No Clue about Raleigh/Durham, where to live (Cary, Wake Forest: apartment, rentals)

[bushido2298]

Greetings everyone!
I'm relocating to the Raleigh/Durham area for work, I'll be working in Wake County and I'm trying to figure out a good area to live in.
I found a listing in the Wilders Grove neighborhood, but I don't know anything about it. I see that there is a "youth center" nearby, in my neck of the woods that means crime and gangs are nearby too, sorry if anyone is offended by my observation, I just don't know what the local population consists of.
I have a RE agent looking for me, but I'm just trying to get a feel for the area, and won't spend more than 125k for now.

thanks!!!!

[North_Raleigh_Guy]

Wake County is a HUGE county. What area is you job located in? Will it be RTP or maybe downtown? What kind of commute do you want. What kind of stuff do you want to be near?

Are you looking for a single family house or would a townhouse or condo work?

[bushido2298]

I'll be working all over the Wake area, I don't mind commuting 25 minutes, I would like to be near an area close to good resturants/shopping (within 15 minutes) Housing....well I'm pretty flexible, as long as there is a garage for my motorcycle.

[lovebrentwood]

You'll be hard pressed to find a house for $125K. I'd look for a condo in North Raleigh.

There's a 2-bedroom condo for $125,000 in the Wakefield Plantation neighborhood near Wake Forest. It has a garage, too.

I'd go there!

[Zoya]

Originally Posted by bushido2298

Greetings everyone!
I'm relocating to the Raleigh/Durham area for work, I'll be working in Wake County and I'm trying to figure out a good area to live in.
I found a listing in the Wilders Grove neighborhood, but I don't know anything about it. I see that there is a "youth center" nearby, in my neck of the woods that means crime and gangs are nearby too, sorry if anyone is offended by my observation, I just don't know what the local population consists of.
I have a RE agent looking for me, but I'm just trying to get a feel for the area, and won't spend more than 125k for now.

thanks!!!!

The 'youth center/boys and girls club' in Wake Forest in in a nice are.

What something "meant" in your former area means diddly down here.

125k though.....you can find some townhomes in that range....Wakefield and Wake Forest have a few I know about...I am sure that many other areas of Wake county will....not inner beltline....but plenty of other options.

[imtheone81]

Many people on this board strongly prefer North Raleigh or Cary. However, there are a few of us in more urban/affordable settings. I have a house within your price range inside the beltline on the east side of downtown in the King Charles neighborhood. If you're looking for a modest sized house in a convenient location at a good price, ask your agent.

[North_Raleigh_Guy]

Originally Posted by imtheone81

Many people on this board strongly prefer North Raleigh or Cary. However, there are a few of us in more urban/affordable settings. I have a house within your price range inside the beltline on the east side of downtown in the King Charles neighborhood. If you're looking for a modest sized house in a convenient location at a good price, ask your agent.

^^ I don't know why you would consider the King Charles area "more urban". It is a neighborhood of detached single family homes and you will need a car to drive to stores and work. Pretty much like every other suburban neighborhood out there. It's not like it is located in a downtown urban grid.

FWIW, I agree that the OP might want to check that area out, although I think he may be hard pressed to find a single family home with a garage in his stated price range.

[claud605]

Here's my opinion. Rent an apartment in Brier Creek. You can get anywhere in Wake County in about 20 min or less. My apt complex has garages, my husband has a motorcycle and keeps it in there. Then when you live here a year, you will know the area, you will get to know what area you like and don't like. THEN buy.

[Francois]

^ I agree with Claud605--there are so many different kinds of neighborhoods all over the place, you can't possibly get the full story without being here and seeing for yourself. Your price range is a little low for a detached/garage huse, but being here and networking/exploring will let you at least see what your options are and what compromises you might be OK with making.

[Gardenpartygirl]

Well, I was laid off from my job in financial services (HR/Training) and have decided to leave NY/NNJ for the warmer, greener pastures of NC. I've been unemployed for a couple of months now and figure I can be "in transition" in the Raleigh-Durham area just as well as I can be here. I'm interested in moving to Raleigh-Durham because I've heard the long term quality of life will be better there than in So. California (my other choice).

I would like to find an apt. in Raleigh because I imagine it is closest to what I think of as a metro area. My plan is to fly down in September and secure somewhere to live and then transport a few of my belongings in a moving van shortly after. I have my severance until I can find a job.

I'm hoping the good folks of this forum can get me pointed in the right direction - cheapest rentals, trusted place to purchase a very used car/good mechanic (I'm thinking Craigslist for the car), professional networking groups, etc.

Many thanks for your thoughts on the above.