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Hi Everyone,
I need help. We are looking to relocate to the RTP area from CA and have one child (a one year old son). We have narrowed down our neighborhood search to: Cary - Macgregor West or Wessex. Or North Raleigh - Reedham Oaks, Cross Gate, North Ridge or Bent Tree.
We don't want to make the wrong decision. We know very few people out there so will be moving without a support group. We want to buy a home with a "wow" factor with at least .5 acres but also want a neighborhood that is kid friendly. We'd like our son to make friends close by. Values seem to be better in North Raleigh but I'm nervous that the neighborhoods there may not have the "kid" factor.
Anyone with local knowledge that can help? We want a mature neighborhood with custom built homes vs. mass produced style A, B, or C
Plenty of kids in the Prestonwood area. A lot of them are socially centered around the Prestonwood Country Club.... pool, tennis, golf, etc.. Plus there are other nearby public parks and greenways. Houses should meet your criteria as well.
The only neighborhood I know anything about (from your list) is Wessex.
The lots are larger over there, so you don't see as many people roaming up and down the streets, but I know there are quite a few kids there, and I suspect the reason for the lack of people on the streets is the greenway trail access in several areas of that neighborhood. The greenway is FULL of families and kids. It's nice over this way.
Plenty of kids in the Prestonwood area. A lot of them are socially centered around the Prestonwood Country Club.... pool, tennis, golf, etc.. Plus there are other nearby public parks and greenways. Houses should meet your criteria as well.
Regards,
Streamer1212
The only homes on half an acre in Prestonwood are gonna be pricier than homes on a lot the same size in Wessex.
Most homes on lots that big in the central part of Preston are upwards of 700k.
Now, in Preston Forest, across the street from the club, the lots are that size and some of the houses are pretty nice. Not exactly what I'd call "wow," but it takes a lot to wow me.
In fact, the only houses in Preston that wow me are around a million dollars, and even then, some of those are sorta blah.
Not that I don't like the houses there... there are PLENTY I'd consider buying. But... I'm not looking for a house to wow anyone. Just something that meets my needs and is near the golf course. The trees and the flowers and the course itself are wow enough over there.
Both North Raleigh and Cary are very suburban (as are other areas such as Apex, Holly Springs, etc). It is more a matter of an individual neighborhood/street than saying "Cary/No Raleigh is not kid-friendly". It simply isn't that stratified. The whole area is very diverse with all kinds of families (including childless families) but there is no way to say "THIS neighborhood will guarantee you a lot of kids and THAT one won't"--it comes down to the particular street and particular time. This should not be an issue that would make you choose between Cary and North Raleigh, however, as you will find what you need in dozens of places in either. Just check for signs of other children when you're looking at houses, drive around on Saturdays, etc.
Thanks for all the responses. I don't think Preston is for us as we don't want the flight noise and we did look at houses in that area - weren't really doing it for us.
To Francois - our issue has been that we were just out looking this last Saturday for the entire day and didn't see a single kid out in any neighborhood including the ones (like Highcroft) known to be full of kids.
Thanks for the suggestion Meh - I'll look into Weston since there isn't anything currently for sale in Wessex anyway (bummer!).
It's so hard making a decision from arms length. You don't want to make the wrong one. Unfortunately, we know that what we are looking for in terms of house and lot may not blend well with finding a neighborhood full of kids. Guess I am nostalgic and trying to find a neighborhood similar to the one I grew up in with kids playing outside, etc, etc and not sure if that even exists anymore!!
Well, if your on is 1, bear in mind that in a high-transient area such as either Cary OR parts of North Raleigh, by the time he's of "playing age", the composition of the neighborhood will be different anyway. I still say find the house you want based on other factors, and as long as it isn't a 55+-only community, don't worry; he will have playmates. I belive kids spend a lot more time playing inside nowadays than we did a few decades ago.
Hi Everyone,
I need help. We are looking to relocate to the RTP area from CA and have one child (a one year old son). We have narrowed down our neighborhood search to: Cary - Macgregor West or Wessex. Or North Raleigh - Reedham Oaks, Cross Gate, North Ridge or Bent Tree.
We don't want to make the wrong decision. We know very few people out there so will be moving without a support group. We want to buy a home with a "wow" factor with at least .5 acres but also want a neighborhood that is kid friendly. We'd like our son to make friends close by. Values seem to be better in North Raleigh but I'm nervous that the neighborhoods there may not have the "kid" factor.
Anyone with local knowledge that can help? We want a mature neighborhood with custom built homes vs. mass produced style A, B, or C
Thanks in advance!!
OP, what's your definition of "wow" factor and who are you trying to "wow"? (also at what price range?) Keep in mind that due to the subdivision nature of housing here, buying in a subdivision which "wows" an outsider, and many good ones have been suggested already, would not necessarily wow your neighbors, because they would be living in equivalent "wow" homes (not necessarily cookie cutter, but generally equivalent levels of customization).
Hey, OP? There are 3 houses for sale in Wessex right now. By Wessex standards, that's a good number.
We've been looking for 8 months and 5 or 6 is the most I have ever seen for sale there at one time.
FWIW? You'll hear planes sometimes in Wessex, too. Ditto Weston Manor AND Preston.
You get used to it. It's not frequent.
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