what 'hood in fayetteville should i check out? (Wilson, Garland: apartments, to rent)

[solardream]

I'm seriously contemplating moving to Fayetteville next year, but I'm not sure what neighborhoods I should consider living in.

I work from home, so proximity to work is not important. I have a child who will be five at that time. He will either be home schooled or attend a Montessori School, so public school quality is not an issue either.

I would prefer to buy a home in the $200,000 range or less. A duplex would be a plus, so I could rent out one for a little extra income.

I want to be within walking distance to parks, walking/bike trails, some shopping, and public transit. I plan to live mostly carfree.

I'd like to volunteer/participate in environmental/activist/peace organizations as well, so living where I can get to those type of activities easily would be nice.

And with a child, crime is also a factor. The less, the better, without being waaaay out in the suburbs.

Any suggestions?

I really appreciate any help!!

[aerotive]

Carfree in Fayetteville severely limits your choices. Somewhere near Garland and North would work, if you can handle more of a college age crowd. Near Dickson would work, also near the square...the historic district could work, also maybe around Wilson park.

Far as crime, the usual complaint areas are the studenty section, bound roughly by Garland, North, Gregg, and Poplar; the Betty Jo area out on Wedington; and in general the south/southeast parts of the city.

"volunteer/participate in environmental/activist/peace organizations"=near downtown, Dickson, and the U of A.

[bagelw]

Originally Posted by aerotive

Carfree in Fayetteville severely limits your choices. Somewhere near Garland and North would work, if you can handle more of a college age crowd. Near Dickson would work, also near the square...the historic district could work, also maybe around Wilson park.

They will have a tough time finding something under $200,000 near Dickson or Wilson Park. I suggest the Rolling Hills area or somewhere around Gulley Park. Another area would be west Fayetteville near Holcomb Elementary. It's more suburban but there's a lot of affordable new construction. The trail system and a new park are supposedly in the near future for that area. Don't count on public transportation in Fayetteville, it barely exists.

I would be careful about owning a duplex in Fayetteville. Your tenants may be alright but neighborhoods with duplexes in Fayetteville tend to be over run by college students and can be noisy.

[aerotive]

Yeah I know, at 200k they'd have to pick their poison. The areas you mentioned, forget any notion of carfree, even "mostly". The areas I mentioned, no housing at that price...maybe some 2-bedroom shack.

[cdj534]

The Rupple Rd. and Cross Keys areas are very nice. New homes are going up. Within walking distance to the Boys and Girls Club and to one of Fayetteville's Elementary Schools. Easy access to shopping on Wedington or MLK Jr. and easy access to I-540. One of Fayetteville's up and coming areas. Home's in $150,000 to $300,000 range.

[OurGreatEscape]

"Carfree" is a stumbling block. Here are my suggestions--Washington-Willow area (expand your search to include up to Prospect St). Include portions of Mt. Sequoyah as much of the mountain is zoned multi-family (some homes have downstairs apartments) You'd be walkable to grocery and other Dickson St. shopping.;

Areas around Wilson Park--you may find a home that has an apartment to rent out.

Rolling Hills area-both north and south sides of Rolling Hills. Close to Fiesta Square shopping; access to the trails system (you will have to ride a bit to hit the trail).