Rural Living in Raleigh/Cary/Holly Spring/Wake Forest? (Apex: rent, how much)

[Cybermage]

Hey All. The forums here are great and I can't wait until I'm living in the area and can make better use of the great content here. Thanks for taking the time to post info about your area. It is immensely helpful.

My Question:

Is it possible to find acreage and a nice 4 bedroom home in the areas surrounding Raleigh and within the 200 - 300K range?

My scenario:

I'm moving my family to the Raleigh area within the next month. I have two boys (4 and 8) & want to raise them in a rural setting. I'm a country-boy just hoping that I can give a few of the rural experiences that I grew up with to MY kids.

Looking for: Something with 5-10 acres and a nice house. We would prefer a place that is not in a suburb, but still within a 45 -60 minute commute of NCSU. I'll be working in the libraries there, helping manage their IT dept. I can afford up to $275 - 300K.

I like Cary, Apex, & Holly Springs, but all of the houses I am finding in those areas are in suburbs. I want a place where I don't feel smothered by the neighbors.

I'd greatly appreciate any opinions you might have on this.

[CAKD]

To get that type of acreage you are going to have to go well out side the towns you have listed from what I have seen.

[ty320f]

If you like the apex/holly springs area, you might try further out past New Hill. Lots of land out there and close enough to town to satisfy. Just a possibility.

[adlnc07]

Pittsboro comes to mind.

[Sloaf]

maybe Hillsborough.

[lovebrentwood]

Maybe Youngsville.

[leighbhe]

I would actually suggest the Clayton area. I think if you adjust your acreage criteria (look for something between 3 and 5 acres, you would find a number of homes that meet your needs. Clayton is a nice area, and definitely on the NC State side of town. When I worked there, many friends lived in the garner or clayton area because they could get more house for the money and the commute was not terrible.

I know someone who works at the library, I used to work with his wife. I have fond memories of dh hill from when I was in graduate school there!

Leigh

[zinner]

I think you will have to look farther out that HS for that. Size Lot/Price

[Cybermage]

So, it looks like I'm going to have to adjust my idea of how much land I'd like to have. But honestly, even 3 acres is much more space for the boys to play than I have now. Thank you ALL for sharing your knowledge. I'm already starting to find some pieces of property in the places you have mentioned.

[purdypearls]

Check out property in Johnston County. You can probably get the acreage and house of a nice size pretty easily. Maybe rent for a few months to figure out where might be best.