OT - Raleigh, NC

[MinMouse]

On our upcoming trip to Disney we want to make a detour through Raleigh on our return trip home. We realize it's out of our way (we're headed up I - 95 to Delaware) but we are interested in the possibility of relocating to this area. So, to my questions . . . where should we stay? We'll probably get there around dinnertime and leave the next morning. Obviously we're not looking for the full tour . . . just to get a feel for the area. Any tips from locals on what we should do during this short stay?

Thank you,

Mindy

[sjms71]

Well, I live in this area myself. We relocated (DH job transfered us going on 6 years ago from NJ) Anyway, I would try staying in a town right outside of Raleigh area called Cary. If you want to stay in Raleigh area try off of I-440 on Glenwood Ave (rt70). Let me know if there are any other questions I can answer for you.

[MinMouse]

Well, I live in this area myself. We relocated (DH job transfered us going on 6 years ago from NJ) Anyway, I would try staying in a town right outside of Raleigh area called Cary. If you want to stay in Raleigh area try off of I-440 on Glenwood Ave (rt70). Let me know if there are any other questions I can answer for you.

Thanks for the info. I've heard Cary is a growing area. Can you suggest any hotels, restaurants, areas to check out? Thanks again!

[dawnball]

I live outside Cary. My route for a quick drive through tour would be something like...

From I-40 westbound take the Cary Towne Blvd Exit. (I want to say it's 291, but couldn't swear to it). A right off the on-ramp will take you down Cary Towne Blvd. On your left is the Cary Mall - you'll see it again later from the other side.

Take a right on Maynard. Maynard is a loop road that encircles Cary. Follow Maynard around (you'll go through residential, commercial, retail, there are some nice Cary parks) until you come to Kildaire Farm Road.

Another Right onto Kildaire Farm. You'll go through a bit more residential, pass the Cary hospital on your right, go to Tryon Rd. If you want to see the walmart and whole foods continue on Kildaire through Tryon. The walmart will be immediately through the intersection on your right (kind of in a valley) and directly across the street is the Whole Foods. Just u-turn at the first light to go back to Tryon.

Left on Tryon (or right if you went down to see the whole foods/walmart). You'll go through some more outlying parts of Cary, and see some of the newer expansion. Left on Walnut and you'll go through some commercial/retail, the Cary mall will show up on your right again, you'll pass the High School and then into old Cary (inside the Maynard loop). Walnut kind of squiggles around just past the Mall. Walnut will dead-end into Kildaire Farm.

Right on Kildaire Farm, you'll go around the edge of Cary Elementary, and take a right onto Academy. The Cary library will be on your left, then you'll pass the train station and the farmer's market. You might go past the post office too, but I'm not sure because that isn't my usual post office. Academy will dead-end into Chapel Hill.

Left onto Chapel Hill and then an almost immediate right onto Harrison Ave. Take Harrison up to I-40. (more commercial, fire department, a lot of new residential, etc)

That's my 45min-1hr driving tour of Cary. There are some decent hotels (Embassy suites, studio plus, etc) up near Harrison and 40, and plenty of dining.

If you're looking for outdoorsy things to see I'd suggest the Cary parks, Umstead State Park, maybe Lake Johnson. If you want to see more retail you can get back on I-40 West at Harrison, Then take 540 East to I-70. I-70 East will take you back to 440 which is the commercial loop around raleigh. You'll pass more strip malls than you can shake a stick at that way.

[jennyL]

I live in Cary too if you need more info. Dawnball did a pretty good tour of going around Cary. I actually live in a new area over near Morrisville. Is there a certain hotel chain that you like? Maybe we could point you to the most convenient one.

[MinMouse]

Dawn --- exactly what I was looking for. Thank you. Thank you. We have a 16 hour drive so I didn't want to make this detour and not know where to go. What's the local newspaper? . . . I'd like to pick one up while we're there. And hopefully I can find a real estate guide.

Thanks again.

Mindy

[jennyL]

The newspaper is the Raleigh News and Observer. They have a great website too if you want to check it out.

You can find most real estate guides right inside any grocery store if you want to make a run through one. Cary is really expanding so there is a lot of new construction going on.

[MinMouse]

I live in Cary too if you need more info. Dawnball did a pretty good tour of going around Cary. I actually live in a new area over near Morrisville. Is there a certain hotel chain that you like? Maybe we could point you to the most convenient one.

Thanks JennyL. We actually really like LaQuinta . . . . they have a great free continental. Any around? Not looking for anything fancy just clean, indoor corridors and free continental!

Thanks again.

Mindy

[MinMouse]

The newspaper is the Raleigh News and Observer. They have a great website too if you want to check it out.

You can find most real estate guides right inside any grocery store if you want to make a run through one. Cary is really expanding so there is a lot of new construction going on.

Wow you're fast! Thanks.

[sjms71]

I live outside Cary. My route for a quick drive through tour would be something like...

From I-40 westbound take the Cary Towne Blvd Exit. (I want to say it's 291, but couldn't swear to it). A right off the on-ramp will take you down Cary Towne Blvd. On your left is the Cary Mall - you'll see it again later from the other side.

Take a right on Maynard. Maynard is a loop road that encircles Cary. Follow Maynard around (you'll go through residential, commercial, retail, there are some nice Cary parks) until you come to Kildaire Farm Road.

Another Right onto Kildaire Farm. You'll go through a bit more residential, pass the Cary hospital on your right, go to Tryon Rd. If you want to see the walmart and whole foods continue on Kildaire through Tryon. The walmart will be immediately through the intersection on your right (kind of in a valley) and directly across the street is the Whole Foods. Just u-turn at the first light to go back to Tryon.

Left on Tryon (or right if you went down to see the whole foods/walmart). You'll go through some more outlying parts of Cary, and see some of the newer expansion. Left on Walnut and you'll go through some commercial/retail, the Cary mall will show up on your right again, you'll pass the High School and then into old Cary (inside the Maynard loop). Walnut kind of squiggles around just past the Mall. Walnut will dead-end into Kildaire Farm.

Right on Kildaire Farm, you'll go around the edge of Cary Elementary, and take a right onto Academy. The Cary library will be on your left, then you'll pass the train station and the farmer's market. You might go past the post office too, but I'm not sure because that isn't my usual post office. Academy will dead-end into Chapel Hill.

Left onto Chapel Hill and then an almost immediate right onto Harrison Ave. Take Harrison up to I-40. (more commercial, fire department, a lot of new residential, etc)

That's my 45min-1hr driving tour of Cary. There are some decent hotels (Embassy suites, studio plus, etc) up near Harrison and 40, and plenty of dining.

If you're looking for outdoorsy things to see I'd suggest the Cary parks, Umstead State Park, maybe Lake Johnson. If you want to see more retail you can get back on I-40 West at Harrison, Then take 540 East to I-70. I-70 East will take you back to 440 which is the commercial loop around raleigh. You'll pass more strip malls than you can shake a stick at that way.

Wow Dawnball,
I was trying to think of a good tour area for a short drive and you get :thumbsup2 :thumbsup2 !! I think when we moved to Holly Springs that is about the "self tour" we drove. Good job!

[jennyL]

I just pulled up LaQuinta since I wasn't sure where they were. I would recommend the one in Cary if you want to stay at one. Its not too far from your tour route at the intersection of Kildaire Farms and Tryon.

[jennyL]

I know I went to school at NCState and when we graduated we moved to Cary. Until then I knew nothing about Cary except how to get to Crossroads and the mall. LOL So the first thing I did was take the Maynard Loop. All I knew was that it went the whole way around but it was a way to see some of Cary anyway. That was back in 1998 so alot has changed since then.

For those that know Cary I've actually moved out off of 55 and Carpenter Firestation Road. You want to talk about change. LOL I don't think but a handful of houses were even out this way 4 or 5 years ago. My whole neighborhood is going up so quickly its crazy.

