Moving to Raleigh or Cary (Durham, Apex: how much, new house, neighborhoods) - Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill, Cary - North Carolina (NC) -The Triangle Area - City-Data Forum

Raleigh/Cary bound · 01-30-2010, 01:48 PM

Hi Forum members. This is my first post. I hope "y'all" are enjoying the snow.

I will be moving from Florida with my husband. He is being relocated.

I have done as much research as I can. I would like opinions as to where to settle.

My husband's job is in RTP. Therefore, we are considering Raleigh or Cary. I prefer a brand new home; although I will consider one that is 3 years or younger.

We can spend between $350,000 to $500,000.

Land is not important. A small lot is preferred, as we do not like to spend the weekends doing yard work. 3 Bedrooms is fine, as long as we have a bonus room. 3 bedrooms, bonus room and office would be ideal. We could always use a living room as an office.

I'd really appreciate some help.

Francois · 01-30-2010, 02:11 PM

You will have no problem with that price range in the Cary area. There are so many that would fit, you can be picky, if those are really your only criteria.

There are lots of "New Homes guides" published in magazine form in the area; I wonder if any are online? Search "Cary new homes", etc.

North_Raleigh_Guy · 01-30-2010, 02:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Raleigh/Cary bound

Hi Forum members. This is my first post. I hope "y'all" are enjoying the snow.

I will be moving from Florida with my husband. He is being relocated.

I have done as much research as I can. I would like opinions as to where to settle.

My husband's job is in RTP. Therefore, we are considering Raleigh or Cary. I prefer a brand new home; although I will consider one that is 3 years or younger.

We can spend between $350,000 to $500,000.

Land is not important. A small lot is preferred, as we do not like to spend the weekends doing yard work. 3 Bedrooms is fine, as long as we have a bonus room. 3 bedrooms, bonus room and office would be ideal. We could always use a living room as an office.

I'd really appreciate some help.

Are you looking for any neighborhood ammenities like a pool, tennis courts, walking trails ect? What type of things do you want to live close to. For example I know some people who don;t want to live anywhere that is more than a 10 minute drive from Whole Foods. Providing some details like this may help narrow things down as I think there are many options that would fit your initial criteria. Good Luck!

Raleigh/Cary bound · 01-30-2010, 02:24 PM

Thank you both for such fast replies.

Pool, etc. would be nice but we could always join the YMCA, if the neighborhood does not have them.

I have been told that Cary or the area of North Raleigh would be best for location if my husband is working at RTP. Other than that, I am just lost as to which neighborhood would be best for us. There are so many choices.

I have gone back to research some of the previous posts about relocation to the area.

It seems that we have too many choices if we just base it on price range. We have both been to the area. I really like the Raleigh area a bit more than the Cary area that is close to the airport.

Raleigh/Cary bound · 01-30-2010, 06:16 PM

I don't like the area around the airport. I see that it is an extension of Cary but that is not the area that I'd like to live in.

Does anyone know of neighborhoods in North Raleigh or Apex that would fit my criteria?

MikeJaquish · 01-30-2010, 06:17 PM

Are schools a consideration?

Raleigh/Cary bound · 01-30-2010, 06:43 PM

Currently, we have a baby so schools are not a consideration, at this time.

However, we have to consider schools for resale. That is another reason why we wanted to be in the Cary or Apex or North Raleigh areas.

What neighborhoods can you recommend?

Raleigh/Cary bound · 01-31-2010, 11:11 AM

Can anyone suggest neighborhoods in the area of North Raleigh that would be newer?

How long would a commute from Wake Forest to RTP be?

Francois · 01-31-2010, 12:50 PM

OK, be aware that RDU (the airport) is very close to RTP (practically within it), so trying to get simultaneously "close to RTP" and "not near the airport" is going to be difficult, unless you look at the other side of RTP, i.e. Durham. Throwing "a new neighborhood" into the mix makes it even worse, because of course, the sprawl develops outward from the city (Raleigh) and thus the newer the neighborhood, the closer to RTP and RDU.

You may wish to just eliminate anywhere that is within X distance from the airport--but you would also be eliminating many, many of the newest neighborhoods here that are close to RTP (again, since that's precisely where most of the newer neighborhoods are).

In other words, you'll need to figure out which is ultimately the most important, which may contradict one of your "next most important" criteria.

OTOH, I would strongly suggest looking at the newer neighborhoods in Durham (near Southpoint), since they are convenient to RTP but on the other side from the airport.

grassby · 02-01-2010, 07:12 AM

I think you will be surprised how much house you can buy in Raleigh or Cary for what you plan to spend. Our daughter and her husband just moved into a new house in Cary/Morrisville that has everything you mention - close to RTP, little yard work, lively community facilities and good neighbors, etc. - and comfortably within your budget.