Johnston County help (Rocky Mount, Wilson, Roanoke Rapids: high crime, schools, to live in)

[sarasolvesky]

We are relocating to NC and are looking into Johnston County. As my husband's job is coming from the East, Clayton is a further commute than we'd like to make. However it seems to be the only community I can find info on. Any other suggestions for towns further North or East of Clayton but not in Wilson, Wake or Nash counties?

[redandorangeskittles]

Smithfield is about 15 minutes West of Clayton and it's off I-95 for convenient travel. It has an outlet mall with quite a bit of shopping, various fast food restarants, etc. There is a hospital there too and downtown is kind of cute.

[bluecomet]

I believe you have pretty much exhausted this discussion on your other thread. If you look at a NC map there are very few Towns north and east of Clayton in Johnston County. Archer Lodge was incorporated in 2009. Schools for Archer Lodge are excellent. Flowers Plantation is 2-4 miles east of Town of Clayton. Flowers Plantation has many options for housing and has excellent schools. Wilson is 33 miles from Clayton. From Clayton you have Hwy 42, part 2 lane and part 4 lane road to Wilson.
On I -95 or US 301 the communities (some really small) are Kenly, Micro, Bailey, Selma and Smithfield. I-95 gives you a easy drive to Wilson. If you have decided you want to live in Johnston County your husband must be resigned to a long daily commute. The location of his job is in the boondocks except for Wilson and Rocky Mount, etc., cities which you have apparently ruled out. I have no idea why you have ruled out these 2 cities because there are some great areas to live in Wilson and Rocky Mount that are not slums or high crime areas. I am betting that almost 100% of his fellow workers will live in and around Wilson and Rocky Mount and not in Johnston County.
Good luck

[sarasolvesky]

We've not ruled anything out. Honestly I just didn't see a lot of positive feedback about those areas so I was trusting that those of you who live there know what you're talking about.

[Francois]

Where exactly (what city) is the commute to and how close of a commute do you want to get? And what sorts of things are you looking for in a town?

[sarasolvesky]

My husband's job is in Sharpsburg. We have three kids under 6 so hopefully nice schools. He is open to a commute of under an hour but less would be ideal. Small towns are fine, rural areas are fine. Honestly as long as the people are friendly and the town is safe, we're open to it.

[zthatzmanz28]

Zebulon, Wendell, and Knightdale. Not sure what you are really wanting. To stay under the 60 minute commute all you have to choose from is small towns. Given the area and not having a 90 minute commute, I would look at the first two--Zebulon or Wendell and if you really want Johnston County, Wendell is the place.

[sarasolvesky]

Thanks for the input

[azwildcatfan]

Zebulon fits as well as its in Johnston county as well as wake county.

[Francois]

You might look into Roanoke Rapids, which is a large town/small city, but I don't know what the school system is like.