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Best Places to Live in Chapel Hill
Are you looking for the best neighborhoods in Chapel Hill, NC? Here are ten of the best places to live in Chapel Hill!
Chapel Hill, North Carolina, is filled with great neighborhoods, and putting together a list of ten proved challenging. Nestled in the picturesque Piedmont region, this town blends Southern hospitality with progressive values, creating communities that appeal to students, families, professionals, and retirees alike.
One thing to know about Chapel Hill from the beginning is that it doesn't have posh communities like Los Angeles, Beverly Hills, or others around the country. All neighborhoods will vary in price and people, whether it's first-time home buyers or C-level executives. That's one of the best parts about living in Chapel Hill.
Home to a growing population of 62,043, Chapel Hill is best known as the home of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and features many safe neighborhoods and communities with sought-after homes for sale.
There's something for everyone, from walkable urban areas with historic homes to peaceful suburban enclaves surrounded by nature. If schools or specific locations are essential to you, please get in touch with us directly, and we can tailor a search to your criteria.
In this guide, we'll explore Chapel Hill's ten most desirable neighborhoods, exploring what makes each area special. You'll discover insights about real estate trends, community amenities, local favorites, and unique characteristics that don't always appear in property listings.
Check out these great places to live in Chapel Hill
1. Meadowmont
We begin our list with the great neighborhood of Meadowmont. Homes in Medowmont offer various price points, ranging from $500,000 to over $1 million. The median list price in Meadowmont is $1,248,286, with an average price per square foot of $361.
Meadowmont is a planned community with a village center, offering a walkable lifestyle rarely found in suburban areas. Many homes are within walking distance of shops, restaurants, and the UNC Wellness Center. The neighborhood hosts community events like summer concerts and holiday celebrations.
This neighborhood feeds directly into the Chapel Hill-Carrboro City School District, a top-rated school district in the area. With lots of space and modern architecture, Meadowmont has become a popular favorite among the local Tar Heels.
Local Favorites:
Residents love Carolina Coffee Shop for coffee and pastries and the walking trails in Meadowmont Park. The Cedars Club provides upscale dining and social activities for seniors.
2. The Oaks
Another popular neighborhood in Chapel Hill is The Oaks, which balances accessibility and seclusion. Properties in The Oaks typically range from $450,000 to $750,000, offering good value for the Chapel Hill market.
While only minutes from the UNC campus and downtown Chapel Hill, its winding streets and cul-de-sacs create a peaceful, family-friendly atmosphere removed from university traffic and noise. The neighborhood features several walking paths and green spaces, fostering a strong community connection.
This neighborhood can be zoned to different schools, whether the Chapel Hill/Carborro district or the Durham/Jordan High School district. It's also important to remember that with the growth in the Triangle, the rezoning of school districts happens often. Please let us know if you're looking for a neighborhood that feeds into a particular school district.
Local Favorites:
Residents appreciate the community pool and tennis courts that serve as social hubs during the summer months. Nearby Timberlyne Village provides convenient access to groceries (Food Lion), restaurants, and services. The neighborhood is also close to Homestead Park, which offers sports fields, an aquatic center, and a skate park.
3. Greenwood
Greenwood uniquely blends historic charm, natural beauty, and convenient location. Many homes have distinctive architectural features, and the neighborhood has avoided the teardown/rebuild trend seen in other historic areas, preserving its character.
The Greenwood Neighborhood features historic homes from the 1920s-1950s, many with renovation potential. It is ideal for first-time homebuyers and investors. Prices typically range from $450,000 to over $1 million. The neighborhood features mature trees and generous lot sizes.
Local Favorites:
Proximity to Battle Park trails, Caffe Driade, and easy access to Franklin Street dining. Residents value the peace while being just minutes from downtown.
4. The Preserve at Jordan Lake
The Preserve at Jordan Lake is one of the area's top neighborhoods. It is next to the 46,000-acre lakeside of Jordan Lake, one of the area's main attractions. Many residents love living here because of the community feel among the trees and wildlife.
While technically located in Chatham County just outside Chapel Hill's boundaries, The Preserve offers a resort-style living experience centered around nature and outdoor recreation. The neighborhood's proximity to Jordan Lake provides residents with exceptional water views and recreational opportunities rarely found so close to the Triangle's urban centers.
The Preserve at Jordan Lake offers a mix of luxury custom homes built in the early 2000s to the present day, with designs ranging from traditional Southern estates to contemporary craftsman homes. The median list price is $1,070,556, and the average price per square foot is $289.
The neighborhood also offers convenient access to some of the Triangle's best things, whether it's a short commute to work or easy access to shopping, entertainment, and local restaurants.
Local Favorites:
The Preserve at Jordan Lake Golf Club is the community's centerpiece, and its design and maintenance have received numerous accolades. The clubhouse features upscale dining at The Grill at the Preserve, tennis courts, a fitness center, and a swimming pool complex.
5. Southern Village
Southern Village is a charming Chapel Hill subdivision offering a tranquil environment and a slight community feel. One of the main attractions of the Southern Village neighborhood is the top-rated schools in the area. The neighborhood feeds into the Chapel Hill/Carborro school districts, a main attraction for many moving with school-aged children.
This walkable community was developed in the 1990s and is best known for its year-round community events, highly-rated restaurants, and summer farmer's market and concerts.
