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Any areas near downtown in any of the aforementioned will suit your needs, but you have to figure out how "crunchy" you are.
From greatest to least crunchy:
1. CH
2. Durham
3. Raleigh
Any of them will have the stuff you mentioned, but if you want bus service, you'll probably find CH more to your liking.
If near RTP is something you want, along with the urban vibe, DT Durham might be your best bet.
I have no idea what "crunchy" means. I really want to know, lol.
You will pay a premium for "walkability" regardless of which of the suggested cities you choose; with the exception of Cary. Cary's most expensive neighborhoods will generally include a golf course.
Cary, Apex, Fuquay Varina, Wake Forest, and Holly Springs all have small "downtowns" with main streets. Depending on size of the home, age, and condition $300K should be a do-able price point for any of these. If you aren't looking for a lot of options in businesses to walk to these may be options for you.
Raleigh has some very walkable neighborhoods as well:
downtown- it would be a challenge but there are properties in your price range that would give you options to walking or walking comfortably to the bus route (downtown has its own route)
N. Raleigh- previously mentioned. There are some neighborhoods that will get you to within walking of a few restaurants/bars with bus access to points of interest like La Fayette Village and the biggie: North Hills. $300K is more challenging here for walking depending on how many options you want to be able to walk to.
Briar Creek- a townhome in this area would fit your budget
Durham would probably best fit your budget if you want a lot of walking options or cheap rides to the walking areas. DT is quickly gentrifying but is still more affordable on the whole compared to Raleigh.
Chapel Hill, Hillsborough, and Carrboro are all pretty awesome, but will be very challenging to find homes in your budget.
Adjective. Used to describe persons who have adjusted or altered their lifestyle for environmental reasons. Crunchy persons tend to be politically strongly left-leaning and may be additionally but not exclusively categorized as vegetarians, vegans, eco-tarians, conservationists, environmentalists, neo-hippies, tree huggers, nature enthusiasts, etc.
Adjective. Used to describe persons who have adjusted or altered their lifestyle for environmental reasons. Crunchy persons tend to be politically strongly left-leaning and may be additionally but not exclusively categorized as vegetarians, vegans, eco-tarians, conservationists, environmentalists, neo-hippies, tree huggers, nature enthusiasts, etc.
Well, in light of this definition I can't argue with the previous ranking. So glad I know this word now. I think I may have to start using it myself.
I have no idea what "crunchy" means. I really want to know, lol.
You will pay a premium for "walkability" regardless of which of the suggested cities you choose; with the exception of Cary. Cary's most expensive neighborhoods will generally include a golf course.
Cary, Apex, Fuquay Varina, Wake Forest, and Holly Springs all have small "downtowns" with main streets. Depending on size of the home, age, and condition $300K should be a do-able price point for any of these. If you aren't looking for a lot of options in businesses to walk to these may be options for you.
Raleigh has some very walkable neighborhoods as well:
downtown- it would be a challenge but there are properties in your price range that would give you options to walking or walking comfortably to the bus route (downtown has its own route)
N. Raleigh- previously mentioned. There are some neighborhoods that will get you to within walking of a few restaurants/bars with bus access to points of interest like La Fayette Village and the biggie: North Hills. $300K is more challenging here for walking depending on how many options you want to be able to walk to.
Briar Creek- a townhome in this area would fit your budget
Durham would probably best fit your budget if you want a lot of walking options or cheap rides to the walking areas. DT is quickly gentrifying but is still more affordable on the whole compared to Raleigh.
Chapel Hill, Hillsborough, and Carrboro are all pretty awesome, but will be very challenging to find homes in your budget.
Hope this helps!
Excellent post, this is exactly what I was looking for!
Small little downtowns with main streets are right up my alley and definitely going to have to add Fuquay Varina, Wake Forest, and Holly Springs to my list.
Durham is definitely a possibility, but it seems that housing stock is quite low right now.
Excellent post, this is exactly what I was looking for!
Small little downtowns with main streets are right up my alley and definitely going to have to add Fuquay Varina, Wake Forest, and Holly Springs to my list.
Durham is definitely a possibility, but it seems that housing stock is quite low right now.
I'll say no to Fuquay and Holly Springs for walkable downtowns - yes to Wake Forest in the downtown area though.
I'll say no to Fuquay and Holly Springs for walkable downtowns - yes to Wake Forest in the downtown area though.
Fuquay Varina has a nice little downtown area. They happen to have one of the best places (Stick Boy) in the triangle that makes a good baguette and batard!
I don't think the quantity of for sale inventory would be a reason to consider any area less. more, perhaps but not less.
Agreed, it means the area is desirable IMO, if you are patient and can wait for the right opportunity, you can find something in a low inventory market.
I have no idea what "crunchy" means. I really want to know, lol.
crunchy <== granola <== hippie
I think you can find a 1300 sq ft house for 300k in Chapel Hill and Carrboro — most likely an older home, but a SFH under $300k is doable. Certainly in Durham and Hillsborough is worth checking out, too.
OP - I'm not trying to be a big Cary hater, really - it's great for what it is (and maybe a little better) - but I too can't believe people are actually recommending it to you based on your criteria. If you had kids I might feel differently. Maybe I am off on my vision of downtown Cary but is there really any there there? (sorry Cary friends, I really mean no offense)
I absolutely do think you should come for a visit and check it out. But please check out the other areas as well. With a housing budget of $300K you can easily find something in Durham (look in the Rockwood and Forest Hills sections, near downtown). And everything Poppydog said.
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