Real estate agent doesn't want us to look at Durham (Raleigh: home, purchasing)

[zitsky]

Originally Posted by Snapaholics

ok so if i was going to work in raleigh, and i am a white single mom with a black daughter (not mixed....black) and possibly one day 2 black daughters,

would i want to consider raleigh or durham?

when the poster a few posts ago mentioned it all being too suburban and not much character, that is the kind of area i'd like to avoid. i want amenities for my daughter, swim team, dance lessons, etc, but i'd like to be maybe in an older area for living...even maybe .5 or 1 acre. but it must be diverse.

so what's the opinions on that?

steph

Well, I think Durham is very diverse, but I just found it surprising that people don't seem to mix much. You can call me crazy, but I saw more "diversity" in downtown Raleigh, and yes, Chapel Hill. On paper Durham is very diverse, but I just didn't see it in reality. It's like people keep to themselves.

Some parts of Durham are very walkable and have a small town feel. I was just surprised how small those areas are compared to all the developments in southwest Durham.

We're considering Raleigh, but I haven't found any houses there that I really like yet.

[ncsualum2004]

Originally Posted by Snapaholics

when the poster a few posts ago mentioned it all being too suburban and not much character, that is the kind of area i'd like to avoid. i want amenities for my daughter, swim team, dance lessons, etc, but i'd like to be maybe in an older area for living...even maybe .5 or 1 acre. but it must be diverse.

so what's the opinions on that?

steph

well far as amenities like a finding a swim team and dance lessons you should have no trouble. it's suburban not rural... I'm sure you've heard the ol soccermom sterotypes. I grew up in Durham and my parents still live there. They live in an older neighborhood in north Durham. Most of the houses have large plots of land and aren't cookie cutter. Far as being very diverse? the neighbor isn't that diverse but it wasn't exactly something that was a priority for them when deciding which house to buy.

[layyze]

Originally Posted by zitsky

Well, I think Durham is very diverse, but I just found it surprising that people don't seem to mix much. You can call me crazy, but I saw more "diversity" in downtown Raleigh, and yes, Chapel Hill. On paper Durham is very diverse, but I just didn't see it in reality. It's like people keep to themselves.

It really depends on the neighborhood.
On my block of the street there are two Hispanic families, two African American, and about four white. The adults on my block range in age from mid-20s to late-70s with plenty of kids around.

I think that where you don't see much diversity in Durham are the more wealthy and white areas around Duke and the middle class black neighborhoods.

[VickiR]

I can't really talk about diversity as Fair Housing and the Federal Gov't. doesn't allow Realtors to discuss RACE or COLOR.

However, I will tell you that as a person I notice the following:

People seem to gravitate towards those most like them, whether you base it on race, culture or age or income or children.

So, the area in which you live can be DIVERSE and you may like your neighbors and wave at them but do they want to be your friends? Probably not!

As for children in school, ALL the schools in Wake County are diverse. Even when your kids get to high school and they take Honors and AP classes, there will be a mixture of students. This is a good thing. It teaches them that the world IS diverse.

So to those who are FOR living in a diverse area and to those AGAINST living in a diverse area, TOUGH! The world IS a diverse place to live!

Vicki

[roncorey1]

One thing that Durham has over Raleigh, Cary, Chapel Hill, etc is A LACK OF PRETENTIOUS PEOPLE!!! I'm sure some on here know exactly what I'm talking about.

When I first moved here about three years ago I didn't know much about Durham and didin't know what to expect. Folks tried to tell me what they thought they knew about the Bull City, but after being here I realize they knew nothing. I had some family and friends put the city down and not being here long at the time I just took it with a grain of salt, but now I feel like I'd tell someone where to go If they put down my city. It has grown on me and I feel that as long as I can find job opportunities here then I will stay. I recommend that anyone moving to this area for work in RTP try to look past all the Cary, Apex, and Morrisville hype and give Durham a chance!

[nashwolfpacker]

We live in Woodcroft subdivision in Durham and love it for the hiking trails, wooded lots, and privacy. There is tons of shopping (Southpoint Mall, Super Target, Grocery) nearby and lots of restaurants. Public schools in Durham are not so good so people try to go private (Durham Academy, Duke School, etc) if they can afford it. Do you have kids? Beware of Wake County schools as you can see from the hundreds of threads about relocation/redistricting being a huge problem.

[PDXmom]

Originally Posted by nashwolfpacker

Public schools in Durham are not so good so people try to go private (Durham Academy, Duke School, etc) if they can afford it.

Do you have kids in Durham Public Schools? I find the above to be a gross over generalization. We have 2 kids in DPS and have been very pleased.
What one person considers "good" is not always what another considers "good". Durham Academy would be a terrible fit for my family.

[Charlton Dude]

Originally Posted by PDXmom

What one person considers "good" is not always what another considers "good".

This is true. However, the overwhelming majority of people do not feel that the Durham public school system is very good. It is the minority of people that like it.

[kingyouth]

Originally Posted by Charlton Dude

This is true. However, the overwhelming majority of people do not feel that the Durham public school system is very good. It is the minority of people that like it.

If you are going to generalize about the "majority of people" who dislike the DPSS, I would enjoy a good source so I may continue to educate myself about such a public school system.

Seeing that my fiancee and I may start a family in the next few years, we would like to start comparing the school systems in Wake, Orange, and Durham counties. So any researchable information you have on Durham County's school system would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

[StoneOne]

Originally Posted by Charlton Dude

This is true. However, the overwhelming majority of people do not feel that the Durham public school system is very good. It is the minority of people that like it.

Could it be that the majority of parents these days, in Durham and everywhere else, would prefer to wash their hands of responsibility for their children's education, preferring instead that the school take care of everything?