Cary or Morrisville, which is more suitable?

[hat456]

Can someone get more specific on the "good" areas of Durham? I am relocating to the area, and am looking at Cary for the schools, but my mother would like Durham. She is older, and will live along with her dogs, , so someplace she will feel comfortable walking them around the neighborhood would be great.

Thanks.

[RedZin]

I'm thinking that if you want Trader Joes and Whole Foods, you'll be happier in Cary. Try Bond Park area, or Silverton neighborhoods. Both back to plenty of green spaces, walking trails, etc... yet you'd still be close to shopping (and the airport, which is a bonus if you ever need to get in and outta there in a hurry for travel).

[Bull City Rising]

Originally Posted by hat456

Can someone get more specific on the "good" areas of Durham? I am relocating to the area, and am looking at Cary for the schools, but my mother would like Durham. She is older, and will live along with her dogs, , so someplace she will feel comfortable walking them around the neighborhood would be great.

Thanks.

Plenty of great areas. Near downtown, there are great neighborhoods like Trinity Park, Watts-Hillandale, Old West Durham, Old North Durham, Forest Hills, Duke Park, Morehead Hill. Zoned local schools can be very good or not good, though look past the scores to PTA engagement, pull-out, special classes, etc.; also consider charter and magnet school options.

North Durham, there are lots of excellent neighborhoods with similar school options. I think you'll be happiest along the Hillandale Rd. corridor, or near/north of the Eno River.

South Durham -- again, plenty of great neighborhoods, along the 15-501, MLK Jr. Pkwy, NC 751, etc. corridors. Very good schools, access to greenways and parks, shopping close by.

We have a Whole Foods downtown and four Harris Teeter grocery stores, plus plenty of other grocery options. Durham's home to the heart of the Triangle's excellent foodie/gourmet dining scene, everything from Magnolia Grill (ranked 9th best restaurant in the US by Gourmet) to an epicenter of food trucks. Plus there's a food co-op (similar to Weaver St. Market in Carrboro) that's well along the fundraising path, and a very good and active farmer's market.

Durham has more character than suburban, new development towns. You can find new-development suburban areas in Durham, but you are moving to a 150 y/o city with real history, with diversity (racial, economic, etc.) My research has found that (for instance) Brooklynites and Manhattanites disproportionately choose Durham (and probably Chapel Hill) over Wake County (which includes Cary/Morrisville), while Long Island/NJ/Westchester people do exactly the opposite.

Good luck whatever you decide.