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My husband and I are relocating to the Durham/Chapel Hill area from Kansas. My husband is starting a new job at UNC and while the housing in that area is beautiful, it is a little out of our budget. We are looking at buying a townhouse in the SW Durham area but are a little concerned about the crime in Durham.
Has anyone had any experience with crime?
The neighborhoods we are considering are:
Chancellors Village, Auburn Park, Hope Valley Farm, and Bradbury Place (which is more to the West).
Thanks for the help!
Do a search for "Durham Crime Mapper" - there is a link you can reference from Durham PD.
What I can tell you, though, is the Durham crime reputation is more for areas around downtown and certain bad sides of town, but SW Durham is in many ways another world entirely (and is a great location for the area you're talking about).
Is the only reason you are looking at a townhome budgetary? Or do you have a preference for that type of housing regardless of price? I ask because many of the townhomes in the areas you mentioned can be priced comparably to single family homes in SW Durham neighborhoods.
we aren't completely opposed to a single family home. But we haven't seen much that really catches our eye, in our budget. We have seen a few in the Pagehurst community but we have pulled up the crime map you mentioned and it doesn't look like a great area.
And it seems that garages are slim pickings and that is one of our main requirements.
Plus, we aren't looking to have the responsibility or a lot of yard work. If we are already paying HOA fees, it might as well include lawn service and that usually is only the case if you have a townhouse
Ditto everything Sneezecake said. The only thing I would add is that you should compare the crime information you find to the place where you live now. The perspective is extremely valuable.
We bought our house in SW Durham from a UNC professor and I've met a number of people affiliated with UNC and Duke who live in southern Durham. We live in a neighborhood called Woodcroft and we really really enjoy it. It's extremely convenient. Pretty much everything we need is within 2 miles of our house. It's a very family friendly area, too. There are miles and miles of walking & biking trails in the area which are very popular. I feel extremely safe here, too. Granted, I think it's a good idea to keep your doors locked no matter where you live, but basically I wouldn't worry too much about crime in this area.
The proximity to I-40 & NC 54 makes it very easy to get to Chapel Hill from here. However, I hear that the parking around UNC can be a nightmare. There are special faculty parking areas on campus, so it may not be an issue for your husband. However, it would still be a good idea to investigate his options. There is a free bus system within Chapel Hill & maybe there's a park & ride system that he could use.
What is your price range and bedroom/size requirements?
I've seen a number of houses with 2 car garages in the 1500-2000 square foot range for 225k.
Additionally, while the HOA fees dont cover lawn maintenance, sometimes we're talking about the difference between $35 monthly and $200 monthly for a townhome. For that $$, you could pay someone to cut your grass!
Like everyone said, take a look at the crime website to see what's around, but also look at the type of crime. I've found most of the few crimes taking place in my neighborhood (the large Hope Valley Farms development) are domestic disputes or crimes that keep taking place at the same addresses. Sure, you have a few burglaries or car break-ins thrown in, but who doesn't?
Knock on wood, we've been living in SW Durham for over 15 years and have never been touched by crime at home. (I did have my radio stolen in a Duke Univ. parking lot once.) The one time I heard about a break-in on my street, it was THE talk of the neighborhood for weeks because it was such an unusual event for us. It was analyzed from every angle, being the super sleuths we are after watching so many television shows. Regardless, we lock our doors and cars, and always have wherever we've lived. It just seems smart to do these days.
Hope Valley Farms has tons of houses and townhomes, great sidewalks, proximity to the American Tobacco Trail, and great access to shopping. Like Woodcroft (our next door neighbor), we have lovely trees. Many, many houses have garages.
SW Durham is a SUPER location - wherever you end up here, I think you'll enjoy it!
Like everyone said, Crime Mapper is your friend. I used it before I moved here, but it's all relative and will be based on your comfort level. I'm renting a TH in SW Durham and I love the area. Just keep your doors locked and keep a look out for any sketchy people in or around the neighborhood.
Thanks for all the helpful suggestions!
We have been using the crime map and sometimes all those red dots are so discouraging. But I guess in the grand scheme of things, it isn't too bad.
We live in Manhattan, KS where there have been 3 crimes since September! But we did check out the Topeka area and it was worse than SW Durham.
We have a pretty tight budget being that we are transitioning out of the Army into the civilian world. We want to keep it below 180k for 3 bedrooms/2 bath and a garage. It is definitely doable, just not too many options. We have a decent list going right now and all the properties are basically in the same 3 neighborhoods.
We are flying down next week, so I am sure driving around the neighborhoods will answer a lot of our questions!
Thanks for all the helpful suggestions!
We have been using the crime map and sometimes all those red dots are so discouraging. But I guess in the grand scheme of things, it isn't too bad.
We live in Manhattan, KS where there have been 3 crimes since September! But we did check out the Topeka area and it was worse than SW Durham.
We have a pretty tight budget being that we are transitioning out of the Army into the civilian world. We want to keep it below 180k for 3 bedrooms/2 bath and a garage. It is definitely doable, just not too many options. We have a decent list going right now and all the properties are basically in the same 3 neighborhoods.
We are flying down next week, so I am sure driving around the neighborhoods will answer a lot of our questions!
Yep, those red dots can be discouraging but what I did what look at the prior year's data as well to see if the crime in the particular area occurred on a regular basis. You're looking for the trend b/c something may have occurred in Jan of this year but nothing has happened since Jan all of last year.
My husband and I are relocating to the Durham/Chapel Hill area from Kansas. My husband is starting a new job at UNC and while the housing in that area is beautiful, it is a little out of our budget. We are looking at buying a townhouse in the SW Durham area but are a little concerned about the crime in Durham.
Has anyone had any experience with crime?
The neighborhoods we are considering are:
Chancellors Village, Auburn Park, Hope Valley Farm, and Bradbury Place (which is more to the West).
Thanks for the help!
Mellie06, since you are coming from Manhattan and not Lawrence Kansas I think it's safe to say crime shouldn't be an issue. BUT if you were coming from Lawrence and are a Jay Hawk fan then I'd say you'd better be careful around these parts after the recent Final Four. Lots of Tarheel fans here. Cars with KU stickers might be in more jeapardy. I'm completely joking, btw.
I live in SW Durham and have friends in Chancellor's Ridge. This area feels very safe. As others have mentioned the only crime I've heard of are opportunity car breaks ins. Primarily, people who park at the trail heads for the Tobacco Trail leaving valuables in sight and their cars get broken into. I walk at night in this area and feel very safe. I worry more about snakes than crime. But if you've lived in Kansas you know all about snakes.
Welcome to the area!
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The only thing I would add is that you should compare the crime information you find to the place where you live now. The perspective is extremely valuable. 
Regardless, we lock our doors and cars, and always have wherever we've lived. It just seems smart to do these days. 
K State Fans s/ be safe here
I'm completely joking, btw.
