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I have read and read the threads about different neighborhoods/areas and I am still overwhelmed and looking for guidance
We are moving to the area in the fall. I have only been to Raleigh a few times in my younger years but my husband and I went to school a few hours away and love North Carolina.
Fun facts:
30's
elem and preschool aged kids
commute is not an issue (other than for resale purposes in 5ish years at the earliest or we may just keep the house forever)
We would love to stay between 235k and the top of our price range is 315K for 3-4 bedrooms. With that said, my husband and I love historical homes with character (1940's or prior) so if one were to pop up in downtown and is move in ready we would be willing to go up to 400K. We want a well built home and to stay away from track builders.
We like that you can get more for your money further out but are worried about resale. For example, there are some neighborhoods in Wake Forest and Clayton that we think we would really like. (Twin Creeks and other smaller neighborhoods in Wake, Glen Laurel). Holly Springs is also an option. There are a few we have ruled out by "walking around". Google maps is incredibly helpful!!! How is resale in the areas further away from downtown and RTP?
We are not interested in neighborhoods that were basically clear cut and have house after house after house in box form. I am on the fence about Heritage. We checked it out on google maps and it looked like a bunch of houses and amenities with occasional strip malls. Please correct me if that is not the case.
From looking online neighborhoods we like
Bedford
Falls River
Scotts Mill
Twin Creeks
The Park at West Lake
Flowers Plantation in Clayton
Glen Laurel
Kitts Creek
Harington Grove
Sunset Oaks is beautiful but 540 is a concern.
Any advice, insight about resale in the outlying areas or suggestion on additional neighborhoods would be so welcome! Thank you!
I think you're confused because you're all over the map. Why don't you pick a town that appeals to you and narrow your search from there? Based on the ones you've posted, I can throw out another 10 neighborhoods that would appeal to you but that's not going to help you. 99% of this area is safe and family friendly, and if you're already overwhelmed it's a mistake to ask for more neighborhoods (IMHO).
All the towns have a slightly different feel to them, so you really need to check it out and see what "speaks" to you.
If I had a choice I would choose Wake Forest, Clayton and Holly Springs in that order. It is great that we are not tied to an area due to the commute but it also makes things difficult.
My big question about Wake Forest and Clayton is resale....
Well, I think like any metro area you're going to find more and more people becoming comfortable with moving farther out, away from employment centers. However, real estate that is closest to employment centers will always sell faster and for higher prices. This is a simple fact of life. I'm from Long Island; teeny houses 20 miles from midtown Manhattan that haven't been updated since the year of the flood will sell for minimum $500K; go an hour east and you'll get a bigger house and more property for the same amount of money but you're looking at the commute from hell.
Clayton has the disadvantage of not being Wake County schools in addition to being far away.
I'm not sure I'd say that
"Clayton not being Wake County schools is a disadvantage".
Many of Johnston County schools are as good as Wake County schools.
Holly Springs is on fire, as far as homes selling. If a home is in a good location, good condition and priced right, it may sell in a matter of days.
Same house in Wake Forest may take a couple of weeks!
Same home in Clayton make take a month. In this crazy housing market!
There are a few reasons for this but the easiest explanation is that Holly Springs is closer to RTP, with Wake Forest coming in next. Clayton is a bit further. And, supply and demand comes into play.
Thank you! I spent my first 17 years on Long Island 20 miles from the city so I know how that goes! My mother moved out East when she retired. I have been away for just as many years and am not going back
Vicki- Thank you for your response! I have been watching the market for the last few months and the homes in Holly Springs do seem to be moving quickly. We were concentrating on Apex as well and those seem to go under contract within days as well. I am not sure if I want to buy into a hot market. I rather it get hot after we buy I also read about 540 going right through Sunset Oaks which makes me hesitant to buy in that neighborhood. I guess that may be decided by the time we buy though.
A month to sell doesn't seem bad at all to me but that was one of my concerns with Clayton. There seems to be a lot of room in the area for more neighborhoods. That is why we kind of ruled Riverwood out. Glen Laurel seemed to be a much nicer landscape.
I wish we could come visit but that is not in the cards. Once we get in town it is going to have to be a quick decision since we need to get our daughter into school as soon as possible. We are trying to do as much legwork as we can now...
Location: Chapel Hill, NC, formerly NoVA and Phila
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If you like historic homes with character, I'd think that you would like towns with character, too. Of the choices you listed, I think Wake Forest has the most character with a nice small-town feel.
If you like historic homes with character, I'd think that you would like towns with character, too. Of the choices you listed, I think Wake Forest has the most character with a nice small-town feel.
We will have to come visit but my husband is partial to Wake Forest We have moved quite often over the last 10+ years so we are really looking forward to staying put!
Happen to have suggestions on nice neighborhoods with quality homes? If the neighborhood does not have a pool is the YMCA a good option?
I think your resale would be fine in places like Wake Forest. This area is exploding in population and what is considered far out now will be a close suburb soon at the rate we are going. Sprawl is definitely in effect! However, I am no expert and don't even play one on tv. For what it's worth, I would love to sell my house and move to Wake Forest. I love the town but we are also there all the time for my kids sports.
Good luck!! I moved my whole life too. I had never been anywhere longer than 5 years. Well, I have been in Raleigh for 15 now and am just thrilled to be here and can see staying forever.
=
Fun facts:
30's
elem and preschool aged kids
commute is not an issue (other than for resale purposes in 5ish years at the earliest or we may just keep the house forever)
We would love to stay between 235k and the top of our price range is 315K for 3-4 bedrooms. With that said, my husband and I love historical homes with character (1940's or prior) so if one were to pop up in downtown and is move in ready we would be willing to go up to 400K. We want a well built home and to stay away from track builders.
My family matches your demographics exactly. We live in what I would call HollyCaryPex. It is that area where all three towns seem to meet up. There are a number of good neighborhoods in this area to check out.
Scots Laurel
Sunset Ridge
Merion
Jamison Park
Pemberley
Brighton Forrest
West Lake
I actually have a friend who is selling a great house The Park at Langston
Good luck, and send me a message if you have any questions on what it is like around here with a similar family breakdown!
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I also read about 540 going right through Sunset Oaks which makes me hesitant to buy in that neighborhood. I guess that may be decided by the time we buy though. 
