Renaissance Park -- Opinions? (Raleigh, Cary: sales, to rent, sex offender)

[planningmove]

Does anybody have information about living in Renaissance Park? I am looking to rent a home and this location seems ideally located close to Raleigh, Cary, and Clayton. Any positive or negative feedback about living in this area would be appreciated.

[stanleyandjoan]

My husband and I recently looked in there...we are relocating too. We loved the home we saw and the community center seems nice. Location was good. Only think that concerned us was the area driving in seemed a little run down. I am trying to find out if it is safe.

[sea2sea]

My thoughts and concerns are the same. The salesperson for the community said the city has plans to revitalize that stretch of S. Saunders St.

Can anyone confirm this?

I really like the homes by their custom builders - just concerned the area wont see upside.

Originally Posted by stanleyandjoan

My husband and I recently looked in there...we are relocating too. We loved the home we saw and the community center seems nice. Location was good. Only think that concerned us was the area driving in seemed a little run down. I am trying to find out if it is safe.

[househunter40]

I am considering purchasing a home in PR. I am very concerned over the surrounding area. The homes are nice but not sure if it is worth living in such a low rent area. Also seems to be a lot of on street parking around some of the collections. I am afraid I may be making a bad investment if I purchase one of the more expensive homes in the neighborhood (Governors Row). Does any one have information about plans to develop the surrounding area? Does any anticipate resell issues for the neighborhood? Prices have dropped considerably since the beginning of the year

[mjohnson185]

That community is only a 5 min drive to my husband's work, so I wanted to consider it when we were looking to buy. He refused because he's familliar with the area and says it's unsafe. He just said plug in South Saunders into the sex offender website. That's all it took for me.

[capt chill]

Originally Posted by mjohnson185

That community is only a 5 min drive to my husband's work, so I wanted to consider it when we were looking to buy. He refused because he's familliar with the area and says it's unsafe. He just said plug in South Saunders into the sex offender website. That's all it took for me.

It is a rough area just a few miles away from the development. Nice homes, but I dunno, revitalization s saunders?? please who is smoking what. Its the underbelly of Raleigh. That said people live in all types of areas. I just have a problem spending a whole lot of money on a nice home near an area that is NOT going to change much anytime soon.

[househunter40]

Thanks for your opinions. I think I feel the same way. Just bordering the neighborhood are several semi-abandoned strip malls. Just around the corner are more. It seems like this area will get much worse before it gets any better.... if ever. I looked at the 20 year plan and NO planned changes for this end of S.Saunders. I also noticed that the entrance from S. Saunders had a few homeless people pandering. That cinched it for me. Nice neighborhood and great homes but terrible area. Not worth it for me

[jbny2076]

My wife and i are wondering about the same questions raised. We really like the development and the builders but the are sucks. I have been trying to find if they will be developing S. Saunders area but don't see anything happening on this anytime soon. My concern is if they will ever finish building the homes, etc. Seems like this has been being built for over 2 years and homes are still on the market and a ton of lots unsold. I know the economy has played a big part. So we are still on the fence. The upside is BBT has a CHIP loan with no PMI since in an up and coming area, but at the same time when you leave the development the area sucks close by. Anyone that lives in Ren Park enjoy living there? or can provide insight about the community?

[amcleod]

Originally Posted by jbny2076

Anyone that lives in Ren Park enjoy living there? or can provide insight about the community?

I live in the neighborhood and love it. I don't think you could ask for better neighbors or a better sense of community. The convenience to downtown, NCSU, Crossroads and Garner is great - we are literally 5-10 minutes from everywhere. I can be at many of the restaurants downtown quicker than friends that live inside the beltline.

To address the questions that have come up re: the area. Yes - it needs work. Yes - we have a committed group of neighbors working on it. Yes - I do think it will change for the better. I've seen improvements in the more than two years I've lived in the neighborhood and expect to see a huge turnaround in the next 5-10 years. We are working closely with Councilman Crowder and the Southwest Citizen Advisory Council to move things forward.

Personally I feel confident that the area is turning and we are headed in the right direction. And no - I'm not speculating based on driving by the neighborhood. I live here. It is a great community and I am proud to call Renaissance Park home.

[Ren Park]

I live less than three miles from Renaissance Park, and I love the area. It's super convenient to NC State, downtown is a $12.00 cab ride, and there is a Target and Walmart within a few miles. Full disclosure - I just started working here as the new on site sales person for the Revival Collection townhomes. That's why I'm searching this board in the first place. I will say though, I accepted this job because I live very close, and I am VERY comfortable with the area. I think it's a great neighborhood with great amenities in a great/convenient location.