Does Raleigh have a real sense of community???? (condos, houses)

[laurelgreen]

Just wondering......Raleigh seems to be so sprawling filled with subdivisions and traffic......Is there a real sense of community or do people spend most of the time in their cars and their houses somewhat isolated?

[mdp_az]

I think ITB Raleigh has somewhat of a sense of community, but not terribly strong. My observation is that the many neighborhood associations seem to foster more "community" connections that the city as a whole.

[askmisterbrown]

In the old parts of Raleigh I feel a great sense of community. Much of it is neighborhood-based, but we also get to know each other through community activities, charities and arts organizations, churches, schools, certain bars, clubs, children's activities, etc. Basically, we all know each other, at least if we want to. I'm not a particularly "social" person, but I seem to know somebody wherever I go in the old part of town. The good craftsman (plumbers, carpenters, electricians) don't advertise because word of mouth is all they need.

It's like a small town within a city. In fact, it seems that there are "city people" and "small town" people coexisting. The City People live in the new condos and go to the slick bars, etc. The small town people live in old houses and go to neighborhood pot-lucks.

But unlike some cities, it is easy for new people to join the small town scene if they want to. Anybody in our neighborhood is invited to our potlucks and picnics. Our new neighborhood president has lived here only a few years. And of course any arts organization or charity welcomes new blood. A new person might not get into the Carolina Country Club, but most of us don't aspire to that anyway.

It really depends on YOU. If you want to be in a community, it will welcome you with open arms.