Must-see & Must-do in the Triangle? (Raleigh, Durham: relocation, house, rent)

[jerseygirlonthemove]

We are considering a relocation to the triangle. My husband and I are going to plan a trip down to visit the area in a couple of months.

Recommendations of must-see/must-do while we are down there?

Restaurants to try out?

While we are likely to rent initially, we will be looking to purchase at some point. Areas/neighborhoods you recommend for a young couple to check out (kids are TBD but would want the option for good schools ) ?

[coltank]

Must see/Must do:
Duke University
UNC-Chapel Hill
Durham Bulls game
Raleigh Farmer's market

Restaurants:
Nana's
Magnolia Grill
Vin
Pop's
Foster's Market

Neighborhoods/Areas, as well as other things to see/do:
Depends on what you're in to, what you like to do, what kinds of things are important to you

[jerseygirlonthemove]

Thanks for the recommendations.

Home - Within the last 5-10 years is fine with us. When we were there last we went to some towns that were building brand new, but the homes were right on top of one another. Not our cup of tea. Cary is definately not for us. A cross of 21st century modern on the inside with old world charm on the outside. Tree-lined streets would be nice. Priced moderatly between 200-300K.

We will be coming from a VERY VERY concetrated area that has everything we can possibly need within a stones throw. While the "type" stores and restaurants we are used to (kohls, target, home depot, costco, markets, etc) are things we want to be near, we are OK with being further than a stones throw away to get to them.

Giving up the 90 minute commute each way is a breeze. So anywhere that's within 30 minutes to the durham area is ideal.

[coltank]

I'd look at the western side of Durham. South, Central, and Northern. The Southwest area will put you closer to the big mall-Southpointe, while Costco is in the North area, and Sam's Club more central.

[pjnery]

One particularly fine little restaurant (though there are so many) is Zely & Ritz near the down town area at 301 Glenwood. If you like organic food, slow food, lovingly prepared food and if you like good wines this is a great place to try. You can even find a generous $10 coupon off their prix fix menu if you go to www.RaleighRewards.com.

Something else you ought to see is the Artwalk, on the first Friday of every month if you can be here then. Just go downtown to ArtSpace and the many galleries in that area.

[raleighfanatic]

I'm glad that many people want to move to and visit my city. I'm Raleigh raised so I think that you would enjoy some of these places. For starters, when you guys come to visit, Capital Blvd would be your best choice for a hotel. Capital Blvd is one of the city's main, it turns into U.S. 1 the farther north you go. Capital Blvd also takes you into Downtown Raleigh where you can find many interesting things. Glenwood South is a hotspot for nightlife, located on Glenwood Avenue, right around the corner from the State Capital building. There on, I would suggest a Friday night, you could find many nice restaurants and bars. There is a place called Turkish Delights, where you can find: baklava, ice cream, coffee and other Turkish pastries, it even has wireless service. Fayettville Street is another Raleigh hotspot, I recomend Fayettville St. during the day, although night is live too, but you can really see what Downtown has to offer in that area of the city. There is a restaurant on Fayettville Street called Big Easy, Im pretty sure you could guess or not since your from Jersey, but it is a Creole/Cajun restaurant. It's like bringing New Orleans to Raleigh with its authentic jambalaya, gumbo, po'boys, and many other New Orleans cuisine served with various alcoholic beverages that could be found on Bourbon St. and daquri shops around New Orleans. While you are around Fayettville St., make sure you visit City Market just a block from there where you can find many restaurants, bars, and craft shops. Iv'e even seen a chocolate shop. Since you guys are young, I guess I should mention, Hillsborough Street. This is the location of North Carolina State University, not far from Downtown. Here you could find, of course the school, many restaurants, mainly coffee shops and burger joints customary to the university students. I can't explain everything but please take a thourough tour of Fayettville Street and Hillsborogh Street. On those two streets, there is a lot too see but it would be better on feet, (these two streets would be fun on foot). Fayettville Street and surrounding streets can be enjoyed by walking also. I'm pretty sure you guys like to shop, so, I would suggest, Cameron Village, it is an outside mall with all of the big mall stores. Crabtree Valley Mall, located just a few miles down Glenwood Avenue, is Raleigh's most popular mall. Triangle Towne Center is Raleigh's newest mall located off Capital Blvd. It's a nice mall, but I, think i'll remain a loyal Crabtree shopper. North Hills Mall is, what I like to call the "middle mall". It is located in the middle of the city and it was build between (in years/time) between Crabtree and Triangle Towne Center. The North Hills area of Raleigh is what I would consider pretty upscale, is gaining a lot of attention by developers. There is a huge developmental project underway across the street from the mall. The whole city of Raleigh is making a very big change. The Downtown Area is where the biggest concentration of public and private projects are taking place. The city is building a new convention center and many hotels. Wakefield, is a new section of the city but very big. Wakefield Plantation is a very upscale neighborhood. You should check out the homes. I can't afford them but, I have about 3 times took a ride to the North Side to see the mansions. Speeking of mansions, Downtown Raleigh has plenty, from the 17/1800's. The neighborhood is called Historic Oakwood, not far from Downtown. Now, the best skyline views are from, South Saunders Street, Western Blvd, and Capital Blvd. Also if you can find it, the Boylan Avenue Bridge would be a nice photo spot (fyi). I didn't forget schools, Raleigh has many of them and the county are building more because Raleigh and the Triangle area (Durham, Chapel Hill) is one of the fastest groing areas in the country beside, Las Vegas and a couple others, have you heard? My city is becoming very popular. Right now the school system is in a small mess that I think is on the verge of clearing up. The school system is having a problem with the growth surge in Wake County and some how it ties in with overcrowding in the schools and eventually want to come up with a solution. A solution weather to change to year round schooling schedule or continue with traditional schedules. I can try to send you pics from around the city.

http://www.associatearrangements.com...ighskyline.jpg
http://j1sphotography.com/sitebuilde...e-1001x427.jpg
http://www.world-guides.com/images/r...ity_market.jpg
http://www.pbase.com/raleighmsa/image/27412628.jpg
http://www.turkishdelightsusa.com/im...rple-house.jpg



RALEIGH - In budget discussions today, Wake commissioners did not tip their hands as to whether they will vote to boost school spending beyond the increase proposed by County Manager David Cooke.
However, the commissioners did spend the better part of an hour discussing whether they could force the Wake school board to dip into the system's savings account to fill the $12.8 million gap between the proposed county budget and what school officials have said they need.

The school system currently has $42 million in its rainy day account, about half of which is unrestricted and can be spent for any purpose. The fund balance has built up over several years, as the school system either didn't spend the full amount either granted by the commissioners or received excess revenue from fees that go to benefit education.

Rather than raise Wake's property tax rate beyond Cooke's proposed 3.6 cent hike to give the schools more money, commissioners' chairman Tony Gurley said today the school board should spend the money left over from prior years.

The school system does not need a rainy day account, Gurley said, because the county has one. If there were to be an emergency where extra money was needed, the school board could simply ask the commissioners for the money.

"Wake taxpayers are paying for two fund balances," Gurley said. "I think it is a waste of taxpayer money to allow the school board to maintain undesignated fund balance."


Staff writer Michael Biesecker can be reached at (919) 829-4698 or michael.biesecker@newsobserver.com.

[jerseygirlonthemove]

Hi everyone! Thank you very much for your recommendations. We can't wait to get down there to check all this out.

Raleighfanatic - I so much appreciate all the detail you provided. The pictures were awsome. Thank you for sharing all this great information with me.