in Chapel Hill; I made that commute for two years when I was in grad school (10 years ago when traffic and UNC parking were decidedly better than they are now) and it's NO fun.

What makes it "sktchy"?

[CHTransplant]

I am beginning to loathe all these "safety" threads from people considering this area. Says alot, I guess, about where people are coming from (and perhaps how little they understand or have researched our area).

[Charlton Dude]

Originally Posted by oceanrow

What are the absolute safest areas within Chapel Hill and Raleigh? I am planning on moving to Raleigh-Durham for grad school, although am concerned regarding the recent shooting on the edge of Chapel Hill.

Unfortunately, there seems to be a lot more crime happening in Chapel Hill. I think you may be better served in the very southern portion of Durham, northern parts of Cary, Morrisville or northern & western sections of Raleigh. IMO, Chapel Hill is really going downhill. They can't even hold the celebratory events they used to, because of all the crime. Don't let people with rose colored glasses trick you into thinking Chapel Hill is a safe area. It isn't L.A., but it isn't a place where I would feel comfortable either.