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My husband, six-month-old son and I are considering moving to the Triangle area (from Portland, OR) in the next two years, or possibly as soon as six months. We know nothing about the area, so we're going to be visiting first, but I'd love some advice!
What we want: Older, historical area. Near a city/town center, within walking/short driving distance of fun things to do. Artsy. Safe. Dog friendly. Within a 45 minute drive (or less, ideally) of RTP.
What we don't want: The 'burbs. New subdivisions, tons of new developments.
A friend of ours suggested Carrboro. Does this sound like a good fit? Any other suggestions?
We'll be renting before we buy, and would like to keep it at or under $1100 a month, though we could swing up to $1300/m.
If you're in search of an "older, historical" area, there's slim pickin's. The downtown areas of Raleigh, Durham, CH or Carrboro might do the trick though.
What do you mean by "artsy"?
I moved to Raleigh from the PacNW and it's radically different in terms of how the cities are laid out. Raleigh/Durham does not have anything close to the vibrant downtowns of Portland or Seattle. More like Spokane at very best.
My husband, six-month-old son and I are considering moving to the Triangle area (from Portland, OR) in the next two years, or possibly as soon as six months. We know nothing about the area, so we're going to be visiting first, but I'd love some advice!
Just curious: if you "know nothing about the area", why are you thinking of moving here?
What you're describing is Durham. And you'll get a lot of flack on this board from people who live in the 'burbs and don't like the vibrant diversity that is found in Durham. In neighborhoods like Trinity Park and Watts Hospital you'll find craftsman bungalows and older homes of all types and sizes, from which you can walk to some of the best restaurants in the area and the Durham Performing Arts Center. 20 minutes from the airport and from RTP. I lived in Durham for 13 years (I'm now back in the country in Chatham) and I loved every minute of it.
That said, there is property crime and you have to have an alarm system and be careful where you park at night. Most of the crime is limited to certain neighborhoods and violent crime is usually limited to those areas. The city of Durham has a Crimemapper function on their website that's excellent.
The other area that has what you are looking for would be Oakwood in downtown Raleigh that comes with similar caveats.
I agree with the recommendations on Durham, and recommend the Trinity Park/Watts Hillandale areas. Think the above poster is going a little over the top on the crime comments...I've got several friends living in Trinity Park, none of whom have had car breakins or burglaries, and none of whom have burglar alarms. Not saying breakins don't happen there, but there's alot of people raising families in the area who have not had problems.
Carrboro also could be a fit for you. Much greater diversity of housing in that area, a little historic, and alot of small rentals mixed in with some bigger homes. Get a pretty healthy mix of students, grad students and professionals in that area compared with Trinity Park which is mostly professionals. Much more compact than Durham.
Carrboro is indeed a great place, that's where I have my office. It's definitely artsy, and you can walk to shops and to the fabulous farmers market. What is difficult to get there, though, is the older historic homes. There are a few but they are rather rare.
Overall, what is the economy like in the Triangle area right now? Are all sectors suffering or are there some that are doing okay or even better than usual?
Overall, what is the economy like in the Triangle area right now? Are all sectors suffering or are there some that are doing okay or even better than usual?
What you're describing is Durham. And you'll get a lot of flack on this board from people who live in the 'burbs and don't like the vibrant diversity that is found in Durham. In neighborhoods like Trinity Park and Watts Hospital you'll find craftsman bungalows and older homes of all types and sizes, from which you can walk to some of the best restaurants in the area and the Durham Performing Arts Center. 20 minutes from the airport and from RTP. I lived in Durham for 13 years (I'm now back in the country in Chatham) and I loved every minute of it.
That said, there is property crime and you have to have an alarm system and be careful where you park at night. Most of the crime is limited to certain neighborhoods and violent crime is usually limited to those areas. The city of Durham has a Crimemapper function on their website that's excellent.
The other area that has what you are looking for would be Oakwood in downtown Raleigh that comes with similar caveats.
You may also want to check out Wake Forest or a few towns just north of Wake Forest. Downtown Wake Forest looks like small town America in the 1950s. Little stores and shops along White Street. There is a Historic district around the old Wake Forest University where the homes are big and majestic. There are new subdivision sprinkled all around the area and a nice big Lake just West of it called Falls Lake. There is also a town Park that has a doggy play area. Worth a look see IMHO. There are a number of good Wake Forest agents that visit this forum who can give you much more details about the area than I. Good luck in your search!
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