Raleigh, North Carolina

[SDHM]

Hi,

I’ve been a long time reader of this site and appreciate and respect everyone’s opinion. I have received quite an education from this site and thank you all for it. My husband and I have finally given up on San Diego and are now considering a move to Raleigh, NC. He has visited downtown Raleigh and was concerned about living there. We currently rent in Carmel Valley, it’s a little pretentious, but it’s very close to both our offices (5 minute commute) and we feel safe there. If you are familiar with Raleigh could you please suggest some nice areas to live and raise a new family?

[patientlywaiting]

My cousin’s family is in Raleigh. Good city, lots of high tech in RTP, great universities.

If you like Carmel Valley, you’ll like this neighborhood:

http://www.zillow.com/search/Search.htm?addrstrthood=Round+Brook+Circle&citystatezip=raleigh%2C+nc+27617&GOButton=%3CSPAN%3EGO%3C%2FSPAN%3E

[patientlywaiting]

My cousin’s family is in Raleigh. Good city, lots of high tech in RTP, great universities.

If you like Carmel Valley, you’ll like this neighborhood:

http://www.zillow.com/search/Search.htm?addrstrthood=Round+Brook+Circle&citystatezip=raleigh%2C+nc+27617&GOButton=%3CSPAN%3EGO%3C%2FSPAN%3E

[patientlywaiting]

My cousin’s family is in Raleigh. Good city, lots of high tech in RTP, great universities.

If you like Carmel Valley, you’ll like this neighborhood:

http://www.zillow.com/search/Search.htm?addrstrthood=Round+Brook+Circle&citystatezip=raleigh%2C+nc+27617&GOButton=%3CSPAN%3EGO%3C%2FSPAN%3E

[Blissful Ignoramus]

Raleigh is indeed a bit rough around the edges. Cary is nearby, and is a bedroom community for the many people associated with NC State and the many high tech businesses in the area. You won’t have any trouble finding places near Raleigh with good schools, including Cary and Chapel Hill, home of the University of North Carolina. Durham, home of Duke, is also a bit rough, but has some good schools.

It’s the South. It’s different from Southern California. If you’re going to move there, make sure that you are willing to embrace that change. I’ve lived in both Southern California (grew up there) and in the south, and I loved both. There are annoying and negative things about the south, but wonderful things too.

[Sly]

You may want to check out this website, it has alot of very good information.

http://www.city-data.com/forum/raleigh-durham-chapel-hill-cary/

[CardiffBaseball]

I used to work in Morrisville and stayed at house up in Durham. My family stayed behind as I didn’t want to relocate, so I’d commute down there once or twice a month, but initially spent a lot of time there. I was up in Ohio, and didn’t want to relocate (worked out well for me) for various reasons, none of which had to do with the area.

Cary is probably the most Carmel-Valley like city. Actually Chapel Hill is supposed to be nice, I didn’t go down there very often, so I can’t really say for sure. Durham has some nice parts but was mostly kind of a dump. The home I stayed in was a 5600 Sq. Foot house of a guy who made a killing day trading and sold out and built a house (in the nick or time before the crash). The thing I hated was driving by the projects to get home.

In my mind not a bad place to relocate, though I’ll still choose to stay here and rent, unless I can move for the exact same salary. I don’t see that happening. Much like SD, you might want to consider living somewhat near where you work. Raleigh to me, was a little less southern, though I don’t have any hangups about the south. The traffic can be a pain. Other bedroom communities south of town are Apex and Forest Hills. North Raleigh as I recall had some nice areas.

North of town is a master-planned community called Wakefield Plantation, that seemed pretty nice, including it’s own schools. Also Wake Forest is just northeast of Wakefield Plantation. In case if my company was going to make me move, I was looking into a lot of new developments around Morrisville-Carpenter area due to the proximity to the office. I can’t recall the name of the place.

