30's single female possibly moving to durham!!! (where to stay, apartment)

[Ladiem26]

Hey everyone,

I may be moving to Durham by August 2012 if I get this job. I need help with where to buy a home, townhome, condo for $120,00 or less. I'm single and need to be in a safe environment. I would be working near Maint Street in Durham. I am willing to commute but not sure where to commute from! No more than 30 minutes.

Also, I have hear HORROR stories about $300-$600 utility bills!! Is this true? Please keep me out of those places!! Can't afford it.

Address: Good or Bad

1. Eastway Avenue (Townhome)
2. Ganyard Fram Way (townhome)

Just tell me where to stay out of if easier

I will be coming in two weeks to do some home searches but I don't have a lot of time to waste. I will be getting a realtor but again...no time to waste.

Thanks in advance!

[elsbells]

Check your DM's! I sent you a message.

[Francois]

Unless there is a particular hurry for you to buy, we generally suggest renting at first, learning your way around the city, and buying somewhere when you have time to think about it and get data without being in a hurry. Especially since you don't have children adn thus don't need to worry about stability with schools. why don't you just find an apartment, get settled, learn the city, and then you'd have a better feel for where you were buying, and not rush into it?

I don't think those figures are correct for utility bills.

[peperoberto]

These utility bill stories just don't make sense to me. I live in a 93-year-old bungalow in Burch Avenue that was re-habbed in 2007. It's a 1450 square foot single-story, and I have insulation in the attic and walls, and newer double-pane windows, and below are my average bills:

Summer:
Gas- $10 (monthly maintenance fee, no use)
Electricity- $110 in July and August, closer to $80-90 in May, June, September, October

Winter:
Gas- $75 or so
Electricity- $50-60

In the winter, the thermostat is set at 70 in the daytime and 62 at night. In the summer, it's set at 72 at night and 76 in the daytime.

Water is around $30 a month in the winter, and $40 in the summer. I garden extensively, so that's the extra $10/month in the summer months.


I'd go with Francois's suggestion and rent for a year. What's your budget to rent? I can suggest quite a few places you may want to look in to. You mention of Eastway makes me think you'd like an urban area. Let me know what kind of neighborhood you're looking for, and folks can offer up suggestions.