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 to be quite challenging. A lot of these neighborhoods are where our friends live, so we were able to generate some direct information from them. 

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 are going to vary in both 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 61,965, 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 beautiful homes for sale. 

If schools or certain locations are important to you, you'll want to reach out to us directly as well, and we will be able to tailor a search to your criteria. Without further ado, here are (in no specific order) some of the best neighborhoods in Chapel Hill with information on local favorites. 

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 around a half million to well over seven figures. The median home price in Meadowmont is $780,000, with an average price per square foot of $318.

This neighborhood feeds directly into the Chapel Hill-Carrboro City School District, which is a top-rated school district in the area. With lots of space and modern architecture, Meadowmont has become quite a fan favorite among the local Tar Heels.

Local Favorites: 

• Meet Fresh 
• Bluebird
• Kahlovera Mexican Bar and Grill 

2. The Oaks

Another neighborhood you'll hear folks in Chapel Hill often recommend is The Oaks. The homes in The Oaks neighborhood range greatly in value, and you will want to pay special attention to school districts if they are important to you.

This neighborhood can be zoned to different schools, whether it's 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. If you're looking for a neighborhood that feeds into a certain school district, please let us know. 

Local Favorites: 

• North Carolina Botanical Garden 
• Carolina Basketball Museum 
• Merritt's Grill 

3. Winmore

The Winmore neighborhood is another great place in Chapel Hill and one of the newest communities in the area. Located in northwest Chapel Hill, Winmore offers great value for anyone looking to live in Chapel Hill as well as experience the tranquility of the area.

Featuring mostly mid-sized homes that are all competitively priced, in this neighborhood, you'll find all sorts of homes, builders, price ranges, and floor plans. The median home price in Winmore is $769,967, with an average price per square foot of $258. 

Local Favorites: 

• Hawthorne and Wood 
• Top of the Hill Restaurant and Brewery - Chapel Hill 
• Osteria Georgi 

4. The Preserve at Jordan Lake

The Preserve at Jordan Lake is one of the area's top neighborhoods sitting next to the 46,000-acre lakeside of Jordan Lake, which is one of the area's main attractions. Many residents love living here for its community feel among the trees and wildlife.

A lot of folks are looking for a more mature neighborhood with space and great access to the outdoors. The Preserve at Jordan Lake offers that with a median home price of $909,682 and an average price per square foot of $265. 

The neighborhood also offers convenient access to some of the best things the Triangle offers, 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
• Al's Burger Shack 
• Element's Restaurant 

5. Southern Village

Southern Village is a charming Chapel Hill subdivision that offers a tranquil environment combined with a small community feel. One of the main attractions of the Southern Village neighborhood is the top-rated schools that are found in the area. The neighborhood feeds into the Chapel Hill/Carborro school districts, which is a main attraction for many who are 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. The Southern Village neighborhood has a median home price of $663,680 and an average price per square foot of $308. 

Local Favorites: 

• Market and Moss
• La Vita Dolce 
• The Town Hall Grill 

6. Briar Chapel

One of the largest communities in Chapel Hill is Briar Chapel. 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, the airport, Jordan Lake, and more.

Briar Chapel feeds into the Chatham County School District and will be adjacent to the Triangle's biggest 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 price of $718,926 and an average price per square foot of $265. Most homes spend an average of 72 days on the market 

Local Favorites: 

• Breakaway Cafe 
• Capp's Pizzeria and Trattoria 
• O'YA Cantina 

7. Dunhill

Dunhill is a popular neighborhood in Chapel Hill because of the subdivision's prime location. It's found right in the middle of Jordan Lake, RTP, Chapel Hill, Durham, and Cary. 

The neighborhood of Dunhill offers a quiet and laid-back feel which many folks are looking for, as well as being minutes from the conveniences of restaurants, shopping, and entertainment. Many of the homes in this community back up to the American Tobacco Trail, which many residents like to use for walking, running, and biking. 

Check out the homes for sale in Dunhill.

Local Favorites: 

• Mama Dip's Kitchen 
• Jujube 
• IL Palio Restaurant

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 will recommend in Chapel Hill. The country club itself 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.

Click the link to view homes for sale in Governor's Club with a median home price of $1,593,375 and an average price per square foot of $297. Most homes spend an average of 118 days on the market. 

Local Favorites: 

• Gov's Fusion Cantina 
• Tarantini Italian Restaurant 
• Flair Fusion Restaurant 

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 as it allows the peace and quiet of living in a mature, spacious, and tranquil setting while providing the convenience of world-class class amenities, local shops, restaurants, and entertainment.

This exciting new home community is found only nine miles from Franklin Street in Chapel Hill and is a popular community for young professionals and families. Check out the homes for sale in Westfall, with a median home price of $1,599,800 and an average price per square foot of $319. Most homes for sale spend an average of 103 days on the market. 

Local Favorites: 

• Ackland Art Museum 
• Morehead Planetarium and Science Center 
• Kidzu Children's Museum 

10. Claremont/Claremont South

Claremont is one of the best neighborhoods in Chapel Hill, and for good reason. It's a modern, more affordable community for Chapel Hill that is nestled against the Carolina North Forest.

This neighborhood is located in the northwest area of Chapel Hill, feeding directly into the highly rated Chapel Hill/Carborro school districts. This beautiful community features tree-lined streets, state-of-the-art amenities, and midsize homes that are competitively priced. 

View homes for sale in Claremont.

Local Favorites: 

• Lantern
• 411 West Italian Cafe 
• The Northside District 

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 $77,037. With a cost of living that is 2% higher than the national average and housing 20% 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 a great area to attend school, raise a family or retire. The area is growing fast and the commitment to keeping the small town charm is first and foremost. Take a ride down Franklin street, stop by the university and treat yourself to a meal at Top of The Hill!