Smithfield? (Raleigh, Goldsboro, Clayton: 2009, to rent, neighborhoods)

[Mellijade]

What kind of diversity is there in Smithfield? I currently live in Detroit, MI, and moving to North Carolina. My new job is in Smithfield, but I am not sure where to buy or rent a house. I would like an area that is a little diverse. Thank you for your help!!

[zthatzmanz28]

We are moving to Smithfield this summer (2009). We are coming from the Detroit area and we would like to know where to move to also.

[beckycat]

If I worked in Smithfield, I'd live in Clayton. To me, Clayton seems more diverse than Smithfield.

[Francois]

Smithfield has not yet been touched by the exploding growth in the Triangle proper. As has been suggested, Clayton has more of a diverse population (specifically Northerners).

[playnice]

Smithfield has distinct "sides." It is quite diverse. It has a small town feel, on one side of the tracks, with walking distance to schools. On the other hand, you will not find too much land.

[Reads2MUCH]

It is a relatively small city, but with all the common comforts most people look for. Seymour Johnson Air Force base is located there which helps bring a very diverse population to the city. It is only about a 20 minute drive to Smithfield from Goldsboro.

[coco29]

I have visited smithfield and surrounding areas throughout my life here in north carolina...all 29yrs lol. Speaking from a more bias standpoint, I like the outter skirts of the area. I currently live in goldsboro, the outskirts that is, which is about 15mins from smithfield. I havent found smithfield to be diverse, but I may be wrong...dont quote me unless someone else prove me wrong. I like Goldsboro because it is a military town, the people are friendly. I hope you find what you are looking for. send me a msg back if you would like to know what interest you and maybe I could help you out in those area's (hobbies/jobs/school) I wish you luck.

[zthatzmanz28]

We will be in Smithfield -- actually I will be and my wife is wrapping up business here in MI--on February 20, 2009. I will be renting a room in the area until June. Between now and then I hope to explore the area and get an idea which / where / would be a place to rent / own a more permanent residence for us and our Plott hound and a grey hound- Lab mix.

We have heard from others in the area that life is on the slow side and quiet is like a national past time. May be that isn't so bad as living right next to Detroit is like watching the FAST AND THE FURIOUS marathon 24/7.

The again, we may just be at those proverbial crossroads from which we are just tired of fast forward and hoping for some extended play.

We also know diversity has become a catch-all phrase, with way too many innuendos...

For us we think of diversity as meaning not everyone in the community has to think the same, act the same, believe the same, look the same and people who are "different" are respected and accepted as neighbors and as people who make life interesting and add to our experience.

[radmod]

I'm very familiar with Smithfield--there are a couple parts, including older neighborhoods nearer to the (quite small) town center and the more outlying areas near to strip-road development. Smithfield has its charms, but it is not diverse. Historically, it's been a small southern town with distinct white and black communities within the broader southern culture (friendly, religious, and like many small towns somewhat suspicious of outsiders). There has been a recent influx of Hispanic immigrants, which has unfortunately engendered some animosity (e.g. Johnston county sheriff has made some comments--search "Johnston County Sheriff apologizes" on Google).

[tassy]

I live in Clayton, moved here from MA 12 years ago and love it. I've spent plenty of time shopping and going through Smithfield and don't think I would want to live there. A plus to living in Clayton would be the work commute, you'd always be going against the flow, you'd be heading east while the rest of the populous is heading west to Raleigh, RTP, etc...