Where are the best places to live in RTP, North Carolina?

Living in the Silicone Valley for many years, I decide to move to North Carolina in the RTP area. My husband will work in the south of Durham. We both are college educated without children. So we are looking for a place where many couples without children live. We are also looking for a safe neighborhood where we can afford to buy a house between $250K-$500K. I don't like to live in a rural area nor in a crowded downtown with terrible rush hour traffics (I have enough of traffic in the Bay Area). Would you recommend safest/best places to live near the RTP? Thanks in advance.

Public Comments

1. Manteo or Ashville seems like nice places... I'm not sure...
2. Look into Raleigh. West Raleigh in the Briar Creek or Leesville areas are good and very accessible to 540 which is a quick way to get into RTP. Also I have heard Morrisville and Apex are nice. However 440 coming out of the Cary/Morrisville/Apex area into Raleigh/RTP gets busy during rush hour. Really I have not experienced traffic that is too bad. You might run into a little just coming out of RTP during rush hour, but it doesn't last for more than a few miles (about 5-10 min) I live in West Raleigh (Leesville area) and get to my job in RTP in about 20 min. 540 is much better for getting around than 440 or 40. Chapel Hill is also nice, but furter away. I would not reccommend Durham however. Good Luck!
3. If your husband's job is in southern Durham then, to avoid hellish traffic I strongly recommend living in Durham itself. Driving to Durham from the other Triangle cities can be a tiresome, stressful thing. Durham homes will probably give you the most space for your money anyways..and the convenience of being centrally-located just can't be beat. A young and/or childless couple has lots of options in Durham. Western Durham area (near Duke Univ and downtown) is very popular among those who are well-educated professionals. Lots of gorgeous historic bungalows, some elegant estate homes, as well as larger modern homes scattered together. Neighborhoods like Trinity Park, Old West Durham, Watts-Hillandale, Walltown, Morehead Hill, Northgate, and Forest Hills are increasingly popular due to proximity to downtown, the major highways, and RTP. Single-family houses, townhomes or condos in your price range are pretty abundant in this area. I would definitely avoid most of Wake County....except for the city core of Raleigh, it is an extremely family-oriented area and definitely more conservative than Durham.
4. The Research Triangle Park (RTP) is a major employment hub. In the last decade there has been a great deal of new home construction in the surrounding areas. This stems from the desire by many to live close to their workplace. Safe areas with an easy commute to South Durham include: - South Durham (Southpoint area) - Northwest Raleigh (Brier Creek area) - West Cary (Alston area) These localities are extremely attractive to families with children. There are child-free couples living there but they are the minority. Indeed the Triangle area as a whole is predominately suburban and family-oriented. If you are looking for a more urban atmosphere then downtown Durham could work for you. The commute would lengthen and crime rate is higher there but those aspects are offset by the more diverse populace. You may prefer it. Good luck with your move.