know anythng about smithfield (Raleigh, Cary: houses, landscaping, place to live)

[KIMC369]

Does anyone know anything about the eastern part of smithfield? Would it be an OK place to live?

[ferrickhead28]

Smithfield is a very small, very quiet town. Not too much going on there except for the outlet center.
Its nice in some places, could use some work in others.
That's all I know about Smithfield.

[ferrickhead28]

Clayton is right next door to Smithfield and is a beautiful place to live. More shopping and stores you might need. I think Smithfield lacks walmart, target, etc, but I could be wrong.

Smithfield is also full of farmlands too.

[jfre81]

My favorite part of Smithfield's about 15 miles off I-95 to the north, and it's called "Clayton."

There's a Wal-Mart on Bright Leaf Blvd/US 301 and some of the dirtiest restaurants I've ever been in are scattered about town. Avoid Mickey D's and for the love of Christ, avoid the Waffle House like you would salmonella. The Hardee's on Bright Leaf is ok. I miss Hardee's.

However, on the western fringe of town, there are fresh produce markets that blow away anything you'll get in the grocery stores. Visit if anything for that, but live elsewhere. I have a friend who lives there and he wants out.

[transplanted yankee]

I don't know where you are coming from and what you are used to. In Wake County, the governing bodies want to make the area attractive to encourage growth. Cary's landscaping rules make the town looking very well manicured and people notice it right away. Raleigh and the other towns have some pretty good rules to make the towns and area look nice also. In all of Wake County there is strict no smoking in stores and all resturants must have a non-smoking area. I believe some areas are no smoking at all. We have lots of new building in residential and in the commercial areas so everything will look nice. You don't find "hole in the wall" resturants very often.

Smithfield, from my perspective, is a typical southern town starting to grow. There are many people who are native to the area and will say to people not from the area: You aren't from around here, are ya? The shopping is simply outside of Walmart and the outlets which are wonderful. Smithfield is starting to grow.

Visit Smithfield. Go into a couple of stores and eat at a local resturant. Walk around the downtown area.

[transplanted yankee]

Originally Posted by jfre81

My favorite part of Smithfield's about 15 miles off I-95 to the north, and it's called "Clayton."

There's a Wal-Mart on Bright Leaf Blvd/US 301 and some of the dirtiest restaurants I've ever been in are scattered about town. Avoid Mickey D's and for the love of Christ, avoid the Waffle House like you would salmonella. The Hardee's on Bright Leaf is ok. I miss Hardee's.

However, on the western fringe of town, there are fresh produce markets that blow away anything you'll get in the grocery stores. Visit if anything for that, but live elsewhere. I have a friend who lives there and he wants out.

Can you tell me where you go for fresh produce? I'd love to know...

PS - the people in Smithfield are friendly.

[jello212]

Umm, if you go 15 miles north on I-95 you won't be anywhere near Clayton.

Where do you plan on working? You can count on a 45 minute commute to Raleigh/Cary on a good day. If you're going to the RTP, it will be even further.

As for Smithfield itself, there are some beautiful historic homes by the Neuse River and South Smithfield is a decent area with nice houses and a lot of families. Also, Holt Lake and the Country Club are growing with some beautiful homes.

[jfre81]

I meant 70. US 70.

What do I know, I'm from out of state. But yeah....many hot summer afternoons in lovely Smithfield.

[jfre81]

Originally Posted by transplanted yankee

Can you tell me where you go for fresh produce? I'd love to know..

Out on Bright Leaf Blvd/301 south/west (I think the signs say south - the directions of the roads and how they were labeled confused the bejesus out of me) is a giant barn/warehouse-looking flea market that will be on your right coming from the center of Smithfield on 301 I suppose....you cannot miss it. They used to have the produce stands in tents outside the big building but last time I was there (around last September) it was inside. Don't know if this is a seasonal thing or not. But either way it's better than most of the produce in the supermarkets, a lot of which is sub-par quality.

PS-knowing a bit of basic phrases in Spanish helps out a lot at the market, but anyone can get what they want there.

[KNORTHCAROLINA]

My family and I are looking to possible move to Smithfield as well. The homes seem affordable. Please share info that you receive. We have a 3 year old.

Originally Posted by KIMC369

Does anyone know anything about the eastern part of smithfield? Would it be an OK place to live?