New job in Chapel Hill; need housing.

June 2, 2011 6:57 PM

Help me figure out the neighborhoods in and around Chapel Hill, NC.

I'm asking for a friend who just accepted a job at UNC Health Care. She is a middle-aged, single woman with a kitten who would like to live in a walkable, established neighborhood with a nice mix residents in different life stages (young families, middle-aged people, older people).

She is looking to rent a house (homebuying is probably out of the question right at the moment), ideally with good storage (basement/garage), nice outdoor areas, and pet friendly in the $900-$1500 range.

A shorter commute to UNC is preferred. Places way out in the country, more urban areas, and "cul-de-sac neighborhoods" are not preferred. Parks, farmers' markets, and shopping close by are good.

Having reviewed previous questions about the area, I think Durham, Raleigh, and Cary are not good fits due to commute times and character (if you think I'm wrong though, please set me straight). .

In what areas should she be targeting her search? Any tips on hunting down good rentals in the area?

posted by jeoc to home & garden (8 answers total)

Carrboro. Has all of the above. She could maybe get a small two bedroom house for $1500 near a busline to campus.
posted by greta simone at 7:01 PM on June 2, 2011 [1 favorite]

Yeah, seriously, Carrboro. My partner rented a townhome really close to the farmer's market and downtown for $800. It was a really nice place, too. Pretty sure this is the same place: http://www.yelp.com/biz/white-oaks-apartments-carrboro. I can't find any other info, though--she rented from someone who just owned one of the townhomes there.
posted by hought20 at 7:07 PM on June 2, 2011 [1 favorite]

Yep, Carrboro pretty much owns. I wouldn't live anywhere else in the Triangle!
posted by showbiz_liz at 7:26 PM on June 2, 2011

She should also look in the Northside neighborhood of Chapel Hill. I live less than one mile from UNC, less than two miles from the Carrboro farmer's market/Weaver Street, and 2 minutes from extensive wooded trails and a park. There are lots of small cinderblock houses for rent that are pet-friendly in that price range right around where I live. Carrboro is a great place to live too, just a bit more expensive in my experience.
posted by 2ghouls at 7:31 PM on June 2, 2011

Carrboro, anywhere within easy walking distance of Weaver Street Market. She'll be close enough to bike or walk to UNC, or ride the free bus. And she'll love it when she's home.
posted by bluedaisy at 10:05 PM on June 2, 2011

Another vote for Carrboro. Northside in Chapel Hill is fine but there are many more burglar issues in that neighborhood. When I was moving to Carrboro/CH I was told not to live there.

If you want a more Disneyland approach you could look at Southern Village or Meadowmont.
posted by rachelpapers at 6:26 AM on June 3, 2011

Carrboro is great if money is not an issue. Northside will be cheaper. I would be hesitant to say that downtown Carrboro is any safer than Northside without some kind of evidence. Another option that would be cheaper than Carrboro is the neighborhoods just east of University Mall. There are many smaller houses there for rent, the prices are cheaper than Carrboro, you get the diversity you want, and you're within walking distance of the farmers' market at Univ. Mall, the grocery store, etc.

Something else to remember: The buses in Chapel Hill/Carrboro are free. Make sure you're near a line. Good luck!
posted by Shoggoth at 7:36 AM on June 3, 2011

Regarding the cost? Carrboro can feel expensive when you are a student. I don't think it would feel so expensive to a professional person with an income.

In any case, Carrboro is so great your friend should consider it even though people here are saying it's pricey.

There's another neighborhood that's really great, that is more expensive: just west of campus, in the historic neighborhoods just west of the School of Public Health. There are really big, old houses there, but some houses have small bungalows on the back or apartments or otherwise. From there you could easily walk to work and walk to downtown Chapel Hill. There are also a lot of student rentals there. But it's a nice spot if you can find something.
posted by bluedaisy at 12:36 PM on June 3, 2011 [2 favorites]