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All,
Been looking online and have seen many homes in the 150k - 175k range in and around Raleigh. Looking to make the move this summer (pending we successfully sell our house in CT
Will be coming down in March to look around. But figured i'd ask 1st about which areas to avoid (if any).
Some house may appear to be inexpensive because it's not in the best area (crime, run-down, poverty, bad schools).
We're typical middle-class, 2 boys age 13 & 10. I work out of the house.
Like many others, we're intrigued by the lower cost housing & taxes, and warm weather.
Not thrilled by the "HOA Managed" developments. I just don't think that's for me. To each his own. So if you could recommend some of the other neighborhoods (good, bad, or indifferent) that would be great !!
Hi! So that ppl can help you, you'll need to share more requirements or must have's or deal breakers.
Do you want to be near town, large lot, amenities, etc. There is so much to choose from it would be like shooting blind giving you a suggestion.
In that price range you could find more house, larger lot if you looked at Wake Forest, Wendell, Garner, Clayton...outlying towns.
Perhaps you could narrow it down to neighborhoods you've found and then ask ppls opinions?
I agree with Raleighlass, we need more info. Are you looking for a rural lifestyle or more suburban or urban? What do you like to do? What do you want to be close to? Is job location for your significant other a consideration?
We prefer a Suburban lifestyle. Rural is definately not us. Want to be able to get to Shopping & Dining w/in about 15 minutes. We enjoy Bowling, Tennis, going to Parks. Want the kids to be able to make friends in the neighorhood.
Do like the larger lots. By large, i would say .25 acre. I don't like those developments where the house are right on top of one-another.
Also don't like those neighborhoods where there aren't any trees !!
Have seen quite a few homes in those "outer" towns that you mention : Wake Forest, Wendell, Garner, Clayton and like the looks of them.
Have also seen several homes on the outskirts of Raleigh itself, just outside the beltline, in this price range. i really like the way those homes and neighborhoods look.
Wife works in retail sales, and will look for something when we get down there, also is considering going back to school.
Have also found out that most HOA's don't allow above-ground pools. We can't afford to put in an in-ground pool. This would be a deal-breaker because my 10yr old, with Autism, enjoys swimming more than anything; and will do it all-day & evening sometimes.
More homes are in HOA's than not here, but here are some suggestions. North Raleigh, More like N, NW. Village on the Green, in the $170's. It's a neighborhood of older homes, split level, ranch, etc. The schools for the neighborhood are very good, Carroll and Sanderson. lately I've heard some negative comments about Carroll but prior to this, always the comments have been that it's an excellent school.
Six Forks North, built in 70's, same price range as Village. .20 acre ave.
North, NE Raleigh - Brentwood Estates. Split level, ranch, etc, built in 60's and 70's. Solid homes, larger lots. the community doesn't have an HOA but located in it is a community center that I think has a pool. I believe it's elementary school was just made a magnet. There is a poster here who can tell you more, their name is "LoveBrentwood".
Across Capital Blvd from Brentwood is Starmount, similar homes, prices, size. I think the lots are a little bigger. The schools are Durant MS - excellent! And Millbrook HS.,
Garner - Greenbrier, older homes, larger lots, .40 acre average. Britt Estates, address is Raleigh but in Garner area. There are lots more in Garner I can't recall the names. Be sure your realtor is familiar with it. Maybe someone else can give you suggestions....
West Raleigh - Old Farm, in $170's, .30 acre. This is bordering Cary.
In Knightdale there is Green Pines, and Barclay Downs. Mostly ranches, similar lots to Brentwood and Starmount. The prices will be lower.
All of these subdivisions are near to what you mentioned. And would meet your needs. Plus, the communities are established and you'll find they have lots of trees and are homey looking.
One thing you may want to look for is a subdivision with a community pool. No cleaning and upkeep for you. That will probably put you in an HOA type sub, but it is really a give and take. There are some small subdivisions on the SE side of Raleigh between Knightdale and Clayton that could fit your preferences though. We just moved down here from Michigan last fall and are really loving it.
My neighborhood in Cary, Irongate, fits your needs as well as a few other neighborhoods in the Cary area (Scottish Hills, Walnut Hills and couple of other ones).
It is within your price range, No HOA, it is close to downtown/central Cary, larger lots (most are least .25 acres), all have mature trees, close to shopping, parks, recreation facilities aand particularly close to the Triangle Aquatic Center which is open for swimming year round, good schools, walking distance from the Cary mall if your wife works retail that might be a good place to look (also on the C-Tran route).
I don't know anyone around here who actually has an above ground pool, but there is no reason why you couldn't do it. Plenty of people have those large trampolines! The area is wooded though and the leaves are a serious pain in the you know what, which might make upkeep a pain but there are also two major swimming facilities nearby (hink 3 miles): TAC is indoors and Cary Swim Club (which is private, but also walking distance from the neighborhood. Many people who live in this neighborhood are members) which might make your need for a pool unnecessary.
I had clients that had a child with autism and coming from NY, they were very used to almost everyone having an above ground pool!
We did find a few neighborhoods (older) in Wake Forest that allowed this.
Most people in this area seem to turn their noses down at above ground pools. Inground pools are expensive to put in and require larger lots AND the approval of the HOA. I'd hesitate to go this route as when it is time to re sell, probably the majority of buyers do not want the upkeep and will not even look at homes with inground pools. The exception to this are properties in the million dollar range and even then, so many don't want the maintenance issues.
What you want is out there...maybe not in North Raleigh or Cary but some of the less expensive areas such as Wake Forest, Holly Springs, Clayton, should be fine. Clayton is a bit more rural than the others but you do get more land and more house for your money and there are a lot of transplants heading that way.
More homes are in HOA's than not here, but here are some suggestions. North Raleigh, More like N, NW. Village on the Green, in the $170's. It's a neighborhood of older homes, split level, ranch, etc. The schools for the neighborhood are very good, Carroll and Sanderson. lately I've heard some negative comments about Carroll but prior to this, always the comments have been that it's an excellent school.
Six Forks North, built in 70's, same price range as Village. .20 acre ave.
North, NE Raleigh - Brentwood Estates. Split level, ranch, etc, built in 60's and 70's. Solid homes, larger lots. the community doesn't have an HOA but located in it is a community center that I think has a pool. I believe it's elementary school was just made a magnet. There is a poster here who can tell you more, their name is "LoveBrentwood".
Across Capital Blvd from Brentwood is Starmount, similar homes, prices, size. I think the lots are a little bigger. The schools are Durant MS - excellent! And Millbrook HS.,
Garner - Greenbrier, older homes, larger lots, .40 acre average. Britt Estates, address is Raleigh but in Garner area. There are lots more in Garner I can't recall the names. Be sure your realtor is familiar with it. Maybe someone else can give you suggestions....
West Raleigh - Old Farm, in $170's, .30 acre. This is bordering Cary.
In Knightdale there is Green Pines, and Barclay Downs. Mostly ranches, similar lots to Brentwood and Starmount. The prices will be lower.
All of these subdivisions are near to what you mentioned. And would meet your needs. Plus, the communities are established and you'll find they have lots of trees and are homey looking.
thank you all for this information, will be focusing my search more on those areas. be down next month to get some first-hand knowledge....
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