Relocating to the triangle area, please help (Raleigh, Cary: chapel, homes)
Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill, CaryThe Triangle Area
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We just found out my husband will be transferring to Cary for work in the fall. We currently live in Oak Park, IL (a pretty liberal, urban suburb of Chicago) which we love. I am very unfamiliar with the triangle area (we have lived in the midwest our whole lives), and we are unsure as to where we should be looking to buy a house.
We have two children ages 9 months and 2 1/2. So good schools (public or private) are a must as we will most likely be living there when they start school. We would also like a nice sized home with a decent yard. I would like to be close to parks and other family friendly areas that are easily accessible.
We would like a more liberal environment and as much diversity (racial, cultural, religious) as possible.
And the last wish is water (i know this is stretching it)...are there any lakes in the area that people live on? I just love being close to lake michigan
Cost is not an issue.
Any help/advice would be much appreciated. Obviously we will be visiting the area, but just trying to get some ideas to help navigate while we do visit.
We just found out my husband will be transferring to Cary for work in the fall. We currently live in Oak Park, IL (a pretty liberal, urban suburb of Chicago) which we love. I am very unfamiliar with the triangle area (we have lived in the midwest our whole lives), and we are unsure as to where we should be looking to buy a house.
We have two children ages 9 months and 2 1/2. So good schools (public or private) are a must as we will most likely be living there when they start school. We would also like a nice sized home with a decent yard. I would like to be close to parks and other family friendly areas that are easily accessible.
We would like a more liberal environment and as much diversity (racial, cultural, religious) as possible.
And the last wish is water (i know this is stretching it)...are there any lakes in the area that people live on? I just love being close to lake michigan
Cost is not an issue.
Any help/advice would be much appreciated. Obviously we will be visiting the area, but just trying to get some ideas to help navigate while we do visit.
Thanks!
Think twice, please check the area out fully, again this is just my opinion, but if you are looking for a big town lifestyle, this is not the place. Pardon my being blunt but again its just my opinion. Best of luck to you ! I find that the more interesting and fun thingsto do ( Mountains & Beach ) are 2-3 hours from the area. If you are OK with that that's great !
I'd say if you work in Cary, your best options are going to be South Cary or North Raleigh.
Chapel Hill would be great because of good schools BUT small town and quite liberal (which you'd like) but housing options aren't as plentiful as Cary and North Raleigh.
If you are going to spend lots for a home, I'd suggest you find the most desirable areas for that home which brings me back to Cary and North Raleigh.
I'd say Cary because that is closer to work. South Cary if you want more suburbia and West Cary if you don't mind somewhat smaller lots.
I'm finding more and more buyers don't mind a bit of airport noise for the convenience of being close to the airport for work and travel. I also find that you don't hear the airport noise while you are in your home but noise is subjective so you'll need to determine that for yourself.
I've done the commute...from North Raleigh to Cary, in the AM, is virtually no traffic. Same as going from Cary to North Raleigh (in the afternoon)...no traffic. I've done it.
I KNOW. Not something I heard. Not something I'm guessing about. Not just saying something to hear myself type!!! LOL.
I suggested North Raleigh because for the money, you'll get bigger lots, nicer lots.
If cost is not an issue and you like the more urban/suburban nature of Oak Park, you should consider living inside Raleigh's Beltline in some of the more established neighborhoods near downtown like Cameron Park, Hayes Barton, Budleigh or even Historic Oakwood. All of these areas are more liberal than the surrounding suburban areas. Of the list, I like Cameron Park best. It's close to shopping, the state's largest university and some of the best public schools in Raleigh. It's a neighborhood filled with university professors and is very liberal. It's also VERY close to downtown and all it has to offer. Raleigh is certainly no Chicago but I think you'll find yourself really comfortable there...especially if costs are not a great concern. The homes typically run from the 500s to over a million and are an interesting mix of early 20th century bungalows, colonial revivals and contempory infills. Cameron Park is also a pretty easy commute to Cary via Hillsborough Street or Wade Avenue. Of course, this depends on where in Cary the job is.
There are several reservoirs in the greater Triangle that people use for recreation but none of the interesting liberal enclaves are near them. They are, however, pretty easy to reach. The ocean is also within a two hour drive.
If cost is not an issue (be still my heart), you can find a comfortable home with a decent yard in a nice neighborhood anywhere you look. Rumor has it that the public schools in Chapel Hill are a cut above. Check the threads for the Wake County schools. Seem to be a fair number of private school options as well.
Is there anyway to connect with the families of others who work in your husband's firm, see what they have to say?
I've done the commute...from North Raleigh to Cary, in the AM, is virtually no traffic. Same as going from Cary to North Raleigh (in the afternoon)...no traffic. I've done it.
I KNOW. Not something I heard. Not something I'm guessing about. Not just saying something to hear myself type!!! LOL.
I suggested North Raleigh because for the money, you'll get bigger lots, nicer lots.
And now...ya know!
Vicki
I owned in North Raleigh for years. During one of them (2005-2006) I frequently drove from Cary to North Raleigh (and vice versa). Traffic sucked about half the time.
There's NOTHING in North Raleigh that you can't find in Cary. Want a bigger lot? Move to Apex or Holly Springs.
North Raleigh to Cary is a fairly pointless commute.
In my experience. Not something I heard. No dog in any race. Well, unless you count caring about excess pollution.
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