Cul-de-sacs surround resort-style country village
Amidst the woods of central North Carolina, Fearrington Village is a master-planned community that began when developer R.B. Fitch purchased the land in 1974, about 10 miles south of Chapel Hill. “On the highway approaching Fearrington Village, you see a little farm with beautiful cows and goats in the meadow,” says Kathy Underhill, Realtor at Fathom Realty, who has worked in the area for over 20 years. “As you drive in, it stops you in your tracks because it’s so pretty; it makes you want to drive in and walk around. You keep going and pass the clubhouse, pool and all these little communities at different price points, from townhouses to small, detached houses to large, custom houses on one-acre lots in the back of the neighborhood.”
Past the pastures of Belted Galloway cows, the village center is a resort destination with its five-star hotel, spa, fine dining and boutiques. Branching out from the heart of Fearrington Village are cul-de-sacs lined with single-family homes and townhouses, totaling almost 2,000 residents. “The neighborhood was originally built with more retirement-type owners in mind, but it very quickly morphed into a real variety of people of all ages,” Underhill says. The CAP Index crime score is 1 out of 10, much lower than the national figure of 4. “It’s the only place I have ever known where I’m told there has literally never been a crime. I can’t promise it, but that’s what I’ve been told over and over,” Underhill says. “It’s got a great brand as a quiet little village. It’s really easygoing. People tend to stay a long time.”
Chic shopping and dining in the village and new nearby options forthcoming
The shopping and dining of Fearrington Village make it a destination for visitors and a convenient luxury for residents. This includes McIntyre Books and The Fearrington House Restaurant, where advanced bookings are recommended for special events and dining. “The Village has in its center a world-class bookstore where major authors come for book signings and the only 5-star restaurant in the area,” Underhill says of the two neighborhood icons. Fresh produce and baked goods come to Fearrington Farmers Market in the village center every Tuesday afternoon. The nearest grocery store is Food Lion.
More shopping, dining and entertainment options are expected to pop up in the next few years, thanks to the addition of a new, sprawling neighborhood about 6 miles south called Chatham Park. “That will bring in tremendous amenities, like a movie theater, modernizing the area for people in Fearrington,” Underhill adds. Construction on this live-work-play community will continue for the next several years.
Single-family homes and townhouses at varying price points
Trails wind through old-growth pine trees and past the occasional grazing deer, connecting the village center to the homes surrounding it. Custom builds and contemporary, single-level homes have tidy, grassy lawns and manicured shrubbery. Prices range from about $420,000 to $1 million; homes at the top of the price range are typically over 3,000 square feet. Townhouses range from about $330,000 to $600,000; builds in the Bush Creek section are typically on the more expensive end, with prices usually topping out at over $500,000. All homeowners are members of the Fearrington Homeowners Association. Monthly HOA fees for single-family homes vary, whereas townhouse HOA fees stretch into the $400s for the included grounds maintenance and landscaping.
Highly rated Chatham County schools
The Chatham County school system is rated B-plus on Niche. Perry W. Harrison Elementary, rated A, offers free meals to students, including a weekend food program. Students may advance to Margaret B. Pollard Middle, rated A-minus, and Seaforth High, rated B. Seaforth High is among the top five best public high schools in the county, according to Niche. UNC-Chapel Hill is a popular choice for graduating Seaforth High seniors. Alternatively, kindergarteners through twelfth graders may attend nearby Woods Charter School, rated A-plus.
Club meetings for art and literature
Fearrington Village has a long list of active clubs and groups, including a monthly book club that meets at McIntyre’s Bookstore. Neighbors can meet at The Gathering Place, the neighborhood clubhouse with rooms available to reserve. Artist Studios is a group for the neighborhood’s many resident artists; members share their artwork and socialize at monthly meetings. Every spring, the Open Studio Tour attracts art lovers from across the state to see the works produced in Fearrington Village.
Outdoor recreation amenities at Fearrington Village
Tree-lined streets surround Camden Park, the neighborhood’s main green space. Here, paths loop around two ponds, where residents can watch the ducks swim or picnic on the grassy fields. Tennis courts are located next to Creekwood Playground. Fearrington Swim & Croquet Club members can swim at the outdoor pool, unwind in the hot tub and play shuffleboard, ping pong and croquet. Annual membership dues totaling $300 grant year-round club access.
Driving north up Chapel Hill Road
U.S. Route 501, known locally as Chapel Hill Road, is the main highway in and out of the neighborhood. It leads north to Chapel Hill, the UNC-Chapel Hill campus and emergency care at UNC Medical Center – all roughly 10 miles away. Fearrington Village is about 26 miles from Raleigh-Durham International Airport.
