Hello neighbors! I thought it would be fun for us to learn a little more about our various neighborhoods so decided to start with the artsy neighborhood or city of Carrboro. According to NICHE nestled within the suburbs of Durham lies Carrboro, a thriving city boasting a population of 21,237 residents. As a part of Orange County, Carrboro is one of North Carolina’s most sought-after places to reside.
This bustling area presents an enticing blend of urban and suburban lifestyles, attracting a diverse mix of inhabitants. Carrboro exudes a vibrant atmosphere, offering a myriad of dining experiences and recreational spaces, including numerous parks. Families and young professionals find Carrboro appealing, contributing to its dynamic community fabric. The area enjoys a reputation for harboring individuals with varying political viewpoints, fostering a moderate political environment. Moreover, Carrboro boasts highly-rated public schools, enhancing its allure as a desirable residential location. More on this later.
History and Development
This search led me to the Carrboro Town Hall. Founded in 1882 along the University of North Carolina railroad spur, Carrboro originally bore the name West End due to its westward location from Chapel Hill. It underwent several name changes, eventually settling on Carrboro in 1913, honoring local textile mill owner Julian Shakespeare Carr, who played a significant role in its development.
Initially a small mill town, Carrboro experienced gradual growth, housing around 2,000 residents by 1960. Subsequent decades saw a significant population surge, tied to the expansion of UNC-Chapel Hill and regional businesses. Notably, Carrboro evolved into a progressive community, becoming the first town in North Carolina to elect an openly gay Mayor in 1995 and pioneering domestic partner benefits for same-sex couples.
Throughout the 1980s, 1990s, and 2000s, continued growth fostered a vibrant and diverse community. This led to establishing of various cultural landmarks, including the Carrboro Farmer’s Market, the ArtsCenter, Cat’s Cradle, and annual events like the Carrboro Music Festival and Carrboro Film Festival.
Despite its roots in the late 19th century as a railroad extension and textile mill locale, Carrboro’s transformation into a progressive haven reflects its commitment to inclusivity, environmental consciousness, and social equity. Today, Carrboro remains a testament to its working-class origins while striving for a more inclusive and equitable future.
Real Estate Landscape
Photo courtesy of Carrboro Town Hall.
Carrboro stands committed to ensuring accessible and suitable housing options for all its residents, irrespective of income level. This dedication is underpinned by the Affordable Housing Goals & Strategies document, which outlines the town’s mission to foster and maintain housing that aligns with affordability criteria for households earning 80% or less of the area’s median income. The town defines affordability as housing expenses not exceeding 30% of household income, encompassing utility costs within this threshold. This focused approach directs Carrboro’s efforts toward cultivating a diverse and inclusive housing landscape for its community.
Local Amenities
Image courtesy of Trip Advisor
According to Trip Advisor these are the top best things to do in Carrboro:
For All the Foodies Here
Photo courtesy of Carrburritos
The Carrboro city in Chapel Hill offers a small-town vibe with big-city amenities. This area boasts lively local diners serving specialties like pulled pork sandwiches and beloved fried chicken, often accompanied by cornbread and coleslaw according to OpenTable. Sunday brunches featuring waffles, fried chicken, and grits draw long lines at these diners. The neighborhood’s growth in technology and scientific jobs has attracted residents from Korea, India, and China, resulting in the emergence of family-run ethnic restaurants. Adjacent to the vibrant University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, the area hosts various coffee shops, donut outlets, and bustling bars.
Community Life
Photo of an Ancestor Piratas, a cumbia-electronic music project performing on Carrboro Day courtesy of Town Updates.
To give you an idea of what is it like to live there here is a list of its most popular events:
Does this sound like your kind of place?
Schools and Education
Corrboro boasts 23 public schools and 41 private schools that are nearby. Niche rated crime and safety as a C+ calculated annually per 100,000 residents.
Transportation
If you do not have a car local buses and regional buses can be used. This is a town where clean air is very important. If you do have a car the Town’s public parking is FREE
A Personal Look at the City
I thought I would copy some of the reviews I saw while gathering information about Carrboro on the Niche website to get a personal insight into the overall feel and scene of the city and here they are:
“It’s a cool, graduate student and young family-friendly little town. You can find great restaurants and great community programs. It’s a small town but there are different people from different many countries with completely different backgrounds and that’s what I like about Carrboro, diversity! Also, they have a really good school system, especially for ESL and EL(English learner students like myself)”.
“It’s a great city! The nature is incredible and has a ton of outdoor activities to offer. It is a family-friendly community, including students from UNC-Chapel Hill. Downtown Carrboro offers unique shops, restaurants, and much more”.
“I enjoy Carrboro quite a bit. There is public transit and many amenities within close traveling distance. Housing costs are crazy and part of it is a college town located right beside UNC-Chapel Hill. Overall, it is a friendly place with some unique individuals which makes me feel pretty well at home”.
“Carrboro is such a cute little town with plenty of activities for a range of people. Farmer’s markets, live music, and beautiful scenery make this a neat place to live in the Chapel Hill area”.
“I love my city. The city has great green space. I love the walkable routes. The city council is always looking for ways to improve the city. The mayor and city officials are approachable and encourage public input”.
If all this looks good to you for a smooth transition in moving here and working with us, the Brazoban Realty Group, a local realtor is our best recommendation to you. You have great food, a diverse group of people, great schools, and awesome transportation with free parking. “New Construction” says 957 homes have been built!
Let us know if this city pulls at your artistic heartstrings. Why not take an afternoon to drive around the area and check it out? Let us know what you think. Post comments below.
