Plan to move to Raleigh area.....

[breyedrn]

We are planning a move to the Raleigh area in the near future. I am most concerned about the schools, the rest will fall into place. It is hard moving to such a big area not having ever lived there to know the desired neighborhoods and best schools and growing newer areas. If anyone can give me some guidance to possibly narrow down my home search it would be greatly appreciated!!

Thank you again,
Dawn:)

[karen]

Hello Dawn. Welcome to YourRaleigh forum! Moving to a new area and finding just the right school and homes is a challenge. Raleigh is a great place for families and has great schools. It is hard to give you much guidance without knowing more about what you are looking for -- things like what ages/grades are your kids? What price range home are you looking for? You might find some useful information at these links:
http://www.newhomeguide.com/
http://www.wcpss.net/
http://www.raleighchamber.org/reloc/education.html
Hopefully this information will get you started.

[breyedrn]

My oldest is 5 and in Kindergarten currently and my youngest is 3 and is in a three days a week preschool. We will probably wait to move in the spring although I know the schools there end and start earlier than we do here so it will take some finesse to make sure we do whats best especially for son's transition to a new school.

We are looking for a newer home. I have been searching in the $175,000-$400,000 Range. My husband will be traveling alot so we want to be in fairly close proximity to RDU (at least not an hour drive). We like to be close to services, shopping not to too far out in the country although I like to have some yard to garden. I have seen alot of homes with .17 acres which is a little small.

I was just wondering which towns have good reputation of public schools, like here some towns are better than others. Do the public schools have bus transportation?

I guess that is all I can think of for now. I appreciate you having this site. I am excited to be coming to your area!!

Dawn

[karen]

Dawn,

The Wake County Public School System website says that they provide bus transportation to students living more than one-and-a-half (1.5) miles from school and to students with special needs.

Wake County schools are really very good in all communities. Certainly there are people who prefer certain schools, but that is largely a personal preference. In addition, they offer a wide variety of magnet school programs. These magnet schools offer unique and innovative approaches to learning. Each Magnet program has a 'theme' (Creative Arts and Sciences, Gifted and Talented, Active Learning & Technology, International Baccalaureate, Leadership, Montessori, Museums, and Year-Round programs, for example). Entry into these programs is by lottery. You should familiarize yourself with the available programs to determine if there's one particularly suited to your child. If you are in a Magnet program, you may have to provide your own transportation, but you also are not required to live in the school's base area. Here is some information on the magnet programs: http://www.wcpss.net/magnet/

Click on the link below to get an idea of some of the homes available in the price range you gave that are on at least .30 acres and have been built since 2000 (this link will expire in 180 days on 6/3/2007).
http://trianglelistings.marketlinx.com/SearchDetail/Scripts/PrtBuyFul/PrtBuyFul.asp?prp=mls&AgentId=R8796&EmailKey=12839343

I hope this information helps some!