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| A Monthly Publication of the Raleigh Regional Association of REALTORS® |
May 2008 Issue
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| About
Us May Dates to Remember
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Urban living
offers
‘vibrancy’ not found in suburbia
A trend toward a more urban lifestyle is taking place in Raleigh, just as it is in other metropolitan areas throughout the country. Several years ago, the American Dream usually included a spacious home on a large lot in the suburbs, and for many, that’s still the case. But for an ever-growing number, factors like increasing fuel costs, the desire for a more “green” and healthy lifestyle, and easy access to jobs, entertainment, open space and shopping are attracting many home buyers to more urban areas. What is urban living? Critical to the success of such a neighborhood is the ability to move freely between all of these destinations, so public transportation and walkability are very important. The urbanist concept also supports planning for open space, appropriate use of architecture, and the balanced development of jobs and housing. The belief is that these strategies are the best way to reduce traffic congestion, increase the supply of affordable housing and rein in urban sprawl. At the core of urbanism is historic preservation, safe streets, green building and the renovation of brownfield land – land previously used for industrial purposes. What’s happening in
Raleigh? “My web traffic in the urban areas is exploding,” says David Chance of Coldwell Banker Advantage. “Many people were looking to move further out seven or eight years ago, but now people are fascinated with the idea of urban living. Rising fuel costs, increased commercial growth, great restaurants and entertainment options are now bringing them back to town.” Still, Chance believes the trend toward a more urban lifestyle is in its infancy in Raleigh. He sees lots of interest from young professionals relocating to Raleigh from bigger cities like Chicago, Boston and Washington, DC, where living an urban lifestyle is more common. “The younger generation seems to really embrace the idea,” he says. “The trend toward making downtown Raleigh a bustling 16-18 hour city is happening quickly. The lifestyle truly streamlines your life – you can drop off clothes at the dry cleaner, get a great cup of coffee, take the kids to school and pick up that perfect gift all without having to leave the neighborhood.” Peggy Harrington, a soon-to-be empty nester, is a current resident of a North Raleigh neighborhood with a large home on an acre plus lot. “It was a great place to live while my children were young, but it no longer suits my lifestyle since my youngest child is heading off to college in the fall.” Harrington had lived in Manhattan for more than 15 years before having children and loved city living, so when it came time to search for a new home, she looked for a neighborhood with a more city-like feel. “I found it in North Hills’ Ramblewood,” she says. “My new townhome will be finished in mid-September and I look forward to embracing a new lifestyle which will give me the ability to walk to stores, restaurants, shops and movies. I will have significantly more time for activities that I enjoy, and will be closer to downtown Raleigh and its cultural attractions.” In addition, Harrington is thrilled she will “never have to pull a weed or mow a lawn again!”
“Another plus is that my new townhome, while considerably smaller than my current home, makes extraordinarily good use of square footage,” she says. “My new space will be exactly what I need. I’ll no longer have rooms that I don’t use.” But according to Brooke Fortson, marketing director at The Glenwood Agency, it’s not just empty nesters and young professionals who are drawn to downtown developments. “We have seen all demographics interested in our downtown developments. They are appealing to so many people. “ What’s driving the
trend? Recent accolades such as these may help explain the continued growth in
“Downtown Raleigh hosts urban living at its best,” Fortson says. “It’s large enough to be a really cool city, but small enough to capture the heart of the dweller. We are urban living with southern hospitality!”
Benefits of urban living Getting around – A major difference between an urban lifestyle and one based in the suburbs is the availability of transportation options. Instead of a lengthy commute in rush hour traffic, residents are able to make different transportation choices, depending on their individual needs. “When living and working downtown, people are able to walk, ride the bus or ride their bike to and from work,” says Fortson. “With gasoline prices increasing, short commutes are important. Walking is even better: it’s a money-saver and great for the environment.” Sense of community – Many downtown developments are structured to be a “city within a city,” which is vastly different from the anonymous aisles of suburban sprawl. “I can speak for myself when I say that I can stop by Helio’s in the morning and they know my name and exactly what I want to drink. I can go to The George after work and have a personal greeting from the owner,” Fortson says. “It is amazing the sense of ‘home’ you can feel when you live, work and play downtown. I absolutely love it and would recommend it to everyone.” “There is a vibrancy about a high-density
development that has been done well,” adds Harrington. “That’s what makes my new home
so appealing.”
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