Please Help with Chapel Hill (and area) Itinerary
Jul 23rd, 2006, 09:04 PM
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Please Help with Chapel Hill (and area) Itinerary
We will be visiting Chapel Hill area Labor Day weekend. Flying from Boston into Raleigh/Durham @10:30am on Sat., and leaving Monday @2:30pm
We would like to see as much of the surrounding area as possible (minus Raleigh and Durham) as we are considering the area for possible retirement some years out.
Are staying at the Fearrington House, and on my list to see is Pittsboro, Chapel Hill, Pinehurst and Southern Pines.
Are there any places we are missing which are easily driveable? Chapel Hill is about as big a place as we would want to retire to, which is why we will not be visiting Raleigh/Durham.
What about Cary or Carboro? Worth seeing?
Also, can anyone give us an idea time-wise how long the drive to/from the airport might take?
Restaurant suggestions welcome also - casual, good food - nothing fancy or too expensive (over $15/pp).
We would like to see as much of the surrounding area as possible (minus Raleigh and Durham) as we are considering the area for possible retirement some years out.
Are staying at the Fearrington House, and on my list to see is Pittsboro, Chapel Hill, Pinehurst and Southern Pines.
Are there any places we are missing which are easily driveable? Chapel Hill is about as big a place as we would want to retire to, which is why we will not be visiting Raleigh/Durham.
What about Cary or Carboro? Worth seeing?
Also, can anyone give us an idea time-wise how long the drive to/from the airport might take?
Restaurant suggestions welcome also - casual, good food - nothing fancy or too expensive (over $15/pp).
Jul 23rd, 2006, 09:23 PM
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Also Hillsborough is on the list.
What's the best way to group these since we don't have tons of time? We basically want to see enough to know if this is an area we want to come back to and explore in more depth.
What's the best way to group these since we don't have tons of time? We basically want to see enough to know if this is an area we want to come back to and explore in more depth.
Jul 24th, 2006, 03:36 AM
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I think you'll be in your car the whole time. Head to Pittsboro, Hillsborough, PInehurst and Southern Pines from the airport and do a loop.
Cary and Carrboro are pretty new "burbs". I don't think they are "you". Are you contemplating a retirement community? There are very nice ones in Chapel Hill and the Southern Pines area, as well as Raleigh.
Did you ever visit Davidson?
Cary and Carrboro are pretty new "burbs". I don't think they are "you". Are you contemplating a retirement community? There are very nice ones in Chapel Hill and the Southern Pines area, as well as Raleigh.
Did you ever visit Davidson?
Jul 24th, 2006, 06:55 AM
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Since CH is as large a town as you want, eliminate Cary. It's about 2x the size of CH.
Mama Dip's restaurant is in CH, not Durham.
I don't know much about Southern Pines or Pinehurst, but it's maybe an hour from CH down 15-501. 15-501 between CH and Pittsboro has been under construction for awhile, but I'm not sure what's going on with it now.
CH and Carrboro abut one another. CH is kind-of Pacman shaped gobbling Carrboro. Yes, they are separate towns, but they work together on a lot of projects.
The Fearington House is lovely (5*/5daimond rating) but it's not intown, about 8-10 miles south. If you really want to see the town, I'd suggest staying within the town limits.
Also, Labor Day weekend might not be the best time to see the town. Students will be away. If you could come during a week when the students are here and stay in town, visit local stores, ride the bus, etc. you'd have a better viewpoint of CH.
Good luck with your search.
Mama Dip's restaurant is in CH, not Durham.
I don't know much about Southern Pines or Pinehurst, but it's maybe an hour from CH down 15-501. 15-501 between CH and Pittsboro has been under construction for awhile, but I'm not sure what's going on with it now.
CH and Carrboro abut one another. CH is kind-of Pacman shaped gobbling Carrboro. Yes, they are separate towns, but they work together on a lot of projects.
The Fearington House is lovely (5*/5daimond rating) but it's not intown, about 8-10 miles south. If you really want to see the town, I'd suggest staying within the town limits.
Also, Labor Day weekend might not be the best time to see the town. Students will be away. If you could come during a week when the students are here and stay in town, visit local stores, ride the bus, etc. you'd have a better viewpoint of CH.
Good luck with your search.
Jul 24th, 2006, 07:15 AM
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Oh, and don't eat at Fearington House (at least for $15) probably.
