If you could live anywhere in NC... (Charlotte, Raleigh: chapel, house)

[1stGenNC]

So, I just accepted a home based position, which will allow me to disregard issues of commute time. We are currently living in a small town about 40 minutes west of Cary, and that was my commute for the past 8 years.

We now live in a small house and have two young kids (2 1/2 and 10 months old) and two big dogs. I've wanted to move closer to the Raleigh area and live in a place with a better neighborhood feel - sidewalks would be nice - and have more things to do with our children without having to drive 45 minutes to go anywhere decent. (Talking for the kids here, I love the mall and everything, but it gets old taking a 2 1/2 year old to the play area there).

We both grew up in Raleigh and Durham. My husband is pretty adamant about not moving to places similar to the Glenwood Ave/Crabtree area in Raleigh since that's all he knew for a while (he's not a city dweller - he'd love to become a hermit in Colorado). There are a lot of places in Durham that I'd rather not move to for my own reasons.

Here are the limitations - we could potentially live anywhere - ANYWHERE...but the preference would be within a reasonable distance from family - who are all in the Raleigh, Chapel Hill, Durham area. (Although, please share if there is an area that is worth mentioning!) Housing prices would also limit us a great deal - our limit would probably be around $225K. Since we have two dogs - both about 70 lbs, we'd have to have something of a lawn. (We currently have an acre...and while it's nice to have, we don't use it to its full potential, and I'm thinking an outdoor park would be nice instead).

??? Thoughts??? You would think I would know exactly where we need to move, but there are so many new areas popping up, small towns growing, that there are too many possibilities!

Thanks!

[LakeGuy]

What can you learn about Hillsborough? I haven't been there in a long time, but it's convenient to the other areas you mentioned and has a nice small town atmosphere--I hope.

[Tarheelsurf]

Maybe Wilmington? It is only a 2 hour drive from Raliegh.

[friendnc]

How about Pittsboro, Siler City, or Hillsborough?

[Rwarky]

Wilmington would be my first choice, then Charlotte second.

[TonyClifton]

Originally Posted by friendnc

How about Pittsboro, Siler City, or Hillsborough?

Pittsboro and Hillsborough would be great but I would avoid Siler City like the plague.

[Bethanytedder]

I would choose to live in the Wilmington area, perhaps Rocky Point, Castle Hayne or Southport port which are all in the southeastern part of the state. In the other direction, I am inclined towards Black Mountain, Maggie Valley, Boone.

[Father John]

Originally Posted by Bethanytedder

I am inclined towards Black Mountain, Maggie Valley, Boone.

Exactly, but in the opposite order for me.

[MrsSteel]

Looks like the person who created this thread hasn't posted on this website in about 4 months. I wonder which town she picked ...

[squaredancer]

Anyone here from Clayton?