rn and garbage man from IL want to relocate w/3 kids-help! (Raleigh: schools, subdivisions)

[MikeJaquish]

Originally Posted by beck6

I guess rural here is different! Lol! We'd like to live in a suburb type setting. 4 brdm minimum around $300k.

You can easily find a four bedroom home for $300,000+/- in the Cary, Apex, Morrisville area.
Generally, lot sizes run in the .25--.4 acre range, with smaller lots in many subdivisions.

That is why you are quizzed on lot size. The popularity of small lots here, and the predominance of national tract builders means that lots tend to run smaller than in many other regions, unless you get into very rural areas.

[NYC2RDU]

What you might consider rural could likely be found within Wake County. Once you move to truly rural areas the quality of the schools starts to dip. Come down for a visit and explore and keep an open mind. Everything you want in terms of location, house style and price is out there but you have to go and find it.

[jeffs555]

You could probably meet all the needs you have mentioned in any of the places you listed(except maybe Charlote).

[jeffs555]

As parents, I am sure schools are one of the most important items. Here is one web site that ranks school districts. North Carolina State Districts - NC School District Rankings

Most of the highest ranked were private or charter schools. Chapel Hill was one of the highest ranked public school systems, but you might have a hard time meeting your housing budget there. I was surprised at how low Forsyth county(Winston Salem) and Guilford county (Greensboro) were ranked. I grew up in Winston Salem and the schools were always tops in the state back then, but that was 40+ years ago.

Once you narrow it down to a particular area, here is a site that ranks individual schools. NC School Report Cards

[VickiR]

Originally Posted by beck6

Hi! So we've wanted to move south for a long time and our oldest just graduated from hs....so time to fly south! We have 13 yo twins and a 10 yo. Our school district here is horrid and we have some special ed needs for our youngest. Needless to say school are going to be a huge factor in decision process. Both of our companies have positions we can transfer to with similar offers one each near Greensboro, Raleigh and Charlotte! Now I am searching every day and each day I settle on a different location! We are in our late 30's and want rural area, no too rural want kids around to play. We're in to girls softball/volleyball, band, piano, horseback riding (english), and 4-H. I want to be near good reliable healthcare. Friendly community welcoming to born and raised Midwestern-ers! Where do you recommend!? Oh we have a few pets too!

Your price range is going to determine if you buy in North Raleigh or Holly Springs.

I'd also factor in if you will be working from home or if you'd prefer to be within 20 minutes of your office.

Those answers will help.


Vicki

[North_Raleigh_Guy]

OP, I think you could be equally happy in Charlotte and Raleigh Area. I'm not a huge fan of Greensboro so personally I would rank that third. Visiting both areas to see which is more appealing to you would probably really help you narrow things down. I think both areas have good health care systems, but I favor the Triangle Area over Charlotte. You will find varied opinions about the School Systems in both areas but think either would be good. Good Luck!

[beck6]

Thanks everyone! I originally fell in love with Morrisville but then I started reading about wcpss. The schools still sound great but it seems there's a lot of issues with redistricting and unhappy parents. Also some talk about a "flight path" over morrisville. So that's what prompted me to look elsewhere....so confusing! We are coming down in August bit can only swing 4 days so I really want to narrow down to 2 places. As far a commuting we don't mind 30 min but 45 min is my limit...of course shorter is better! How long is commute from Morrisville to Burlington in reality not just according to mapquest?

[beck6]

Northraleigh guy....
What is it you don't like about Greensboro area?

[meh_whatever]

Originally Posted by beck6

Thanks everyone! I originally fell in love with Morrisville but then I started reading about wcpss. The schools still sound great but it seems there's a lot of issues with redistricting and unhappy parents. Also some talk about a "flight path" over morrisville. So that's what prompted me to look elsewhere....so confusing! We are coming down in August bit can only swing 4 days so I really want to narrow down to 2 places. As far a commuting we don't mind 30 min but 45 min is my limit...of course shorter is better! How long is commute from Morrisville to Burlington in reality not just according to mapquest?

Morrisville to Burlington is a hell of a commute. Yikes.

A 30-45 minute commute in a highly populated area just means you sit in traffic for a longer time. Here, it means you do a LOT more driving.

Something to keep in mind. I have coworkers in PA who spend half an hour or more getting to work and they only live about 5 or 6 miles from the office.

If you spend that long here, you're living 20 miles or more away most of the time.

Just something to consider. You don't HAVE to live far from work here, unless that's just something you prefer.

I live in a wee part of the flight path for RDU. The planes are not a biggie as long as you stay out of the most frequently utilized paths. There are maps online, but I cannot recall where I found them last time I looked. The RDU site might have them.

Good luck!

[Taynxtlvl]

I'm thinking Rolesville would fit the bill. Not to far out but far enough. I have friends up there whose neighbors even have chickens but then there are some really nice subdivisions. "Village @ Rolesville, Granite Falls and a little further south Highland Creek on the edge of Raleigh the 401 widening Pt. 1 project should be done later this year. Tax values are a little better and other than Creedmoor(Which will probably always be country) It is the last suburb to yet have that Boom phase. Still a really good buy. Rolesville, North Carolina - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia