Raleigh/Durham Interview!

[Buechner]

I am going to check out the Raleigh/Durham area next week as a possible place to move. I have already been offered a position in the RTP area, but want to visit first to make sure it is an area I like. So, can anyone from the area provide some suggestions on places/areas to check out? If all goes well, I will want to look for a place to live too, so if you have some locations that would be good for a single, 27 y.o female I would love to hear about them. Thanks:)

Jenny

[Buechner]

Okay...is anyone in this area that can offer a little advice??? PLEASE:D

Jenny

[luckylori]

Hi Jenny...I live and work in Raleigh and have for all of my adult life. So hopefully I can be some help to you. If you accept a position in RTP, your best bet would be to try and find housing as close to work as possible. Traffic around RTP is horrendous...rush hours can mean bumper to bumper stand-stills. Affordability is another issue. Within city limits, Cary, and some of North Raleigh can be very expensive. Durham, Parts of RTP, parts of North Raleigh can be much more affordable.
There are TONS of apartment complexes here that will fight to get you in. So, there's room for negotiation and it would be wise to really shop around.
What else can I help you with?

Lori

[Buechner]

Thanks Lori,

I guess if you could tell meabout some fun neighborhoods that I would want to investigate that would be great. The address of the company is in Durham. Also, what are some of your favorite things about the area?

Jenny

[luckylori]

Okay, I asked around, cause I'm not that familiar with Durham as far as neighborhoods are concerned. You do need to be very careful in selecting there, though, I know that much.

Two neighborhoods were suggested when I told them your age and that you were single. One is called Watts Hillandale. It was described as having "a lot of character". "older homes-but not older people"..."lot of single women and young families live there and it's
very safe". You could do an internet search and see what you come up with.

Another neighborhood is called Trinity Park. They have a website...TrinityPark.org. Supposed to be similar to Watts Hillandale, description-wise. To get there you go North on Duke Street (by Brightleaf Square, which is a nifty small shopping area with character, including a great food market...Foster's Market) The neighborhood is ont he left, and extends about 15 blocks or so until you get to Northgate Mall. Northgate is one of the older malls in Durham.

You MUST check out The Streets at Southpointe shopping center. It's one of the largest malls in the area, and has plenty of character. I love the outdoor area that has cool restaurants, and even a movie theatre. Right now there is a lot of road construction happening on I-40 near the exit to the mall...don't let that discourage you. I believe some apartment complexes and/or housing is being done near the mall.

Farther out from Durham, and actually in Raleigh, but just barely, and not far from the airport is a new area being developed called Brier Creek. A large shopping complex (not a mall), with housing going up around it. That might be another area to check out. It's on Highway 70.


There are plenty of college campuses around here...Duke in Durham, UNC-Chapel Hill...NC State here in Raleigh. Durham and Chapel Hill are known for great restaurants, and Raleigh has plenty as well. There's always something to do going on around here.

The weather is hot and very humid in the summer...winter's can get quite cold with occasional snow that literally shuts things down.

We're about 2 hours from the nearest beach (Wrightsville), and about 4 hours to the nearest mountians (Asheville)...Biltmore House in Asheville is a MUST-SEE if you haven't seen it before (for future reference). This area is also good in that we're only 2 hours to Richmond, 2 1/2 to Busch Gardens area, 3 1/2 to DC, 7 hours to Atlanta, about 10 hours to Orlando, to name a few.

Hope this helps! I'll be glad to answer any questions.

Lori

[luckylori]

A little more info:

There are some old tobacco warehouses that are being renovated by a very reputable company, right across from the Durham Bulls Athletic Park (which is wonderful, even if I'm not a big baseball fan). I believe it's called West Village. These warehouses are turning into offices, condos, and restaurants. You should check out this area also. Just take the DBAP exit off of Hwy 147 (the durham freeway). You will have a car, won't you? You're gonna need one.

As for Trinity Park, I'm told that it's only a 15 min. drive to RTP from there. And very close to Duke.

It was suggested that you check out Ooh La Latte on Broad St. in the 9th street district (a nifty hangout area). Also, downtown you might like Joe & Jo's (bar & restaurant).

[luckylori]

couple websites for you:

www.rtplinks.com/Real_Estate/Apartments/

www.westvillageapts.com/localarea.asp

[Buechner]

Thanks Lori. This is a major help! I will be with someone from the area, but this gives me a great idea on where to direct her.

