North Carolina’s Triangle is comprised of two densely populated cities, Durham and Raleigh, and the quaint picturesque town of Chapel Hill. It’s in the latter that you’ll find serenity in a small-town setting, a little slice of a tightly-knit community blended with the essence of a bustling metropolis. Chapel Hill is beautiful, offering prospective buyers an expanse of greenery speckled with eclectic real estate and unique floor plans to fit all needs.
If you’re considering making the move to North Carolina and want to pinpoint a region to call home, you’ll want to get to know Chapel Hill. Its idyllic neighborhoods and proximity to the thriving, beating hearts of the Triangle make it a well-rounded place to call home.
A Brief History
It never hurts to know a little about the history of where you live, and Chapel Hill’s timeline is a fascinating one that starts in 1783 when the town was first founded. Chapel Hill sports the nickname the “Southern Part of Heaven” and was named for the New Hope Chapel that sat atop a nearby hill.
The basis of the town surrounded the construction of the University, known today as the University of North Carolina. By 1793, just two years before the University opened and the first students arrived, the town’s first lots were sold.
Much of Chapel Hill’s history is written all over the nearby University and the local-friendly Downtown area, with its red-bricked facade and legacy establishments. The Carolina Coffee Shop, the oldest business in Downtown Chapel Hill, was opened in 1922 and continues to represent a piece of Chapel Hill history with each year it serves the community.
Highlights of Life in Chapel Hill
Living in Chapel Hill is more than just settling down in a comfortable home in the Triangle. It means experiencing what the town has to offer and taking advantage of its community-enriching approach. If you’re considering Chapel Hill as your home, then you have these highlights to look forward to.
Downtown Chapel Hill: The Place to Be
Downtown Chapel Hill is not just a preservation of the town’s history. It’s a go-to gathering spot for locals with an assortment of shops and eateries. You can grab a bite at Cat Tales Cafe, shop for cute gifts at Rumor’s Boutique, or simply spend a weekend afternoon meandering for fun. There’s a warming appeal that makes Downtown Chapel Hill the center of social life for the town.
Top-Rated Education
Children in Chapel Hill benefit from the highest-rated school district in North Carolina per Niche.com. From its focus on college preparation to a moderate student-to-teacher ratio of 13:1, the district clearly puts the students first. Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools boasts a 91% graduation rate average, with students favoring the local University of North Carolina at Chapel hill and North Carolina State University for their continuing education.
The Foodie Destination of the Southeast
It should come as no surprise that a town so close to a popular university would also be a hotspot for all sorts of cuisine. Chapel Hill may not be a major city, but it’s not shy about offering an eclectic assortment of eateries, from the refined contemporary French menu of La Residence to the southern comforts of Mama Dips Kitchen. While much of it is Downtown, you shouldn’t have a difficult time finding a place to eat near your Chapel Hill home.
A Short Drive to the Beach
Chapel Hill may be quite the hike from the state’s east coast, but there are still a few beaches to lounge at nearby. These aren’t ocean beaches, of course, but the coastline of Jordan Lake, which sits about 30 minutes from Chapel Hill, offers stretches of sand and shaded areas. You can swim at Jordan Lake State Recreation Area or enjoy camping or boating.
The Convenience of Raleigh-Durham
You’re not going to be short on entertainment or the essentials you need to enjoy life at Chapel Hill, but some days it’s nice to take a trip into a bigger city. Durham and Raleigh are about 30 minutes north and southeast of the smaller town, respectively. This is especially important if you’re looking to work in the city or want to enjoy attractions like the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, Pullen Park, or the Duke Energy Center for Performing Arts.
The Homes of Chapel Hill
Of course, all of this is wonderful only if you can find a comfortable, inviting space to call home in Chapel Hill. Homebuyers have a multitude of options, whether they want to shop stately 3,000-square-foot colonials or more modest and affordable townhomes. Depending on which part of town you’re looking at, you can find housing on plenty of acreage or smaller, low-maintenance lots. No matter where you settle down, though, you’re never far from the best parts of Chapel Hill.
Calling Chapel Hill Home
After reading all about Chapel hill, are you ready to call it your new home? My team and I are ready and available to show you all of the wonderful properties available for sale. Being new to the Chapel Hill area, you’ll want to look at some of our relocating resources. Also, be sure to check out our buyer resources and scroll through some of our luxury and recently listed properties to see if anything catches your eye.
When you’re ready to start talking about buying, give us a call and one of our Triangle area experts will be in touch shortly.