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In Durham Co., can anyone explain the difference (in housing, schools, etc.) between 27707 & 27713? Which one is considered SW Durham?
In general, we're going to do a little research on SW Durham (in addition to our other chosen locations). I've been hearing a lot of good things about the area and just want to get an idea of the difference in zip codes.
Both are SW Durham - 27707 is just a little less south and a little more west...27707 is generally west of 751 all the way to 15-501.
Housing prices are comparable I believe....27707 includes Hope Valley Country Club, which are some of the nicest homes in the area....27713 is generally newer, though there are both new and older homes in both (older being 20-30 years, not historic like areas around downtown).
Both are SW Durham - 27707 is just a little less south and a little more west...27707 is generally west of 751 all the way to 15-501.
Housing prices are comparable I believe....27707 includes Hope Valley Country Club, which are some of the nicest homes in the area....27713 is generally newer, though there are both new and older homes in both (older being 20-30 years, not historic like areas around downtown).
There is more new construction going on in 27713
Thanks sneezecake. Which zip (in your opinion) would be the best to find a home between 300-400K? Is 27707 out of our price range b/c of the CC? Or is it not quite like that?
Oh, and which zip has the better schools (if there is any real difference at all)?
BTW, I have to tell you -- every time I see your name, I get a major visual.
Last edited by shoes4birds; 08-18-2008 at 08:52 AM..
Reason: to add ? about schools
300-400k, you have plenty of options in both. 27713 probably has more inventory in that range, but I wouldn't rule either out or focus more on either for that reason.
School-wise, some of 27713 is districted to Jordan HS and some is to Hillside - generally, Jordan is thought of as the better school. I believe most/all of 27707 is districted to Jordan.
27707 has some great affordable homes in Hope Valley Farms, for example, or Sunningdale. We saw some excellent homes in the 250k range, so definitely consider both.
27713 is a bit closer to RTP, both zips are convenient to Southpoint.
We looked extensively at both areas and then settled closer to RDU/RTP in the southern part of 27703. Don't get too caught up in zipcodes...they are really nothing more than a way to deliver mail.
I agree with everything Sneezecake has said. Both zip codes are definitely considered SW Durham, but people here aren't really hung up on zip codes. We use them sometimes on this forum to help identify areas to newcomers, but people in this region don't usually mention them in conversation. 99 times out of 100, it's simply referred to as "southwest Durham". If anything, some people might say they live around Southpoint, but they'd never say they live "in 27713". Does that make sense?
I live in 27713, very close to the border with 27707. There is plenty of housing in the $300-400K price range in both zip codes, including new construction. I think you'll find more new construction in 27713 because it's further south (more room to grow). The Streets of Southpoint is in 27713 & that has certainly increased construction in that area, as well as the close proximity to RTP. I know people who live in new construction homes in your price range in both zips & their homes seem pretty comparable. I also know people who live in well established, heavily-treed neighborhoods in both zip codes. There's a lot to chose from.
One of my favorite neighborhoods in that price range in 27713 is Fairfield. It has a bit of new construction amongst homes that are about 20 years old. The trees are a big draw for me. I'm a sucker for trees. One of my favorites in 27707 is Marydell. I don't know about the amenities, but the homes are quite pretty. If you can go a bit above $400K, you should look at the homes in New Hope Valley. It's the western side of the historic Hope Valley neighborhood. There are some gorgeous, newer construction properties there. Many of the homes have lush rose beds in their front gardens. It's one of the things that makes that neighborhood so special.
In my observation, I think 27707 has a little more mix of socio-economic areas which is a plus for me, maybe not for others. It doesn't mean that the projects are in your backyard, but it means that some neighborhoods are closer to the borders of some areas that have lower (not extremely) incomes.
I have noticed that when I say I live in SW Durham, people tend to think that I mean the Southpoint area (a bit of distance from me), but the whole area is SW Durham. I usually say 'near South Square or near the Super Target' and then they know what I'm talking about.
In Durham Co., can anyone explain the difference (in housing, schools, etc.) between 27707 & 27713? Which one is considered SW Durham?
In general, we're going to do a little research on SW Durham (in addition to our other chosen locations). I've been hearing a lot of good things about the area and just want to get an idea of the difference in zip codes.
Thanks to all.
I orginally tried to search by zip code but found that searching by school zone was easier here in Durham for our needs. In the zip codes that you mentioned the schools vary quite a bit. The schools in those zip codes are:
Creekside (we live in 27713 but our kids go to Creekside in 27707)
Fayetteville Street
Forest View (is in 27705 but serves people who live in SW Durham 27707 & 27713)
Hope Valley 27707
Lakewood 27707
Morehead Montessori is 27707 but is really close to downtown & is a magnet
Parkwood 27713
Pearsontown 27713 Year round magnet
Southwest 27713
CC Spaulding 27707
Middle School
Githens 27707 (serves part of 27713 as well)
Lowes Grove 27713
Rogers Herr 27707 Year Round Magnet
Shepard 27707 Magnet I think??
High School
Hillside 27707 serves part of 27713 as well
Jordan 27707 serves part of 27713 as well
When we were looking (Spring of 07) we only considered homes zoned for Creekside, Hope Valley, and Jordan High School. In retrospect I wish we had also included Forest View Elementary in the mix. Personally I think the scores usually only reflect socio-economic status of the parents. But I did look heavily at behavior issues/ suspensions at schools. And I read the schools "site improvement plans." I personally think the site improvement plans can give you more information than test scores.
Our oldest is now in 3rd grade (1st when we were looking). But we had hoped this would be our last move so we only considered Jordan. There is a new high school that will open in the Western part of the county near Chapel Hill. I think 2012 is the open date. I know it's in time for my oldest to be in high school. I would consider this area too.
Middle School is a mixed bag. And honestly it seems that the principal has a huge part in the success of school. I figure there is a good chance that the principal will change before we are to the middle school age. But I have met several parents here in Durham who put their kids in private school for middle school but send them to public school for elementary & high. I just think middle school in general is a tough time in general.
If you have any specific question feel free to ask.
BTW, the pp mentioned that 27707 has a more diverse economic feel. I agree. But I think that it's because it's generally has more older neighborhoods. Most of 27713 is new and Southpoint drove up land prices here about 8 years ago so 27713 is more expensive. BUT I find that 27713 has more "agricultural" diversity than 27707. We still have a few farms down here. After living in an urban area for 20 years we kind of like driving by cows to get home and having a blue berry farm around the corner. But we also have no illusions of those things being here forever. For now we enjoy it.
This thread has been extremely enlightening for me, since we are contemplating moving into a home in 27707. It is on Lincoln street. Is this a nice, safe street?
Hmmmm - I don't know about that street specifically, but looking at it on a map I would not call that the best area of 27707.
Honestly, I didn't even think that 27707 went over that far to 55!
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One of my favorites in 27707 is Marydell. I don't know about the amenities, but the homes are quite pretty. If you can go a bit above $400K, you should look at the homes in New Hope Valley. It's the western side of the historic Hope Valley neighborhood. There are some gorgeous, newer construction properties there. Many of the homes have lush rose beds in their front gardens. It's one of the things that makes that neighborhood so special.
than 27707. We still have a few farms down here. After living in an urban area for 20 years we kind of like driving by cows to get home and having a blue berry farm around the corner. But we also have no illusions of those things being here forever. 
For now we enjoy it.
