Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
We lived in Cary (Renting) for 5 years before buying a house in Garner. That was 25 years ago. Absolutely love it here in Garner. With Raleigh only 15 minutes away you get all the amenities of Raleigh (shows, food, events, concerts) for half the real-estate costs. Both our kids went to charter schools so it really didn't matter where we lived. Buying in Garner rather then Cary made a huge a difference in allowing flexibility for my wife to be a stay at home mom, take family vacations, and remain debt free. If we would have bought in Cary we would have been house poor and placed limits on our lifestyle flexibility that affordable property brought us.
We lived in Cary (Renting) for 5 years before buying a house in Garner. That was 25 years ago. Absolutely love it here in Garner. With Raleigh only 15 minutes away you get all the amenities of Raleigh (shows, food, events, concerts) for half the real-estate costs. Both our kids went to charter schools so it really didn't matter where we lived. Buying in Garner rather then Cary made a huge a difference in allowing flexibility for my wife to be a stay at home mom, take family vacations, and remain debt free. If we would have bought in Cary we would have been house poor and placed limits on our lifestyle flexibility that affordable property brought us.
Yeah that's kind of what I'm leaning towards. I like Cary and all that but Garner is just too sweet of a deal. You're so close to everywhere and cost of living is much lower. I've seen quite a few houses down there within our budget.
I don't think you'll be able to afford Cary in 5 to 7 years either. And frankly, I wouldn't buy a house now based on children you don't have yet. You'll probably move again with 7 years anyway.
Outside of Raleigh, I’ve found folks from Garner to have the strongest “sense of community” and hometown pride around. I’d put Clayton a close second, but that is just over the JoCo line... Zebulon and Wendell next. Fuquay and Wake Forest I’d dare say seemed to me to have had it once, but as they have grown, it may have faded a bit. Just my perception.
We have found that about Garner also and a large reason of why we have stayed so long. It's somewhat more "blue collar", a bit more diverse, and a little more southern. If you truly want to get a sense of Garner, have breakfast at "Angie's Restaurant" some morning or attend the Garner fireworks on the July 3rd. You will see it's a tight community. If you're not wanting a community where neighbors talk, or chatting with the the check out person, or giving a happy nod to a stranger as you pass on the sidewalk, then it probably is not for you.
For us it has been a perfect choice both financially and personally.
Maybe just keep renting? You'll save a bunch in interest, taxes, insurance, maintenance, realtor fees, etc...
Except rent money is gone forever. Money paid for a mortgage at least goes into equity (minus interest, etc) and you end up with an appreciating asset.
Where in NY are you from again? I was in Garner yesterday. There's going to be a lil' culture shock depending on where you're from (and I'm not saying that in a bad way....if you're ok with a change, it's all good). I was also surprised how close to Raleigh it was.
Where in NY are you from again? I was in Garner yesterday. There's going to be a lil' culture shock depending on where you're from (and I'm not saying that in a bad way....if you're ok with a change, it's all good). I was also surprised how close to Raleigh it was.
I've never been a fan of Garner. Like, ever. I mean, I don't hate it, I just have no interest in it whatsoever.
I grew up mostly in Raleigh (some in Eastern Wake) and I guess I just never liked Garner. It doesn't feel like a community of any kind.
And, yeah.. I know Cary may feel that way to some people, but Cary feels more connected to the center of the Triangle than Garner, where it's sort of just dropped off along the edge of Raleigh. Some of Garner seems like a continuation of Raleigh... until it seems like you're already in Clayton or whatever.
The corridor South has really never been visually appealing, either. Sort of like US-1/Capital headed out toward Wake Forest. Also not a fan.
I really like Raleigh, Cary, Durham, CH, Carrboro (and yes, CH and Carrboro do feel sort of like the same place, moreso than Cary and Apex and more like Cary and Morrisville).
__________________
When in doubt, check it out: FAQ
Except rent money is gone forever. Money paid for a mortgage at least goes into equity (minus interest, etc) and you end up with an appreciating asset.
All the things I listed are also gone forever, and they may well add up to more than rent.
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
