Questions about Wendell (Raleigh, Cary, Asheville: chapel, homes, neighborhoods)

[cottonswoods]

I spent most of my life in NC and all my family is there, so it my husbands. I can hardly remember Wendell, though I went there as a child.

What is it like today in general? Heavy traffic or no? Highway access to Raleigh and the RTP? Good schools? How about racism or acceptance of a multiracial family? Has job growth extended there from Raleigh and the RTP? How about medical, dental and shopping? I'm just hoping I won't have to drive into the big city to get to services.

Thanks for all replies in advance!

[zthatzmanz28]

I drive through Wendell once or twice a week. If you catch the traffic in the afternoon, Wendell Blvd (aka Alt Business 64) is bumper to bumper and it has taken me 25 minutes to go from Food Lion to NC 231 (Selma Rd).

Hwy 64 is like 5 miles and then a quick jump to I 540 or I 440 to wherever you need to go in the Triangle.

They are building a BIG middle school at the intersection of Alt US 64 and NC 97 (Gannon).

The community has newer neighborhoods on the east side going out Buffalo Rd towards the Wendell Country Club..

I LOVE the downtown area, especially the older homes down Main STreet on the other side of the business section.

Shopping has been good for us. Wendell has the Food Lion and Zebulon is just 5 miles out West Alt 64 where there is a Compare Foods, and Walmarts if you like them.

Zebulon also has a WakeMed facility.

And Knightdale is about 10 minutes down East Business 64 and is 90% as good as going into Raleigh unless there is a particular restaurant you just cannot live without--but Knighdale seems to have a quite a variety of restaurants and other big chain stores.

They also have a Lowes FOOD store that is great...Kind of like a cross between typical grocery / Whole Foods / Trader Joes.

[cottonswoods]

wow..thanks a lot for that post. It really gives us some insight into lifestyle and what to expect. The traffic issue I didn't think to ask but helps a lot since my husband will probably be working in Raleigh. We are moving back home after 17 years on the west coast.

So you have Trader Joe's in the Triangle? Good to know.

I am also concerned about what to expect about medical care in Wendell. IN an emergency will we have to travel all the way to Raleigh or would we be able to go to Zebulun? You mentioned Wake Med facility. Is that a full hospital? I have children and my disability will require good medical care, but we love and prefer a smaller town, more rural than city, yet want to be close to Raleigh.

[Zoya]

Originally Posted by cottonswoods

wow..thanks a lot for that post. It really gives us some insight into lifestyle and what to expect. The traffic issue I didn't think to ask but helps a lot since my husband will probably be working in Raleigh. We are moving back home after 17 years on the west coast.

So you have Trader Joe's in the Triangle? Good to know.

I am also concerned about what to expect about medical care in Wendell. IN an emergency will we have to travel all the way to Raleigh or would we be able to go to Zebulun? You mentioned Wake Med facility. Is that a full hospital? I have children and my disability will require good medical care, but we love and prefer a smaller town, more rural than city, yet want to be close to Raleigh.

The Trader Joe's are no where near Wendell. We have them in Cary and Chapel Hill. They are building one on North Raleigh, right in the 440 Beltline, but the opening date seems to be pushed back.

[zthatzmanz28]

No Trader Joes..... The LOWES food store is like a CROSS / COMBINATION WHOLE FOODS--TRADER JOES -- TYPICAL GROCERY. It has a really nice deli, selection of organic foods, and some good deals on every day items.

WakeMed in Zebulon is not a full service hospital. Pretty sure emergency and such.

Dependending on a hospital on a regular basis might be tough in Wendell.

There is the WakeMed facility at I 440 and New Bern (business 64) in Raleigh.

Check the web site... WakeMed Health & Hospitals, Raleigh, Cary, Clayton, Apex, Fuquay, Zebulon,

[cottonswoods]

Originally Posted by Zoya

The Trader Joe's are no where near Wendell. We have them in Cary and Chapel Hill. They are building one on North Raleigh, right in the 440 Beltline, but the opening date seems to be pushed back.

Thats good enough for me. I'm thrilled TJ's is just in the Triangle area.

[cottonswoods]

Originally Posted by zthatzmanz28

No Trader Joes..... The LOWES food store is like a CROSS / COMBINATION WHOLE FOODS--TRADER JOES -- TYPICAL GROCERY. It has a really nice deli, selection of organic foods, and some good deals on every day items.

WakeMed in Zebulon is not a full service hospital. Pretty sure emergency and such.

Dependending on a hospital on a regular basis might be tough in Wendell.

There is the WakeMed facility at I 440 and New Bern (business 64) in Raleigh.

Check the web site... WakeMed Health & Hospitals, Raleigh, Cary, Clayton, Apex, Fuquay, Zebulon,

Thanks for the info. It really is a lot of help. I don't want to have to drive long distances and I am not able to fight traffic, high speed highways, for medical emergencies or medical care for that matter.

[TexasLady04]

Where is Lake Lure? In or near Wendell ,NC?

[frankpc]

Maybe in you live in Texas its nearby, but Lake Lure is about 250 miles west of Wendell. Much closer to Asheville.

Frank

[RaleighLass]

Originally Posted by cottonswoods

I spent most of my life in NC and all my family is there, so it my husbands. I can hardly remember Wendell, though I went there as a child.

What is it like today in general? Heavy traffic or no? Highway access to Raleigh and the RTP? Good schools? How about racism or acceptance of a multiracial family? Has job growth extended there from Raleigh and the RTP? How about medical, dental and shopping? I'm just hoping I won't have to drive into the big city to get to services.

Thanks for all replies in advance!

until a few yrs ago, Wendell was still very rural with pockets of homes. While it is still rural, there are lots more subdivisions, and roads. My friend lives their, she said she can be at Wake Med on New Bern in 15-20 mins. knightdale has changed SO much! 540 the outer loop goes thru there and to RTP, and Duke has a medical campus with emergency care, and I think specialists. Rex has a bldg a couple of blocks away. the 64 bypass takes you into Raleigh in no time. the new school at 64 and 96 or 97? is Wendell MS. All this within a 15-20 min drive from Wendell. Haven't heard of racial issues...don't hear of any at all (like we used to). Jobs...no improvement...I won't offer any encouragement here