Looking for town recommendations in the Raleigh-Durham area (Asheville, Chapel Hill: for sale, chapel)

[Future Ex-Californian]

Hi all

We're hoping to relocate to NC in the near future and have started looking into the various parts of the state. I've been reading these threads and it looks like you all provide a wealth of information! Hope you can help me.

We've already explored Asheville and loved everything about it. Only problem was that it seemed like it may be a bit remote to provide us with all the leisure opportunities we'd like to explore (beaches, pro and college sports, etc) Plus, we'll have to continue to work for a few years and the employment options would definitely be limited (accounting field).

We're planning to explore the Triangle area next. Much better job outlook there, particularly in Durham. We loved the downtown area of Asheville but also loved the more rural homesites. My question is this - is there a town in the Raleigh-Durham area that compares to Asheville in general appearance? We'd like to build a custom home on a large wooded lot. Basically, we'd like to have our own private little world but be close to everything (not too much to ask, huh We have no kids, so school isn't a concern for us. Wouldn't want more than a 20 - 30 minute commute, at the most. (less is always better!)

Thanks for any help you can offer!

[carolinatrendsetter]

Hmm. Might try Carrboro, Chapel Hill, and Wake Forest.

[leighbhe]

I would have to agree with the pp, although finding land in wake forest is probably a better bet for buying a larger wooded lot. Chapel hill does have some land toward the carrboro side, the lots seem to run around the 80k range, not in a development. In wake forest, there area lots that are in developments for sale, and some that are not. The ones in developments you would need to get approval from the developers in order to build your own house........

In wake forest, if you are on the west side it would take you about 30 minutes to get the research triangle park..........

I think there would also be land in orange county, closer to the durham side.

As far as college sports go this is the PLACE to be, especially if you are a carolina fan (tarheels). Seriously, college basketball is big time here, when I was in high school our teachers would bring televisions into class so that we could watch the ACC tournament. The break down is this:
UNC (aka carolina) fans hate DUKE - we are talking passionately, and actually kind of like NC State in a way that they feel sorry for them and want them to win as long as they are not playing carolina.
NC State fans HATE carolina. Simply hate them, always want them to lose, claim themselves as (ABC fans - anything but carolina).
DUKE fans don't care about anyone else but themselves!

Okay, off of my soapbox now! And, by the way, I am obviously a carolina fan and my husband is an NC State fan..............it is a joyous time in our house.

Leigh

[RaleighRob]

Well since schools aren't an issue, I'd say Durham would be a good bet for a good lot with a good price.
Yeah, Chapel Hill & Carrboro will "remind" you of Asheville more than Durham will...but those two are very very pricey if you want a big lot. You may find a few lots just to the west of Carrboro though...so it's still worth looking too.
Durham does have a lot of inexpensive land, particularly north of downtown.
So you can probably just widen your focus on most of that whole area.

[rusty_ca1943]

Hi, We are relocating from No. CA to Hollysprings or some town near by. Do any of you know of a senior development. Houseing for active seniors? Thanks, Rusty_ca1943