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I am considering moving into a newly constructed apartment community, The Villages at Ellis Crossing, near the Hwy 147 exit on Ellis Rd. I called the Durham Police Department to inquire about the area crime and was directed to their crime stats tool. Not being familiar with the area, I really didn't find this tool all that helpful. If anyone has any information they can share that would give me some peace of mind about the area, I would be very grateful. I work from home; but, I want to feel comfortable leaving to travel, too. Thanks in advance!
I have no statistics or anything, but I've always been creeped out by that road when using it to get to 147. I know that's not really helpful and hopefully you can get better answers.
Thank you Quietstormnc! I'm hoping to find out from local residents if the area would be considered safe? If you have any additional information, I would be grateful.
I drive right by those apartments every day to get to work. I don't feel unsafe in the area at all but Ellis Rd is a boring 2 lane road. Google Maps satellite view is a good idea if you haven't already looked at it, it will show you the location of the apartments and all the other things on Ellis.
I think typical crimes around there would be the kind of things that happen over at Brier Creek and maybe the neighborhoods close to Mineral Springs Rd---cars vandalized, property damage, some drug arrests. There is a townhouse community near the Miami Blvd end that seems perfectly nice, I see a few people walking their dogs along the sidewalk there.
Every grocery store, coffee shop and restaurant will require a drive, and the time spent on the road will depend on traffic and where you are going. The traffic on Ellis backs up horribly in the evenings at the Miami Blvd intersection, and I imagine it also backs up during school drop off and pick up times since there is a school on Ellis Rd (plus a church school at the east end and a daycare at the west end). If you are going to be jumping onto 147 to go into Durham then Ellis Rd traffic won't be an issue, but 147 gets congested during peak hours too.
There is also a train track fairly close to the apartments, not sure the train schedule but if you are sensitive to noise you might want to investigate that a bit.
Most of the restaurants at Alexander and Miami are weekday lunch only places. There are a few fast food places at Miami and 70 but you would have to go a little further east to Brier Creek or west to 55 or north on 147 into Durham proper for any kind of a social outing.
Honestly, if I was looking for an apartment I would probably look within Brier Creek instead of Ellis Rd so that I could walk to restaurants and shops, but that might not be important to you. The Ellis Rd apartments would probably be quiet unless the train is a problem.
I drive right by those apartments every day to get to work. I don't feel unsafe in the area at all but Ellis Rd is a boring 2 lane road. Google Maps satellite view is a good idea if you haven't already looked at it, it will show you the location of the apartments and all the other things on Ellis.
I think typical crimes around there would be the kind of things that happen over at Brier Creek and maybe the neighborhoods close to Mineral Springs Rd---cars vandalized, property damage, some drug arrests. There is a townhouse community near the Miami Blvd end that seems perfectly nice, I see a few people walking their dogs along the sidewalk there.
Every grocery store, coffee shop and restaurant will require a drive, and the time spent on the road will depend on traffic and where you are going. The traffic on Ellis backs up horribly in the evenings at the Miami Blvd intersection, and I imagine it also backs up during school drop off and pick up times since there is a school on Ellis Rd (plus a church school at the east end and a daycare at the west end). If you are going to be jumping onto 147 to go into Durham then Ellis Rd traffic won't be an issue, but 147 gets congested during peak hours too.
There is also a train track fairly close to the apartments, not sure the train schedule but if you are sensitive to noise you might want to investigate that a bit.
Most of the restaurants at Alexander and Miami are weekday lunch only places. There are a few fast food places at Miami and 70 but you would have to go a little further east to Brier Creek or west to 55 or north on 147 into Durham proper for any kind of a social outing.
Honestly, if I was looking for an apartment I would probably look within Brier Creek instead of Ellis Rd so that I could walk to restaurants and shops, but that might not be important to you. The Ellis Rd apartments would probably be quiet unless the train is a problem.
I work near there so am on that road almost everyday. I wouldn't call it creepy, it's just not built up like some of the other exits. As previously mentioned, there is little commercial within a few miles, so it's in the car to go anywhere. Not sure about your budget, but I would choose something in the Woodcroft area (or Brier Creek area) over that apartment complex.
Thanks for your response, ljd10101 I work from home so I won't have a commute; but, I am concerned about having a quiet environment and safety. Most of my travel will likely be on the weekend to the eastern part of NC to see family.
Thanks, too, Mydoppleganger, for your helpful info! I do like the Brier Creek area also...definitely another option; but, I like these apartment interiors...I'm just not sure about the area yet. I am aware of the train tracks located behind one of the buildings; but, I agree that the community overall seems quiet which is appealing to me since I will work from home. Thanks again!
Its no less safe than any other generic apartment complex in Raleigh/Cary/Apex. Decent area with quick access to interstate.
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