[KTSMOM]

I live in Raleigh near the airport (Hwy 70). It's a tad bit out of the way from I-95 but it's a wonderful part of town. There are lots of new homes, and family neighborhoods as well as new schools. I've lived in Raleigh for over 25 years so I know the area pretty well, so if you have any questions feel free to ask. :)

[bnorm27]

Is the Angus Barn Restaurant still in Raleigh near the airport? If so, I would recommend that place to anyone!

[tar heel]

Yes, the Anguish Barn (We named it that b/c we always ate so much.) is still there. Last time we went, the food was as wonderful as always, but it's $$$$.

[bnorm27]

Every time I visit Raleigh, it is a must do on our list. We are supposed to be coming down at the end of June, and I am looking forward to dinner there with our friends!

[jennyL]

If you want a great steak I would recommend Jimmy Vs over the Angus Barn. It would also be closer to your hotel. Price wise its about the same but I love the steaks and the homemade potato chips are to die for. LOL

[bnorm27]

Guess we might be having steak twice this trip! THANKS!

[sjms71]

The Angus Barn is good but we also really like Carvers Creek. They have the best prime rib and their prices are great.

[bnorm27]

I don't think I'll be around for 3 dinners! GUess we'll have a prime rib lunch!

[sjms71]

Actually, if your around on Sundays Carvers Creek has their Prim Rib for 11.95 between 12-4 that day.

[jennyL]

Where is Carvers Creek at? In Raleigh somewhere?

[Straitlover]

Where is Carvers Creek at? In Raleigh somewhere?

It's on Capital blvd at the 440 intersection. used to be Mountain Jack's waaay back in the day.

[jennyL]

Since moving out to my new place I don't get up to Capital as much as I used to. We can be to Southpoint in about 10 minutes so we've been heading that way. Its still growing out there though so restaurants are limited.

[sjms71]

It's on Capital Blvd. If you are getting on 440 beltline is a second before the on ramp. I think there may be a dunkin donuts right before it. It is our 10 year anniversary this year and I told DH I would rather go there instead on the Angus Barn. If you sign up your email on their website they send you $10 off 2 dinners all the time. I just enjoy the food good desserts too!! It also has a nice atmosphere not as big as the Angus barn. But not "stuffy" either. We bring the kids there too.

[jennyL]

I actually think I know where it is now that you guys have described it. I'll have to look into the email thing. I'm all about coupons. My birthday was last week so I'm coupon happy right now. LOL

[sjms71]

I actually think I know where it is now that you guys have described it. I'll have to look into the email thing. I'm all about coupons. My birthday was last week so I'm coupon happy right now. LOL

Mine is Thursday and I think I have an email from every restaurant in town offering me a free something for my B-day!!

[MinMouse]

Wow, you all are a wealth of information. So . . . how are the property taxes in Cary?

[DawnM]

Mindy,

Don't know what kind of jobs you have or need when you move, but we found that for us, Charlotte had the jobs for DH's field and Raleigh didn't.

So, don't rule out Charlotte!

Dawn

[MinMouse]

Mindy,

Don't know what kind of jobs you have or need when you move, but we found that for us, Charlotte had the jobs for DH's field and Raleigh didn't.

So, don't rule out Charlotte!

Dawn


Dawn, Thanks! We're just starting our search. We'll keep Charlotte in mind.
Mindy

[MinMouse]

You guys have had so much great information. Someone suggested the Garner area to me. What do you experts have to say? How are the schools in Cary vs schools in Garner?

[sjms71]

I would also look at Holly Springs. That's were I live and love it. My DH works in Cary so it only takes him like 15-20 minutes to get to work. What grades are you kids in?

[MinMouse]

Thanks! The girls are in 3rd & 6th grade. Do you like the schools in Holly Springs? Our contact in Garner has kids in a Christian school. My kids have always gone public, though so that's what we'd want to continue. I will want to make sure that if we do this we move into the right school district.

[bnorm27]

What about the Willow Springs area?

[sjms71]

I know a few people who live in Garner and don't put their kids in Garner schools. As anyone from Wake County can tell you the "school" issue here is always a big deal. I'm from NJ as I have said, and you go to the school in town you live in no questions. The growth is so big here they can't apparently keep up with building schools. So, we have year rounds schools in addition to traditional schedule. With that being said, my kids go to year round school (we applied to year round,we weren't "forced") Anyway, we love year round schedule and we love their school. It's not for everyone but it works for us. My kids are in 1st and 3rd grade.

[MinMouse]

sjms71 --- Question about the year-round schedule. Do they automatically put all children from the same family on the same track? That's my only real concern. I don't mind year-round. Of course my DD's opinions on this may differ! They are used to the traditional schedule. But I wouldn't mind it a bit. Actually I think they both would benefit from a year-round schedule. I just want them both on the same schedule though. Thanks for all your help.
MIndy

[tghamilton]

I live in Raleigh near the airport (Hwy 70). It's a tad bit out of the way from I-95 but it's a wonderful part of town. There are lots of new homes, and family neighborhoods as well as new schools. I've lived in Raleigh for over 25 years so I know the area pretty well, so if you have any questions feel free to ask. :)

KTSMOM - where do you live near the airport? or if you don't want to say that, even better would be what communities are being built that way? We moved from N. Raleigh to Holly Springs b/c we wanted more land, etc. but the drive to RTP everyday is killing me so we are looking to move back that way and are looking for neighborhoods to look into.

Neighborhoods in Cary, Morrisville and Durham (around RTP) would be helpful too for those others of you that are in these areas.

TIA!

Tricia

[sjms71]

Is the commute from Holly Springs to RTP really that bad? I live in Holly Springs and there is talk that my husbands company MAY move from Cary to RTP. He keeps saying if that happens we are moving and I keep telling him he'll have to commute because we are not moving.

[notafan]

The best thing about Cary is that frozen custard place :cool1: . Can't remember the name.

[sjms71]

The best thing about Cary is that frozen custard place :cool1: . Can't remember the name.


Goodberry's!!

[jennyL]

I work right next to the airport and we have one guy who lives in Holly Springs. He comes in at 6 and leaves at 4 otherwise the traffic is really bad.

I think I posted earlier about where I live but not sure which thread. LOL I'm in Cary off of 55 and Carpenter Fire Station Road. Its actually almost to Chatham County. Its the new development of Amberly. When its done it will be huge but its really just getting started. If you want land though Cary is not really the place to look. The houses are fairly close and the cost is the highest in the area.

As for travel my DH works off of Miami Blvd and we used to live ion Cary near Cary Parkway and Kildaire Farms Road and it would take him about 45 minutes each way. Where we are now it takes him no more then 15 minutes and he's extatic. My drive actually stayed the same its about 15-20 for me depending on which lights I hit and when they get 540 done I'm hoping alot of people will get out of my way. LOL

[behappy]

As a very general rule of thumb, property taxes in Raleigh and surrounding towns is about 1% of the assessed value of a home, or, for a home assessed at $400k, property taxes are about $4000/year. They have been very stable for the past 10 years, with, I think only a couple of very modest increases in that timeframe. The growth in population, residences, and businesses has result in an increasing tax base, which has allowed the towns/county to maintain a fairly constant tax rate. If one lives outside a town, and pays only county taxes, their taxes are closer to .75%.

We have found the area to be a wonderful place to live and raise a family. The school situation has been challenging as the school district has grown by about 7000 students in just the past 12 months, and expect to grow by that number again in the next 12 months. Since new schools cannot be built fast enough to meet those demands, they are converting more elementary and middle schools to year-round calendars (increases school capacity by about 25%).

Like SJMS21's, our kids attend year-round schools as well (they always have) and the calendar also works great for us. I don't think anyone in the school district will 'guarantee' your kids will be on the same calendar, but, I do know they strive to always accomodate families with multiple kids and I don't know anyone who has kids on different tracks (ie. calendars). Note that there are no year round high schools for several reasons. There are, due to the recent changes a few neighborhoods in the area with kids who go to year-round elementary school, but, a traditional calendar middle school and high school...it is certainly the exception though, as they try to keep kids on the same calendar, whether year-round or traditional, for both elementary and middle school.

As someone mentioned, lot sizes in the towns are typically <.5 acres, often much less, but, there are many parks and common areas in most neighborhoods, so there isn't any lack of places to play. We're very happy to live here and can't imaging ever moving back to our previous home.

I highly recommend it as a place to live! Good luck with your visit.

[RRL35]

I live in Holly Springs and I am a school teacher in downtown Raleigh. It takes me about 35 minutes to get to work, keeping in mind that I leave at about 6:15 in the morning. My husband works out by the airport and he gets in a little more traffic than I do, however you can finally alternate routes to keep off of I40.

My son also goes to school (year round), in Holly Springs. I personally do not like the year round schedule, (as I am a traditional teacher), but we make it work. Parents were given the opportunity to apply for the traditional schedule if that was what you wanted. They met something like 99% of all requests.

Holly Springs is a nice little community to live and is growing very quickly. Our 1st choice would have been Cary, however houes were a little less expensvie in Holly Springs.

Best of luck in your decisions.

[MinMouse]

Thanks so much for all your responses. You have all given me so much information that I feel we are able to make very good use of our time coming through. As it turns out I think we're going to arrive late one evening and just tour the area the next day. Then head for home by the end of the day. DH's job prospect is looking very promising. He will service an area so I'm looking forward to seeing exactly what that will be since we'll probably want to be somewhere in the middle of it. He will not be leaving home and going to the same place every day so it's not your standard commute to work. He does exactly the same kind of work here and loves the work. We're just looking for a change of pace. Thanks again to all . . . you're the best!

Mindy

[jennyL]

If he has a set area then buying in that general direction sounds like the best plan.

Let us know if you need information on a specific area when you get that far.

[msdznyduck]

Thanks for all the info from me also. DH's neice will be teaching in the Cary-Apex area this year, and DD will be looking at colleges there in order to be near her cousin, and possibly stay with her to cut down on expenses. We will be heading down there the beginning of July or so, to look at colleges, so your info will come in handy. Will have to print it out and take it with us:thumbsup2

[srandsr76]

Well, I am going to throw a real knot in this conversation:rolleyes1 ....how about Wake Forest?? Just a little north of Raleigh, but GROWING by leaps and bounds like Cary and with the new extension to 540 it only takes us about 35 minutes to get to the airport.

We moved from Raleigh about 2 years ago and love the smaller community feel to Wake Forest.:banana:

Good luck!

[bnorm27]

Well, my wife and I are now really considering relocating to the Raleigh area. She talkd to an HR person with her company from that area, and found out that if she transfers, it is a lateral move with no loss in pay. That is HUGE! Things here in NJ are just getting way to expensive. We are scheduled to head down that way in June to visit some family and friends, and unbeknownst to them, to look at some areas for possible relocation.
That is why a few posts back I asked about Willow Springs. Any input on that area from the locals??

[MinMouse]

Well, I am going to throw a real knot in this conversation:rolleyes1 ....how about Wake Forest?? Just a little north of Raleigh, but GROWING by leaps and bounds like Cary and with the new extension to 540 it only takes us about 35 minutes to get to the airport.

We moved from Raleigh about 2 years ago and love the smaller community feel to Wake Forest.:banana:

Good luck!

OK . . . You've peaked my interest. Do you have kids in school . . . how are the schools? My girls will be in 4th and 7th grade next year. Wake Forest is actually closer to where DH's main office location would be (although we still are unclear on his service territory). Right now we live outside his service area . . . . already had the house when he switched to this mobile job. He's been with the same co. for almost 20 years and worked in a "mobile" capacity for the last 9. But this time we'd rather live within the service territory.

Thanks,

Mindy

[sjms71]

I'll chime in again and say I really like the Wake Forest area myself. We didn't look there only because DH commute would be long. As for schools that is still Wake County and they do have some of the better schools. Someone maybe able to give more detail on specific schools. But it's a pretty and fast growing area.

[KTSMOM]

KTSMOM - where do you live near the airport? or if you don't want to say that, even better would be what communities are being built that way? We moved from N. Raleigh to Holly Springs b/c we wanted more land, etc. but the drive to RTP everyday is killing me so we are looking to move back that way and are looking for neighborhoods to look into.

