Student potentially moving to NC, need advice or 'candid' opinions..? (Charlotte: apartments, chapel)

[RaleighJeff]

I think you'll do fine here. There are tons of inexpensive apartments and housing options very close to both NC State and UNC, especially if you don't mind finding a roommate. The triangle is very college student friendly and you can find housing and other amenities that will fit your needs. NC State students can ride the bus at a discounted rate and getting around downtown and campus if you live nearby is much preferable to driving, especially in rush hour.

The Bulls are a big institution in the area and their games are always considered a big social occasion and tickets tend to be pretty cheap. I'm not a baseball fan so I couldn't tell you how good they actually are, haha. If you go to a Hurricanes game, especially with some people who are actually fans, you'll find it very easy to get into but ymmv. They're considered one of the most family friendly sports franchises around.

[rnc2mbfl]

Originally Posted by dberger

So would those apartments be in a more "urban" area? Not that I'm opposed to something suburban, but right now I live in center city Philadelphia so I'm just kind of used to thinking of things in walking distance, on a grid, with a bus (or subway) stop. Though I'll be bringing my car with me because I hear it's impossible to live without one in Raleigh.

You are correct that you will need a car but you can choose where to live and minimize its use. The recommendation of The Raleigh Apartments is a good one if minimizing driving is a priority for you. The location of that complex is just a few blocks NE of the NE corner of the campus and between Cameron Village (6 city blocks of retail) and Glenwood South (where the center of the bar scene is). Depending on your major course of study at NC State, you may be able to walk or ride a bike to classes. You can pick up the free downtown circulator bus (The RLine) by walking less than 10 minutes to Glenwood South. This will take you to other parts of downtown. So, while Raleigh and the Triangle are not a walkable utopia, there are decisions that you can be make that will help you mitigate car use.

Take a look at Get Your Walk Score - A Walkability Score For Any Address when looking for a place to live. This site does a decent job at identifying how walkable a specific address is.
For the Raleigh Apts, that score is an 89 out of 100. This makes it "very walkable" Walk Score - Helping homebuyers, renters, and real estate agents find houses and apartments in great neighborhoods.

[bryan6]

Originally Posted by dberger

I'm leaning toward NCSU myself, so I'm kind of wondering if you've started the transfer process yet or how that's working out for you? I'm a big fan of easy things...so...I hope they don't make it a huge hassle.

I plan on transferring hopefully into NCSU next semester(Spring 2010). I've only filled out the application but I've also had an admissions meeting and visited the campus a handful of times. They seem to have made it a very smooth process. The one thing I am afraid of is getting housing, at most schools it is difficult to get on campus housing in the middle of the school year, and I don't know anyone there to room with in an apartment.

[dberger]

Okay, so I did some research into the Raleigh Apartments / surrounding area and I think it's basically the exact kind of environment I was looking for. Seems really walkable, and more urban than suburban, yet far enough removed to have grass and trees, which I currently do NOT have in Philly. I could deal with the units being older...I've gotten used to the "old building" thing in Philly and I've become a pro at installing a window unit air conditioner. Two things I'm curious about: first, the rent for a 2bed/1bath apartment is listed at $665/mo. Is that likely to be per person or for the whole unit? Is that a misprint? If not, wow. I can handle that. Secondly, I noticed 2 parks in the vicinity (Pullen Park and Fred Fletcher Park). Would those be ideal places to go for a daily jog, or is it okay to just stick to jogging on the streets, or what is the deal with those parks? One of them looks pretty sizable.

Oh, and I guess a third question. Are there other complexes or places to look into in this general area? I'd like to have a few options in case everything is rented out...

Regarding my major (as far as commuting to campus is concerned) I would be a business major of some sort, with a possible language minor or double major, depending on the exact program I transfer into. Not sure if that makes a difference.

Originally Posted by bryan6

The one thing I am afraid of is getting housing, at most schools it is difficult to get on campus housing in the middle of the school year, and I don't know anyone there to room with in an apartment.

I'm in the same situation, especially since I wouldn't be starting until the fall 2010 semester so I'm basically in the market for an apartment of some sort. I guess there's always Craigslist...or CITY-DATA. Hint, nudge. Hahah.

[lovebrentwood]

My son paid half of the $650 on a two-bedroom apartment. It was on the third floor. Apartments are rented for one price.

I wouldn't recommend jogging alone in Pullen Park.

Many people have roommates, and I highly recommend that you do a criminal check on anyone you consider, no matter how nice they seem. If you can get a credit check, that's all the better. At minimum, you can check the Wake County criminal system to see if they've ever been convicted in Wake County. It's free:
http://webapps6.doc.state.nc.us/opi/...do?method=view

[dberger]

Wow...that rent...is so awesome. It doesn't look far from anything at all, really. And the neighborhood itself seems pretty upstanding. And that rent! Thanks for the heads up on Pullen Park. I thought maybe since it was next to NCSU it would be monitored/safe but...I'm not in the business of getting robbed Also, I don't live with just anyone...had a bad experience up here of someone (a friend, even) just packing up and leaving overnight and never paying rent ever again...I learned that lesson the hard way, sadly.

[bryan6]

Originally Posted by dberger

I'm in the same situation, especially since I wouldn't be starting until the fall 2010 semester so I'm basically in the market for an apartment of some sort. I guess there's always Craigslist...or CITY-DATA. Hint, nudge. Hahah.

Haha let me know how your apartment search goes, I too am going to be a business major, sports management.

[rnc2mbfl]

Originally Posted by dberger

Wow...that rent...is so awesome. It doesn't look far from anything at all, really. And the neighborhood itself seems pretty upstanding. And that rent! Thanks for the heads up on Pullen Park. I thought maybe since it was next to NCSU it would be monitored/safe but...I'm not in the business of getting robbed Also, I don't live with just anyone...had a bad experience up here of someone (a friend, even) just packing up and leaving overnight and never paying rent ever again...I learned that lesson the hard way, sadly.

My Raleigh home is just a few blocks East of the Raleigh Apts. You will LOVE that location based on what we have learned about you so far.
Given that the area is pretty hilly, I'd suggest jogging along Hillsborough Street between NC State and Downtown. That's a pretty flat stretch and is really easy to navigate.
You might always want to check out the collection of post war apartments across the street from St. Mary's college. They too will be reasonably priced.
PM me if you have any questions.

[mboyle1988]

Say it ain't so Jack! The world doesn't need another Tar Hole!

Okay okay, kidding aside, UNC is a wonderful place to go to college (even if you all have that AWFUL shade of blue you wear! okay...stopping I promise...) Chapel Hill seriously is a lot of fun, probably the best place to live in NC, one of the best in the country. I think you'll enjoy it.

[nu2durham]

Sounds like you have a great plan. If your parents can loan you money to buy a townhome, you may want to consider that! My friend did the same thing many years ago, and his parents helped him, and his townhome was a fantastic investment. In fact, he stayed down in NC and still lives there...

I went to UNC CH, and it was an amazing experience. I think your plan sounds great. You should look in SW Durham for a place to live since it is less expensive than Chapel Hill, unless you do a roommate situation (look on Craigslist). Chapel Hill is beautiful , but a bit more expensive. You may also want to check out Carrboro.

DM if you want more info. I grad from UNC more than 10 years ago, but I went out of state.