Calling all North Carolina residents!

[boston-yachter]

Myself and my daughter are planning on a move to NC later this year...
We've looked into the Raleigh area...but can't find any information about schooling and the best areas to live...
we'd be open to any suggestions whether in Raleigh...or any place else...

thankyou in advance...

 

[boston-yachter]

come on....there has to be at least one out there!

 

[Reginat]

Hi!

Welcome to NC! I'm in Charlotte, and not totally familiar with the Raleigh area, but the Cary area is nice. I hope that helps a little! Have a great week!

Regina in NC

 

[kaseyC]

I do not live in Raleigh right now but I lived in Rocky Mount which is about 50 miles east of Raleigh. We lived there for 4 years and loved the Triangle area. Cary is very nice and a very big area for those transplanting from the north but you will get more house for your money in the Durham area. I also taught in the NC school system for 4 years in Rocky Mount and Louisburg at the High School. As a teacher and a parent I feel that as long as you as a parent stay involved in the school that your child attends they will do well. The high schools have the AP courses as well as the International Baccalaureate programs which are excellent for College prep. We loved it there and because of the cost of living we are looking at purchasing a home there to use as a rental property and eventually retiring in it.

 

[bsnyder]

I spend a lot of time in NC during the summers. I'd recommend the Asheville area. Beautiful city, with a thriving arts community and growing population.

 

[suzannen]

I don't live there now, but I grew up in Chapel Hill, 20 minutes from Raleigh. I don't have any specifics on schools in Raleigh (unless you want to discuss colleges), but it is a very nice city. As others have mentioned, Cary, right outside of Raleigh, is a very, very nice town, one of the nicest around. Chapel Hill is also a beautiful town, nicer than Durham, I think, it's a smaller college town. Asheville is also beautiful, but closer to the mountains, and several hours from the Raleigh area.

 

[Rexfan]

I live in the eastern part of the state, so don't have any Raleigh info. Good luck on your relocation though!

Laura

 

[stormi65]

I also recommend Cary, though homes are more expensive. The population of Cary is a little over 100,000 people. Also the town of Apex is growing, but still has a small town feel. Raleigh is in Wake County and the cities do not have individual school districts. Just county schools. The Wake County Public School System website might be a good place to look to get a idea of schools. There are several options, such as magnet and year round schools. The district has over 100,000 students.

The Garner area is a fast growing area of Wake County. The town is just south of Raleigh. Homes are more affordable than Cary. Garner still has maintained a small town feel even though it is growing with shopping and more industry coming in.


Good luck with your search!!!

 

[chell]

Originally posted by bsnyder
I spend a lot of time in NC during the summers. I'd recommend the Asheville area. Beautiful city, with a thriving arts community and growing population.

Asheville is a nice area and it's right in the beautiful mountains of NC!

What type of job will you be looking for? That might have a lot to do with the area you choose.

Sorry that I don't know anything about the Raleigh area.

But I can help you with Boone, Asheville and Hickory and their surrounding areas.

 

[unfreshdiva1]

I moved to Raleigh from California 5 years ago. North Raleigh is best part of Raleigh to live, but in hindsight I wish I would have bought house in Cary (prices went way up a few years ago). Apex is very nice as is Holly Springs. I would not move to Durham (lots of crime in some areas) or Garner - just my opinion. South Raleigh (where I bought house) is up and coming area.

 

[tar heel]

I think the best school system in the state is probably Chapel Hill-Carrboro, but you will pay dearly for a house there. I used to cover it as an education reporter and was continually amazed at the quality. Of course, since you're moving from an expensive area, it may not seem that pricey to you. Wake County (Raleigh area) schools are also good -- I would probably lean toward Cary or north Raleigh. I wouldn't move to Durham if schools are an issue -- the county and city schools merged a few years ago, and I'm not sure they've straightened out all the problems yet. If you decide to go out of the Triangle, Asheville is great and has excellent schools. My children go to good schools here (20 miles outside Charlotte), but the entire district is not as strong as these others. Two of the high schools and their feeder schools are great, though -- you pay extra to live on this side of town, too. Schools in Charlotte are a mix -- some of the best in the country and some to stay away from. Overall, I would lean toward Raleigh or western NC -- the state dividing line is Raleigh -- but there would be a few areas in eastern NC with okay schools, such as Greenville and Wilmington.

 

[stormi65]

The Cary/Apex schools are great. Good home value. When I think North Raleigh, all I can recall is one strip mall after another, shopping centers, way over crowded roads. I avoid going to North Raleigh at all costs.

I agree about Durham. I have heard their schools are not so hot, and there are crime problems.

Morrisville, Cary and Apex are highly desirable areas to live in Wake County.

 

[2bemarried]

Hi!!

YAY....I'm so happy to see other NC'ers here on the DIS.

I like in Cary and LOVE it. I grew up here and know so many people that have moved from up north to here...including my husband. The weather is wonderful and the schools are good. I can't say that we have the best public schools but they're good. Cary and Chapel Hill are the top rated public schools. There are also many private schools...like Cary Academy.
What type of job are you looking for?? The RTP(Raleigh, Cary, Morrisville) area is full of technology businesses. I work for a pharma company here and LOVE it too.

Feel free to PM me if you want to chat more about my favorite state to live in...NC.

 

[boston-yachter]

Thank you for all your help!!
I do work in the technology field and that was why I expressed interest in the "triangle" area...
I'll be looking to rent an apartment or condo initially in the beginning...and I would prefer not to have my daughter change school systems when I purchase a home....
I think we'll start looking in the Chapel Hill/Cary/Apex/Morrisville based on all your feedback...

I really appreciate all your help...as we had no idea where to even start looking! One thing for sure is that there seems to be a lot of happy and helpful people in NC!

Thank you again!