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I think you should give Winston Salem a look, especially with your budget. It's about 4 hours from Topsail and is home to Wake Forest University and a couple of smaller ones.
If you are looking at Charlottesville, VA, you might want to add Roanoke, VA to your list. Beautiful town in the Shenandoah Valley with lots of natural scenery including the Blue Ridge Mountains Smith Mountain Lake. There are some smaller colleges there like Hollins and Roanoke College.
Your budget will be tough in the triangle. You could look for townhomes in Apex and Holly Springs though, if you could go up to low 300s that would help. To me, Apex has a moderate or slightly left leaning vibe. I can't speak to Holly Springs politics as much.
That's what I'm seeing- looking outside the immediate area of the Triangle would probably be more affordable. We're not opposed to a townhome, and in some ways would prefer it. We'd just need to find one where we could have a yappy little dog and not make the neighbors hate us
Thank you, that comparison helps. I know we're not going to be able to replicate the beauty of Ithaca, but we'd like to come as close as we can.
If you wanted to push your drive, you might check into Boone or North Wilksboro area as well. But it's pushing the drive to 5 hours+ We have come to like that area as well. I really miss that 3 hour drive putting you in the Adk mountains and all the beauty and fun that offers. NC has more to offer with the ocean/beach and mountain experience, but the trade off is the drive! If NY had the same opportunity for me when I was starting my career I might still be there but alas I had to move for work.
From talking to my folks the winter has been pretty snowy up in Rochester this year, we seems to be getting some of that weather as well, but when it snows here it's usually just a few inches and I get excited to shovel it and go sledding before it melts.
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Budget for a new house is in the $250-300K range, depending on how much our house here sells for.
That is tough price range for the Triangle, but Wilmington has a few single-story townhouses like that which are retirement friendly. They have small yards and public areas to walk dogs. You would be 1 to 1.5 hours from the condo in NTB.
High speed Internet is no problem, and parts of Wilmington have fiber optic service.
Wilmington has a different kind of beauty with live oaks and Spanish moss. I think you would come to appreciate it.
If you wanted to push your drive, you might check into Boone or North Wilksboro area as well. But it's pushing the drive to 5 hours+ We have come to like that area as well. I really miss that 3 hour drive putting you in the Adk mountains and all the beauty and fun that offers. NC has more to offer with the ocean/beach and mountain experience, but the trade off is the drive! If NY had the same opportunity for me when I was starting my career I might still be there but alas I had to move for work.
From talking to my folks the winter has been pretty snowy up in Rochester this year, we seems to be getting some of that weather as well, but when it snows here it's usually just a few inches and I get excited to shovel it and go sledding before it melts.
It has been mostly frigid here in Ithaca- LOTS of single-digit or below-zero days (actual temp, never mind wind chill). My poor dog struggles to do his business when it's so cold.
Being a reasonably quick hop to the coast is high on the list of importance, but I'll definitely look at that area too- thank you!
That is tough price range for the Triangle, but Wilmington has a few single-story townhouses like that which are retirement friendly. They have small yards and public areas to walk dogs. You would be 1 to 1.5 hours from the condo in NTB.
High speed Internet is no problem, and parts of Wilmington have fiber optic service.
I'll give Wilmington another look- that does sound pretty ideal.
Worried a bit about hurricane risk, which is why I wanted to be a little more inland- my husband would like to live closer, he's not as concerned about that.
For your budget and especially if you are willing to look at a smaller home or townhome I’d suggest Hillsborough. It’s smaller than Chapel Hill or Ithaca but it is 20 minutes to Chapel Hill or Durham and you’ve got your Lowe’s or Home Depot and Walmart right there. You’d need to drive the 20 minutes to Target if you prefer it.
Hillsborough is a cute historic town along the Eno River. Good restaurants and shops. There’s a natural foods store, Weaver Street Market a small local coop chain. https://visithillsboroughnc.com/
You could probably get a townhome for that budget in Chapel Hill or Carrboro but it will be hard to find a single family home. I think you might swing it in Hillsborough but it will be tough.
@michgc, have you been to Roanoke from here lately? You literally have to go through “Trump Town” aka Boone’s Mill. I have been several times this year and they are still waving those flags so hard there. Roanoke itself isn’t necessarily like that but it is not pleasant to pass.
ETA: Dang! I just did a little looksee on the inter webs and I'm going to amend my recommendation and say you might want to look harder at Durham. So many contingent properties in Chapel Hill, Carrboro, and Hillsborough in your price range. Just not a lot to chose from.
Durham is a bit of a rebel and black sheep in the Triangle family. It has a bit of an edge, but it's very cool. That edge and the lower performing schools are what keep some people from buying there but that might give you a little more opportunity. Check it out, but run the neighborhoods by us. https://www.discoverdurham.com and https://durhamnc.gov/35/Things-to-Do-in-Durham might get you started. I really like Durham.
I'll give Wilmington another look- that does sound pretty ideal.
Worried a bit about hurricane risk, which is why I wanted to be a little more inland- my husband would like to live closer, he's not as concerned about that.
Wilmington could be cool. It's definitely more purple politically than anywhere in the Triangle. Hurricanes are a concern, BUT the good thing about a hurricane is you know it's coming so you can get outta town. You do have to have extra insurance, though.
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