Blossom's Big Move - Page 4

Glorfindel · 05-19-2014, 09:14 PM

That sounds FUN! If I was driving myself, that is

library addict · 05-20-2014, 11:27 AM

Hope you have better luck in your apartment hunt today.

Blossom · 05-21-2014, 05:55 PM

Where to start....well the golf cart ride jacked up my back so yesterday I couldn't bend at all and was in a lot of pain clear down to my toes. Today I have a little mobility but still in pain.

I hate this! All the apartments are already being taken for fall term. Yesterday we waited two hours for someone to show up at place and that how late they was then an hour to fill out a application which took up our day. Today made appointment and that person was 45 minutes late and kind of rude. Then yesterday's people's called needing more paperwork and told us to call them later and well no answer. I'm not impressed with the people here. Only 3 strangers have smiled at me. I'm still in the south right?

Raleigh isn't what I thought it would be.

poohbear_nc · 05-21-2014, 06:45 PM

Raleigh is a quite "northernized" southern city - lots of transplants b/c of the universities in the area - which also drives up apt. rents anywhere close to NCSU.

What part of Raleigh are you scouting in? North Raleigh is fairly pricey - lots of folk there either work at RTP or at a university. South Raleigh has lower rents - but you run into unsafe areas.

Do you need to live within Raleigh city limits? If commuting to work is not bothersome, you might want to look at Knightdale (east of Raleigh), Apex and Fuquay-Varina (south of Raleigh) for lower housing costs. There's a major road repair process (Project Fortify) that is affecting southern Raleigh - that will probably last for the next 2 years or so.

Blossom · 05-21-2014, 07:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by poohbear_nc

Raleigh is a quite "northernized" southern city - lots of transplants b/c of the universities in the area - which also drives up apt. rents anywhere close to NCSU.

What part of Raleigh are you scouting in? North Raleigh is fairly pricey - lots of folk there either work at RTP or at a university. South Raleigh has lower rents - but you run into unsafe areas.

Do you need to live within Raleigh city limits? If commuting to work is not bothersome, you might want to look at Knightdale (east of Raleigh), Apex and Fuquay-Varina (south of Raleigh) for lower housing costs. There's a major road repair process (Project Fortify) that is affecting southern Raleigh - that will probably last for the next 2 years or so.

We don't have a set area just whatever we can find which isn't alot so far we seen apartments in Cary, Clayton, North Raleigh, West Raleigh, North East Raleigh. Have not seen any listings in the areas mentioned. We're looking for a two bedroom with at least 1.5 bathrooms and washer and dryer hook ups that is pet friendly. $850 was our price range but due to hotel stay longer its $800 now. The ones we looked at were between $750-$780 plus pet rent.

Do you know where listings are? Right now all I've found is Craiglist no newspapers have listings.

poohbear_nc · 05-21-2014, 08:03 PM

Craigslist is probably going to be the most current for listings - you might look at the Raleigh Chamber of Commerce website - or Google for a "Moving to Raleigh" or "Visiting Raleigh" website - for contacts for leasing/renting.

Cary is way expensive & yuppified.

South Raleigh, and cities to the south are more "southern" in tone. But they also contain 'problem areas' - concentrations of low/un-employment housing, etc.

Raleigh strives to be cosmopolitan and has tried to throw off the "redneck" aura of being a southern city.

West of Raleigh along US 70 (west of Crabtree Valley Mall) has a lot of apt. complexes - between Raleigh & Durham.

Western Boulevard (borders NCSU) has a broad spectrum of apts. - mostly for students, but also for employees - the further away from campus, the lower the rents.

[Disclaimer - I lived in Raleigh briefly almost 20 years ago - so my info may not be completely current].

I'll keep on trying to remember other areas for you to check out. You'll find a sort of economic continuum in the rental housing market: student housing, grad student housing, RTP employees.

http://www.zillow.com/raleigh-nc/rent/

Blossom · 05-22-2014, 08:18 PM

Thank you! We found a place, filled out a application and got approved. We either move in tomorrow or Tuesday. It's tiny but it's two bedroom but it does not have central air it uses a wall unit like a hotel in the living/kitchen and ceiling fans in the bedroom. I have no idea yet where the litter box is going to go. It's right in between Cary and Raleigh.

poohbear_nc · 05-22-2014, 08:51 PM

I'm glad you found a place! That's a nice area -- between the two cities -- are you near the fairgrounds or closer to Cary?

Blossom · 05-22-2014, 10:30 PM

Cary town Centre is about 2 miles from the apartment but it's a Raleigh address.

I can't say I'm excited just relieved and worried about keeping the apartment cool. Raleigh is too hot and I like my A/C. I keep my home 68F year round. The unit in this hotel room is on 65F just to keep the room 70F. The humidity is 75% though. Ugh! The kitty litter won't clump or towels won't dry. I'm changing the litter every morning which is expensive.

