What is up with Chapel Hill downtown? It's kinda gross. (Charlotte: houses, gangs)

[UKOK]

We came to look around the Chapel Hill area (from New York City via Knoxville) for a few days and went downtown (Franklin street if I remember correctly) to get bite this evening around 6pm. From what I had read about the area I was expecting something totally different - cute cafes / bars / clothes shops. What I saw was a buch of homeless people (I was asked to spare change 3 times by 3 different people), an old woman who had a sign up saying she was homeless becase of 9/11 selling flowers on the street,at least 5 wannabe gangsters walking up and down the street wearing huge gold chains and a bunch of empty "to rent" store fronts. Are you kidding me? This is the upscale Chapel Hill I have been reading about and excited to come an visit? This is the downtown of the most expensive town in the triangle area with the highest taxes? I must be missing somthing....Tell me there is more to this area. Please.

[Are We There Yet?]

I had the same reaction when I visited.

[HookEmHorns]

Downtown (uptown) Chapel Hill used to be very nice. Local government refuses to do what needs to be done to run the riff raff out. Meanwhile "upscale" shopping has moved to Southpoint.

If you are looking for "cute cafes / bars / clothes shops" go west to Carrboro.

[Indigoblue]

We just drove through but I was also very underwhelmed by Chapel Hill's downtown. The university area was very pretty though, and there were some lovely houses on hills. It all reminded me of Charlottesville and UVa

A quick google search shows that there are homeless shelters for men and for women/children in the downtown area so that would likely explain why they are concentrated there.

[Tampa Red]

Remember, it's a college town.

[UKOK]

Originally Posted by Tampa Red

Remember, it's a college town.

I'm glad others had the same reaction. I will check out Carrboro later today, thanks for the tip.

I know it's a college town - that is why I didn't mention the endless number of sullen 20 somethings trying to "find" themselves. A college town doesn't have to be rough - Princeton, NJ is one of my favorite towns.

[rieboots]

Originally Posted by UKOK

A college town doesn't have to be rough - Princeton, NJ is one of my favorite towns.

I live in NJ, and pictured Chapel Hill being like Princeton. That's very disappointing that it's not. I also pictured Chapel Hill being nicer than Carrboro. Guess not?? So, back to the original question then...why in the world do people live in Chapel Hill and pay such high prices for homes? What is the lure?

[VICTORIA.1]

Originally Posted by rieboots

I live in NJ, and pictured Chapel Hill being like Princeton. That's very disappointing that it's not. I also pictured Chapel Hill being nicer than Carrboro. Guess not?? So, back to the original question then...why in the world do people live in Chapel Hill and pay such high prices for homes? What is the lure?

LOL.. I vision Chapel Hill like being in a quaint picture perfect New England town...With lots of cobblestone and white fences and many home style restaurants with the fireplace on.. OH MY!!! They get top dollar..!!!

Even a Newport R.I look.. Guess I gotta get there and see...

[rieboots]

Originally Posted by VICTORIA.1

LOL.. I vision Chapel Hill like being in a quaint picture perfect New England town...With lots of cobblestone and white fences and many home style restaurants with the fireplace on..

LOL...me too me too!! I'm shocked!

[UKOK]

Originally Posted by rieboots

I live in NJ, and pictured Chapel Hill being like Princeton. That's very disappointing that it's not. I also pictured Chapel Hill being nicer than Carrboro. Guess not?? So, back to the original question then...why in the world do people live in Chapel Hill and pay such high prices for homes? What is the lure?

Funny - I was totally expecting Princeton too! The college buildings and surrounding houses are similar. Leafy streets with old, well kept houses. The rest of downtown, eh, not so much. I will go to Carrboro downtown to get lunch today will and see if that is better. I'll report back.