[seattle-relo]

My very good friend just moved to Cary and loves it. It’s a beautiful area with good schools and lovely homes. My mother-in-law has lived in Durham for the past 6 years and would never leave. There are some “south” influences, but it’s not as heavy as other deeper south states. Before we moved to San Diego, I really wanted to move there, but my husband wasn’t able to find a job at his level, so we ended up in San Diego. The weather is nice (not as nice as San Diego). Raleigh is an interesting city, but I will say there isn’t as many recreational opportunities as San Diego. It does have a strong sense of community and family values, if that’s what you are looking for. I would definately check out Cary. You can buy a very lovely home for much, much less than here, but I’d wait, their housing market is hurting.

[seattle-relo]

My very good friend just moved to Cary and loves it. It’s a beautiful area with good schools and lovely homes. My mother-in-law has lived in Durham for the past 6 years and would never leave. There are some “south” influences, but it’s not as heavy as other deeper south states. Before we moved to San Diego, I really wanted to move there, but my husband wasn’t able to find a job at his level, so we ended up in San Diego. The weather is nice (not as nice as San Diego). Raleigh is an interesting city, but I will say there isn’t as many recreational opportunities as San Diego. It does have a strong sense of community and family values, if that’s what you are looking for. I would definately check out Cary. You can buy a very lovely home for much, much less than here, but I’d wait, their housing market is hurting.

[seattle-relo]

My very good friend just moved to Cary and loves it. It’s a beautiful area with good schools and lovely homes. My mother-in-law has lived in Durham for the past 6 years and would never leave. There are some “south” influences, but it’s not as heavy as other deeper south states. Before we moved to San Diego, I really wanted to move there, but my husband wasn’t able to find a job at his level, so we ended up in San Diego. The weather is nice (not as nice as San Diego). Raleigh is an interesting city, but I will say there isn’t as many recreational opportunities as San Diego. It does have a strong sense of community and family values, if that’s what you are looking for. I would definately check out Cary. You can buy a very lovely home for much, much less than here, but I’d wait, their housing market is hurting.

[seattle-relo]

My very good friend just moved to Cary and loves it. It’s a beautiful area with good schools and lovely homes. My mother-in-law has lived in Durham for the past 6 years and would never leave. There are some “south” influences, but it’s not as heavy as other deeper south states. Before we moved to San Diego, I really wanted to move there, but my husband wasn’t able to find a job at his level, so we ended up in San Diego. The weather is nice (not as nice as San Diego). Raleigh is an interesting city, but I will say there isn’t as many recreational opportunities as San Diego. It does have a strong sense of community and family values, if that’s what you are looking for. I would definately check out Cary. You can buy a very lovely home for much, much less than here, but I’d wait, their housing market is hurting.

[CardiffBaseball]

I used to work in Morrisville and stayed at house up in Durham. My family stayed behind as I didn’t want to relocate, so I’d commute down there once or twice a month, but initially spent a lot of time there. I was up in Ohio, and didn’t want to relocate (worked out well for me) for various reasons, none of which had to do with the area.

Cary is probably the most Carmel-Valley like city. Actually Chapel Hill is supposed to be nice, I didn’t go down there very often, so I can’t really say for sure. Durham has some nice parts but was mostly kind of a dump. The home I stayed in was a 5600 Sq. Foot house of a guy who made a killing day trading and sold out and built a house (in the nick or time before the crash). The thing I hated was driving by the projects to get home.

In my mind not a bad place to relocate, though I’ll still choose to stay here and rent, unless I can move for the exact same salary. I don’t see that happening. Much like SD, you might want to consider living somewhat near where you work. Raleigh to me, was a little less southern, though I don’t have any hangups about the south. The traffic can be a pain. Other bedroom communities south of town are Apex and Forest Hills. North Raleigh as I recall had some nice areas.

North of town is a master-planned community called Wakefield Plantation, that seemed pretty nice, including it’s own schools. Also Wake Forest is just northeast of Wakefield Plantation. In case if my company was going to make me move, I was looking into a lot of new developments around Morrisville-Carpenter area due to the proximity to the office. I can’t recall the name of the place.

