For those who live in Chapel Hill/Carrboro - which neighborhoods have a lot of children?

[michgc]

Originally Posted by no kudzu

Interesting---I thought you didn't like the small lots. Would you mind sharing how you made that neighborhood decision?

Well, I don't like the small lots. That was one of our concessions. We were swayed by two major things:

1. walking distance to a lot of amenities - Weaver Street Co-op, farmer's market, movies, pool, village green activities, etc.
2. lots of kids in the neighborhood

Those were our two main criteria. I definitely would have preferred more land and privacy (we have 1/3 acre now), but that's what we are giving up. In an ideal world, we'd live in a house on a bigger lot in a neighborhood with lots of kids within walking distance of a real downtown (rather than a contrived one), but I couldn't find that exact fit in either CH or Carrboro. We pretty much have that now in Northern Virginia (minus the tons of kids part), and we love it. But we really want our children to be able to walk to friends' homes and to other activities. So, we're trying something new.

Keeping my fingers crossed that we will be happy there. We settle at the end of the month, and will move down at the end of January, most likely.

[CHTransplant]

Congratulations! My unsolicted advice would be to disregard what you're trading off and embrace what SV has to offer. There is something about every place I've lived that offered me and my family different experiences. I think SV has much to offer - just as you've identified. Enjoy those amenities for the time that you live there. Good luck!

[sjdad]

Looking into Raleigh Durham right now. You've been there a few months, care to share any thoughts on your experience there so far? Trying to find a place with lots of kids since I have 3 with good schools, but close enough to shopping and restaurants. Doesn't have to be walking distance, but within a 5-10 minute drive.

[poppydog]

Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill are all three very distinct towns with separate school systems. If you're asking about Chapel Hill proper there is no place in town that is not w/in 10 mins of a grocery or good restaurants. If you want other shopping (like national brand clothes Abercrombie etc) Southpoint Mall is in SW Durham. There are also many nice boutiques of various stripes (clothing, chocolate, gifts, etc) in Chapel Hill.

[michgc]

Ha, it was funny to reread this thread and see my thought process. I like Southern Village, but I don't love it. I failed to realize how much I'd dislike having a small lot, especially since I was used to a 1/3 acre. Having said that, I haven't seen another neighborhood that is a better fit for us. I liked Lake Hogan Farms, but it seemed to isolated for us. And I liked the older neighborhoods around Estes Hills and off Elliott, but they did not seem conducive to playing - no sidewalks, dense lots, and curvy, hilly streets.

What I do like about Southern Village is that there are a TON of children around here. And we love walking two blocks to the pool. It's nice having the school in the neighborhood. And my kids like biking to the village to go to the movies or for frozen yogurt. I enjoy having concerts on the village green and taking my kids to the gym.

The neighborhood is upscale. Lots of docs and professors here. Even with a master's degree, I feel undereducated. People are friendly, but some are fake. The neighborhood feels contrived, and sometimes I think I am on the set of the Truman Show. The school is a nice facility, but from what I've experienced in two semesters, the school system was stronger in Northern Virginia.

It's pretty convenient to get around and get your everyday needs fulfilled within a 10-minute drive. We go to the library, Harris Teeter, Trader Joe's, and University Mall on a regular basis. To get other necessities, we go into Durham - Target, Costco, our synagogue, and Life and Science Museum.

If you don't mind living in a neighborhood that isn't walkable to amenities, then there are several around here like Lake Hogan Farms - very kid friendly. Some of the older neighbohoods, while nice, do not seem to be loaded with children. Southern Village and Meadowmont (same village concept as SV) are on the high-priced end. You can get something for below $400K, but it may take some looking.

If you are wed to the Chapel Hill schools, then you may find something you like in Carrboro. There was a neighborhood called Quartermane Trace (I believe) that seemed kid-friendly. For your price range, Raleigh may be a better fit for you. And I would definitely look into Churton Grove in Hillsborough - from what you described, I think you'd like that.

[lmbebo]

Hi

Just wanted to bump this thread as I wanted to see if anyone had any recommendations for for the Chappel Hill/Cabarro school district. Research says its a very school district. My wife and I like newer homes and most seems older in this area. Just wondering if anyone knew of any subdivisions where one might find newer homes that feed into this school district?

We could do 550-600k on the home.

Thanks

[jgb]

Claremont/Claremont South. There are two builders building there right now and the homes are in that price range.