Featuring a mix of single-family homes, townhomes, and condominiums, the homes in Southern Village have a median list price of $682,111 and an average price per square foot of $249.
Local Favorites:
Visit Market and Moss for date night or Al's Burger Shack for tasty burgers, dogs, and shakes. Bring the family to Southern Community Park and take advantage of its walking trails, picnic area, and athletic fields.
6. Briar Chapel
Briar Chapel is one of the largest planned communities in the Chapel Hill area, featuring homes built from the mid-2000s to the present. With new homes, subdivisions, and all the amenities you're looking for, Briar Chapel offers a peaceful setting with an easy commute to RTP, UNC, Duke University, the Raleigh-Durham International Airport, and Jordan Lake.
Briar Chapel feeds into the Chatham County School District and will be adjacent to the Triangle's most significant project, Chatham Park Development. Featuring well-designed homes and resort-style amenities, Briar Chapel is the perfect neighborhood for residents who want to live an active lifestyle.
Homes for sale in Briar Chapel have a median list price of $713,116 and an average price per square foot of $280. Most homes spend an average of 29 days on the market
Local Favorites:
Residents love the extensive amenities, including 24 miles of multi-use trails, multiple swimming pools (including a water slide complex), fitness center, sports courts, and dog parks. The central Briar Club serves as a community hub, while Veranda offers a commercial area with businesses like Breakaway Café (popular for cycling enthusiasts and coffee lovers).
7. Lake Hogan Farms
Lake Hogan Farms provides a peaceful, family-friendly environment with substantial green space. The neighborhood association maintains several parks and common areas. The area borders protected forest land, creating a secluded feel despite being only minutes from town.
Upscale single-family homes built primarily in the 1990s-2000s, ranging from $600,000 to over $1 million. Homes in Lake Hogan Farms feature spacious lots and traditional designs with modern amenities.
Local Favorites:
There is a community pool, tennis courts, numerous walking trails, and seasonal events like the Fourth of July parade. The proximity to Carolina North Forest offers extensive hiking and mountain biking.
8. Governor's Club
Founded in 1988, Governors Club is an award-winning 1,600+ acre private golf community south of Chapel Hill, North Carolina. The world-class subdivision features the area's foremost combination of design, topography, amenities, and location to all the area has to offer, including the 46,000-acre Jordan Lake.
Governor's Club is one of the first neighborhoods people recommend in Chapel Hill. The country club is known worldwide among the golf community and is a must-see if you're in the area. The Jack Nicklaus-designed 27-hole course is nestled beautifully along the Carolina Pines.
The homes for sale in Governor's Club have a median list price of $2,278,478 and an average price per square foot of $349. Most homes spend an average of 91 days on the market.
Local Favorites:
The 27-hole Jack Nicklaus-designed golf course, clubhouse dining, tennis facilities, and fitness center. The neighborhood hosts regular social events and tournaments.
9. Westfall
Westfall is a top neighborhood in Chapel Hill located in the southern part of the town (towards Pittsboro) just west of Jordan Lake. With the Chatham Park Development coming to the area, Westfall should become one of its main attractions.
The neighborhood is minutes from UNC Hospitals, campus, and major employers while providing a quiet retreat from urban activity. Residents particularly value the highly rated Chapel Hill-Carrboro schools, making it a popular choice for families with children.
This exciting new home community is nine miles from Franklin Street in Chapel Hill. Check out the homes for sale in Westfall, with a median home price of $1,566,000 and an average price per square foot of $323. Most homes for sale spend an average of 114 days on the market.
Local Favorites:
Residents appreciate the neighborhood pool and clubhouse as social gathering spots. The community's location provides easy access to Southern Village shops and restaurants, including The Town Hall Grill.
10. Downtown/Franklin Street Area
Living in downtown Chapel Hill offers unparalleled walkability to the UNC campus, restaurants, shops, and cultural venues. The area blends historic charm with university energy and provides front-row access to festivals, parades, and game-day excitement. Many homes are within the historic district, offering unique architectural character.
Featuring a mix of historic homes, newer condos, and apartments. Single-family homes typically range from $500,000 to over $1 million, while condos start around $300,000.
Local Favorites:
Top of the Hill restaurant and brewery, Sutton's Drug Store (old-fashioned counter service), Ackland Art Museum, and the iconic Carolina Basketball Museum. The area pulses with Tar Heel spirit.
FAQs
Here are some common questions about the best places to live in Chapel Hill, NC.
Is Chapel Hill a good area to live in?
Chapel Hill is a great place to live in Orange County that offers beautiful homes for sale, a vibrant art scene, fun things to do, and plenty of opportunities for education and employment.
Is Chapel Hill a wealthy town?
Chapel Hill is home to a diverse population with a median household income of $85,825. With a cost of living that is 4% higher than the national average and housing 19% higher than the national average, Chapel Hill is home to a mixture of wealthy and low-income areas.
Best Neighborhoods in Chapel Hill, NC - Final Thoughts
Chapel Hill is an excellent place to attend school, raise a family, or retire. Although the area is growing fast, the commitment to keeping the small-town charm is paramount. Take a ride down Franklin Street, stop by the university, and eat at the top of The Hill.
Whether you are moving to Chapel Hill or another part of the Raleigh area, the experts at Raleigh Realty are here to help. You can contact us today to start your home search and to learn more about Chapel Hill's best neighborhoods.
