Things aren't nailed down quite yet, but I *might* be landing a job in RTP (thank heavens, finally something back in the Raleigh area).

I know some of you folks work in RTP, so where do you live? Ideally, we want a house **NOT** in Durham Co. (schools matter), but a close drive to RTP. I know Kitts Creek is close, but their lowest current house is like 280k. I'd like to stay closer to $200k, but I know I'd probably be better off smoking rocks. An apartment/townhouse would work I suppose, but it's not ideal.

So: crib owners near RTP, where do you recommend staying at (and what did you pay for your pad?)

And: apartment/townhouse owners: where you livin', and whatcha paying?

P.S. - I searched & surprisingly came up empty.

[Edited on February 7, 2007 at 9:06 AM. Reason : .]

2/7/2007 9:01:12 AM

I live in a townhouse in downtown Cary, right off Harrison & Chapel Hill Rd. Its not a bad drive at all to work, I just cut through Preston and go up Davis Drive to RTP every day, only about 20min w/traffic and that way I don't have to get on I-40 at all.

I bought my townhome new in 2005 for $120k. Its a 1250sqft, 2 story, 2 bdr, 2.5 bath townhouse.


I know they are building new townhomes ON Davis Dr. at Hopson Rd if you want to literally live in RTP ( http://www.davisparkrtp.com/ )

I'd suggest taking a ride down Davis from RTP towards Apex, there are lots of subdivisions and areas that are being built and for sale now.

2/7/2007 9:07:14 AM

try carpenter village.. its on morrisville carpenter road near davis. or breckenridge is a little closer to rtp (a couple miles)

2/7/2007 9:11:15 AM

briar creek area

2/7/2007 9:13:58 AM

Leesville area (the HS is about 1.5 miles away, so very unlikely to be zoned out of leesville high)

Cornerstone park is the subdivision.

2/7/2007 1:23:04 PM

I live in Wynterfield Townhomes... there are a few for sale right now, and also alot more are being built soon. It's near cornwallis and 55, Beazer homes builds them. 15min from chapel hill, 10 minutes from brier creek, 10 minutes from southpoint, 5 minutes from NCCU, right next to RTP. Most the townhomes that are available sell for 160-170 right now, 2-3 bedroom.

2/7/2007 1:45:55 PM

you might not have noticed, but

Quote :

"we want a house **NOT** in Durham Co."

2/7/2007 1:49:31 PM

^^^ Leesville...

because everyone wants to go to LRHS, if you buy a house near leesville, make sure you ask what school district it's in... there are some houses that are really really really close... i.e. across the street (the new houses) that are not within Leesville district. I know people that live in that neighborhood (kids are being sent to private schools)

Leesville has a middle and elementary attached to it too..

My parents chose Leesville before looking for a house when they moved to NC

It's an awesome school, i went there
there are 7 or 8 people in my med school class of 160 that are leesville alums

only took my dad about 20min to get to work in the middle of RTP - take 540 to 70 to Alexander

[Edited on February 7, 2007 at 3:55 PM. Reason : to RTP]

2/7/2007 3:53:24 PM

davispark although convenient and new shopping being built (mix use project) the townhouses are extremely small....around 1400 sq ft and sell for about $220K+.....i walked through some several weekends ago and felt claustraphobic.....although the architecture and community looks cool

cornerstone is ok ton of my friends live there. they are building new pulte community across the street..glenwood crossing

kitts creek is ok......houses are all different look which is unique...i'm up in the air whether living in heart of rtp is good or not.....providence place is right down from kitts creek on church st, more reasonable pricing

i had always wanted to check out wynterfield...i like the 3 level beazer floorplans..they have one in cary park and glenwood

hit me up if you need a good realtor

2/7/2007 3:57:17 PM

Splitting a place near campus for $750 a month. All professionals / graduate students in the neighborhood. 2 Story, 2.5 Bath townhouse ... I'll take a guess of 1200 square feet. Waiting to save a bit more for a down payment on a house / get a better idea of where we want to move before we purchase something. Would recommend same ... don't make a rush decision in a few weeks if you can wait it out a few years for the "right" place.

2/7/2007 7:04:23 PM

Thanks for all the input so far.

Yeah, I'm leaning towards the "rent for now" approach until I get grounded enough to have ample time to afford / find "the house" I want.

The more opinions, the better, so keep 'em coming

2/7/2007 7:25:25 PM

downing glen in morrisville

2/7/2007 9:27:47 PM

^^If you're just gonna rent, why does the school district matter?

Do you already have a school-aged kid?

2/7/2007 9:37:08 PM

Quote :

"^^^ Leesville... because everyone wants to go to LRHS, if you buy a house near leesville, make sure you ask what school district it's in... there are some houses that are really really really close... i.e. across the street (the new houses) that are not within Leesville district. I know people that live in that neighborhood (kids are being sent to private schools) Leesville has a middle and elementary attached to it too.. My parents chose Leesville before looking for a house when they moved to NC It's an awesome school, i went there there are 7 or 8 people in my med school class of 160 that are leesville alums only took my dad about 20min to get to work in the middle of RTP - take 540 to 70 to Alexander"

Don't be a snob. There are plenty of good schools in Wake County.

You act like it's nationally ranked like Enloe or something.

2/7/2007 9:39:34 PM

http://www.kbhome.com/Community.aspx?CommID=01350172

here is a good spot in your price range very close to RTP but in Cary

2/8/2007 12:36:55 AM

Bridget, yeah, should've made that clear.

If you recommend a rental apartment, I don't mind being in Durham. We don't have kids yet, but we plan on it, but we'd move into a house before having them anyway.

So, apartments in Durham Co. are more than welcome.

Anyone heard of Pine Crest? They've got a 2bd/2.5bath 2-story "townhouse" rental for $810/month.

2/8/2007 5:27:44 AM

Oops, I meant Pine Ridge

http://www.apartmentratings.com/rate/NC-Durham-Pine-Ridge.html

2/8/2007 7:51:24 AM

I live off Leesville Rd now.. Highly recommend it, easily access to 540, close to brier creek, good school district, etc.

2/8/2007 8:08:32 AM

Quote :

"Don't be a snob. There are plenty of good schools in Wake County. You act like it's nationally ranked like Enloe or something."

It's the best school convenient to RTP and not in durham. at least until Brier Creek high opens. Don't be a cunt. if that's possible.

2/8/2007 9:18:25 AM

i tried to read but i take it driving around southpoint and looking for an apartment complex isnt an option because you live somewhere else now

2/8/2007 9:27:11 AM

^ that's correct, I'm in WV for now.

But, I am coming to Raleigh this weekend and interviewing on Monday, so I'm planning on driving around Southpoint and looking at complexes. I just called Pine Ridge (owned by Ticon Properties) and they have a couple units, sounded nice for the price, and it's like 1 mile from Southpoint and ~15 minute drive to RTP if I understood correctly.

Is there a "normal" grocery store near Southpoint aside from paying $3.75/gallon for Super Target milk?

2/8/2007 10:24:48 AM

i had an offer on a house off of leesville road in harrington grove which was closing on feb. 28th, but the inspection was god awful so i walked away...i'm looking again now

make sure if you BUY that you get a good inspector...we used ron coddington and it was $275, but saved me about $80,000 (and he has 10% off inspections within the same year for the times when it doesn't work out)

2/8/2007 1:24:00 PM

I looked at harrington grove too when I was in the market, and It seemed that all of the houses i looked at in that hood where very very poorly maintained.

2/8/2007 1:36:24 PM

me and a friend are looking for a rental near morrisville (halfway between duke and cary to be more precise...

2/8/2007 2:17:40 PM

ok, I know you dont want to live in Durham county, but my wife, daughter (2 yrs old) and I just bought a house in Woodcroft off of exit 276 by Southpoint Mall. Off of Fayettville Rd. (exit 276) turn towards Durham (away from Southpoint) and make a right onto Woodcroft Parkway. This is the newer area and it is BOOMING. The houses range from ~$180,000 to ~$300,000, and the houses on our road appreciated ~$25,000 in the past year. Dead serious. lots of little kids, a park, playground, a community center, and small lake with a walking trail all around for jogging or walking the dog.

Best of all, plans for an Immersion Elementary in the area are already in the works. This area really is great. If you have a small family (or are planning to start one) I couldnt recommend it more.

that is all.

2/8/2007 2:35:49 PM

^^^the house was very well maintained, but there were foundation problems and drainage problems as well as a zoning infraction

2/8/2007 2:46:44 PM

^^ Thanks man, the area surround Southpoint is where I'll be scouting apts. this weekend anyway, so I'm gonna give the housing complexes around a look too.

[Edited on February 8, 2007 at 2:54 PM. Reason : ^]

2/8/2007 2:53:40 PM

bttt because I'm leaving WV at 4am to go apartment / house hunting

I'm thinking the area just beyond Southpoint Mall / Super Target is a good starting place, any other recommendations so I don't waste time meandering around in ghetto hoods or anything?

2/9/2007 7:55:45 PM

There is a Harris Teeter and Kroger very close to Southpoint; both are on Highway 54 (right near the intersection of Fayetteville), across from each other.

[Edited on February 9, 2007 at 10:40 PM. Reason : better]

2/9/2007 10:38:38 PM

dont live in durham


dont listen to him the southpoint area is a cunt hair from the "duck while you drive through" area

my fiance got her car broken into in the parking lot of the PRE SCHOOL she works at in that area.

stay away from durham

[Edited on February 9, 2007 at 11:02 PM. Reason : .]

2/9/2007 10:59:14 PM

not true.

27713 is no where near the rough part of durham.

Look for East Club Blvd.

Thats the fucking durham ghetto, close to the Durham Bulls Park.

2/9/2007 11:31:48 PM

^ knows his ghetto

2/9/2007 11:49:54 PM

... are you naive enough to believe there's only 1 "rough" part of Durham.

there's "ghetto" all throughout durham twin lakes, east end, half of parkwood.


DO NOT LIVE IN DURHAM

and going to Southern I'll vote I have a much more intimate knowledge of Durham's "ghetto" than Panthro


and parkwood is right in the middle of 27713

[Edited on February 10, 2007 at 12:53 AM. Reason : .]

2/10/2007 12:52:31 AM

you people are so suburban

2/10/2007 2:07:17 AM

I've living in Bridgeport APTs, off leesville rd. Takes me about 15 minutes to get to work, but I work near RTP (Aerial Center Parkway off Airport Blvd) and therefore don't have the clusterfuck that is the 540 merge onto 40.


I'd Get a dog though, this the complex where Stephanie Bennet (spelling?) murdered because the complex locks suck and shrubs cover the windows. Our windows don't lock very well and we're on the 1st floor. Of course, the 80lb German Shepard/Rottweiler Mix

2/10/2007 9:44:33 AM

Welp, today's officially one of the best days of my life.

Just landed a job in RTP

Starting less than a month from now, probably gonna bum it w/ some friends 'til we can close on a crib in the area. Lots to do!

So, we saw LOTS of new housing developments built/being built in Holly Springs for ~$180k for a small family home -- good enough for us. I kinda like the idea of buying a brand spankin' new home...any negatives? Any sketch builders I should be aware of? Are these easier to negotiate with price-wise since they're not yet owned by an individual/family?

2/13/2007 7:14:18 PM

Quote :

"ny negatives?"

The commute if you get off work at 5:00

2/13/2007 7:49:25 PM

and well... living in holly springs.

if you don't mind being that far away, then no worries, but it's too rural for me.

2/13/2007 9:54:02 PM

Random Q, but I'm surveying ALL of my options:

Now that the new I-540 extensions comes out to Knightdale, about how far of a drive is Knightdale to RTP (let's assume they go ahead & widen the ramp to 40 that's clogging it right now). 30-35 mins? More/less?

Knightdale homes are dirt cheap right now (comparatively speaking) and won't be this way for long, I could handle a half hour drive to save $50k.

2/15/2007 2:20:14 PM

I've worked in RTP since '98 and I've lived in Apex since '95 and I don't mind the drive but it's not for everyone. I haven't figured out where I'm going to move after I sell my house but it will still be closer to Raleigh/Cary area than RTP.

2/15/2007 2:43:56 PM

without traffic, probably 30-35 minutes.


ever since the extension was opened, the 540 to 40 interchange bottleneck has become considerably worse. What used to be a 20min. commute (i take 70-540-40-davis and back) is now about 35-45 during peak traffic times. I imagine it would be quite a bit more to/from knightdale if you'll be working standard hours... but perhaps someone who drives that route could confirm.

2/15/2007 2:46:31 PM