Jenny

[boys03]

I'm in Durham (for more than 25 yrs), and Lori is right about the traffic. Both neighborhoods she mentioned are behind Duke's east campus. Not really close to RTP, and there are a number of college students -especially in Trinity (I can't believe you can get to RTP in only 15min....unless there is no traffic on the road). Houses are old. There are a number of developments going up in the southern part of Durham - where RTP is - that accomodate single professionals. The tobacco warehouses being renovated now are downtown. Not an area I would want to live in, but everyone is different. The ballpark is downtown too. Ninth street is a student hangout, but students here are of all ages. All 3 major universitites offer graduate programs (Duke,UNC and NC State). Durham county probably has more real estate people per square mile than any other place in the state. I suggest you pick a few and see what they can offer you.
The weather is a whole other story...again Lori is right on with the humidity. Yesterday the heat index was in the 100s. We often feel the effects of hurricanes that hit the coast (and we have been hit with one as well). Spring and fall cannot be beat...both seasons last a long time. Best of all, when it snows everything shuts down. We don't even own a snow shovel.

[fci5767]

Originally posted by luckylori
[B} We're about 2 hours from the nearest beach (Wrightsville), and about 4 hours to the nearest mountians (Asheville)...Biltmore House in Asheville is a MUST-SEE if you haven't seen it before (for future reference). This area is also good in that we're only 2 hours to Richmond, 2 1/2 to Busch Gardens area, 3 1/2 to DC, 7 hours to Atlanta, about 10 hours to Orlando, to name a few.

Lori [/B]

Wow, didn't realize that we were that close to all of those areas. What's Wrightsville Beach like? I've always gone to the Outer Banks.


I feel an RDU klatch coming on to welcome Buechner to the area. She's got to visit A Southern Season in Chapel Hill. It's foodie heaven!

Beth

[Beth Y]

Hey! I was wondering what happened to you! I am glad that you didn't let the comments on your last thread turn you off to this area. As many of us said on that thread (with one loud dissenter)it is a good place to live. I moved here from DC and DH moved here from LA and we both are glad to be out of that craziness and into a place where you can see and do things without all the trouble.

Now, where to live. DH works in RTP too and we live in Raleigh, off Wade Avenue, if you hear of that area. We live downtown. People will tell you it is pricey, and it is, but if you live in Raleigh and want to be assured of living where the young, single or old young acting people are, you need to live downtown. A cul-de-sac in North Raleigh or Cary will not likely cut it. Call White Oak properties. They deal with many of the downtown properties and Ann Cabell can tell you where to look if you don't like one of her places.

I don't know much about Durham, except where the good restaurants and bars are, so I am little help there. My few friends that lived there when they were single lived in hhmmmm....can't remember...the same place that Michael Peterson lived. Anyway, the new hot places in Durham seem to be that tabacco warehouse area and the places Luckylori named, from what I hear. If you are not into old neighborhoods and want something more suburban, I am sure they have that too, I just don't know where.

As my husband works in RTP, some of his single co-workers live in the new apartment complexes near RTP (Morrisville, Cary). If it was me, and as said, you know yourself best, I wouldn't want to be in an apartment complex near work, as you would go to work, go home and then what would you do. You would not be near anything to do! DH's friends that live near work are the type that go to work, go to the gym and then work on their computers. As said before, you need to look at what you like to do with your spare time and then get to an area that offers that.

I would suggest being in either Durham, Chapel Hill or Raleigh. Me, I like Raleigh, as it has a growing vibrant downtown "scene" more than the others, to me (granted, CH has Franklin Street, but that seems to be largely college crowd). Durham is getting better all the time and does have 9th street which is really a cool multi-generational scene. Tell us who you are and what you like to do "in your spare time" and maybe we can help you better.

Did someone mention a klatch?

[luckylori]

Seriously Beth? You haven't ever taken the short drive to Wrightsville? I've only done the long trek to the Outer Banks once, and that was enough for me, although I've heard that new roads are making the drive shorter. How long does it take you?

I'm not a big beach person, but I like Wrightsville. It's not as commercial as Atlantic or Myrtle, but certainly not as laid back as the Outer Banks. We like touring the USS North Carolina (even did a ghost hunt there recently, which was interesting). There's a movie studio there to tour (not that I've ever been there at the right times for it). We also like the river area in Wilmington. A lot of folks I know enjoy going to bed & breakfasts there. Nice restaurants, shops, great seafood...

[Beth Y]

Oh, I meant to respond to FCI. First, I question some of Lori's travel times, as it takes us about 2 1/2 hours to get to Richmond and more like 4 1/2 to DC, for instance, but still doable. Lori must never hit any traffic !

Also, we have a place in Wrightsville and love it. It is only 2 hours door to door from Raleigh. We like it cause it has a good beach, not as crazy as some other local beaches, you can walk to some places to eat, drink, get ice cream from most houses/hotels, and it is near a great small city (Wilmington) which has real restaurants and stores, etc. so there is more than the average beach town, with bad fried seafood restaurants and a putt-putt.

