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Looking online they have huge homes that are amazingly cheap. Cheaper than Apex. Does it have bad areas and thats why the homes are cheap? or is it just cheaper?
Durham has some very bad areas and some very nice areas too. If you use Trulia you can use a map feature to see crimes near the home you are considering (I'm sure it's not a foolproof tool, but it helps).
Unfortunately we do not live in a utopia. In the most serene of neighborhoods, every community in America has crime of some sort. Nice is dependent on what you are used to and your neighbors. I haven't liven anywhere where ignorant people don't also hold residence. That's makes a difference.
I live in Southpoint - I think it's nice. But recently heard an acquaintance talking about how Southpoint was too "built up." Depends.
If I'm not mistaken, Apex has a lot of planned communities, so that may have an impact on price.
As far as why the house may be so cheap, I know the schools in Durham have a reputation of not being as good as neighboring towns. I have no idea if that is true or not? But with that reputation I imagine demand for homes would be diminished since families with kids would gravitate to towns (like Apex) with better school reputations. Lower demand means lower prices to attract buyers.
Something else to check out is what type of sale it is.
I actually read this a few days ago. "Nicer" houses in upscale neighborhoods are being foreclosed/abandoned & by the time they are resold are fixer-uppers. Rich Neighborhood, Poor House - SmartMoney.com
If it works for you, could be a good investment. But I'd make sure to see the house with a realator so you know what you are getting.
I'm not saying all the houses in Durham are like this, but be aware they are out there (forewarned is forearmed).
I don't know that I would just look at houses online for Durham and go for it but this rule pretty much applies for Durham, "if it looks like the hood, IT IS". Also drive around about a 2-3 mile radius to see the neighboring areas.
I don't know that I would just look at houses online for Durham and go for it but this rule pretty much applies for Durham, "if it looks like the hood, IT IS". Also drive around about a 2-3 mile radius to see the neighboring areas.
Why is it that the standard advice given regarding Durham seems always to be to check to crime stats? If someone was asking a similar general question about Raleigh or Wake County (which also have their share of bad areas), would the same type of advice be given?
Looking online they have huge homes that are amazingly cheap. Cheaper than Apex. Does it have bad areas and thats why the homes are cheap? or is it just cheaper?
Quote:
Originally Posted by CHTransplant
Why is it that the standard advice given regarding Durham seems always to be to check to crime stats? If someone was asking a similar general question about Raleigh or Wake County (which also have their share of bad areas), would the same type of advice be given?
Seems in this case to be reasonable input to the OP.
The "check stats" didn't come out of left field.
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