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All of the most walkable communities in the Triangle are also the most expensive places to live. I think that might surprise a transplant. You simply can't buy a move-in ready house for $250K and live in a hip, safe, walkable neighborhood. Both Raleigh and Durham were tiny cities when denser communities were built (pre WWII), and much of the development throughout the Triangle is post 1970s when the development model was definitely car oriented. Downtown and downtown adjacent Raleigh and Durham have seen their housing prices escalate much more rapidly than the metro as a whole and you get far less space for your money. The same is true for almost all of Chapel Hill and Carrboro as that's primarily an upscale college town.
I don't know what the OP's expectations are but a lot of people think that they are going to move to the Triangle, spend 200K and get a cute renovated historic bungalow near either downtown. That's just not going to happen. It don't think it will happen in Charlotte either.
I'd advise the OP to do some research on national RE websites to get an idea for the areas that meet their pricing expectations before falling in love with somewhere that doesn't match it. It will also make a shorter visit to the Triangle more productive.
That all said, there are still some areas around Raleigh and Durham that are very-to-fairly close-in to the cores with affordable options; they just aren't terribly walkable.
All of the most walkable communities in the Triangle are also the most expensive places to live. I think that might surprise a transplant. You simply can't buy a move-in ready house for $250K and live in a hip, safe, walkable neighborhood. Both Raleigh and Durham were tiny cities when denser communities were built (pre WWII), and much of the development throughout the Triangle is post 1970s when the development model was definitely car oriented. Downtown and downtown adjacent Raleigh and Durham have seen their housing prices escalate much more rapidly than the metro as a whole and you get far less space for your money. The same is true for almost all of Chapel Hill and Carrboro as that's primarily an upscale college town.
I don't know what the OP's expectations are but a lot of people think that they are going to move to the Triangle, spend 200K and get a cute renovated historic bungalow near either downtown. That's just not going to happen. It don't think it will happen in Charlotte either.
I'd advise the OP to do some research on national RE websites to get an idea for the areas that meet their pricing expectations before falling in love with somewhere that doesn't match it. It will also make a shorter visit to the Triangle more productive.
That all said, there are still some areas around Raleigh and Durham that are very-to-fairly close-in to the cores with affordable options; they just aren't terribly walkable.
Like everyone else, we want it all and at a low price. But we're realistic. We aren't a young couple and have some experience under our belts. We've been doing what we can in terms of research and have our priorities and expectations set. And those expectations do not include walkable and they do not include a home for 250k. Remember, we're from Boston. We didn't have any sticker shock when looking at real estate. You should see how much homes that are convenient to in demand areas go for here. We've been lucky and this area has been very good to us so we're in a good place. I'm not planning on being shocked by things, my expectations are mellow and conservative. Most important part for us is if we feel the area is a better place for our kid to grow up. So far, we think it is but we'll see.
Where are the areas that offer racial integration?
Below are images of Raleigh's current city council and Charlotte's previous city council. I tried to find an image of Charlotte's current, but I couldn't with my limited time. The current council for Charlotte is just as diverse as the previous.
Like everyone else, we want it all and at a low price. But we're realistic. We aren't a young couple and have some experience under our belts. We've been doing what we can in terms of research and have our priorities and expectations set. And those expectations do not include walkable and they do not include a home for 250k. Remember, we're from Boston. We didn't have any sticker shock when looking at real estate. You should see how much homes that are convenient to in demand areas go for here. We've been lucky and this area has been very good to us so we're in a good place. I'm not planning on being shocked by things, my expectations are mellow and conservative. Most important part for us is if we feel the area is a better place for our kid to grow up. So far, we think it is but we'll see.
Thanks.
That's good to know. Sorry for being presumptuous, it's just that I've seen it time and time again that people have very unrealistic expectations.
Given your experience and level headedness, I don't think that you'll have any problems finding an excellent place in either area to raise your kid.
Very hot here in the summer. Expect 95º and 95% humidity from mid-May through mid-September and you'll be happy if there are a few 85º days thrown in there, too. It's pretty typical for it to go up over 100 a few times a summer although it doesn't always happen.
Quote:
Originally Posted by rnc2mbfl
I understand that you are trying to set some expectations, but this is hyperbole. The OP can look at the data for Summer weather here and scroll through months and years. https://www.wunderground.com/history...ic=&reqdb.wmo=
It's not hyperbole to say that it's very hot here in the summer. And I think maybe you misread, I didn't say that it is 95º and 95% humidity every day of the summer — I said if you expect the heat you'll be happy when it's 85º, and that's true. Doesn't 85º feel great in the middle of July?
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