The joke among most people who live outside of Carrboro, NC, or the few dissidents within, is that I live in a town called "The People's Republic of Carrboro." It might be hyperbole; I've met many people enchanted by Marx, but few by Mao. To provide an illustration and let you judge for yourself, here is an account of my daily trip to work. I live in the middle of Carrboro and walk less than a quarter mile to work every day. After walking by a few old mill-town houses, I come upon Weaver Street, where I work. I pass the following business: two spas, an acupuncturist, a massage therapist, the Balanced Movement yoga studio, the Dispute Resolution Center, the Wellness Alliance, which is a house converted to hold another acupuncturist, a craniosacral therapist, a homeopath, a psychotherapist, among more psychologists and masseuses. Admittedly, I also pass a smattering of more conventional businesses, e.g. Great Clips and the Carrboro Citizen newspaper (wait until you read it, though).
I will note that Carrboro has another nickname, "The Paris of the Piedmont."
I can't say that I mind living in such a free-spirited place; I have access to great food, good coffee shops, and kind neighbors--who may not know that I have a different sense of our "comradeship." It's quiet at night and people ride bikes and jog everywhere.
If you have any good stories or questions about Carrboro, I would like to hear them.
