Another NY'er looking to move to NC

[RaleighLass]

Originally Posted by Francois

Somehow I'm not surprised...

But I bet there are plenty of things your friends like that you don't, and vice versa. Making moving decisions on what THEY say won't be in YOUR best interest. Durham of all the places in the area suffers from negative stereotypes based on how it USED to be. I don't even live there but I get tired of hearing the "warnings". My roots are forever in Raleigh, but if I didn't already live here and were able to pick a place in the area and live wherever I wanted, I think some of the older Durham neighborhoods would be lovely.

Couldn't have said it better! I am SO tired of people bashing Durham. It's old nonsense. I doubt the folks who bash it have spent any significant time there visiting different areas and experiencing life there. To an extent, Knightdale has to deal with this too.

[BK2NC]

Originally Posted by tristatetransplant

Where do you live in Brooklyn? I moved from Park Slope (where there were two separate murders on the street a couple of blocks from my house--totally not what you'd expect in Park Slope) to Durham and think that the areas people are recommending are safe, affordable, and generally great.

We're in Cypress Hills, on the border of Woodhaven. Shortly after we moved here, the area was being marketed as "Highland Heights," and there was lots of construction, new businesses opening up, etc. Then the housing bubble burst and poof!...nothing. There are half-completed projects all over the area and "coming soon" signs that have been up for years. As much as we're not fans of gentrification, without it, there's no hope of this neighborhood improving. It's become a necessary evil. The schools, city services, access to shopping, even mass transit are substandard here. It's better than it was, but not by much. We're fortunate that we live on a nice block, with nice neighbors, but the surrounding area is still a mess. I want my kids to be able to play outside, ride their bikes, etc. It's just not an option where we are right now.

It's encouraging to hear that you're satisfied with Durham, given that the Slope is such a sought after area. I can't imagine that you would trade down, right? Thanks.