Advise needed - possibly moving to Raleigh area from DC (Durham: renting, chapel)

[NC Bound?]

Hi there! Has anyone moved to the Raleigh area from DC? Currently I am living in Arlington, VA (Clarendon - just outside of DC) and my husband and I are interested in moving down for a better quality of life. I really like this area and I have some family here which makes it hard to leave, but it has gotten so expensive and the financial stress is just not worth it anymore.
We are planning a trip down to visit the area, but we are having a hard time learning about the various neighborhoods in the area. We would prefer to be in a fairly central location (so long as it is SAFE - we have a toddler)... possibly in an area that is close to (and possibly walking distance to) restaurants, shopping, bike trails, and parks. If anyone knows the Clarendon area, it is 2 miles from DC, the houses are older but mostly renovated and there are tons of shops and restaurants within walking distance. I'm not sure if that kind of neighborhood exists down there?
Thanks!

[goingforward_neverback]

My husband and our 2 kids just moved from the DC area in July. We're renting in North Raleigh and cheking out places we may want to buy in. I haven't had much time to explore he city too much so I can't give specific advice but what I've seen here in N. Raleigh has been really nice. To give you some perspective, I live north of Triangle Town Center, right of Capital Blvd (Rt. 1).

There are lots of nice neighborhoods here and there seems to be a plethora of shopping centers as well as parks. We love the fact that it is MUCH less expensive to live down here than up there. It was one of the main reasons we moved.

[Clever User Name]

My wife and I have also considered this move. We're in Alexandria. While we like the idea of a lower cost of living and being closer to family, we're not sure we're ready to part with the perks of living in DC. We've made a few trips to the Raleigh area and you won't find an area anything like Clarendon. We are also looking for walkable communities - as in an easy walk to a diversity of shops, restaurants, bars, coffee shops, etc. We were struck by how small the area feels. Despite the population in the area, it's largely spread out. There are the seeds of walkable communities along Glenwood Ave, on the main drive in Chapel Hill and in a couple parts of Durham, but they are nothing like the neighborhoods around DC.

[saturnfan]

You are correct. I once lived in Manhattan, and Raleigh is a totally different animal.

[coltank]

Brier Creek can be walkable, and I have heard that there will be some future shopping in the Brightleaf subdivision. You've also got some of the histroic districts in downtown Durham, and neighborhoods in Chapel Hill like Meadowmont or Southern Village.

In Raleigh most walkable areas will be inside the beltline, maybe Cameron Village, or neighborhoods near five points.