I really, really want to live in Raleigh/Durham, but. . .(need advice) (Fayetteville: rental, homes)

[Bill Bolduc]

So I'm another potential Northeastern transplant (late 30s, from Maine) with a Japanese wife and two bi-racial children. I have lived in Boston (during grad school and beyond) and loved it. Also lived in NYC area during college and Osaka, Japan (with wife's family). My wife hates the long, cold winters of NE and the lack of diversity in my homestate (I agree). I have a good friend who moved from ME to NC and loves the triangle area and it appeals to me in a lot of ways. I am a mental health professional (slightly left of center but by no means radical) who has applied for a position with the US Public Health Commissioned Corps (USPHS). The USPHS has a partnership with the DOD and is hiring MH folks to provide counseling services to military and their families. There are several positions open in Fort Bragg but I do not want to live anywhere near Fayeteville (sorry if I insulted anyone). Trouble is, my understanding is that Raleigh/Durham is more than an hour commute from Fort Bragg. What are some towns/cities in between that are decent (USPHS will pay up to $1600/month for rental home). Thanks.

[rnc2mbfl]

You can stay in Wake County (Raleigh's County) but be closer to Fayetteville if you live in Fuquay-Varina, Holly Springs and Apex. Being in Southern Wake County could cut your commute by at least 20 minutes.

[Bill Bolduc]

Thanks. So what is a good time guesstimate from say, Holly Springs or Fuquay-Varina to Fort Bragg one-way?

[sowk09]

I just googled it and, without having exact addresses, it says 1 hr 1min on NC 210, 1 hr 10 min on NC 210 from Holly Springs.

[frankpc]

Depending on where you live, the commute from Holly Springs to Ft Bragg can be 50 minutes or so in the morning. I have a friend who makes the trip often.

[Bill Bolduc]

Anyone else in Wake County make the daily trip to Fort Bragg? I wonder if there is a possibility to carpooling. . .?

[Sant]

Have you looked at the Durham VAMC to see if they are hiring? I know they have a great need for mental health specialists too.

[kattykay]

The Triangle is just so far away from Fayetteville to be practical. I know people do it, but the quality of life must be so crappy for them. An hour commute is not the norm here at ALL (it might be in Boston). The only midway place would be Sanford but I think that is worse than Fay.

And I have to be honest (snob alert), Fuquay and Holly Springs are not exciting places to live either. They are both so far away from Raleigh, Durham or CH. You will never be able to take full advantage of the best parts of the Triangle if you live there either. You'll just end up driving 30-45 minutes from there for interesting culture, food, entertainment, etc.

I have lived in Fayetteville (army brat) and while it is not the most happenin' place, there are nice parts to it. Friendly people from all over the world, solidly middle class and it is actually a really diverse place (racially but more importantly socio-economically ie. Tons of minority families who are middle and upper middle class). Your kids will def not be the only biracial kids, your wife will surely have many Japanese friends to choose from. And in many ways, like a PP said, military towns are MORE welcoming to new people because everyone has BTDT and been new at some point in their lives.

No doubt a huge culture shock from Boston and NYC. But like the earlier poster said, it could be your launching point to a job in the Triangle in a couple years.

It is worth considering. Good Luck!

[Francois]

I think you'd get really tired of commuting to Ft Bragg from the Triangle. You might look into Sanford, but that's by no means as "cosmopolitan" as the Triangle. It IS becoming another "bedroom" community to the Triangle as sprawl moves further out.

You might come down for a weekend and make the drive a couple of times from say, Cary to Ft Bragg and see how you would deal with it.

[lunadesign]

Originally Posted by kattykay

The Triangle is just so far away from Fayetteville to be practical. I know people do it, but the quality of life must be so crappy for them. An hour commute is not the norm here at ALL (it might be in Boston). The only midway place would be Sanford but I think that is worse than Fay.

And I have to be honest (snob alert), Fuquay and Holly Springs are not exciting places to live either. They are both so far away from Raleigh, Durham or CH. You will never be able to take full advantage of the best parts of the Triangle if you live there either. You'll just end up driving 30-45 minutes from there for interesting culture, food, entertainment, etc.

Sorry but this is just completely untrue. They may not be the most exciting places to live, but FV is not far away from Raleigh AT ALL. In fact, parts of FV border Raleigh. I have a FV address and I'm exactly 10 minutes (8 miles) from DOWNTOWN Raleigh. Parts of FV are actually closer then Apex, Holly Springs and Cary are to Raleigh.

To the OP - Our best friends live in our subdivision and the husband works at PAB/FB and commutes there every day. It's 45 mins and he has no complaints. He thinks it's the best of both worlds, so it IS do-able. It just happens to be a longer commute than the norm here. Good luck!