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Hi all-
I currently live in the Greater Boston area and have lived in New England my entire life. I really don't want to leave, but it's becoming an inevitability. My husband may be getting a job in Raleigh within the next year or so and I need to find an area to search for a home.
Here's the thing- I can't stand planned communities. I'm a quiet nature lover who values privacy greatly, so there's nothing in them for me. So, I want to start looking at towns a little further from Raleigh (perhaps to the west?) but I have no idea which ones would satisfy my needs.
And here are my needs:
-Privacy around my home. I have no problems having neighbors, but I need a decent buffer zone in between.
-Natural areas that aren't overrun with people and where I can let my dogs run within a 20 minute or so drive
-A commute for my husband that isn't too congested for the most part and doesn't take longer than about 40 min. (ie, his quality of life (and by extension, mine ) isn't compromised.)
Less important, but desired- a nearby community that's a little arty or hippie or college-town flavored where we could hang out when we feel like going out for a nice dinner or a walk around town.
So- anyone have suggestions for areas that meet most or all or any of these criteria? Any advice would be appreciated!
From what you say you are looking for, I'd suggest you check out Pittsboro! Small town, not far from Chapel Hill. Pittsboro itself is quite artsy. Chapel Hill is a great college town. Carrboro, an offshoot of Carrboro is also nice....artsy, Weaver St Market, green living etc.
From what you say you are looking for, I'd suggest you check out Pittsboro! Small town, not far from Chapel Hill. Pittsboro itself is quite artsy. Chapel Hill is a great college town. Carrboro, an offshoot of Carrboro is also nice....artsy, Weaver St Market, green living etc.
Uh, that is quite a drive to Raleigh. Maybe if gas was back down to 1982 levels and you had the patients of a monk in the traffic...
Hi all-
I currently live in the Greater Boston area and have lived in New England my entire life. I really don't want to leave, but it's becoming an inevitability. My husband may be getting a job in Raleigh within the next year or so and I need to find an area to search for a home.
Here's the thing- I can't stand planned communities. I'm a quiet nature lover who values privacy greatly, so there's nothing in them for me. So, I want to start looking at towns a little further from Raleigh (perhaps to the west?) but I have no idea which ones would satisfy my needs.
And here are my needs:
-Privacy around my home. I have no problems having neighbors, but I need a decent buffer zone in between.
-Natural areas that aren't overrun with people and where I can let my dogs run within a 20 minute or so drive
-A commute for my husband that isn't too congested for the most part and doesn't take longer than about 40 min. (ie, his quality of life (and by extension, mine ) isn't compromised.)
Less important, but desired- a nearby community that's a little arty or hippie or college-town flavored where we could hang out when we feel like going out for a nice dinner or a walk around town.
So- anyone have suggestions for areas that meet most or all or any of these criteria? Any advice would be appreciated!
You will never find all of what you listed in one place close to Raleigh.
Last edited by Green Irish Eyes; 04-30-2011 at 03:33 PM..
Reason: Deleted off-topic comments
Maybe Youngsville/Wake Forest area -- even though that is not west. You'll find planned communities, but there are also some older homes in Wake Forest, and outside of Wake Forest, homes with a more country feel...although the whole area has boomed in the last few years.
I think it'll be tough to find exactly what you're looking for.
What is your price range? You can buy a lot more here than in the Boston area, so maybe you can find a very nice home on a nice large wooded lot with privacy.
Don't think Raleigh is all about planned communities...there are plenty of lovely neighborhoods and all over Wake County with lush foliage and privacy and parks. Since they're older and the trees have grown up, many neighborhoods don't feel planned at all, and you cant really throw a rock in Raleigh without hitting a lake. You wouldn't even know you were in a 'city' in many places. It is a really beautiful area.
Thanks, lovebrentwood, and everyone else who had helpful, non-caustic things to say. Many of the places that people mentioned are places that I've been looking at, but they looked very built up to me. I've read, too, that the building is continuing, so you could have a semi-private lot that might end up bordering a new development. I'd like something more rural. We currently live in a very closely packed suburban neighborhood, so I know for sure that it's not for me.
Also, I was hoping to spend no more than 200-250K, but I don't want a large house- more than 2000 sq ft would be too much for us- so I was hoping that might work in my favor. That amount should buy more in a smaller house- better location, features, the like.
I of course realize that I am very unlikely to find everything that I want, but I was hoping that I might get some leads here that could steer me in the right direction. Thanks for the help!
Don't think Raleigh is all about planned communities...there are plenty of lovely neighborhoods and all over Wake County with lush foliage and privacy and parks. Since they're older and the trees have grown up, many neighborhoods don't feel planned at all, and you cant really throw a rock in Raleigh without hitting a lake. You wouldn't even know you were in a 'city' in many places. It is a really beautiful area.
Wow, I love hearing that! You have given me hope. A wooded lot would do in a pinch. I love the country but if I can't live in it, I can't live in it. Yet.
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) isn't compromised.)
