Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
I have never been to Chapel Hill and have been trying to do tons of research on the internet (I will not be able to make the trip down there until August). My husband was just offered a job and will begin in September. Are there any areas of Chapel Hill that are advised against or is every area a good place to live there? With the college being there is it more of a college town vs. a family oriented community? TIA
If you enjoy probably the highest tax rate in the state and houses that are roughly 100k more than they would be 10 minutes down the road, then Chapel Hill is great!
That was not my question but thanks for your response. Schools and a safe family environment are what is my priority for my family. Here in NY my taxes are 12,000.00 and my house is a little over 300K, no I don't like it but that is what it is here...no choice.
Tell me what makes a town "family oriented" for you, and I'll try to help. Chapel Hill is a university town, which is one reason I moved here (to the more affordable Carrboro, right down the street, same school district). The students add vibrancy to the atmosphere, and the university offers as many rewards to residents as students with lectures, book tours, cultural events, etc. On a Saturday morning you'll find young families strolling downtown to visit the kidzu children's museum, the art gallery, or the planetarium. Teens have safe (and free) transportation on buses and streets with bike lanes. And, there is a lot to do. To supplement this already thriving town, Carrboro has a farmers' market and many family festivals and cultural events, as well as venues for adults (like a new wine bar - glass half full).
There is still a depressed area of town, which extends several blocks north of Franklin street along the carrboro/chapel hill border. Land prices and location are leading to development of this area.
As far as family vs college oriented, undergrads dominate Franklin Street from Henderson to Columbia St, and then quickly blend in as you move towards carrboro. I think Carrboro is quite family oriented...walkable, numerous parks, Weaver St Market caters to families. Students are still around, but blend in. As in any college town, areas of town with lots of rentals will have lots of students, and in areas that are predominantly owner occupied at times you won't notice the students.
It's definitely important to note though that while Carrboro is lovely, anyone staunchly republican or maybe even middle of the road isn't going to like it. It's considered the most liberal town in the south. So if the original poster isn't pretty far left, she might be really unhappy there!
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
