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I know a lot of people, and have a lot of clients, who have moved here from ATL and been thrilled. I never have anyone talk of moving back. From what those clients have told me, for folks not from ATL, is that the place families move is akin to RTP workers living in Burlington ... in droves. Or Benson. Raleigh does NOT have all of the options for cultural enrichment that metropolises do, but we usually have 1 or 2 choices for all the types of culture. But for families with kids, we've got everything they need.
The price point is a nicety......not a necessity. I'm completely open to anything. I actually have 4 cars (my wife and I both have a nice car and then we have one for hauling stuff and carting our dogs around and an everyday commuter). So 2 car garage is a must. At least.
Staying in Atlanta isn't an option. My company's division in Atlanta isn't doing well and quite frankly it may not be there in a few years. You know how promotions go. If you pass one up you probably won't be offered one again. I'm kinda in a no win situation.
The traffic sounds a lot more tolerable then what I'm used to dealing with (L'Ville/Loganville to Buckhead everyday). Some of the areas you guys mentioned i have never looked in so I'll be doing some homework now.
First of all...do not..I repeat do not try to make Raleigh out of an Atlanta....No comparison....Trust and believe you miss the culture of Atlanta, the many, many things to do.....Good luck.
I think it's important to realize that the OP is moving from Lawrenceville, not Atlanta proper.
Welcome! We had looked at Atlanta before moving here. I still have my best friend there. You will find traffic better and many more conveniences here. You might want to entertain the idea of renting when you first get here as opposed to jumping right in to a purchase. The reason is that it takes a while to settle in here and get to know the area. If you give yourself time, you may save the budget and then when you find the area you really like, focus on purchase. I can only say from experience that we made the mistake of buying before we moved here. Had we rented, I am confident that we would not be living in the area where we are. There are many choices out there. Give yourself and your family time to explore. Best of luck. I think you will find that this is a place with many possibilities.
In South Durham I would recommend that you look for homes zoned for Jordan High School (is a nationally ranked high school). Elementary options to look at: Creekside Elementary, Hope Valley Elem., and Southwest Elementary. DPS middle school options are not as strong as elementary and high options. Look at Githens Middle. Also, I recommend that you look at Kestrel Heights Charter School (6-12). It's a great middle school. (It's a lottery so your child would not be able to attend this year.)
Thought about renting but if I buy during this mover company works with 3 major banks that will give me a favorable mortgage interest rate then going one. Typically a point to a point and a half lower. That's the only reason I'm looking to buy (that and I hate renting, I'm currently doing it for the first time and the thought of throwing away money every month, not to mention the neighbor below me that bangs on the ceiling when we are just walking normally).
I got a tour from a friend of a friend yesterday and today I'm going to go look at some newer subdivisions that have open houses. Tomorrow I speak with the company my company hires to move their employees and hopefully I can speak with a realtor by the end of the week (they supply one). I mapped out all the locations a little while ago. All of them open at 1pm so me and my trusty go pro will be busy all afternoon.
I appreciate all the responses please keep them coming.
Btw the way my impressions of Raleigh do far have been pretty positive. It's a little disconcerting that there is no true big city (coming from Toronto and then Atlanta) I'm kinda used to having a big city near by but I have always lived I some sort suburb.
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