HELP! Adding to my list of possibilities...HILLSBOROUGH? (Raleigh, Durham: to rent, chapel)

[corlyjones]

OK, so instead of narrowing he list of where we are going to settle down...I keep adding to the it. Long story short, my husband was asked to be an art director at McKinney-Silver in downtown Durham. We (him, myself and our four little ones) decided leave our Minnesota roots to go for it. As it was a quick relocation and I just had a baby weeks beforehand, we decided to rent for 9 months and find our "forever house" to raise our family.

We have decided Chapel Hill schools (of course ) would fit the bill for education, and the area was beautiful, grocery store-laden, etc. But, WOW! The homes in the East Chapel Hill High area are quite the sticker shock! We could easily afford a nice 3 bedroom...but looking at a house a big family and an abundance of out of town visitors would fit...we are priced out almost everywhere. We want to spend loosely around 500k.

Cary Park, Amberly, Highcroft area in NW Cary also fits the bill. Especially in neighborhood amenities and kids everywhere! Schools are good and they all tend to be somewhat unaffected by the redistricting mess. The homes are new and nice and in our price range...but they are on top of eachother! I am just not sure if our "forever" house could be one that I find myself counting driveways in order to get to the right house?

So yesterday, after a recommendation, I drove through Churton Grove in Hillsborough. It has the exact feel (neighborhood-wise) as I had imagined for raising my children. Incredibly beautiful treed 1/2 acre lots, all the amenities we're hoping for (trails, sidewalks, pool, & courts). The commute is less than 15 minutes for my husband and the downtown is charming with Weaver Street and the little shops and eateries. My big reservation is the schools. I know nothing about them (good or bad). All I do know, is my oldest is in 1st grade and didn't make it a week at Hillandale Elementary in DPS. The teacher was great, the class size was out of control, and well, that is off topic. We are not looking for a school that has to be ultra-competitive, but one that the students will not fall through the cracks, get a great opportunity for a good education, one that encourages/welcomes parent involvement, and has a supportive, nurturing, CARING atmosphere.

Anyway, if anyone wants to steer me in some direction, comment on Churton Grove, or give me a clue...feel free - it would be greatly appreciated! What would you do in my situation?

At least we have plenty of options - love this place!!!
Corly

[MDatHeart]

Wow . . . I felt compelled to reply b/c I can so relate to everything you said!!! . . . wanting to find your "forever" house, not wanting houses on top of each other, etc, etc. Anyway, I just thought I'd share my two cents about Churton Grove. (We are planning to move there as soon as we can sell our house here in CT.) I did a TON of research on this site and in person down in NC on schools, neighborhoods, Chapel Hill, Cary, North Raleigh, on and on. And I kept coming back to Churton Grove. It just has that wonderful neighborhood feeling/look that we are looking for. I have a good friend here in CT whose brother and his family live in Churton Grove. They LOVE it. They moved from the Boston area in summer 08 and are SOO happy there and have made lots of friends in the neighborhood. They love the elementary school, Cameron Park, and their kids are doing better there than back in Boston. I have heard nothing but great things about the school and Churton Grove in general. There are a couple of people on this forum who live there and have kids at Cameron Park. If you search Cameron Park or Churton Grove you will find lots of great info! Good luck!!!

[jgb]

I don't know much about Churton Grove but you could also check out some of the historic homes in downtown Hillsborough, in that price range you could get something really nice and spacious.

[DanielleNC]

Originally Posted by jgb

I don't know much about Churton Grove but you could also check out some of the historic homes in downtown Hillsborough, in that price range you could get something really nice and spacious.

I love downtown Hillsborough and all the historic homes. There are a couple listings now in that price range, but they do need updating. I would love to live in the area and be able to walk/bike to the shops, restaurants, Weaver St. Market, and the Eno.

For a new neighborhood I love the look and feel of Churton Grove. Everytime I drive through there, there are kids everywhere. So your kids will be in good company. Cameron Park is a great elementary school. I went there for a year when I was younger before we moved to Durham County. Of course that was quite a while ago, but it has been a great school ever since. I don't know much about the middle and high schools. You don't have to worry about the traffic in North Raleigh, Cary, SW Durham area, yet you are still close to many things in Durham and Chapel Hill. You will love Hillsborough! Good Luck!

[zthatzmanz28]

Like my wife and I, everywhere we looked was a great place (except one or two that will remain namless to protect the dude.) We finally came back to Johnston County as the place that has what we are looking for---

Space (1.25 acres) within a neighborhood..

A nice house (manufactured) 1600 sq ft.

Already working in JoCo so close to work.

QUIET and STARRY...like lots of other places in NC!!

The more you look, the MORE you will have to add to your list of possibilities..

And that list will always be endless.

Wherever you decide, it will be great.

[corlyjones]

Thank you for the responses. Our family spent the day in Hillsborough today, looked at the school, drove the commute, walked downtown, etc. We love it and it feels like the perfect place to set roots down and raise our family. We are looking to build a home in Churton Grove and cannot wait to enjoy a "simpler" life =)

[s-jdoherty]

We moved from New England to Churton Grove in August and just love it. Our neighbors are fantastic and there are children EVERYWHERE. Our boys are not yet school age but from what I hear the parents here are very happy with Cameron Park. Some homes in the new phase are not assigned to CP but to Pathways, the new school in town. I don't know anything about that one but definitely check with your realtor about school assignments to you can research the right one. Also, there is a year-round option here that some people lottery to get because they like the schedule. So, something to think about. Feel free to email me with any specific question. Just send me a message here and I'll send you my email. Jen

[sandycat]

Churton Grove is one of my favorite neighborhoods in the triangle, but a little out of our budget at the time. Good luck and congrats on your decision!