Commuting to RTP from Silk Hope Area (near Siler City) (Raleigh: chapel, house prices)

[hurricanedavid]

We're considering moving more towards Siler City when we do buy a house.
I'm commuting to the area of I-40 and Hwy 55.

Does anyone commute from the Silk Hope area?

1. What are some routes from there to avoid?
2. Is it best to take the small roads south to 64?
3. Is Silk Hope Rd going east a good option?

It's way out in the boonies, and I am still pondering if the long commute would be worth it.

[mdp_az]

That's a long drive. What is it about the Siler City area that appeals to you so much. There still remain a lot of nice rural areas that are closer in to RTP if that's what you're after, and no offense, but Siler City does not have one of the better reputations around.

[hurricanedavid]

Nothing intrinsic to Siler City.... just that it's far enough away so that the house prices are more reasonable, and you get a bit more land.

We would love somewhere closer, that offered the same thing.

[mdp_az]

Do some digging around northern Durham County, northern Orange County, southern Granville County, and eastern Alamance County. The latter two will probably have the lowest prices.

[orionmx1]

Originally Posted by mdp_az

... and no offense, but Siler City does not have one of the better reputations around...

What exactly IS Siler Cities rep if I may ask???

[hurricanedavid]

What I have been told is that it has a larger percentage of lower-income folks, and Hispanics, also.

I haven't had a chance to corroborate that, though.

I probably wouldn't want to live right in the city anyway, so it is kinda a moot point. When it comes to buying a house, I am considering that area.

[PennyH]

Siler City and Silk Hope are really two very different things. Siler City is actually about 15 miles further west than Silk Hope, and is more typical of some of the smaller rural towns in North Carolina. The Silk Hope area is becoming popular with people who are looking to commute to Chapel Hill, Raleigh, or Apex, but have a lot of private land.

Depending on where you're at, there are a lot of back roads that make it easier to get to 40/55. If you're near 87, a common back road route to hwy 54 is Chicken Bridge Road to Crawford Dairy Road to Jones Ferry Road, which takes you to the 54 bypass. From there, it's 54 to 40. There are a variety of routes from the Silk Hope area - most locals say it only takes 15 minutes to get to Chapel Hill.

[piedmont]

I know folks are moving out to Siler City to be in the country, but it is a haul to RTP, even with the expansion of 64.

I would second (third?) looking at some options in Northern Durham and North/Western Orange Counties (Efland and Mebane typically have lower prices than Hillsborough). I know a lot of folks with farms who hop on I-85/40 from these areas to the park.

[hurricanedavid]

I think we are really going to consider the west-of-durham idea, because even if 64 is a fine drive (in parts), there is no good way to get to the RTP from there: 40 is a nightmare, so is 55, and other smaller roads that may offer respite now, will be clogged by all the new development down in the Holly Springs area.

It kinda sucks though, cause I think our friends are really interested in the HS area.

[Dire Wolf]

I think you are making a wise choice by looking elsewhere.
I've seen this cycle repeat over and over. People want "more land" (cheaper home, etc) and move further out. Enough people do this that development catches up to them. Rinse and Repeat. The resulting sprawl is terrible.

I thought people were crazy 15 years ago commuting all the way from Pittsboro to the RTP. Now it is Siler City?!! Before you know it Everything from the Triad to the Triangle will be one big sprawl.