[CardiffBaseball]

I used to work in Morrisville and stayed at house up in Durham. My family stayed behind as I didn’t want to relocate, so I’d commute down there once or twice a month, but initially spent a lot of time there. I was up in Ohio, and didn’t want to relocate (worked out well for me) for various reasons, none of which had to do with the area.

Cary is probably the most Carmel-Valley like city. Actually Chapel Hill is supposed to be nice, I didn’t go down there very often, so I can’t really say for sure. Durham has some nice parts but was mostly kind of a dump. The home I stayed in was a 5600 Sq. Foot house of a guy who made a killing day trading and sold out and built a house (in the nick or time before the crash). The thing I hated was driving by the projects to get home.

In my mind not a bad place to relocate, though I’ll still choose to stay here and rent, unless I can move for the exact same salary. I don’t see that happening. Much like SD, you might want to consider living somewhat near where you work. Raleigh to me, was a little less southern, though I don’t have any hangups about the south. The traffic can be a pain. Other bedroom communities south of town are Apex and Forest Hills. North Raleigh as I recall had some nice areas.

North of town is a master-planned community called Wakefield Plantation, that seemed pretty nice, including it’s own schools. Also Wake Forest is just northeast of Wakefield Plantation. In case if my company was going to make me move, I was looking into a lot of new developments around Morrisville-Carpenter area due to the proximity to the office. I can’t recall the name of the place.

[Sly]

You may want to check out this website, it has alot of very good information.

http://www.city-data.com/forum/raleigh-durham-chapel-hill-cary/

[Sly]

You may want to check out this website, it has alot of very good information.

http://www.city-data.com/forum/raleigh-durham-chapel-hill-cary/

[Blissful Ignoramus]

Raleigh is indeed a bit rough around the edges. Cary is nearby, and is a bedroom community for the many people associated with NC State and the many high tech businesses in the area. You won’t have any trouble finding places near Raleigh with good schools, including Cary and Chapel Hill, home of the University of North Carolina. Durham, home of Duke, is also a bit rough, but has some good schools.

It’s the South. It’s different from Southern California. If you’re going to move there, make sure that you are willing to embrace that change. I’ve lived in both Southern California (grew up there) and in the south, and I loved both. There are annoying and negative things about the south, but wonderful things too.

[Blissful Ignoramus]

Raleigh is indeed a bit rough around the edges. Cary is nearby, and is a bedroom community for the many people associated with NC State and the many high tech businesses in the area. You won’t have any trouble finding places near Raleigh with good schools, including Cary and Chapel Hill, home of the University of North Carolina. Durham, home of Duke, is also a bit rough, but has some good schools.

It’s the South. It’s different from Southern California. If you’re going to move there, make sure that you are willing to embrace that change. I’ve lived in both Southern California (grew up there) and in the south, and I loved both. There are annoying and negative things about the south, but wonderful things too.

[gn]

SDHM,

I’m just curious. Can you describe how Carmel Valley is pretentious ? I’m asking because it’s one of the areas I’m considering buying a house in.

[patientlywaiting]

I would definitely check out Cary.

Some people in that area say that happiness is working for IBM and living in Cary.  

[JerseyGrl]

Toots

I am from Northern California and fell in love with a guy from North Carolina. I let him talk me into moving to Chapel Hill, where his company is headquartered.

I hated it. Absolutely hated it. Hated the weather, hated the bugs, strongly disliked the people, and, being an outdoors person, didn’t find much to do outdoors. It just didn’t work for me.

People tell me they really like Cary. I found Cary and Chapel Hill to be one strip mall after another. Good schools so if you have kids I guess that matters most. I don’t have children so I don’t have to be concerned about schools.

I lasted two years. For what we pay here, we could have bought a 5000 sq ft house in Chapel Hill but I was miserable there. I think I am a minority, though. I know LOTS of people who are very happy there.

[SDHM]

Thanks for the suggestions. We will definitely check out Cary.

