Where to live?

[twinmomkris]

I know these are all opinions on here. It is such a large area and I know very little about it, so I feel I need to do as much asking as I can before doing the major house hunting. We were down there a few days recently, and I saw some areas, but it is very hard to know what a place is like when you are just passing through.

On the type of house, lot etc - we really like the newer craftsman style homes. We'd like a nice lot with some trees. Really though - what I am looking for is a very family friendly neighborhood with lots of little kids, where the kids all play in the backyards while the neighbors sit out on the patio. I want a safe place for my kids to play without worrying about fast cars driving through or crime. I don't want to live in homes on lots so far apart that no one knows each other. I don't want a neighborhood where there aren't a lot of children to play with. It seems I have a lot of options in the Raleigh area, and that is great! It is just so hard when you have so much to choose from!

Could someone tell me more about the Apex and Holly Springs areas? Are there a lot of empty newly constructed neighborhoods? How will the construction of 540 affect those areas? Are property values going down? Where exactly is the nuclear plant and does it affect the quality of life there at all?

Thanks for bearing with me.

[LONGISLAND2NC]

The power plant is here nc - Google Maps (zoom out to get a better context). I haven't been here that long but I would say it's a virtual non-issue for those that live here, unless you are someone that worries about these things.

Could be more reactors on the way though -
http://www.newsobserver.com/business...ry/709925.html

[DanielleNC]

I know you keep mentioning places in Wake County, but I really think you should check out Churton Grove while down here. It meets everything you are looking for.

http://churtongrovenc.com/index.html

Here are some pics of Hillsborough and Churton Grove thanks to Indigoblue.
my photo tour of Hillsborough

[MikeJaquish]

Originally Posted by twinmomkris

I know these are all opinions on here. It is such a large area and I know very little about it, so I feel I need to do as much asking as I can before doing the major house hunting. We were down there a few days recently, and I saw some areas, but it is very hard to know what a place is like when you are just passing through.

On the type of house, lot etc - we really like the newer craftsman style homes. We'd like a nice lot with some trees. Really though - what I am looking for is a very family friendly neighborhood with lots of little kids, where the kids all play in the backyards while the neighbors sit out on the patio. I want a safe place for my kids to play without worrying about fast cars driving through or crime. I don't want to live in homes on lots so far apart that no one knows each other. I don't want a neighborhood where there aren't a lot of children to play with. It seems I have a lot of options in the Raleigh area, and that is great! It is just so hard when you have so much to choose from!

Could someone tell me more about the Apex and Holly Springs areas? Are there a lot of empty newly constructed neighborhoods? How will the construction of 540 affect those areas? Are property values going down? Where exactly is the nuclear plant and does it affect the quality of life there at all?

Thanks for bearing with me.

1. Most of Holly Springs and Apex will not be affected negatively by 540. And the arrival of 540 in Holly Springs is many years away. Right now it is a matter of looking at particular properties and subdivisions and being sure you are not too close, or on a feeder road with an interchange planned. Not really that hard.

2. You are wise to want neighborhoods that are finished or nearly finished. But, most neighborhoods ARE finished or nearly finished. Again, not that hard to ascertain.

3. We have an absolute ton of culdesac development throughout the Triangle. By definition, culdesacs have no through traffic. You will want to avoid neighborhood connector streets that collect and carry all the neighborhood traffic to the local thoroughfares. Again, not that hard. Often that is the street that is named after the subdivision, i.e., "Mildew Downs Lane" in "Mildew Downs."

4. You have an embarrassment of wealth in your options. Tons of neighborhoods that will work. You need to visit some of them and narrow the selection.
As soon as you said "$600,000," you probably got 15--20 DM's from lurking agents. Ask some of them to send you information about areas that they think will work for you. It should be at no obligation, and will stay that way until you would ask one of them to work with you formally.
Sign NOTHING, except possibly the Working With Agents Brochure.

[twinmomkris]

Thank you all so much for all the detailed information. It has been extremely helpful!

[ericamcclenny]

Did you check out Horton's Creek? It's a nice spot but in Cary, off 55. Mike is right...do research and interview before you sign anything.

Ask basic questions like...what price point do you sell in? How many homes had you sold in the past 6 months? Etc..

You have a ton of choices new and resale. If you have time on your side...keep an eye on foreclosures too. You can get the $600k home for $450-500k. Save $$

[ThanksRaleigh]

Wake Forest and Fuquay are different animals but too far out. Pittsboro is ok but very small.

[ApexIntruder]

Originally Posted by ThanksRaleigh

Wake Forest and Fuquay are different animals but too far out. Pittsboro is ok but very small.

Fuquay is 12 miles from DT Raleigh and that is too far out?

It takes less time to get to DT Raleigh from parts of Fuquay than it does from parts of Raleigh itself.

Pittsboro is 33 miles from DT Raleigh.