Okay folks, here's the story-

I graduated from NCSU in 05. After some time in the "real world"/aka middle management, and then two years in a master's program, i'm returning to my beloved Raleigh this Fall to earn my PhD from State.

Since it's been 4 years since I've actually lived in Raleigh (currently in Philly), here are my three main questions:

1) If I'm looking to buy a town home or condo, what area of Raleigh do you recommend? (to live)
-or, conversely, areas to avoid??

2) What're the best places to eat, night life, date, etc.? (to hang out)
(I was just turning 21 in 05, and a complete bookworm, so I really have no clue.)

3) What's the biggest change that's occurred to the campus &/or city since 05?
(other than Dunkin Donuts on Hillsborough)


Thanks in advance!

[Edited on March 16, 2009 at 7:30 PM. Reason : ..]

3/16/2009 7:29:06 PM

1) If I'm looking to buy a town home or condo, what area of Raleigh do you recommend? (to live)
-or, conversely, areas to avoid??

I am a fan of N. Raleigh, Garner, and Cary. Avoid getting too close to downtown, imo.

2) What're the best places to eat, night life, date, etc.? (to hang out)
(I was just turning 21 in 05, and a complete bookworm, so I really have no clue.)

Glenwood has some cool places to hang out and drink, and there are also some cool spots downtown (ex: saucer, tir-na-nog, raleigh times). Glenwood, Cameron Village, and Cary all have great restaurants.

3) What's the biggest change that's occurred to the campus ? city since 05?
(other than Dunkin Donuts on Hillsborough)

Gumby's moved. Brothers is gone. Q-Shack is gone. There are more cops running speed traps.

3/16/2009 7:35:56 PM

^ Eh, there are a lot of nice places to live downtown, if you can afford it. Just stay west of like Bloodworth and North of Davie.

3/16/2009 8:54:33 PM

word

3/16/2009 9:05:43 PM

stay away from the 27610

3/16/2009 9:19:36 PM

Quote :

"I am a fan of N. Raleigh, Garner, and Cary. Avoid getting too close to downtown, imo."

I'd suggest just the opposite. Tons of great neighborhoods inside the beltline. The further you drift out, the more likely you are to be looking at developer homes with questionable quality and horrible market values.

3/16/2009 9:38:48 PM

^ houses inside the beltline cost $texas for a decent place. rent isn't always too bad, but if you're looking to buy, it might be a little steep

3/16/2009 10:20:06 PM

Quote :

"Q-Shack is gone."

man that place fucking sucked

do not miss it at all

3/16/2009 10:38:44 PM

what is your budget for a townhouse or condo?? i would definitely look into a condo somewhere downtown. i used to rent a place in Park Devereux, and it was awesome

i frequent glenwood for night life, and saucer for a chill place to have a couple drinks

3/16/2009 10:45:06 PM

^^ Agreed.

Wachovia is now Wells Fargo

3/16/2009 10:50:43 PM

why not pay more to live downtown and avoid getting stuck in shitty north raleigh and cary traffic 24/7

3/16/2009 11:30:04 PM

i really like this thread

3/16/2009 11:31:28 PM

cary traffic really isn't that bad compared to a lot of other cities around here

3/16/2009 11:34:07 PM

Quote :

"Quote : "Q-Shack is gone." man that place fucking sucked do not miss it at all"

And the middle eastern place that replaced it is amazing (i love me some falafel and shawarma)

3/17/2009 3:44:40 AM

Since it's been 4 years since I've actually lived in Raleigh (currently in Philly), here are my three main questions:

1) If I'm looking to buy a town home or condo, what area of Raleigh do you recommend? (to live)
-or, conversely, areas to avoid??
North raleigh is fine if you're settled and have kids. Its pretty far removed from where people your age would be active and found in quantity. So if you're looking to remain socially active, i would suggest either renting downtown or finding a place to live thats affordable. There are older condos near cameron village that suit this purpose. Some are redone on the inside and are quite nice and some are begging to be redone.


2) What're the best places to eat, night life, date, etc.? (to hang out)
(I was just turning 21 in 05, and a complete bookworm, so I really have no clue.)
As far as night light this has changed with me over the course of time, but as of right now. north hills has some good spots to eat and isn't far removed from the downtown area, but most of the quality spots to eat were established long before 2005 and you should just get a feel for whats around. Oakwood Cafe comes to mind, but the flying biscuit is really new and makes for a mean breakfast.

3) What's the biggest change that's occurred to the campus &/or city since 05?
(other than Dunkin Donuts on Hillsborough)
There are more condos off of glenwood which is meant to incorporate a more big-city-urban-feel-environment to downtown. I think this goal has been met for those who actually live there and for those who don't all you get is reduced parking. Fayettevile St is also post 2005, I believe, and has managed to increase livelihood between it and martin blount. Lots of good bars in that area and its a good mid 20's crowd. this should in part answer number 2.

3/17/2009 9:18:12 AM

I lived in Raleigh until I moved up the road to Durham in early '07- I would check out the Borough
(in the new mixed use part of Hillsborough), the Raleigh Times (more downtown), and the bars around there for chill but nice restaurants. The Borough was running a half off-food after 9 or 10 p.m. special back then- is it still going on?

Unless all the young professionals left, they are still in abundance in Glenwood/Fayetteville St.

I agree about N. Raleigh- maybe people want to feel super safe and own their own home outside the Beltline, but I'd rather rent and walk/bike downtown, than own and drive. I commuted nearly a year to Durham on 40 traffic and had enough of that crap. Now, 540 completion may have changed getting around N. Raleigh some, but it still was a frustrating experience driving around up there.

3/17/2009 10:17:06 AM

thanks guys!!

3/17/2009 2:16:09 PM

1) If I'm looking to buy a town home or condo, what area of Raleigh do you recommend? (to live)
-or, conversely, areas to avoid??

I live in N Raleigh and love it. Got a pretty spacious 2 bedroom 2 bath apt for 800, with free wifi and basic cable. The place is largely the reason I haven't moved into a house yet

3/22/2009 6:43:02 PM

Quote :

"Avoid getting too close to downtown, imo."

I disagree. There's so much going on downtown right now. I love downtown Raleigh.

3/22/2009 7:21:19 PM

I moved out to hedingham in eastern raleigh, and I love it. Of course, I'm married and work full time. (I am in grad school part time as well.)

If I were single, i'd stay down near the glenwood/campus area.

3/22/2009 7:25:40 PM