Possible relocation to Raleigh - job in Wendell (Wake Forest, Clayton: house, transfer)

[millie0495]

I am considering relocating from Atlanta to the Raleigh area for a job located in Wendell. Have 3 kids in MS (one about to start HS), so schools are the #1 priority. BUT, after years of a 1+ hour commute, I would love to avoid a long drive to work. I've heard there are some decent options in and around Wendell but it can be hit or miss. I'd rather not take any risk with the schools. Any suggestions as to what area might be the best option to buy a house for this scenario?

[LoopDeLoop]

hi there - it could be helpful to hear what sort of area you prefer, your housing budget, & house/land requirements.

off the top of my head, if you are interested in easy access to some shopping & chain restaurants with a quick jaunt into downtown raleigh for local restaurants & the like, you may look into knightdale. if country living is your thing, you may prefer wendell or zebulon. but, more people could chime in if you have more to offer in terms of my questions above.

[millie0495]

housing range would be around $300K - $400K. We'd like to have a small town feel if possible, with some developed youth sports programs, etc.. we don't anticipate going into downtown Raleigh very often. But again, schools are most important, and we'd rather go public than private.

[rnc2mbfl]

In your price range, you have lots of options. Within a reasonable commute, you can seek out areas along the US 64 corridor from Raleigh to Wendell/Zebulon or along I-540 from US 64 and toward Wake Forest. Even in Wake Forest, you are only 38 minutes according to Google maps.

Since All these communities are in Wake County and the system is county based instead of community based, you will have at least a base level of consistency in the quality of education. That said, there are certainly better performing schools than others.

[LoopDeLoop]

mc2mbfl had some good suggestions on housing. i have no input on schools as we don't have kids yet.

[Francois]

Johnston county schools (Clayton particularly) also get good reviews, and Clayton is no farther than Raleigh from Wendell, and likely cheaper as well.

[millie0495]

what is the commute-time traffic like in Raleigh? I like the thought of the Wake Forest area, WFU grad, so the name is appealing (-; . But in Atlanta, with traffic, what Google Maps says is 38 minutes could easily be 1+ hours at rush hour.

[Francois]

Originally Posted by millie0495

what is the commute-time traffic like in Raleigh? I like the thought of the Wake Forest area, WFU grad, so the name is appealing (-; . But in Atlanta, with traffic, what Google Maps says is 38 minutes could easily be 1+ hours at rush hour.

Well, of course it's not as bad as Atlanta, but that is not to say it is "nothing". And with the population growing so astronomically (like Atlanta a couple of decades ago), traffic is growing faster than the roads can keep up. "What it's like" is relative, of course--you or someone from DC. NY, etc will think it's "not bad", but to those of us who've been here all along, it's definitely not "nothing". I'd say my commute grows by about 1-2 minutes a year, negligible incrementally but will add up. But I also go in and go home about 2 hours after rush hour both ways.

The east side of town isn't as bad (yet) as the RTP side and I-40.

[bluecomet]

Take a look at Clayton. Great schools. Great communities that are about 20-25 minutes from Wendell.

[RaleighLass]

You can consider the SE end of Wake Forest, have kids in Wake Forest schools and go into Wendell the backroads way..pretty easy commute, 20 mins, lite traffic, ok barely any some days. Or, live in Knightdale and choose from East Wake MS or Wendell MS. We also have magnet school options. There are some very nice subdivisions south of 64 business on big country lots and the homes are in your price range. Wendell is a nice little town also. My child will go to Wendell MS transferring from Wake Forest. I am very pleased with what Ive heard so far and my interaction with the school.