Advice on where to rent (Raleigh, Durham: sublets, apartments, condos)

[cgram23]

I just accepted a job with Cisco, and my wife and I are moving to the Triangle in January. We don't want to buy until we get to know the area better, so we're looking for a place to rent. We prefer a more urban area...someplace we can walk to restaurants and shops (my wife HATES to drive). I've been looking at a few sublets in the downtown Raleigh area, but I'm nervous about the commute to RTP. We're looking to pay up to $1700/mo.

Any suggestions

[cgram23]

One more thing......I've been looking at the Exchange at Briar Creek complex. Anyone have any experience here?

[angie313]

downtown raleigh really is the place to be and there's a lot you can afford for that price range. there's also some GREAT condos in the lassiter at north hills with a great shopping center across the way that would suffice on a smaller scale. think they're called the Alexander at the Lassiter or something to that effect?

[ferro28]

Originally Posted by cgram23

One more thing......I've been looking at the Exchange at Briar Creek complex. Anyone have any experience here?

Do not like the way the apartment hallways are set up. The hallways are very long, partially enclosed with large openings outside to the parking lot. I have never seen such an arrangement, but it did not appear secure or safe to me, as any outsider could enter the hallways and be hidden from view. The hallways were also dim and looked more like a concrete basement than an expensive apartment building.

Much prefer the smaller 'cluster' type apartments.

[DebbieF]

With that price point you won't have a problem finding a nice rent in the area. Downtown Raleigh has several on the MLS now.

[chuckreis]

I think there are some new luxury apartments on West Street in Raleigh which will put you in a great area.

For more modern, Briar Creek and North Hills have several options.

The commute from DT Raleigh to the RTP is not too bad. I used to do ITB Raleigh to DT Durham in a half hour to 45 minutes, which is about what my girlfriend experiences now, of course it varies from day to day. Considering my 11 mile commute from East Raleigh to North Raleigh is 20 minutes it is not bad at all.