School will be in session though. But the parking problem might not be as great on a holiday week-end.
DO pay attention to the parking laws. They are stringently enforced.
School will be in session though. But the parking problem might not be as great on a holiday week-end.
DO pay attention to the parking laws. They are stringently enforced.
Jul 24th, 2006, 03:19 PM
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Thanks everyone. Have not seen Davidson just yet - this is our first visit to CH. If it's doable, will try and see if we have time.
How long from Fearrington House to the airport?
We would consider a "retirement community", so would like to know where these are. It would need to be very nice though, not "institutional" or without landscaping, and would need to be single family homes. That's one reason we're staying at Fearrington - to check out the model homes there.
How long from Fearrington House to the airport?
We would consider a "retirement community", so would like to know where these are. It would need to be very nice though, not "institutional" or without landscaping, and would need to be single family homes. That's one reason we're staying at Fearrington - to check out the model homes there.
Jul 24th, 2006, 03:58 PM
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Carrboro isn't a new suburb - it's just a little nicer than it used to be!
I would head straight to Pinehurst and Southern Pines through Cary on Saturday. Come back to Chapel Hill via Pittsboro. Sunday morning, run up to Hillsborough in the morning, then spend the rest of your time in Chapel Hill and Carrboro.
A warning though - Chapel Hill may or not be swarming with students that weekend. It's a week or two after classes start, and while many students do run home or to the beach for a mini-vacation, many stay in town. It may be pretty crowded downtown with all the new students getting to know their surroundings, as well.
I would head straight to Pinehurst and Southern Pines through Cary on Saturday. Come back to Chapel Hill via Pittsboro. Sunday morning, run up to Hillsborough in the morning, then spend the rest of your time in Chapel Hill and Carrboro.
A warning though - Chapel Hill may or not be swarming with students that weekend. It's a week or two after classes start, and while many students do run home or to the beach for a mini-vacation, many stay in town. It may be pretty crowded downtown with all the new students getting to know their surroundings, as well.
Jul 24th, 2006, 05:54 PM
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You can't do Davidson on this trip. you already have enough to "check out". I would still go directly from the airport to Southern Pines, etc. You don't really have time to check in and then start out.
Check with the various towns about retirement homes. I know one in Raleigh and one in Pinehurst, but not the name of either.
Check with the various towns about retirement homes. I know one in Raleigh and one in Pinehurst, but not the name of either.
Jul 25th, 2006, 04:40 AM
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The retirement centers I know of in CH area with private homes -- and probably a waiting list -- include:
Carolina Meadows (kind of near Fearrington, ask for directions)
Carol Woods, north side of town
Meadowmont, east side of town
I don't know much about Fearrington.
Depending on traffic (like if there's a home UNC football game) it should take less than an hour. Has FH given you directions to their place? There is a backroads route that avoids most of CH, but I don't know all the details.
Carolina Meadows (kind of near Fearrington, ask for directions)
Carol Woods, north side of town
Meadowmont, east side of town
I don't know much about Fearrington.
Depending on traffic (like if there's a home UNC football game) it should take less than an hour. Has FH given you directions to their place? There is a backroads route that avoids most of CH, but I don't know all the details.
Jul 25th, 2006, 05:10 AM
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Hi wanderer-
My parents have been living in Chapel Hill for the last 15 years. They are currently "semi-retired". They like the area but if I were you I would want to know this-- the building in the area is really getting crazy. There are shopping centers and malls going in everywhere and this has caused incredible traffic. Don't know what you are used to in the area you live in now but I know may parents are getting fed up with the congestion.
They are actually thinking about Asheville, NC. It's quite a bit west but it is beautiful.
I've been in the town of Chapel Hill many times and it is charming. The college also deserves a look. If you find yourself with an hour or two to spare check out the gardens at Duke University- not to be missed!
Good luck in your search. If my parents have any suggestions I'll let you know.
terric
My parents have been living in Chapel Hill for the last 15 years. They are currently "semi-retired". They like the area but if I were you I would want to know this-- the building in the area is really getting crazy. There are shopping centers and malls going in everywhere and this has caused incredible traffic. Don't know what you are used to in the area you live in now but I know may parents are getting fed up with the congestion.
They are actually thinking about Asheville, NC. It's quite a bit west but it is beautiful.