I can't wait till we move in and say goodbye to this place.

booklover6 · 05-23-2014, 06:46 AM

Congrats on finding a place!

poohbear_nc · 05-23-2014, 08:21 AM

Humidity is a real issue in NC - esp. if you're not used to it. If all your new apt. has is one window unit, you will probably be quite uncomfortable if we have a 'typical' summer - long term temps in the high 90's F with +90% humidity levels. To avoid astronomical power bills, you might want to investigate: adding a small second window A/C unit for the bedroom, placing fans in all rooms to keep air circulating so that the cool air doesn't pool in the kitchen, cooking as many meals as possible in a microwave to avoid heating the kitchen, insulated drapes/curtains on all windows receiving direct sunlight.

Then there is the 'hillbilly' A/C unit - positioning a fan to blow over a bucket of ice - actually quite effective.

gabby98 · 05-23-2014, 12:53 PM

congrats Blossom!

Blossom · 05-23-2014, 09:14 PM

Got the keys today. We move in tomorrow. Tuesday TW come out to install Internet. So I'll only have my 3G on my phone after we check out tomorrow.

Blossom · 05-23-2014, 09:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by poohbear_nc

Humidity is a real issue in NC - esp. if you're not used to it. If all your new apt. has is one window unit, you will probably be quite uncomfortable if we have a 'typical' summer - long term temps in the high 90's F with +90% humidity levels. To avoid astronomical power bills, you might want to investigate: adding a small second window A/C unit for the bedroom, placing fans in all rooms to keep air circulating so that the cool air doesn't pool in the kitchen, cooking as many meals as possible in a microwave to avoid heating the kitchen, insulated drapes/curtains on all windows receiving direct sunlight.

Then there is the 'hillbilly' A/C unit - positioning a fan to blow over a bucket of ice - actually quite effective.

Thanks It actually has a wall unit like a hotel. I'm pricing window units. Amazon has one for $119 that's about a month Swagging for me once I get settled. Right now we probably be living dorm style in the living room. I don't think any windows get any sun. It faces a wooded creek on the back of the building. We got black out curtains we used from the old place I'll put in the living room.

Jane A · 05-23-2014, 11:07 PM

At least you found a place, I'm sure that's a relief. You can always familiarize yourself with all the areas around you and eventually move into a place that you're more comfortable. I hope the A/C issue is not a problem! I would die in 90% humidity, I've lived in the west all my life where we'll have days as low as 8% to 10% humidity. High humidity like people see in the east must be almost unbearable.

05-21-2014, 08:03 PM	#51
poohbear_nc Bah! Humbug! Posts: 62,698 Karma: 135239851 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Durham, NC Device: Every Kindle Ever Made & To Be Made!	Craigslist is probably going to be the most current for listings - you might look at the Raleigh Chamber of Commerce website - or Google for a "Moving to Raleigh" or "Visiting Raleigh" website - for contacts for leasing/renting. Cary is way expensive & yuppified. South Raleigh, and cities to the south are more "southern" in tone. But they also contain 'problem areas' - concentrations of low/un-employment housing, etc. Raleigh strives to be cosmopolitan and has tried to throw off the "redneck" aura of being a southern city. West of Raleigh along US 70 (west of Crabtree Valley Mall) has a lot of apt. complexes - between Raleigh & Durham. Western Boulevard (borders NCSU) has a broad spectrum of apts. - mostly for students, but also for employees - the further away from campus, the lower the rents. [Disclaimer - I lived in Raleigh briefly almost 20 years ago - so my info may not be completely current]. I'll keep on trying to remember other areas for you to check out. You'll find a sort of economic continuum in the rental housing market: student housing, grad student housing, RTP employees. http://www.zillow.com/raleigh-nc/rent/ Last edited by poohbear_nc; 05-21-2014 at 08:06 PM.

05-19-2014, 09:14 PM	#46
Glorfindel Force-Aware Elf Posts: 4,762 Karma: 11557898 Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: Valinor Device: Kindle 4 w/SO	That sounds FUN! If I was driving myself, that is

05-20-2014, 11:27 AM	#47
library addict Grand Sorcerer Posts: 13,091 Karma: 37197878 Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: USA Device: Nexus 7 2, Samsung Galaxy Tab A 8" (retired=Sony PRS650, Kobo Mini)	Hope you have better luck in your apartment hunt today.

05-21-2014, 05:55 PM	#48
Blossom Treasure Seeker Posts: 18,708 Karma: 26026435 Join Date: Mar 2010 Device: Kobo HD Glo, Kindles, Kindle Fires, Andriod Devices	Where to start....well the golf cart ride jacked up my back so yesterday I couldn't bend at all and was in a lot of pain clear down to my toes. Today I have a little mobility but still in pain. I hate this! All the apartments are already being taken for fall term. Yesterday we waited two hours for someone to show up at place and that how late they was then an hour to fill out a application which took up our day. Today made appointment and that person was 45 minutes late and kind of rude. Then yesterday's people's called needing more paperwork and told us to call them later and well no answer. I'm not impressed with the people here. Only 3 strangers have smiled at me. I'm still in the south right? Raleigh isn't what I thought it would be.

