Chapel Hill

 

 

The historical University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill campus is always a draw for residents and this famous college town's frequent visitors. UNC is most well-known for its men’s and women’s D-1 sports programs. Insofar as Chapel Hill is a college town, sporting events and bars make the most noise. But UNC is primarily a vast medical and research institution that, along with Duke University and North Carolina State University, forms the famous Research Triangle.

When it comes to Chapel Hill's real estate options, the area does not disappoint as there are many beautiful homes to admire. While there are some contemporary home options as it pertains to Chapel Hill's homes for sale, many of Chapel Hill's homes can lean toward historic, impressive two-story brick or farmhouse styles. Multiple stately manors dot the area as well. Large yards are the norm rather than the exception, which applies to the outlying area around Chapel Hill.

 

Chapel Hill, NC is a beautiful town with an energetic vibe that appeals to young professionals and a climate that attracts anyone who prefers warmer winter temperatures and historic beauty. The UNC School of Medicine employs nearly 2,000 full-time faculty, and the UNC Health Care system operates eight area hospitals, five of them in Chapel Hill. UNC faculty researchers receive over $500 million in funding annually, and Chapel Hill is home to several high-value tech companies. Coupled with the hum of education and commerce in nearby Raleigh and Durham, Chapel Hill is unquestionably an up-and-coming area.

 

Mama Dip's Kitchen is a longtime fixture in the area, offering classic Southern dishes in a hometown atmosphere, complete with a porch and rocking chairs. For those who want to revisit ultra-classic Americana, stop by Sutton's Drug Store. Established in 1923, this famous local restaurant offers burgers, deli sandwiches, homemade shakes, and vintage sodas. Top of the Hill Restaurant & Brewery offers a menu of eclectic American fare and homemade draft beer, served in a casual dining atmosphere.

More upscale dining can be found at Bin 54 Steak & Cellar, known for its incredible steaks and seafood dishes. For upscale international cuisine, try Jujube. It offers Chinese and Vietnamese fare, interesting cocktails, and fine wines. Also, be sure to visit the Hawthorne & Wood restaurant. Diners come here for its renowned international and local fare, served in a vibrant setting.

For shopping, check out the Southern Village shopping center. The center boasts a local market, a movie theater, and a range of eateries and coffee shops. It also hosts entertainment events throughout the year. For a more practical shopping trip, Meadowmont Village is ideal. The businesses that make up the village offer fitness and yoga classes, haircuts, casual but tasty eateries, and much more.

For entertainment, historic Franklin Street is noted for its fantastic bars, restaurants, coffee shops, and art and music events. Also, nearby is the Morehead Planetarium and Science Center, which fun-fact served as a NASA training facility from 1960 to 1975.

 

Since Chapel Hill, NC is a college town, many events have some connection to the university. Of course, there's the Dean Dome, where the epic UNC  basketball games are played, and the Carolina Basketball Museum is right next door. Also located on campus is the Old Well, a historic local landmark and the Ackland Art Museum.  Another lovely outdoor place to visit is the North Carolina Botanical Gardens. Locals can take a short drive to Carrboro to visit Cat's Cradle, a live music venue known for hosting up-and-coming entertainers and world-renowned talents such as Nirvana, Iggy Pop, John Mayer, and more.

Chapel Hill is served by the Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools school district. The University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill claims to be the country's oldest public university and was the first such institution to hold classes and graduate students. This award-winning university, also known for being one of the eight original Public Ivies, offers both undergrad and graduate programs. Forbes recently ranked UNC in the top 30 universities nationwide.