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Moving from So FLA to Raleigh area next year. 2 young kids, 6 and 7. Job will be at 540/40 RTP area. Likely can commute off time a bit, early or slightly late to offset rush hour some. Want some land, but not so much you don't see neighbors, and not like where you go out in back yard and up to your fence is 2 more homes either. Want a neighborhood with a community pool/clubhouse, social activities for kids. School need to be safe, but don't have to be 10/10. Prefer smaller schools. Looking in the 450-550 range for 4+/4 3500sqft+ home, ideally with basement, newer or redone inside, good lot.
So, seeing some stuff in Wake Forest very nice, some in North Raleigh, some down in Eagle Ridge and south Raleigh, Holly Springs, Cary, Apex, and even outskirts of Chapel between Cary and Chapel type area. All look nice, all seemingly fit the want list, but I guess it will come down to commute and neighborhood. Don't want to spend 500 a month on HOAs likely either.
For people very familiar with commuting from these areas, and knowing these areas, any specific neighborhoods to key in on? Any to stay away from. Want it full of families with young kids, active, social. Around here, I go play pick up BBall on weekend, kids play at pool and at park, social events like Fall Harvest holiday planned, food trucks etc. Absolutely don't care about night life, total home body and neighborhood is number 1 priority, could care less if Best Buy or a good museum is 45 mins or more.
Someone want to help me narrow this down? Commute needs to be 30 or less, really don't want 45 mins or more. Seems like so many nice areas! Hard to narrow it down! Help!
If you want 30 minutes or less, you can chop Holly Springs, South Raleigh and probably Wake Forest off that list. Small schools, at least the public schools, don't exist in the areas you listed. Most schools are bursting at the seams and several more per year, not counting private or charter, open on average in Wake County alone. If you want small, private schools will be your best option.
From what I see totally not what I want. Houses WAY too close to one another. More like 1/2 acre+ lots looking for. So what about chatham county fearrington area? What is the Wake Forest commute like? Again, can likely go off peak. Apex in the running? Cary? thoughts?
I think the lot requirement is probably the killer, unless you are willing to give on the commute too. Most of these new homes are being built on much smaller lots these days.
If you are willing to buy an older home, and possibly compromise on square footage, you can find something that meets your needs in North Raleigh. For instance, Stonebridge is a nice neighborhood built mostly in the 1980s. Community pools, multiple access routes to RTP all under 30 minutes, larger lots (~1 acre). But you might be in the low 3000 sq ft range vs. 3500 sq ft, and with a 30 year old home it might need some updating.
If all that is OK, it is a great neighborhood. Look into the school options vs. base schools (e.g., Sycamore Creek Elementary is a really good elementary school).
You're going to compromise somewhere, and your best bet is the land/home size requirement. If you're interested in Cary check out some of the subdivisions east of highway 55. You're not going to get small schools either...but coming from a small, village based school district I will say that schools here do a good job managing their size and making it feel not so overwhelming. That was a concern of mine as well. It would be harder to find neighborhoods that don't meet most of your needs, honestly....this area is chock full of subdivisions with community pools, activities, tons of kids, etc. You'll find your spot.
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