Triangle area
 

Hello, we are planning a move to the triangle area in late summer. We will be visiting in June to get a better feel for the area. I will most likely be working for duke medical center. If anyone has any info on the towns butner or creedmoor, it would be greatly apprceiated. We have 2 kids ages 2 and 4 and wondered if these communities would be good for a young family. Also, I see a lot of people recommend cary. Is that a tough commute to duke? Thanks so much

If it weren't for the fact that I'm assuming Duke is the place in North Carolina, I'd have sworn this post was about the Bermuda Triangle.

For future reference, realize that although you may have clicked a state, your post shows up in the general US category, so the vast majority of readers here have no way of knowing where you are talking about.

Not meaning to be critical, just making a friendly suggestion.

I grew up in the Triangle and stayed there through college. It's been a few years since I've lived there, and while I am familiar with Creedmoor, and to a far lesser extent Butner, I am by no means an expert.

Land and houses should be much cheaper in those areas than it might be closer in. In other words, your money will go farther there towards real estate. However, I think that comes at a significant cost: the commute, which might not be the worst traffic you've ever experienced, is not great around the 85 stretch; you won't be as close to stores or cultural resources as you might like to be; and the schools in those areas are not stellar.

The Triangle has, for at least the past 10 years, been a really popular place for relocated professionals. NC public elementary, middle and secondary schools are good in the meat of the Triangle area, but in the more outlying areas (and yes, this includes Butner and Creedmoor), I imagine that they still leave MUCH to be desired.

If you are considering homeschooling or private schooling (realizing that there may be few private schools close to those areas), perhaps Butner or Creedmoor will work and will be a nice, cheap, slow-paced oasis away from Durham. Or if you planned to live in those areas for a few years, and then move closer to Durham so your kids could go to better public schools when they reach middle school.

Hands down, if you could swing it financially, I'd vote for Cary. The commute along 40 will not be any better, but all the other stuff (stores, schools, cultural resources, other young families) should make up for it.

Again, it's been several years and it isn't to say Creedmoor and Butner aren't nice small towns, but that's my opinion.

I actually live in Granville County, where Creedmoor and Butner are located. Have lived here 16 years. I would not say "the schools leave MUCH to be desired" Neither are either of these areas "cheap" as far as housing. Yes, lower priced than Cary, or North Raleigh, but not significantly. There are many young families locating in our county, and the schools deserve consideration before you cross it off your list.

Cary is too far for me, but others do it.

Butner and Creedmoor are experiencing growth and are becoming more of bedroom communities for Durham, RTP, and Raleigh. Once again, I wouldn't want that commute.

I-85 through Durham is under construction. It's been under construction for about 12 years now. I'm not sure if it will ever end, so take that into consideration when looking for a place to live.

There are affordable housing in Durham. I was able to buy a house on a modest income.

Look at the test scores for the schools, some are much better than others.