Anyone that was leaning towards Wake County and went with Johnston County (Clayton) instead? (Raleigh: appointed, HOA)

[ferrickhead28]

I lived in Wake County (Raleigh) all my life and recently moved to Johnston County. I work in Durham and dont mind the commute at all! From North Raleigh to my job in RTP, it took me about 25 minutes. Now, I live in Johnston County and the drive is now about 45 minutes. I got more value for my house in JC, a better school for my kid and the taxes are better.

Twenty additional minutes to my drive was an easy decision for me!

[VickiR]

Hey Tuborg...what about us Agents that don't STEER at all? What about those of us that try to explain the different areas and try to educate the buyers to what is available? Huh? What about us??? Ok...I'm being somewhat funny just cuz I know you didn't mean it, Tuborg! Well, I thought I was funny!

I had clients that wanted to live close to Garner. After checking into the schools in that area and speaking to the principal at the school, she decided it wasn't going to work out. We then looked into Clayton, which was 5 min. down the road! The school scores were so much better and the prices were somewhat less.

We found a wonderful house and she tells me that her sons are loving their school and she is loving the neighborhood and hubby is loving the 15 min. commute to work. Gotta love happy clients!!!

Vicki

[TuborgP]

Vicky you were funny and I am in your corner and I deleted the message. Last thing I want is a post that might be misinterpreted about realtors so I deleted it. Hopefully you can delete your response and people will wonder what am I writing about. I am posting this so no one reads your post and things you were sampling the rum for the rum cake you are making. Cause with mine gone you are responding to nothing and we know that someone else will jump in and here we go again. So when you delete your post I will delete this post and it will good. Who says time travel is impossible.

[newmom5497]

We are from Jersey and initially considered Wake County. But the higher home values and year-round schools steered us away...plus we wanted to be a bit closer to the shore, so the Eastern side of Raleigh was the natural direction for us to go. And then I got a teaching job in Johnston County, so that sealed the deal for us.

We are renting right now in southern Johnston County, where I work(about 15 minutes South of Clayton), and are looking for home to buy in the Cleveland/South Clayton area. It is very rural out where but we love it. But I think some people that come particularly from the Northeast close to bigger cities, may get put-off by many areas of Johnston County(outside of Clayton)....as it does have a more "hick" feel and look to it. I am speaking moreso of the Angier, McGees Crossroads, Smithfield, Pine-Level/Micro areas.

My impression, in just the 5 short months since we've been here, is that the Wake County suburbs(Wake Forest, Holly Springs, Morrisville, Cary/Apex etc.) have a more "upscale"/ suburb feel/reputation(and home prices reflect that) to it....whereas Johnston County has a more rural/blue-collar "vibe"...which is where we come from in Jersey(rural South Jersey), so it feels like home to us.

[ferrickhead28]

Oh yes..having the beach an hour and a half away on a straight trip down I-40 east is definately a bonus!!!

(from Clayton)

[TuborgP]

In a very POSITIVE vein that is the way I read Wake vs Johnson. I am coming from VERY upscale and developed and wanted more of the rural vibe. However the suburban upscale is only a short drive away. Being retired when we get here my wife and I joke about going into town once a week to get our vittles for the week. I know it will all change with development but for a few short years I will actually get to live in more of a rural setting.

[river67]

We just bought in Clayton and our moving this week. We did a lot of research and several trips and are very happy with our decision.

[TuborgP]

Originally Posted by river67

We just bought in Clayton and our moving this week. We did a lot of research and several trips and are very happy with our decision.

Where in Clayton and congratulations?

[Petunia393]

We started looking in Wake, Cary and Morrisville, Apex to be exact. We had the areas narrowed down to Apex vs. Clayton. We read articles about the schools going year round, which the thought doesn't really bother me as much now, even though I am in Clayton (Johnston County) and not going year round. You do get more land and home for the money. The trade off is you are not near stores. I need to drive quite a distance for a Target, Best Buy, any mall, even good coffee, there are NO DELI's in this town either. The town is building and I am sure it is only a matter of time before these stores move closer to here, but for now, It's a drive. I do love my town and am very happy about my choice. The kids are doing well in school and have so many friends. Keep looking, you'll find your spot down here.

[Priorityonecb]

We were "set" on Wake Forest for about two years when considering our move. When we were really ready to make the decision, the Wake Forest schools (resdistricting, schedules not the same within one family) turned us off. We looked into Clayton and we are very happy here. The schools have been wonderful, our neighbors are beyond fabulous, we have acreage and a beautiful property very inexpensively (to us anyway, and compared to Colorado where we came from). We shop at White Oaks, within 15 minutes from our house. Dh commutes to Morriseville, about 45 minutes on a good traffic day. We are an hour and a half from the beach too...love it.