Fuquay vs Clayton vs Garner... (Raleigh, Durham: house, neighborhood, schools)

[jad77]

hi everyone - my family is looking into these towns for a future move. We have 2 small children, ages 2 and 5 months. We'd be looking for a nice subdivision, 4 bed house under 10 years old for under $220k. Schools are important to us, and I've read many posts on the schools and found some great opinions and info. I'm looking for your opinions on these towns as a whole. What are some good things and bad things about these areas? Please don't hold back...I want as much info as possible.

[cary native]

All of these towns are good places to raise a family. They are similar enough, (with Clayton being the exception as it's in Johnston County and would have a different school system among other things) that your lifestyle(where you will work, play, etc.) would be more of a deciding factor than any thing else.

[jad77]

Originally Posted by cary native

All of these towns are good places to raise a family. They are similar enough, (with Clayton being the exception as it's in Johnston County and would have a different school system among other things) that your lifestyle(where you will work, play, etc.) would be more of a deciding factor than any thing else.

we'd love to find a town with charm and character, maybe a nice downtown area with historic buildings. We'd love nice, safe parks for the kids. The towns would ideally have a store like Target or Walmart, or at least have one nearby. I'd hate to have to drag two little ones on a 20 minute drive to get toothpaste! I've been reading up on the schools and know that Wake County has a great reputation. According to the stats in our relocation guide, Johnston County has some pretty good numbers in regards to their schools and academics. I'd love to get some opinions from parents that have experience in either or both systems, or just info on the towns in general. We've never been to the area, so we don't know what to expect. We're coming down next week and we're very excited.

[Njrover0216]

I too was in the same situation you are in. I focused on these 3 areas. After driving around Garner, I scratched it off my list immediately. Just wasn't for me. I never made it to Fuquay, because once I compared schools, Clayton beat them.Even though Clayton is not in the all mighty Wake County, their schools are just as good if not better. Clayton is definitely my pick out of the 3.

[jad77]

Originally Posted by Njrover0216

I too was in the same situation you are in. I focused on these 3 areas. After driving around Garner, I scratched it off my list immediately. Just wasn't for me. I never made it to Fuquay, because once I compared schools, Clayton beat them.Even though Clayton is not in the all mighty Wake County, their schools are just as good if not better. Clayton is definitely my pick out of the 3.

thank you for your opinion. May I ask why you didn't like Garner? I've been told that Fuquay has the quaint downtown area, but as you said, Clayton schools seem to be ranked higher than Fuquay. However, numbers don't tell everything, so I'm trying to get some other opinions. Thank you for yours.

[cary native]

Well, although i have spent a majority of my life in Cary (hence the screen name), I lived in Fuquay for five years and have now lived in Johnston County for the last two and a half years. So far, i have been impressed with the school system in Jo. Co.. They seem to be a little more ahead of the growth curve than Wake Co., partly because they are not seeing quite as many new students as Wake Co..
Of the areas you mention, Clayton will have more of a "historic downtown", although not by much. You have to remember, 30 yrs. ago there were nothing but farm communities in this area. There have never been what I would call "big" downtown areas in these smaller towns.
All of these towns have all the ammenities such as the big box stores, small mom&pops, etc. that you will need for day to day life.
Again, for me, it would depend more on where I would be working and such when I decided on one of these areas. Clayton is a little closer to the beach if that's what you like, but a little farther from the rest of the triangle. Garner would be closer to Raleigh, and Fuquay may be a little more centrally located to Raleigh, Cary, Apex, and Holly Springs. Both Clayton and Garner are right off of I-40 if you travel alot( Clayton is also pretty close to I-95).
Another area you may want to look at is the Cleveland Area, also known as the 40-42 area. It's right between all three towns that you mention.
Is all of this clear as mud now??

[jad77]

Originally Posted by cary native

Well, although i have spent a majority of my life in Cary (hence the screen name), I lived in Fuquay for five years and have now lived in Johnston County for the last two and a half years. So far, i have been impressed with the school system in Jo. Co.. They seem to be a little more ahead of the growth curve than Wake Co., partly because they are not seeing quite as many new students as Wake Co..
Of the areas you mention, Clayton will have more of a "historic downtown", although not by much. You have to remember, 30 yrs. ago there were nothing but farm communities in this area. There have never been what I would call "big" downtown areas in these smaller towns.
All of these towns have all the ammenities such as the big box stores, small mom&pops, etc. that you will need for day to day life.
Again, for me, it would depend more on where I would be working and such when I decided on one of these areas. Clayton is a little closer to the beach if that's what you like, but a little farther from the rest of the triangle. Garner would be closer to Raleigh, and Fuquay may be a little more centrally located to Raleigh, Cary, Apex, and Holly Springs. Both Clayton and Garner are right off of I-40 if you travel alot( Clayton is also pretty close to I-95).
Another area you may want to look at is the Cleveland Area, also known as the 40-42 area. It's right between all three towns that you mention.
Is all of this clear as mud now??

oh, it's all very clear, thank you! My husband would be working in Durham for now until his company moves to RTP (I believe at the corner of Davis and Kit Creek Rd in Morrisville) in 2010. Which town would be easiest for the commute? The closer town may not always be easier based on traffic and whichever roads he would have to take. He said for the right house/neighborhood he would commute up to 45 minutes. I know Clayton is farthest from there based on the map - could it still be done within 45 minutes?

[cary native]

I can't say for sure, but I don't think Clayton to R.T.P. is likely in 45 min.. Maybe someone that lives in Clayton can tell you for sure.
Fuquay is about the closest to R.T.P.. It's a straight shot down hwy.55 to R.T.P., although you will not be alone on the hwy. if you know what I mean. They have done a good job widening 55 from Fuquay almost all the way to Durham except one section in downtow Apex(which is another smaller town with a nice little downtown that you might want to look into) , which creates a bottleneck and makes for some back ups in traffic there.
I can't help much with travel times in heavy traffic. I usually either leave early(around 6:00 A.M.) or wait until traffic has died down some(around 9:00A.M.).In the afternoon I do the same, come home early or work late. If you can't tell, I hate traffic and do everything I can to avoid it.

[jad77]

Originally Posted by cary native

I can't say for sure, but I don't think Clayton to R.T.P. is likely in 45 min.. Maybe someone that lives in Clayton can tell you for sure.
Fuquay is about the closest to R.T.P.. It's a straight shot down hwy.55 to R.T.P., although you will not be alone on the hwy. if you know what I mean. They have done a good job widening 55 from Fuquay almost all the way to Durham except one section in downtow Apex(which is another smaller town with a nice little downtown that you might want to look into) , which creates a bottleneck and makes for some back ups in traffic there.
I can't help much with travel times in heavy traffic. I usually either leave early(around 6:00 A.M.) or wait until traffic has died down some(around 9:00A.M.).In the afternoon I do the same, come home early or work late. If you can't tell, I hate traffic and do everything I can to avoid it.

my husband is the same way...he'll leave for work early to be at his desk by 7am, then he usually takes off by 4pm. Maybe that will eliminate some traffic issues by traveling at off-times.

[urbywan]

If you work in RTP living in clayton is a hike. 50 miles or there about each way.

Gasoline is going to be 3+ a gallon now forever. Live closer. Fuquay Apex are much better areas. Even Pittsboro.