I will be moving down to Chapel Hill at the very end of April to get settled before the start of the summer session in Mid May.
Here are a list of apartments that I have checked out online using Apartment Ratings, the Kenan-Flagler Local Apartments Map, apartment crime statistics (let's face it, we don't want to move into a place where our cars will be broken into every day), and basic googling. I eliminated some on the Kenan Flagler list based on their location and price. Some of the ones listed by the B School are not near any Chapel Hill Transit lines
https://www.townofchapelhill.org/index.aspx?page=1176.
So this is a short summary of what I have learned with more details below. Almost all of the complexes that I list offer basically the same amenities and . Two to three floor units with club rooms, pool, fitness room (or free gym membership), Laundry Facilities (some apartments offer laundry hookups only in apartments or in some cases, washer and dryers), low pet fees (if any), ample parking, and access to CH Transit Lines. Most of the complexes are located West/Southwest of campus. The Trader Joe's and Whole Foods are Northeast of campus.
In the summer I know that parking on campus is not an issue but during the academic year we will need to form carpools in order to receive parking spaces. My wife and I only have one car right now and we don't plan on buying another while in Chapel Hill so I will be using the CH transit bus (which is free and very efficient) and hopefully the kindness of my classmates who need the additional passenger to get a space.
These first three are my top choices:Rock Creek Apartments - Located
Southern Village Apartments - The most expensive of the three. You pay extra for the location which is adjacent to the Southern Village Shopping area
https://www.southernvillage.com/Sunstone Apartments - This is probably my favorite so far. The price is good, it is on multiple CH Transit Lines, includes Washer/Dryer in the apartment, and it is very close to a weekly farmers market, the Trader Joe's and the Whole Foods.
Other Options (All are West/Southwest of Campus in or adjacent to Carrboro) Autumn Woods
Bridges of Chapel Hill
Notting Hill Apartments - Located at the very edge of Chapel Hill to the Northeast next to the interstate
Poplar Place
Timber Hollow Apartments - Located North of campus
Villages of Chapel Hill
I know that this is a ton of information but I've been looking into it and adding stuff for about a month. If you have any additional questions let me know.