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Hello, my husband is doing a medical fellowship at Duke starting in July and we are looking for the best neighborhoods for young professional families - we have a 2 y/o and one on the way. We also have two crazy pugs. Short term we will be there for 3 years, but it could be longer so we may buy instead of rent. We are still working out a budget for buying but most likely we will need to start low - under 250k. Any advice is much appreciated!
I'd check out the original section of American Village (Greenway and the Colony are newer and have a much higher price point). Great in-neighborhood park for little ones. Lots of families with kids of all ages. People always out running, walking dogs, etc. Very close to Duke - less than 3 miles. Super conveniently located in central/West Durham, so a quick trip to the stuff in both North and South Durham and shopping. Lots of Duke folks in the 'hood, so most houses go up for sale in the Spring/summer months. Range is usually $200,000-275,000 depending on size, amenities, updates. Houses were built from mid-80s through 1990 or so and range from about 1800 sq feet to 2800. There are usually houses for rent available as well. Great resale - most homes sold last season within a day to a few weeks.
Hello, my husband is doing a medical fellowship at Duke starting in July and we are looking for the best neighborhoods for young professional families -
It strikes me that your husband is going to be too busy to do yard-work. Are you open to renting a condo or townhouse?
Thanks jill7930, we will check that area out. We have made contact with a relocation specialist that works with Duke folks and he seems to be directing us to the 27713 area and said March (after Match day) is the best time to look at houses so we will most likely come out then to take a look at our options. I wanted to hear some more opinions though, so thank you!
It strikes me that your husband is going to be too busy to do yard-work. Are you open to renting a condo or townhouse?
Hi goldenage1, we are somewhat open to renting but we would need a fenced backyard for the doggies and we have heard that renting can be quite high in some areas. Currently we are renting a 3 bedroom house in AZ for around 1200. We would need to stay around that mark - so that is why we are considering buying (tax benefits, good market, low interest etc).
Yes, there is a strange bias for Southwest Durham among many. It's not the only nice part of Durham though! And I can attest to the beauty of a 3 mile commute to Duke with just a few quick traffic lights (vs. the traffic of 27713 areas). You couldn't pay me to live near the mall and/or take I-40 on a daily basis.
I'd also recommend the Buckwater Creek and Fieldstone by the Eno neighborhoods off Rose of Sharon Rd. Newer homes there (mid/late 1990s) with a good price point. Right on the Eno River and very quick trip to Duke via Hillandale Rd. Lots of Duke people.
Hello, my husband is doing a medical fellowship at Duke starting in July and we are looking for the best neighborhoods for young professional families - we have a 2 y/o and one on the way. We also have two crazy pugs. Short term we will be there for 3 years, but it could be longer so we may buy instead of rent. We are still working out a budget for buying but most likely we will need to start low - under 250k. Any advice is much appreciated!
My wife was hired by Duke in April of 2014 and we made the grand hike all the way from western New York. Because we've already learned our lesson about buying a house, finding out you later wanna move, and then being stuck because you can't sell your house, we decided to rent. Glad we did because we are looking to make another move this year (hopefully our last). With that said, in our search of the area, we noticed that there are a lot of options in developments (which are everywhere) but you end up with a house that's smashed ten feet from the next house. we have three kids and a spunky toy husky so we had to find a place with some room. Hillsborough might be a great place to look, though i have read that the property taxes in purchasing a home are pretty high and this has led to a recent spike in people moving out. In any case, we love this town because it's historic, the people are nice, it's got a small community feel, middle-upperclass, and my wife can shoot over to Duke Hospital while (most of the time) avoiding the psychotic traffic.
I guess it all depends on who you are. I've always been the type to enjoy hanging out on the edge of the party rather than being the center of attention. Basically, durham, raleigh, and chapel hill are center stage and Hillsborough, Cary, and others offer close proximity with a little more relaxed feel.
My wife was hired by Duke in April of 2014 and we made the grand hike all the way from western New York. Because we've already learned our lesson about buying a house, finding out you later wanna move, and then being stuck because you can't sell your house, we decided to rent. Glad we did because we are looking to make another move this year (hopefully our last). With that said, in our search of the area, we noticed that there are a lot of options in developments (which are everywhere) but you end up with a house that's smashed ten feet from the next house. we have three kids and a spunky toy husky so we had to find a place with some room. Hillsborough might be a great place to look, though i have read that the property taxes in purchasing a home are pretty high and this has led to a recent spike in people moving out. In any case, we love this town because it's historic, the people are nice, it's got a small community feel, middle-upperclass, and my wife can shoot over to Duke Hospital while (most of the time) avoiding the psychotic traffic.
I guess it all depends on who you are. I've always been the type to enjoy hanging out on the edge of the party rather than being the center of attention. Basically, durham, raleigh, and chapel hill are center stage and Hillsborough, Cary, and others offer close proximity with a little more relaxed feel.
Yes, I would much rather be in a family friendly area then right in the thick of crappy traffic - I will be a stay at home mom so it is important that I have a good neighborhood/walkable area to get around in (excluding shopping trips). Thanks for the tips!
I would suggest looking in Hope Valley Farms and/or Woodcroft. Both are family friendly areas with plenty of houses within your price range. Lots of walking trails, families, professionals, kids, pets, etc...and traffic is pretty minimal in the neighborhoods. A commute to Duke from here is rather quick, and it would avoid the highways. Houses seem to come and go quickly in these neighborhoods once spring comes around.
I recommend the Duke Park neighborhood. We lived there from 1997-2006. It's about a 10 minute drive from Duke Medical Center and has many houses in your price range-- unlike the neighborhood right next to it, Trinity Park. You'd also be 5 minutes from the hot and happening downtown Durham, Durham Central Park and Farmers Market, and Ninth St./Broad St. areas that has Whole Foods and the nicest and newest Harris Teeter (best grocery store chain in NC) in the area. Since you have two little ones, the best selling point is Duke Park itself, which has great slides, swings, and things to climb.
Distinctive Properties specializes in that area of Durham and can help you find a rental or house for sale.
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Hillsborough
