visiting Raleigh (Durham, Chapel Hill, Carrboro: condos, chapel, good hotels)

[golden0721]

I am thinking about relocating to the Raleigh area. I have never been there but I hear a lot about the area and jobs. I like city living. Is there any areas where you can live and walk to shopping etc. If so, where in the area can I stay for a few days to check things out. Thanks for the help...

[RaleighRob]

Sounds like you'd be interested in the areas "Inside-the-Beltline" (ITB). (The "beltline" referring to the circle around the older core of the city formed by I-440.) This is the part that has the most "city feel", as opposed to areas outside the beltline (OTB) which is very suburban.

The ITB areas, particularly in and around downtown, have a good amount of the walkable blocks to dining/shopping/entertainment/etc...and the amount of available residential (houses, condos, apts, etc) in these areas is booming right now.

If you were to visit and get a good feel of these parts, there are three good hotels right in the middle of downtown that'll give you good access. Days Inn, for the budget-minded....Clarion Inn, for the mid-priced....and Sheraton, at the upper scale. (Clarion's a highrise, so it'll give you a great view!)

In addition to ITB Raleigh, other city areas with walkable urban feel would include downtown Durham, central Chapel Hill, and eastern Carrboro.

[ejmatl]

If you want to be able to walk to an area where you can get everything from groceries to clothes to artwork - and grab dinner, drinks, coffees, etc. - then I'd recommend you check out the Cameron Village area.

eileen