Any Clayton Pointe to RTP Commuters? (Raleigh, Durham: wood floors, appointed, house)

[chukkles77]

Just curious if there are any Clayton Pointe residents that actually commute to RTP or Raleigh since Clayton Pointe does seem like it's pretty far out there. I visited Clayton Pointe last week and, although the quality of the Comfort Homes is mediocre, you still seem to get a decent home for the money. I just can't see commuting beyond Raleigh, really, but who knows?

[hurricanedavid]

We are considering the Clayton area, but I can tell you first hand that the commute to RTP will probably take you through the nasty section of 40 (between hwy 1 and Airport exits).

Not as bad in mornings for me, but in evenings, I hate it.

[ferrickhead28]

I moved to Clayton from Raleigh and I work in RTP.

From my house in Raleigh, it took me about 30 minutes.

From my house in Clayton, it takes me about 45 minutes when I worked from 8-5. I now work from 7-4 and it takes me about 30-35 minutes.

My house in Clayton is TEN TIMES nicer then my old house in Raleigh. Its twice the size and I got it for about the same price (go figure!) I love living in Clayton and to me, the commute is worth the extra 10-15 minutes.

[native2nc]

I agree with ferrick .. the commute depends on what you want. If you don't mind the small lots with lots of neighbors that you would find in a town closer in, then the commute will feel long. If you prefer a larger home for an affordable price with more yard, then the commute is worth it!

The only concern I would have with Clayton Pointe is the elementary school. Johnston county schools are GREAT, however, Wilson's Mill Elementary is the one school that has a questionable reputation. They are building new schools so maybe its in line to get redestricted!

[Grass Is Greener]

Let's me say this one more time (maybe some day some one will hear me!)

The distance from Clayton to RTP is around 40 miles. The realistic commute time during commute hours is about 1 hour. Remember, in order to travel 40 miles in 40 minutes you need to be travelling at a constant speed of 60 miles per hour. Two problems here (1) The speed limit is 35/45/55 in most of this route so you will be travelling above speed limit. (2) During commute hours (6:30am-9:00am, 4:30pm-6:45pm) you will face LOTS and LOTS of traffic so your speed will be limited to 20mph if you're lucky. Fridays and rainy days will be MUCH worse.

With that in consideration, remember that THOUSANDS of people are moving to the Triangle on a frantic pace. That means THOUSANDS of cars are being added to this already slow commute. This means your current 1 hour commute soon will be a 1:30 hour commute. And so on.

If you really think this is all worth it to have an extra 1/4 acre of yard or an extra 1,000 sqf of house then go for it. But i suggest you look in places like Apex or Holly Springs (north part of it), where you can get a great house for not a lot of money and have a much better commute. Other areas (Cary, Durham, Morrisville) would give you an even much shorter commute but those areas are either too expensive or not very desirable).

[native2nc]

I respectfully disagree with you. We lived in Cary with a yard the kids couldn't even throw a ball without landing in the next yard, neighbors who whined about everything, including a white picket fence in the backyard, and an older smaller house.

In Johnston county, my house is DOUBLE the size with amenities such as hard wood floors and I have more than TRIPLED my yard size where my kids can stretch out and play!

Is my husband's commute of 30 minutes on a good day and 45 minutes in traffic worth it? You better believe it! Would we ever go back and still have a 20 -25 minute commute to RTP from Cary? NEVER!

It's all in what you want! Some have the money to live in Cary in a larger home and don't want the yard to take care of and that's just fine. But the commute of 45 minutes whizzes right by when we can invite the kids baseball team to come over for a game in OUR yard.

[Grass Is Greener]

Your husband must be driving at 80 MPH from the time he leaves the house until he gets to his office to make this 40 miles trip in 30 minutes!

[playnice]

It is mostly highway driving remind you. My dh makes the 30 mile trek from JoCo to RTP. Best days he can do it just over 35 minutes. He also has a flexible schedule so he does not leave 7-ish or at 5 with everbody else. Worst case was 9.5 hours during that ice storm mad rush! Generally, 40 minutes is about right.

[RaleighBoundGeek]

According to Mapquest:

Dead center of Clayton Proper to Alexander blvd in RTP:
35 miles, 38 minutes.
According to it - large majority is on I40 (speed limit>60).
Of course - what is called clayton is rather vast, so there's going to be a LOT of variation based on how close to the main drag(s), time of day, etc...

[Grass Is Greener]

LOL if you expect to go >60MPH on I40 you'll be very disappointed!