Relocation advice on RTP (Cary, Clayton: homes, utilities, taxes)
Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill, CaryThe Triangle Area
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I recently looked at a lot of the places mentioned here. For what it is worth, my significant other was (originally) very partial to Brier Creek. Mostly, if you are going to be in and out of RDU a bunch then it is very convenient. I never could really see the draw there. The Toll Brothers houses are so inferior to most other housing stock, and the lots are terrible (I like a tree or two on my lot!) So, after a lot of looking and compromising we ended up in a great spot near Chapel Hill. No where near as convenient to RDU,(That is for sure) but everything else seems much better.
As you can see by the responses already, there are a lot of choices. Since you don't have kids yet and school will not be an issue for a few years I highly recommend you rent (somewhere close to your jobs) for at least a year while you get your bearings about the pluses and minuses of living in each area. After living here for a while I think you will have a much easier time identifying areas that may best suite your lifestyle that also fit your budget. Good Luck!
Rent for A YEAR? Are ya nuts!
Most people can figure out an area in way less time than that! Let's just assume that these people are somewhat intelligent!
If you cannot come down a few times before you move to scope out the area and figure out where you WANT to live and where you can AFFORD to live, then renting would be a good option for you. However, renting for more than 3 months is not necessary and for those people that have lived in their own home before, renting for more than 3 months is difficult for them.
Not having kids is helpful because you would not want to put them through a move twice and possibly uproot them from one school to another.
Again, your price is going to dictate where you live. A few days with a Realtor and you'll have a good idea of where you want to live. It just isn't that difficult.
If you prefer to rent, that is a totally different story. There are plenty of apts. available!
I don't know, I've often made the same recommendation of renting for a year, which is what we did in Cary.
Certainly "to each their own" as everyone's ability to acclimate and tolerance for renting is different, but for those with a busy(normal) work and life schedule, the first month or three may be consumed with just getting their general bearings and settled, much less really getting to know the area.
Again, everyone is different, but starting at a young age when my family seemed to move every few years and then after I was on my own, I found that it seemed to take about 2 years to really get to know a place in any depth and get to know folks(make real friends).
I'm not suggesting someone rent for two years though, but just that it may take longer than three months for some people to get their bearings and decide what/where they are looking for.
We rented in south Cary for a couple of months. After about 8 weeks I knew I did not want to be there, which is when we started looking at Durham. Sometimes it's easy to get a feel for the place, sometimes it takes a while. I don't think there's a standard time.
Clayton is definitely more country, but just a short 15-20 min drive to all of your 'urban sprawl' shopping. There is also all sorts of shopping 'in' Clayton as well. My husband commutes from East Clayton to south Durham and makes it in about 45 mins. That's probably better than what you're used to in ny....
Thanks for all the advice. Since we are from Long Island and we are use to a lot of congestion and a busy life style we have ruled out Clayton. I think we will definitely be looking between Durham, Raleigh and Cary. We are evaluating on whether to rent for 6 months or purchase because home prices are low right now.
I don't know, I've often made the same recommendation of renting for a year, which is what we did in Cary.
Certainly "to each their own" as everyone's ability to acclimate and tolerance for renting is different, but for those with a busy(normal) work and life schedule, the first month or three may be consumed with just getting their general bearings and settled, much less really getting to know the area.
Again, everyone is different, but starting at a young age when my family seemed to move every few years and then after I was on my own, I found that it seemed to take about 2 years to really get to know a place in any depth and get to know folks(make real friends).
I'm not suggesting someone rent for two years though, but just that it may take longer than three months for some people to get their bearings and decide what/where they are looking for.
Al
We have the cash to buy a home with no mortgage but have rented for 20 years.
There are benefits to rent or buy.
If you decide to buy, I recommend Vicki as your realtor.
Thanks for all the advice. Since we are from Long Island and we are use to a lot of congestion and a busy life style we have ruled out Clayton. I think we will definitely be looking between Durham, Raleigh and Cary. We are evaluating on whether to rent for 6 months or purchase because home prices are low right now.
It seems like a lot of the Long Island folks are going to Clayton or Cary. I am starting to wonder who will be left on L.I. in a few years, because according to this board, they all seem to be moving here!
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