I've been in the town of Chapel Hill many times and it is charming. The college also deserves a look. If you find yourself with an hour or two to spare check out the gardens at Duke University- not to be missed!
Good luck in your search. If my parents have any suggestions I'll let you know.
terric
Jul 25th, 2006, 06:52 AM
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terric is right. He/she gave you good info you need to know.
We have been in our house just south of Raleigh for almost 20 years - it's a farmhouse built in 1850 on 8 acres.
We are currently looking to flee the area despite the fact that we both work in Raleigh.
We are desperate to escape the explosive growth that Raleigh, Chapel Hill and environs are experiencing.
Every single day we see a new development or strip mall or road closing or traffic jam or new this or that due to the influx of people moving here.
The roads and infrastructure are jammed to overflowing, and the quality of life is quickly being compromised unwittingly by the very people who are coming here to enjoy it.
Within the last month, Cary's overburdened sewage treatment plant spilled millions of gallons of raw sewage into local creeks and waterways "accidentally."
We are currently in search of 20+ acres in the middle of nowhere on which to escape to. We know we are going to have at least an hour's commute, but it will be worth it to get away from the mess the area is unfortunately becoming.
If you think Raleigh/Durham/Chapel Hill is quaint or "old South" or has what you are looking for, be sure to spend some time here, because it is well on the way to becoming the next Atlanta.
I agree to look at Asheville - very nice.
We have been in our house just south of Raleigh for almost 20 years - it's a farmhouse built in 1850 on 8 acres.
We are currently looking to flee the area despite the fact that we both work in Raleigh.
We are desperate to escape the explosive growth that Raleigh, Chapel Hill and environs are experiencing.
Every single day we see a new development or strip mall or road closing or traffic jam or new this or that due to the influx of people moving here.
The roads and infrastructure are jammed to overflowing, and the quality of life is quickly being compromised unwittingly by the very people who are coming here to enjoy it.
Within the last month, Cary's overburdened sewage treatment plant spilled millions of gallons of raw sewage into local creeks and waterways "accidentally."
We are currently in search of 20+ acres in the middle of nowhere on which to escape to. We know we are going to have at least an hour's commute, but it will be worth it to get away from the mess the area is unfortunately becoming.
If you think Raleigh/Durham/Chapel Hill is quaint or "old South" or has what you are looking for, be sure to spend some time here, because it is well on the way to becoming the next Atlanta.
I agree to look at Asheville - very nice.
Jul 26th, 2006, 03:39 PM
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The most recent issue. You can see info from it at
http://money.cnn.com/magazines/money...006/index.html
But it wasn't as a small town - it was as a Great American town (essentially, it was #5 overall, US-wide). It listed population at 106k, but with its proximity to Raleigh and Durham, and many other towns that are directly adjacent, I think you'll find that it feels a little bigger (or a little sprawl-y).
http://money.cnn.com/magazines/money...006/index.html
But it wasn't as a small town - it was as a Great American town (essentially, it was #5 overall, US-wide). It listed population at 106k, but with its proximity to Raleigh and Durham, and many other towns that are directly adjacent, I think you'll find that it feels a little bigger (or a little sprawl-y).
Jul 28th, 2006, 01:55 AM
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kgh8m:
Because our flight gets into RDU at 10:30am on Sat., and because we want to see the homes at Fearrington Village which are only open Sat., we thought we'd arrive at the FH, unpack, see the village and homes, then have lunch and spend the remainder of the day in Chapel Hill.
Sun, since we have more time, I thought we'd drive early to S. Pines/Pinehurst (You mentioned to go thru Cary - Cary is on the way?) and then Monday, our flight is at 2:43, so spend the AM in Chapel Hill again, and see Carborro and Hillsborough.
Is there any flaw in this plan?
How far is the airport from Fearrington House (time-wise on a Holiday)?
Because our flight gets into RDU at 10:30am on Sat., and because we want to see the homes at Fearrington Village which are only open Sat., we thought we'd arrive at the FH, unpack, see the village and homes, then have lunch and spend the remainder of the day in Chapel Hill.
Sun, since we have more time, I thought we'd drive early to S. Pines/Pinehurst (You mentioned to go thru Cary - Cary is on the way?) and then Monday, our flight is at 2:43, so spend the AM in Chapel Hill again, and see Carborro and Hillsborough.
Is there any flaw in this plan?
How far is the airport from Fearrington House (time-wise on a Holiday)?
