Triangle Area Real Estate News & Information

Directly west of Chapel Hill sits the town of Carrboro. Initially a very small railroad depot, then a mill town of 2.000 residents, Carrboro has grown steadily during the past 60 years to a population of over 20,000 due to its proximity to the University of North Carolina and the growth of area businesses. The residents are primarily white-collar workers. Most of the residents are professionals, managers, service providers, scientists, and teachers.

Carrboro is known as the most progressive community in North Carolina, and it is proud of that reputation. It readily accommodates same-sex relationships and was the first town to offer benefits to partners in same-sex relationships. It was also among the first municipalities in the South to adopt resolutions against the Patriot Act and the Iraq War.

The community of Carrboro is quite diversified. Artists, musicians, writers, performers, designers, laborers, farmers, and many others call Carrboro home. The town encourages creativity, diversity, and free thinking.  Artistic endeavors are also encouraged. Walk around the town, and you will see freestanding sculptures on many lawns and in the parks.

The town is ethnically diverse as well. While the most of the residents are white, about 10% are black and 10% are Asian. Hispanics of any race make up about 15% of the residents. About 20% of the population is foreign-born.

The town has many attractions. The Carrboro Farmer’s Market, one of the top ten in the country, is located in the center of town and is open year-round. Started in 1979, about 100 farmers and vendors sell their fruits, vegetables, meats, cheeses, cakes, and crafts there all year long. The Carrboro Arts Center and Cat’s Cradle host national and regional music acts. Annual cultural events include the Carrboro Music Festival, at which about 200 bands perform at dozens of indoor and outdoor venues in the town, the Carrboro Film Festival, and the North Carolina Comedy Arts Festival.

Carrboro has a vibrant night-life with all of the music venues. In the summer, people often walk from one music venue to the next due to the proximity of all of the events. So you can enjoy a variety of music acts in one evening.

  One major attractions in Carrboro is th Carr Mill  Mall. An old cotton mill built in 1898, the building  was converted to a mall in 1977. It retained the  architecture of the old mill, so the floors, walls,  ceilings, and beams are all wood. The mall is home  to boutiques, shops, cafes, and many other small  businesses.

 Most of the single family homes in Carrboro sit on  lots with mature trees. Home prices range from  about $150,000 to over $1,000,000, with the  average home costing around  $350,000. The  most expensive neighborhoods are the  Black/Calvander, the Hillsborough Rd./N.  Greensboro St., and the Damascus Church  Rd./Meacham Rd. areas.

Carrboro and Chapel Hill share the same school system which consistently ranks among the best in the nation.

Although Carrboro is densely populated, it does not lack places for outdoor activities. It has 10 parks of varying sizes. The largest, Henry Anderson Community Park, has baseball fields, tennis courts, basketball courts, a dog park, a lake for fishing, walking paths, and other facilities. The Adams Tract is a park near the center of the city that offers 1.25 miles of biking and hiking trails. There is also a system of trails along streams and creeks for biking and hiking. Most of the parks also have picnic tables and grills. There’s really something for everyone!

If you are looking for a home in a diverse, vibrant community which favors the arts, Carrboro would be a great place check out.

Are considering buying or selling a home? If so, give us a call. My partner Andrew Palumbo and I both have extensive real estate and construction experience.