[CardiffBaseball]

Well toots FWIW I was trying to give a mostly positive spin, but I was down there a lot and didn’t want to move my family so I empathize. I could have moved to Raleigh from Northeast Ohio anytime I wanted to over the 2+ years I held that job, but I just couldn’t pull the trigger. So we never left Ohio.

I still think overall it’s a nice place and I’d consider relocating there for the same rate of pay, but in my field that is highly unlikely. Much more to do here in SD.

SAS is just outside of or else partially in Cary and they are always spoken of as a fantastic place to work. 60 Minutes once did a special on them. Cary has nearly 100K people so comparing to CV is probably not fair. Population-wise it’s closer in size to Vista (Cary is listed as 96K, Vista around 90K).

[sakina96]

The triangle area is a great place to live. As others have pointed out there are positives and negatives to southern california and north carolina. NC is a great place to live and to raise kids. Cary is a good place to live, however locals refer to is as the Containtainment Area for Relocated Yankees (CARY)as most northerners seems to prefer Cary over Raleigh or Durham. For the most part it’s true.

[Dukehorn]

I went to school at Duke and at NC State and took classes at UNC. Housing is cheap(er) and if I had to recommend areas, I would go with Cary or Chapel Hill (and there are nicer developments a bit north of downtown Raleigh.

As for outdoorsy stuff, there’s decent mountain biking and plenty of volleyball leagues and a ok ultimate frisbee league, but it does pale in comparison to San Diego.

Chapel Hill is a solid college town with interesting restaurants and alternative music venues. Durham has been gentrified a bit but still has tensions between the university and the community (see Duke lacrosse).

RTP has got a good economy and has a base of well-educated professionals. I’d rather live closer to the major universities because they’d provide some entertainment possibilities, some energy and frankly I think the school districts are better near where the academics live.

just my two cents

[Dukehorn]

I went to school at Duke and at NC State and took classes at UNC. Housing is cheap(er) and if I had to recommend areas, I would go with Cary or Chapel Hill (and there are nicer developments a bit north of downtown Raleigh.

As for outdoorsy stuff, there’s decent mountain biking and plenty of volleyball leagues and a ok ultimate frisbee league, but it does pale in comparison to San Diego.

Chapel Hill is a solid college town with interesting restaurants and alternative music venues. Durham has been gentrified a bit but still has tensions between the university and the community (see Duke lacrosse).

RTP has got a good economy and has a base of well-educated professionals. I’d rather live closer to the major universities because they’d provide some entertainment possibilities, some energy and frankly I think the school districts are better near where the academics live.

just my two cents

[Dukehorn]

I went to school at Duke and at NC State and took classes at UNC. Housing is cheap(er) and if I had to recommend areas, I would go with Cary or Chapel Hill (and there are nicer developments a bit north of downtown Raleigh.

As for outdoorsy stuff, there’s decent mountain biking and plenty of volleyball leagues and a ok ultimate frisbee league, but it does pale in comparison to San Diego.

Chapel Hill is a solid college town with interesting restaurants and alternative music venues. Durham has been gentrified a bit but still has tensions between the university and the community (see Duke lacrosse).

RTP has got a good economy and has a base of well-educated professionals. I’d rather live closer to the major universities because they’d provide some entertainment possibilities, some energy and frankly I think the school districts are better near where the academics live.

just my two cents

[Dukehorn]

I went to school at Duke and at NC State and took classes at UNC. Housing is cheap(er) and if I had to recommend areas, I would go with Cary or Chapel Hill (and there are nicer developments a bit north of downtown Raleigh.

As for outdoorsy stuff, there’s decent mountain biking and plenty of volleyball leagues and a ok ultimate frisbee league, but it does pale in comparison to San Diego.

Chapel Hill is a solid college town with interesting restaurants and alternative music venues. Durham has been gentrified a bit but still has tensions between the university and the community (see Duke lacrosse).

