To all north carolina residents

[disneywith2kids]

I am looking to relocate from New Jersey to North Carolina - does anyone have any advice on areas to look into. I would like to stay near Raleigh because of the "city" and employment opportunities for my husband. I have never been to North Carolina, other than to vacation in the OuterBanks for the past 10 years.

Any suggestions on family friendly areas? A place with good schools, good recreation programs, friendly communities, lots of kids, etc.

New Jersey's property taxes, home sales, etc. are out of control and it is just getting worse. We do own a home here and will have to sell first, but my main reason is that I fear what my children will experience after they graduate college in 15+ years. They will not be able to afford to live here. I want to provide them with the many opportunities and NC seems to be a good place to root them while they are young.

Thanks!

[summersalt]

Hey, soon to be tarheel! I'm from NC. Orginally from a little town called Smithfield. It's about 20 miles from Raleigh. I now live on the coast. Cary is probably the nicest (but most expensive) area. North Raleigh is also very nice but also more expensive. The Wake County school system is suppose to be very good. If you move a little south into Johnston County, this may be a little more affordable. Clayton and Garner are small towns right outside of Raleigh. I can't really says how good the school system is in Johnston County now because my son is now 28 so it's been awhile. I have 2 sisters that have school age children in Johnston Co schools and they seem to like it. If you have any questions, please feel free to PM me. I'll be glad to help.

[summersalt]

Oh yeah! One more thing, my sister and her family live in Clayton. My brother in law is a member of the Civitan and is a football, baseball, soccer..... coach. They are heavy into the youth/community activities in this area.

[disneywith2kids]

How far is clayton from Raleigh - driving? thanks for all that information!

[luvmy3jewels]

My favorite two towns around Raleigh are Cary and the Town of Wake Forest. Both are close enough to be near the action, but far enough away that traffic isn't as bad.

[soulmates]

I love North Raleigh area...so much to do and great schools. I live about 30 min from there. Great time to buy a home, the market IS in your favor.

[disprincessatheart]

Apex is another good area to look in. North Raleigh, Cary and Apex all are in Wake County, so they're all in the same school system. Even the expensive houses here will be nothing compared to NJ, so I wouldn't worry about that part as much. For me Clayton is further out than I'd want to be - even in North Raleigh, Cary or Apex you're a good 20 to 30 minutes from downtown and big events.

[tigger813]

I agree with the Cary, Apex, Raleigh area. And Morrisville which is next door to Cary.

PM me if you need a realtor in the area. My sister is a realtor in that area and has lived there about 15 years so she knows the area well.

[disneywith2kids]

I assume Cary and Apex are good areas with very low crime rates. It is so hard to make a move without knowing anything about the area. I am relying on all of you to help us! I have read a lot about the Wake County Schools and they seem good. I have three kids, 8, 5 and 2, so the schools are very important, as well as the recreation and sports programs. So much to decide on with very little knowledge!

One good plus is that I will be closer to Disney! Thank you all for your help and please keep the responses coming. I need lots of help.

[MulanUSAF]

I live in Chapel Hill. It's a great community since it's a college town and provides the right balance of fun and peace. It's one of the more expensive areas in the triangle, but probably have the best school district out of the nearby areas. Wake county schools are okay, but they've been fighting overcrowding and mandatory year round school proposals forever.

[lovetoscrap]

I am moving this to the Community Board. Best of luck with your move.

[Straitlover]

May I suggest that your husband secure a job before coming? W/ the economy, jobs are real ahrd to come by in the Raleigh area right now. Last time I checked, the unemployment rate in the Triangle was over 10%. Once you see where he is working, you can pick an area closet to his job.

Check out city-data.com for all kinds of Raleigh area relocation threads.

[disneywith2kids]

Thanks - yes, employment will have to be secured before me make a move. I need to be sure we have an income first! Right now in NJ, he is in a union doing heavy construction so that is a possibility for Raleigh. He is also a retired correctional officer (forced to retire for medical reasons). So he has a background in law enforcement. I am hoping we have some luck in either of these areas. Any suggestions - it never hurts to ask!

Thanks! I really cannot wait to make this move.

[Halloweenqueen]

The Charlotte area is lovely. We lived there for 18 years. I miss it everyday.

I do have a wonderful lake front condo I could sell you!

[disneywith2kids]

thanks - but with three very active outdoor loving kids - a condo will not work out so well for us! they need a nice big yard to play in! If you got an jobs, I'd be interested in that!! LOL