Life in Chapel Hill

From Our Residents

The Triangle is one of the fastest-growing areas in the nation and ranks nationally as one of the best places to live! With great weather, close proximity to the mountains as well as the ocean and a diverse population, there is something for everyone to enjoy.

More Voices of UNC Urology

Music in the Triangle

Will French | Class of 2024

Big-City Amenities, Small Town Vibe

Kate Gessner | Class of 2021

Rock Climbing & More!

Liem Snyder | Class of 2022

Chapel Hill, NC

The town of Chapel Hill and the campus of the University of North Carolina have a distinctive beauty and charm. “The Southern Part of Heaven,” as it has long been known, is a friendly, exciting, academic community. Although the resources of the area are comparable to those of a much larger metropolitan community, the setting feels like that that of a small town.

The mild climate with four distinct seasons and many sunny days provides numerous recreational choices. Joggers and bikers are ever-present on the streets, greenways, and trails. Tennis, handball, squash, and racquetball courts are in excellent supply. Indoor and outdoor pools provide plenty of water for lap swimmers.

For serious athletes, there are road races and even triathlons in the local area. The Chapel Hill Parks and Recreation Department has organized team sports in basketball, soccer and volleyball. Fishing and boating are popular pastimes on University Lake and on the much larger Jordan Lake just eight miles from Chapel Hill.

More About Chapel Hill

Watch a tour of the UNC Chapel Hill campus, learn more housing, and much more.

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Watch a tour from Undergraduate guides as they show you Carolina's campus and shares what it's like to live and study in Chapel Hill, N.C.

There are plenty of attractive college towns in the US. But Chapel Hill, in the centre of North Carolina, equidistant from its mountains and its coast, blends liberal philosophy and Southern culture in a way that borders on the utopian.

Collegiate Chapel Hill and free-spirited Carrboro offer a perfect combination of fine dining, fun bars and local music.

Durham, NC

Just a few miles away, the City of Durham, another point of the Triangle Area. Durham is a blend of deep history and a new, revitalized and contemporary metropolis. Durham is a foodie mecca, ranking at the top of several lists as a best city for millennials. Downtown is walkable, with strong culture. Home to the Durham bulls and many breweries, there is always something to do.

More About Durham

From breweries to sports. Learn about the other college town in The Triangle.

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Two Duke Sanford School of Public Policy MPP alums offer perspectives of life in the thriving town of Durham, North Carolina.

When you think about what makes Durham a unique destination, a lot comes to mind – great events; a celebrated food scene; a welcoming community. But one of Durham’s special selling points is its personality – that energy that you only catch by being here.

Discover a region that offers a wide range of business and living environments, a strong economic climate, supportive infrastructure for corporations of all sizes, access to skilled and educated talent, and a higher quality of life than larger metro areas.

Raleigh, NC

The final point of the Triangle belongs to the State Capital, Raleigh. Raleigh is home of the WakeMed campus. Raleigh is often described as “a park with a city in it.” With 1/5 of the population in their 20’s it is one of the fastest growing places in America with a vibrant and active downtown.

More About Raleigh

Straight from the Raleigh Tourism board.

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Raleigh's food scene? It's booming. What else is booming? Food halls. The trend to build massive venues that hold a large number of smaller restaurants—anchoring neighborhoods and shopping centers has officially landed in Raleigh, N.C., with Morgan Street Food Hall and Transfer Co. Food Hall exciting foodies all over the nation.

From edge-of-your seat NHL hockey games to buzzer-beating Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) basketball games and more, the on-court action gets taken seriously around here.

A fun guide on how to experience the unique traditions and places of Raleigh like a local! Use these lists, curated by the City of Raleigh and area residents, to uncover interesting traditions and things to do here.

RDU Airport

While Chapel Hill and the Triangle area have many attractions, we are also fortunate to have the top-notch Raleigh Durham (RDU) international airport less than 20 miles away from the medical campus.

With direct flights to over 50 continental US destinations, including Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Seattle on the west coast, as well as multiple international destinations (London, Paris, Toronto, Caribbean), it’s incredibly easy to travel the world from Chapel Hill.

Hear What Resident Mark Ehlers Says About RDU

Other Attractions

Shopping

Parks & Recreation

Food & Beverage

Tons of restaurants and bars can be found on Franklin Street in Chapel Hill and Main Street in Carrboro.