Help on what Town to Live in (Raleigh, Durham: high crime, buying a house)

[Tellurium]

I'm surprised that no one said this... since it's just the two of you, I'd suggest renting first 6mo-1yr. It doesn't have to be apartment (though there are plenty of those). The whole Triangle metro is a giant suburb, but each city/town has different vibes. Since commute is not a concern, just pick wherever and take your time to explore the city/town/neighborhood. I hear the realestate supply is extremely low right now so especially for a first timer with lower budget buying would be tough (you'll likely get outbid multiple times). I'd suggest renting in probably downtown Raleigh or Durham that you are unlikely to live when it's time to buy and have fun while getting know the area.

[Tracy432]

What are peoples thoughts on North East Raleigh? Decent Area or iffy on safety-ness?

[GVoR]

Originally Posted by Tracy432

What are peoples thoughts on North East Raleigh? Decent Area or iffy on safety-ness?

My direct neighbor (born and bred North Raleigh kid - his parents live in Stonebridge - he went to Millbrook HS) moved from NE Raleigh (not sure the exact subdivision he lived in; but it was in that section of NE Raleigh that is within 401 to the North, Mitchell Mill Rd cuts through and Forestville Rd to the East - he lived in the neighborhood that got smoked by a tornado 5-6 years ago; Wake Crossroads maybe).

Anyway, he loved their old neighborhood. Only reason they moved to WF is for the schools - he wanted the upgrade from Harris Creek to JDE up here in WF.

I have been told by posters here that one of the most dangerous parts of Raleigh is in NE Raleigh where 401 intersects 1/Capital Blvd.

I'm not a native, so I can speak to what is or isn't "NE Raleigh" officially, but I just went by Google Map highlights on the map.

ETA - I think wheelsup lives down that way; he’s the one that previously mentioned looking within a mile of the Lowes food on 401

[iamweasel]

Originally Posted by GVoR

My direct neighbor (born and bred North Raleigh kid - his parents live in Stonebridge - he went to Millbrook HS) moved from NE Raleigh (not sure the exact subdivision he lived in; but it was in that section of NE Raleigh that is within 401 to the North, Mitchell Mill Rd cuts through and Forestville Rd to the East - he lived in the neighborhood that got smoked by a tornado 5-6 years ago; Wake Crossroads maybe).

Anyway, he loved their old neighborhood. Only reason they moved to WF is for the schools - he wanted the upgrade from Harris Creek to JDE up here in WF.

I have been told by posters here that one of the most dangerous parts of Raleigh is in NE Raleigh where 401 intersects 1/Capital Blvd.

I'm not a native, so I can speak to what is or isn't "NE Raleigh" officially, but I just went by Google Map highlights on the map.

ETA - I think wheelsup lives down that way; he’s the one that previously mentioned looking within a mile of the Lowes food on 401

The 401 and US1/Capital corridor from 440 to 540 is not an area I would recommend to anyone. I’d even go further and say get past Durant Rd / Perry Creek and then start looking.

When it comes to the Forestville Road corridor, that is better than the 401/US1 stretch between 440 and Durant/Perry Creek, but when it comes to Forestville north of 401 is much better (but more expensive) than south of 401.

Just my opinion, as someone who is going up and down all those roads daily.

[art322]

Originally Posted by Tracy432

What are peoples thoughts on North East Raleigh? Decent Area or iffy on safety-ness?

I would not choose that area if I had other options. I used to live in NW Raleigh but moved closer to downtown. I now travel that Capital 1 route often to visit parents in Heritage/Wake Forest. I find it a depressing drive.

[GVoR]

Originally Posted by iamweasel

The 401 and US1/Capital corridor from 440 to 540 is not an area I would recommend to anyone. I’d even go further and say get past Durant Rd / Perry Creek and then start looking.

When it comes to the Forestville Road corridor, that is better than the 401/US1 stretch between 440 and Durant/Perry Creek, but when it comes to Forestville north of 401 is much better (but more expensive) than south of 401.

Just my opinion, as someone who is going up and down all those roads daily.

I wouldn’t disagree. The area I am talking is in around Mitchell Mill.

I don’t know if the OPs budget gets into St Andrews or Drayton Reserve but those are just over the line in WF from NE Raleigh.

My buddy loved the area around Mitchell Mill until his daughter was school aged. Don’t recall OP’s family situ.

[iamweasel]

Originally Posted by GVoR

I wouldn’t disagree. The area I am talking is in around Mitchell Mill.