Neighborhoods in Cary, Morrisville and Durham (around RTP) would be helpful too for those others of you that are in these areas.

TIA!

Tricia


I live off of Westgate Rd near Leesville (at least for a few more months as we are selling our home). There are several neighborhoods to choose from. Springdale Gardens, Wyngate, East or Westwinds. Also on the other side of 540 from us are Dominion Park, Harrington Grove and Woodlawn. All of these areas are quite nice. We are about 5 minutes from Brier Creek, which also has very nice neighborhoods, but a bit pricey. I'm not too familliar with Cary or Durham (but if you have children in school I would shy away from Durham as their school system isn't too good).

[srandsr76]

We have one daughter that will begin K this year at Heritage Elementary. This is a year round school that we had to apply to and got through a lottery process to be assigned this school. Wake County schools can be very confusing for someone new to the area or "game". So far I have heard very good things about this school, but will find out first hand starting in July.
We live in an area just in Wake Forest and there are new developments all around us. You can still drive downtown and get a small town feel. An example, you can still go to dinner on a Friday night in downtown and not have a 45 minute wait for a table and get great food and service. We love the area. You can find new construction or historic homes!

[gopack]

Another vote for you to check out Wake Forest! We love it here.

[MinMouse]

Another vote for you to check out Wake Forest! We love it here.

GOPACK, Thanks! We have officially added Wake Forest to our areas to check out. What can you tell me about the schools there . . . are most good or are there some that need to be avoided? (my kids will be in 4th & 7th grade next year) Thanks again, Mindy

[gopack]

MinMouse-all of the elementary schools in Wake Forest are fine. My children have attended Jones Dairy and Heritage Elementary. Heritage Middle and Wakefield Middle are both good schools. I am less impressed with Wake Forest/Rolesville Middle. The school situation in all of Wake County is kind of a mess. There are yearly reassignments. There are both traditional calendar and year round schools. Jones Dairy, Heritage, Sanford Creek, Wakefield and North Forest Pines are all year round elementary schools. Wake Forest Elementary and Forest Pines are both traditional. For the middle schools Wake Forest/Rolesville and Wakefield Middle are both traditional. Heritage Middle is year round. When looking at houses do not assume anything when it comes to school and don't trust the realtor. Sometimes you can be right across the street from a school but be districted for another school. It is crazy. However, this is not just Wake Forest but all areas of Wake County. Good luck!

[dizkids]

I'm in NJ and the NC though has crossed our minds. DH has a brother in Wake Forest...house looks beautiful and they are on the year round school schedule. We are planning a road trip this summer. Will keep in mind all the other great tips I read here. ;)

[MinMouse]

Thanks to everyone for your input on the Raleigh area. We made our tour this past weekend and have to say we really like the area. We made the Cary tour provided by Dawnball . . . . a big thanks to you! We also met with acquaintances in Garner (nice town) and took a quick run through Wake Forest and Clayton. Looks like DH's job will be in the north raleigh area and maybe Wake Forest will be good for us. Any input on Wake Forest neighborhoods and schools?

Thanks again! You all are the best!

Mindy

[sjms71]

Thanks to everyone for your input on the Raleigh area. We made our tour this past weekend and have to say we really like the area. We made the Cary tour provided by Dawnball . . . . a big thanks to you! We also met with acquaintances in Garner (nice town) and took a quick run through Wake Forest and Clayton. Looks like DH's job will be in the north raleigh area and maybe Wake Forest will be good for us. Any input on Wake Forest neighborhoods and schools?

Thanks again! You all are the best!

Mindy


I'm glad to hear you had a great trip!!! :thumbsup2

[MinMouse]

Well, a few months have passed and we are finally headed back to Raleigh next Friday (7/27). DH has an interview and we now know the location of his office/territory. If offered the job he will be stationed at an office on Capital Blvd just north of 540. So. . . we'd want to live close. Any input on North Raleigh, Wake Forest, etc. You guys had such great input before. I really appreciate it! He'll interview on Friday and we'll have Saturday and Sunday to browse around. Any suggestions? Not sure if we want to hook up with a realtor just yet or if we should just poke around.