Toll Brothers Brier Creek - Social life and outdoor cats? (Raleigh: real estate, apartment)

[zitsky]

My partner and I have been living in a corporate apartment in the Brier Creek area for a few weeks. We're still looking at houses and have amused my real estate agent by finding three complete different houses that we like.

We've found:

* a 40 year old house in Oak Park, Raleigh in the low $300's
* a 13 year old house in Chapel Hill, mid $500's
* a 5 year old house in Brier Creek, mid $400's

Each house and neighborhood has things we like. The Oak Park & Chapel Hill houses have older, more established landscaping but need a little work. Brier Creek is a newer house, doesn't need much work, and has a golf course, fitness center etc.

One of the reasons we are considering Brier Creek is because we think there are more opportunities to network and/or meet other people by taking advantage of the (mandatory) social club or other facilities (golf, fitness etc.) The downside is that the cheapest option, the social club, is about $1500 initiation fee and $73 a month. That's just to go to a few parties and pay to eat at the club restaurant.

Is there anyone here who lives in one of the Toll Brothers Brier Creek houses who can comment about what the social life is like? Are there as many opportunities as it seems to meet new people at the club parties, or do people tend to keep to themselves? Is it pretty "cliqueish" or do your neighbors try to make new residents feel welcome?

Also, I have three cats that are used to going outdoors. They are usually under supervision but they do tend to wander around sometimes. In our last place we had a fenced yard and very friendly neighbors, so that wasn't a problem. Many of the houses we're looking at in Brier Creek don't even have fences. Are we going to get our hands slapped the first time one of our cats decides to check out the golf course? (Of course, that's not even counting all the usual hazards from dogs, cars etc. We keep a pretty close eye on our cats. We try not to be negligent. We make them wear collars with tags & bells to keep the birds away even though we know that isn't perfect.) I'm not looking for comments about whether cats should be indoor or outdoor. I'm looking for comments about pets that are occasionally outdoor off-leash and whether it's been a problem with your HOA.

I have searched the forum. I found a post from someone living in a Brier Creek apartment and a few comments from folks who liked the area, but nothing too specific about the neighbors & social life or HOA issues.

[Babytarheelz]

I managed an apartment community right in the country club for a couple of years and through dealing with the HOA and speaking to residents who were building homes in Brier Creek, I don't know that it'd be right for you. The cats I think will be an issue, that HOA is awful. They're sticklers for everything. And as for the social aspect, my observation of the demographics are families with children or retirees. Most of the people I've interacted with as well were very "uppity" and most not so friendly. I don't know, to each their own, but I don't think I would ever live there. I think the Triangle as many social options if that's a concern for you. I'd go for the house and neighborhood you get the best vibe from.

[DanielleNC]

I am a pet sitter in Brier Creek and I honestly don't see your cats being outdoors working out in Brier Creek. I can tell everything is very pristine and the HOA very picky. I would live where the neighborhood and neighbors are more laid back.

[zitsky]

Thanks for the replies. Yes, I'm most worried about the HOA. Having never lived in a neighborhood with one, I can see them nitpicking over everything. Fortunately my partner still seems interested in some of the houses without HOA's.

It still seems a bit silly that I have to pay a mandatory "social club" fee of $73/mo at Brier Creek just to attend a monthly party and get the privilege of eating at the restaurant. I can understand paying for pool, tennis etc, even though it's pricey at $150 a month or so per family. That's not even including maintenance fees, I think.