RTP has got a good economy and has a base of well-educated professionals. I’d rather live closer to the major universities because they’d provide some entertainment possibilities, some energy and frankly I think the school districts are better near where the academics live.

just my two cents

[Dukehorn]

I went to school at Duke and at NC State and took classes at UNC. Housing is cheap(er) and if I had to recommend areas, I would go with Cary or Chapel Hill (and there are nicer developments a bit north of downtown Raleigh.

As for outdoorsy stuff, there’s decent mountain biking and plenty of volleyball leagues and a ok ultimate frisbee league, but it does pale in comparison to San Diego.

Chapel Hill is a solid college town with interesting restaurants and alternative music venues. Durham has been gentrified a bit but still has tensions between the university and the community (see Duke lacrosse).

RTP has got a good economy and has a base of well-educated professionals. I’d rather live closer to the major universities because they’d provide some entertainment possibilities, some energy and frankly I think the school districts are better near where the academics live.

just my two cents

[sakina96]

The triangle area is a great place to live. As others have pointed out there are positives and negatives to southern california and north carolina. NC is a great place to live and to raise kids. Cary is a good place to live, however locals refer to is as the Containtainment Area for Relocated Yankees (CARY)as most northerners seems to prefer Cary over Raleigh or Durham. For the most part it’s true.

[sakina96]

The triangle area is a great place to live. As others have pointed out there are positives and negatives to southern california and north carolina. NC is a great place to live and to raise kids. Cary is a good place to live, however locals refer to is as the Containtainment Area for Relocated Yankees (CARY)as most northerners seems to prefer Cary over Raleigh or Durham. For the most part it’s true.

[sakina96]

The triangle area is a great place to live. As others have pointed out there are positives and negatives to southern california and north carolina. NC is a great place to live and to raise kids. Cary is a good place to live, however locals refer to is as the Containtainment Area for Relocated Yankees (CARY)as most northerners seems to prefer Cary over Raleigh or Durham. For the most part it’s true.

[CardiffBaseball]

Well toots FWIW I was trying to give a mostly positive spin, but I was down there a lot and didn’t want to move my family so I empathize. I could have moved to Raleigh from Northeast Ohio anytime I wanted to over the 2+ years I held that job, but I just couldn’t pull the trigger. So we never left Ohio.

I still think overall it’s a nice place and I’d consider relocating there for the same rate of pay, but in my field that is highly unlikely. Much more to do here in SD.

SAS is just outside of or else partially in Cary and they are always spoken of as a fantastic place to work. 60 Minutes once did a special on them. Cary has nearly 100K people so comparing to CV is probably not fair. Population-wise it’s closer in size to Vista (Cary is listed as 96K, Vista around 90K).

[CardiffBaseball]

Well toots FWIW I was trying to give a mostly positive spin, but I was down there a lot and didn’t want to move my family so I empathize. I could have moved to Raleigh from Northeast Ohio anytime I wanted to over the 2+ years I held that job, but I just couldn’t pull the trigger. So we never left Ohio.

I still think overall it’s a nice place and I’d consider relocating there for the same rate of pay, but in my field that is highly unlikely. Much more to do here in SD.

SAS is just outside of or else partially in Cary and they are always spoken of as a fantastic place to work. 60 Minutes once did a special on them. Cary has nearly 100K people so comparing to CV is probably not fair. Population-wise it’s closer in size to Vista (Cary is listed as 96K, Vista around 90K).

[CardiffBaseball]

Well toots FWIW I was trying to give a mostly positive spin, but I was down there a lot and didn’t want to move my family so I empathize. I could have moved to Raleigh from Northeast Ohio anytime I wanted to over the 2+ years I held that job, but I just couldn’t pull the trigger. So we never left Ohio.

I still think overall it’s a nice place and I’d consider relocating there for the same rate of pay, but in my field that is highly unlikely. Much more to do here in SD.

SAS is just outside of or else partially in Cary and they are always spoken of as a fantastic place to work. 60 Minutes once did a special on them. Cary has nearly 100K people so comparing to CV is probably not fair. Population-wise it’s closer in size to Vista (Cary is listed as 96K, Vista around 90K).