05-21-2014, 06:45 PM	#49
poohbear_nc Bah! Humbug! Posts: 62,698 Karma: 135239851 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Durham, NC Device: Every Kindle Ever Made & To Be Made!	Raleigh is a quite "northernized" southern city - lots of transplants b/c of the universities in the area - which also drives up apt. rents anywhere close to NCSU. What part of Raleigh are you scouting in? North Raleigh is fairly pricey - lots of folk there either work at RTP or at a university. South Raleigh has lower rents - but you run into unsafe areas. Do you need to live within Raleigh city limits? If commuting to work is not bothersome, you might want to look at Knightdale (east of Raleigh), Apex and Fuquay-Varina (south of Raleigh) for lower housing costs. There's a major road repair process (Project Fortify) that is affecting southern Raleigh - that will probably last for the next 2 years or so.

05-22-2014, 08:18 PM	#52
Blossom Treasure Seeker Posts: 18,708 Karma: 26026435 Join Date: Mar 2010 Device: Kobo HD Glo, Kindles, Kindle Fires, Andriod Devices	Thank you! We found a place, filled out a application and got approved. We either move in tomorrow or Tuesday. It's tiny but it's two bedroom but it does not have central air it uses a wall unit like a hotel in the living/kitchen and ceiling fans in the bedroom. I have no idea yet where the litter box is going to go. It's right in between Cary and Raleigh.

05-22-2014, 08:51 PM	#53
poohbear_nc Bah! Humbug! Posts: 62,698 Karma: 135239851 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Durham, NC Device: Every Kindle Ever Made & To Be Made!	I'm glad you found a place! That's a nice area -- between the two cities -- are you near the fairgrounds or closer to Cary?

05-22-2014, 10:30 PM	#54
Blossom Treasure Seeker Posts: 18,708 Karma: 26026435 Join Date: Mar 2010 Device: Kobo HD Glo, Kindles, Kindle Fires, Andriod Devices	Cary town Centre is about 2 miles from the apartment but it's a Raleigh address. I can't say I'm excited just relieved and worried about keeping the apartment cool. Raleigh is too hot and I like my A/C. I keep my home 68F year round. The unit in this hotel room is on 65F just to keep the room 70F. The humidity is 75% though. Ugh! The kitty litter won't clump or towels won't dry. I'm changing the litter every morning which is expensive. I can't wait till we move in and say goodbye to this place.

05-23-2014, 06:46 AM	#55
booklover6 Grand Sorcerer Posts: 6,545 Karma: 14008730 Join Date: May 2008 Location: PA (USA) Device: Kobo Clara, 2E, Libre 1, PW4, PW5, 2022 Kindle, Kobo Libre Colour	Congrats on finding a place!

05-23-2014, 08:21 AM	#56
poohbear_nc Bah! Humbug! Posts: 62,698 Karma: 135239851 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Durham, NC Device: Every Kindle Ever Made & To Be Made!	Humidity is a real issue in NC - esp. if you're not used to it. If all your new apt. has is one window unit, you will probably be quite uncomfortable if we have a 'typical' summer - long term temps in the high 90's F with +90% humidity levels. To avoid astronomical power bills, you might want to investigate: adding a small second window A/C unit for the bedroom, placing fans in all rooms to keep air circulating so that the cool air doesn't pool in the kitchen, cooking as many meals as possible in a microwave to avoid heating the kitchen, insulated drapes/curtains on all windows receiving direct sunlight. Then there is the 'hillbilly' A/C unit - positioning a fan to blow over a bucket of ice - actually quite effective.

05-23-2014, 12:53 PM	#57
gabby98 Wizard Posts: 1,751 Karma: 2667650 Join Date: Jul 2012 Device: Android, Nook Simple Touch, Nook Color, ..., Glo	congrats Blossom!

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05-23-2014, 09:14 PM	#58
Blossom Treasure Seeker Posts: 18,708 Karma: 26026435 Join Date: Mar 2010 Device: Kobo HD Glo, Kindles, Kindle Fires, Andriod Devices	Got the keys today. We move in tomorrow. Tuesday TW come out to install Internet. So I'll only have my 3G on my phone after we check out tomorrow.

05-23-2014, 11:07 PM	#60
Jane A Addict Posts: 241 Karma: 129881 Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: SoCal Device: Kindle Paperwhite	At least you found a place, I'm sure that's a relief. You can always familiarize yourself with all the areas around you and eventually move into a place that you're more comfortable. I hope the A/C issue is not a problem! I would die in 90% humidity, I've lived in the west all my life where we'll have days as low as 8% to 10% humidity. High humidity like people see in the east must be almost unbearable.