Progressive Durham neighborhoods (Chapel Hill: for sale, real estate, apartment)

[thedoglady]

I am moving to Durham and want to buy a house in a neighborhood that is diverse, politically progressive, and where the home prices have not all gotten sky high yet. My budget is around $200K, give or take a bit. Any suggestions welcome.

[poppydog]

Durham as a whole is very politically progressive, and very diverse, so I don't think you need to worry overly about that. Your budget is not very high, though. I'd be more concerned about that and making sure you get in a decent neighborhood. There are lots of bargains to be found in Durham, but sometimes you get what you pay for, y'know? I think you can do your budget, but just vet the neighborhood first.

[RedZin]

I think you cannot be picky on that budget, not really. That said, Durham tends to be progressive pretty much everywhere.

[Atony]

Durham County went 78D/18R in the last election, finding a progressive spot is not a concern.

I'd look southwest durham, around valley run area perhaps, I know a friend sold their house for around 200k recently but I am not a real estate expert.

[thedoglady]

Thanks for the replies!
I just found out my budget is higher than I thought; to about $250K. Based on that, any other suggestions of neighborhoods? Thanks

[muvonga]

-forget about buying a house in new town!
-find an apartment either near downtown or southpoint mall and rent for a year
-spend the next year discovering Durham and the Triangle
-buy a house(maybe)
-stick to your budget. You should dictate how much you can afford not, the bank.

[NM posts]

OP already knows she wants to move to Durham.

Agree with the others, progressive isn't a concern. Getting tougher on housing prices...you don't say the size of home you want...but you can get a 2 br older home here for under 200K. Agree with Atony, look in/around University Drive/Old Chapel Hill Road area...I also suggest looking in North Durham if you're looking for 3 br and above.

The South Square area (University Drive/Old Chapel Hill Road/MLK Parkway and thereabouts) is not one of Durham's most exciting, but is I would say a little more Durham than the southpoint area (sorry, southpoint folks) and close to Duke, downtown. Very progressive overall. My specific neighborhood is VERY progressive.

You can do it, but get here soon. Feel free to DM me for more! If I were to sell my 2 br 2 bath early 80s home it would go for less than 200K (not selling just yet).

[ozmoe571]

I got my home in Hope Valley North last year for under $200K, so it's manageable, and it takes me only 10-15 minutes to get to downtown Durham as well as Streets at Southpoint. I agree with others, just about every part of Durham is progressive to a certain extent, so I'd concentrate on determining exactly what your house must have and you can afford in your price level in making a final decision. Oh, and act fast too--houses around here tend to pop up for sale and get sold quickly in this sellers market.

[NM posts]

Originally Posted by ozmoe571

I got my home in Hope Valley North last year for under $200K, so it's manageable, and it takes me only 10-15 minutes to get to downtown Durham as well as Streets at Southpoint. I agree with others, just about every part of Durham is progressive to a certain extent, so I'd concentrate on determining exactly what your house must have and you can afford in your price level in making a final decision. Oh, and act fast too--houses around here tend to pop up for sale and get sold quickly in this sellers market.

Yup! Agree with this area (which is right next to the one I mentioned as well). And now that the budget is $250K I think you'd have no problem getting a 3br/2ba.

OP, where will you be working, or will you work remotely?

[mclarksn9]

Ditto for Hope Valley (my neck of the woods)