Warm weather, healthy, safe, reasonably priced (low crime, chapel, coop)

[oberhartrl14]

I'll be graduating from college next year and am exploring future places to live. Currently I'm in WI and hate the weather. I prefer something similar to southern Cali weather but without the horrendous traffic and cost of living!

Here's what I'm looking for:
50,000ish people (want something low crime but that still has a decent amount of amenities)
green or working on getting there
alternative health places (I'm into eating raw and being a vegetarian, as well as doing yoga and receiving acupuncture, I also love outdoor activities and watersports)
food coops/good farmer's markets
cost of living being just above average (or less)

Any suggestions? Thanks!

[kyle19125]

Hands down, Carrboro, NC which is part of the Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill metro area. The weather won't be as mild as Southern California but definitely a much milder four season climate than you're accustomed to. It's population is just at 20,000 but borders Chapel Hill (population 57,000). Carrboro and Chapel Hill are both very green with unique offerings such as free public transit, a very sizable alternative health community, outstanding farmers markets, a local food coop (and Whole Foods) and a moderate cost of living.

Carrboro, North Carolina Overview
Town of Chapel Hill : About Chapel Hill Transit
About Carrboro & Southern Village Farmers' Markets
Weaver Street Market - Carrboro location description

[oberhartrl14]

Ok, thank you! I looked at those links and this seems like a fantastic place for me! According to this link though: Moderator cut: link removed, competitor site
] the crime rate is kind of high. Any comment on if that's true or not?

[kyle19125]

Originally Posted by oberhartrl14

Ok, thank you! I looked at those links and this seems like a fantastic place for me! According to this link though: Moderator cut: link removed, competitor site
the crime rate is kind of high. Any comment on if that's true or not?

That's not true. If you look at the numbers it mentions the crime rate is 33% lower than the North Carolina state average. Overall North Carolina is mid-pack in state rankings (#22) in terms of overall crime rate which would place it near the US average. Around 33% below state and national averages is pretty decent in my opinion.