[luckylori]

Beth Y...Forest Hills is michael peterson's old neighborhood. I think that neighborhood would be more for older couples with grown kids. Very expensive, also. Although mp's home sold for about half of what it was originally listed at. (how anyone could live there after what happened, is beyond me anyway).

[luckylori]

Beth Y...are you sure you didn't include a stop at Ikea or Potomac Mills on your way to DC? ;)

Actually, what could make some difference in travel times for us is that I live quite far in North Raleigh. That cuts out all the city traffic to get to US 1.

[MrsReber]

I have a possible job opportunity in RTP as well. How weird. No interview, just a woman asked for my resume and we're talking. Salary is a bit low there, but that could change.

Anyway, my sister lives in Garner and loves it there. That's probably the area where we would look if we were to go. She's been there with her family for almost 10 years now. Their neighbors are wonderful and she has found some very good friends through her church.

[Buechner]

Thanks Everyone. So, here is a little bit about myself. I obviously love to cook and have dinner parties. I really like old neighborhoods with lots of character...the new developments just depress me. I enjoy running, biking and taking walks. I also like seeing independent films/plays, shopping at great farmer's/local markets, going to funky restaurants with great ingredients, hiking and exploring...Hmm...what else can I tell you/do you want to know???

Jenny

[luckylori]

Sounds like those first two neighborhoods in Durham would be perfect for you!

Mrs.Reber...Garner is much more affordable than Raleigh, and Clayton (which is out farther than Garner) is more affordable than Garner. Both are family-oriented towns that would be great for you, but for our single friend here either wouldn't be good.

[MrsReber]

ah, I see! Well, having only visited a few times, I'm certainly no expert!

The few times I was there, I really did like the area. So different from here.

The woman who called about the job in Raliegh just relocated from CA. She said she was surprised and amazed at how genuinely nice everyone was. The people who sold her the house even left a lunch for her and her husband!

[Beth Y]

Jenny, some of those Durham neighborhoods, downtown Chapel Hill or downtown Raleigh (inside the beltline or ITB as they call it) would be good for you, given what you say. I know singles that do well living in the burbs, but my personal opinion is that it would be harder. In my singles days, I lived in a neighborhood called Five Points in Raleigh. Great for walking, can walk to a great coffee house where you would soon know everyone that is a regular, singles, marrieds and kids, a really good high end restaurant, a great pizza place and an art house theater. Plus it is close to downtown. Can you get a bigger place if you buy/rent out in North Raleigh, in Clayton or Morrisville?...maybe, but I just think it would be harder to feel at home and meet people. It is a trade off. There are some great affordable rentals in Raleigh, but you have to find them by looking on the wall in coffee shops, calling Gaskill Realty, White Oak properties or the like. They will not be in complexes, where you are paying for the pool, etc.

I am sure there are similar neighborhoods in CH and Durham, I just know Raleigh better.

How long will you be in town?

[Buechner]

I arrive monday afternoon and leave wednesday afternoon, so for a short period of time. I am assuming that I will have to return to look for a place, but maybe I will be lucky and find one during my short stay.

Jenny

[fci5767]

Originally posted by luckylori
Seriously Beth? You haven't ever taken the short drive to Wrightsville? I've only done the long trek to the Outer Banks once, and that was enough for me, although I've heard that new roads are making the drive shorter. How long does it take you?

I'm not a big beach person, but I like Wrightsville. It's not as commercial as Atlantic or Myrtle, but certainly not as laid back as the Outer Banks. We like touring the USS North Carolina (even did a ghost hunt there recently, which was interesting). There's a movie studio there to tour (not that I've ever been there at the right times for it). We also like the river area in Wilmington. A lot of folks I know enjoy going to bed & breakfasts there. Nice restaurants, shops, great seafood...

I've only lived here since November of 2002. I was pretty beached out for a while since I moved here from South Florida. We used to go to the Outer Banks when I lived in Pennsylvania but haven't been there in the past few years.

My mother's neighbor owns a beach house in Myrtle Beach so we have borrowed it for a week the last three summers. We go the Saturday before Labor Day so we are there when all the crowds are gone (which makes MB much nicer.)

I plan on driving over to Wrightsville this fall to explore.

Thanks for all the info.

Beth

[Beth Y]

Wrightsville is fabulous once the summer crowds thin...our favorite time to go. Nothing better than a book in the hammock on our front porch come fall at the beach. Okay, maybe it someone rubbed my feet while I was there, it would be better...and maybe bringing me drinks and .........................