[SDHM]

Thanks for the suggestions. We will definitely check out Cary.

[SDHM]

Thanks for the suggestions. We will definitely check out Cary.

[SDHM]

Thanks for the suggestions. We will definitely check out Cary.

[JerseyGrl]

Toots

I am from Northern California and fell in love with a guy from North Carolina. I let him talk me into moving to Chapel Hill, where his company is headquartered.

I hated it. Absolutely hated it. Hated the weather, hated the bugs, strongly disliked the people, and, being an outdoors person, didn’t find much to do outdoors. It just didn’t work for me.

People tell me they really like Cary. I found Cary and Chapel Hill to be one strip mall after another. Good schools so if you have kids I guess that matters most. I don’t have children so I don’t have to be concerned about schools.

I lasted two years. For what we pay here, we could have bought a 5000 sq ft house in Chapel Hill but I was miserable there. I think I am a minority, though. I know LOTS of people who are very happy there.

[JerseyGrl]

Toots

I am from Northern California and fell in love with a guy from North Carolina. I let him talk me into moving to Chapel Hill, where his company is headquartered.

I hated it. Absolutely hated it. Hated the weather, hated the bugs, strongly disliked the people, and, being an outdoors person, didn’t find much to do outdoors. It just didn’t work for me.

People tell me they really like Cary. I found Cary and Chapel Hill to be one strip mall after another. Good schools so if you have kids I guess that matters most. I don’t have children so I don’t have to be concerned about schools.

I lasted two years. For what we pay here, we could have bought a 5000 sq ft house in Chapel Hill but I was miserable there. I think I am a minority, though. I know LOTS of people who are very happy there.

[JerseyGrl]

Toots

I am from Northern California and fell in love with a guy from North Carolina. I let him talk me into moving to Chapel Hill, where his company is headquartered.

I hated it. Absolutely hated it. Hated the weather, hated the bugs, strongly disliked the people, and, being an outdoors person, didn’t find much to do outdoors. It just didn’t work for me.

People tell me they really like Cary. I found Cary and Chapel Hill to be one strip mall after another. Good schools so if you have kids I guess that matters most. I don’t have children so I don’t have to be concerned about schools.

I lasted two years. For what we pay here, we could have bought a 5000 sq ft house in Chapel Hill but I was miserable there. I think I am a minority, though. I know LOTS of people who are very happy there.

[patientlywaiting]

I would definitely check out Cary.

Some people in that area say that happiness is working for IBM and living in Cary.  

[patientlywaiting]

I would definitely check out Cary.

Some people in that area say that happiness is working for IBM and living in Cary.  

[patientlywaiting]

I would definitely check out Cary.

Some people in that area say that happiness is working for IBM and living in Cary.  

[sdrealtor]

Walk into Ralphs on DM Heights anyday of the week and look how people are dressed which is nicer than I get dressed to go out to dinner at a 4 star restaurant. Then you’ll have your answer.

[sdrealtor]

Walk into Ralphs on DM Heights anyday of the week and look how people are dressed which is nicer than I get dressed to go out to dinner at a 4 star restaurant. Then you’ll have your answer.

[sdrealtor]

Walk into Ralphs on DM Heights anyday of the week and look how people are dressed which is nicer than I get dressed to go out to dinner at a 4 star restaurant. Then you’ll have your answer.

[sdrealtor]

Walk into Ralphs on DM Heights anyday of the week and look how people are dressed which is nicer than I get dressed to go out to dinner at a 4 star restaurant. Then you’ll have your answer.

[gn]

SDHM,

I’m just curious. Can you describe how Carmel Valley is pretentious ? I’m asking because it’s one of the areas I’m considering buying a house in.

[gn]

SDHM,

I’m just curious. Can you describe how Carmel Valley is pretentious ? I’m asking because it’s one of the areas I’m considering buying a house in.

[gn]

SDHM,

I’m just curious. Can you describe how Carmel Valley is pretentious ? I’m asking because it’s one of the areas I’m considering buying a house in.

[Author]

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