Top Neighborhoods Given these Requirements

[duhrambull]

Originally Posted by Grawburg

Brandywine Subdivision in Cary pretty much fits that....I know cause I live there. Houses are closer to upper 300's to low 400's and up to about 600.

Brandywine is very close to I-40 and i do not think any of the houses there fit into your budget

[Janecj]

Some very nice communities in Cary are: Cooperleaf, Weycroft, Green Level and Hilliard Forest (these all are fairly new and fit in your price range with activiites - or soon to be activities).
In Raliegh: Gates of Ethan's Glen and Parker Falls come to mind. There are many more. It's hard to suggest something without really knowing one's likes and dislikes. Maybe you might like Governor's Club in Chapel Hill. Many amenities and it's gated.

[Grawburg]

Also Avalon near Crabtree.

[marciatj]

Thanks so much for all of the great options and feedback, I am excited about exploring all of the neighborhoods suggested- for those who requested more information, we are the kind of family that likes the conveinence of modern, with the ambiance of established...in the past we have lived in both brand new planned communities and older established ones - what stands out, admitedly, we don't have the patience for the "fixer upper set, but we SURE appreciate those who have done the fixing up in an older home, other things we appreciate:

- lots of young kids
- parks
- neighborhood traditions (halloween, 4th of July)
- a pool is a nice touch
- genuinely caring neighbors, not the fake ones that only wave "Hi" from afar
- good schools, we'd like to keep our 3 yo in a Montessori program
- a nice wine shop nearby
- Trees, and not scraggly little bushes
Both my husband and I will be working full time from home, he will have extensive travel, I will not, thus I guess within 30 minutes of RDU would be a plus.

[rbcp]

I believe that North Ridge fits your description other than the Whole Foods part. In addition to the Whole Foods rumors, I believe that a Trader Joe's is coming somewhere in N Raleigh.