I don’t know if the OPs budget gets into St Andrews or Drayton Reserve but those are just over the line in WF from NE Raleigh.

My buddy loved the area around Mitchell Mill until his daughter was school aged. Don’t recall OP’s family situ.

Mitchell Mill area is very hit or miss. One street can be nice and you move over one block and it's not so great. Many of those neighborhoods have very small lots / crammed-in homes, too. I'm just not a huge fan of that area but there are some decent spots in there. Massey Preserve seems to be the nicest neighborhood in that area from what I've seen.

[wheelsup]

Originally Posted by iamweasel

Mitchell Mill area is very hit or miss. One street can be nice and you move over one block and it's not so great. Many of those neighborhoods have very small lots / crammed-in homes, too. I'm just not a huge fan of that area but there are some decent spots in there. Massey Preserve seems to be the nicest neighborhood in that area from what I've seen.

Go back and look over the OP's wish list and budget...of course there are better options as you put more money into it but when is there not?

I've been on the corner of 401/Forestville for a decade. When we moved, homes were fairly inexpensive, almost new, and the area was growing. The drive time to downtown Raleigh was 15-20 mins in rush hour. It was a great value.

Since then, it has somewhat stagnated and with our income now we wouldn't choose to live here, but for someone buying in the range the OP is searching for there are decent neighborhoods and homes with new roofs and new HVAC. These are great starter+ level homes for middle America, with most buyers being new, younger families.

As far as quietness and safety goes though I've never at all felt unsafe. The worst we had was a thief who broke in to three homes but they drove in from Durham. Just happened to pick the homes that back up to woods. We used to have a dozen cops in my neighborhood but most have sold and upgraded.

The biggest downside to homes in the OP's price range will be neighborhoods that have rentals in them (this is going to exist anywhere). Mine had homes bought even up until a year ago and turned into rentals but they are actually slowly being turned back over to owner occupied as prices rise. The one across the street was owner occupied for a decade, then sold @ 190k, rented out for several years then just sold to an owner occupied couple for 270k.

[GVoR]

Originally Posted by iamweasel

Mitchell Mill area is very hit or miss. One street can be nice and you move over one block and it's not so great. Many of those neighborhoods have very small lots / crammed-in homes, too. I'm just not a huge fan of that area but there are some decent spots in there. Massey Preserve seems to be the nicest neighborhood in that area from what I've seen.

I don’t disagree with this take either. 37 year old me with two kids school aged probably wouldn’t live there. 29 year old me with no school kids on the immediate horizon and the budget in hand would. Maybe I should have made that clearer with my post, I was just going by the constraints provided (age, family situ , budget)

If the OP is looking to lay down roots, I probably wouldn’t there. If this is a landing spot to something else down the line, then it’s an option.

OP, my humble opinion, if you’re willing to look in NE Raleigh, check out Wake Forest, although I don’t know what your budget gets in WF

[GVoR]

Originally Posted by wheelsup

Go back and look over the OP's wish list and budget...of course there are better options as you put more money into it but when is there not?

I've been on the corner of 401/Forestville for a decade. When we moved, homes were fairly inexpensive, almost new, and the area was growing. The drive time to downtown Raleigh was 15-20 mins in rush hour. It was a great value.

Since then, it has somewhat stagnated and with our income now we wouldn't choose to live here, but for someone buying in the range the OP is searching for there are decent neighborhoods and homes with new roofs and new HVAC. These are great starter+ level homes for middle America, with most buyers being new, younger families.

As far as quietness and safety goes though I've never at all felt unsafe. The worst we had was a thief who broke in to three homes but they drove in from Durham. Just happened to pick the homes that back up to woods. We used to have a dozen cops in my neighborhood but most have sold and upgraded.

The biggest downside to homes in the OP's price range will be neighborhoods that have rentals in them (this is going to exist anywhere). Mine had homes bought even up until a year ago and turned into rentals but they are actually slowly being turned back over to owner occupied as prices rise. The one across the street was owner occupied for a decade, then sold @ 190k, rented out for several years then just sold to an owner occupied couple for 270k.

Couldn’t rep, but basically where I was trying to go with my point, only minus the first hand experience of the area you have.

We bought our first place when I was 29. Kids didn’t show up for another 2 years (plus the five to get to school aged) and we were working with basically the same budget OP is. We sold our first place (to move here) 4 years post purchase.

I would have definitely started my family in that area, although would eventually move for schools all things being equal.