Raleigh Relocation | Moving to Raleigh | Triangle NC Relocation Information: January 2008

Looking for a new job, along with a warm and inviting climate? 

 

If you're thinking of relocating to the Triangle, you'll find tremendous opportunities in many different fields. 

Forbes rated Raleigh as the #1 Place in the US for Businesses and Careers in 2007. 

And more recently, Fortune listed their top 100 companies to work for, with some outstanding winners in the Triangle area.

 

Where do I go to see available positions?

Here's some contact information for the best of the best of Raleigh and Cary area companies, including links to their sites AND directly to their employment opportunies.  Those giving career advice often suggest applying directly to the companies you'd like to work for, rather than just searching for positions posted on major search engines like Monster.com. 

Cisco Systems - Ranked #6 Best Place to Work by Fortune Magazine 

Systems engineers, business analysts, IT engineers, customer support specialists, education specialists, software engineers, and more.  Summer internship positions are already posted, so apply now if you want to spend your summer at the Research Triangle Park branch office of Cisco Systems.

Search Available Raleigh/Cary Cisco Systems Positions 

7025 Kit Creek Rd.
P.O. Box 14987
Research Triangle Park, NC 27709
Phone: (919) 392-2000
Toll Free: (800) 326-1941

Kimley-Horn & Associates - Ranked #38 Best Place to Work by Fortune Magazine 

Entry level analysts with bachelors or masters degrees urgently needed.  Kimley-Horn provides civil, transportation, and systems engineering, urban and land planning, enviromental specialist consulting, landscape architecture, and other services required by expansion and growth of metro areas. 

Search Available Raleigh/Cary Kimley Horn & Associates Job Openings 

3001 Weston Parkway
Cary, NC 27513
Phone: (919) 677-2000

SAS Institute - Ranked #29 Best Place to Work by Fortune Magazine 

SAS provides business intelligence and predictive analytics software.  They were one of the first companies to offer on site day care, and still do so - for only $350 per month.  204 positions available today, including everything from technical student to assistant day care teacher to senior director of global accounts

Search Available Raleigh/Cary SAS Institute Job Openings 

SAS Institute Inc.
100 SAS Campus Drive
Cary, NC 27513-2414
Phone: (919) 677-8000
Fax: (919) 677-4444

Progress Energy - Top Fortune 500 Company 2007 

Progress Energy is building a reputation for environmental and green power programs, and was ranked one of 50 best places to launch a career by Business Week.  Current positions posted in the Raleigh Triangle area include enviromental specialists, financial specialists, estimators, and business analysts.  Progress Energy is headquartered in Raleigh, but provides power to several states including the Carolinas and Florida.

Search Available Raleigh/Cary Progress Energy Job Openings 

Progress Energy
P.O. Box 2041
Raleigh, NC 27602-2041
Phone: (919) 508-5400 Raleigh
Phone: (800) 452-2777

There are so many terrific companies headquartered in or around Raleigh, NC that the Triangle is sometimes referred to as the "Silicon Valley of the East".   

 

You may also be interested in these Raleigh relocation resources:

Virtual Tours - See This Week's Most Exceptional Homes

Wake County Property Taxes 2011-2012

Government Jobs in Wake County NC

Raleigh, NC Government Jobs

New Home Builders in Raleigh, NC

 

Thinking of building a new home in the Raleigh area? There are many great places to live near Raleigh, including Angier, Apex, Bear Creek, Carrboro, Cary, Chapel Hill, Chatham County, Coats, Durham, Fuquay-Varina, Garner, Harnett County, Hillsborough, Holly Springs, Knightdale, Lillington, Morrisville, Orange County,  Pittsboro, Rolesville, Sanford, Siler City, Silk Hope, Wake County, Wake Forest, and Wendell.

 

Horse Communities - New Homes that Allow Horses

 

Honey, I would love to move, but what about the horses? Do you think they will feel comfortable in North Carolina?

While there are all kinds of horse boarding advertisements out on the wonderful worldwide web, none of it really gave me that personal, objective feeling that I want when considering long-term arrangements for my equestrian friends.  If you're considering relocation to the Raleigh area, or moving cross town, come along with me on my tour of some of the local facilities. 

Homes for Horses - Highlights of Horse Boarders in the Apex/Chatham County area of the Raleigh Triangle 

 

It was a beautiful day and I had a few hours so I called a friend and we drove out to see just what our Chatham County horse boarders had to offer first-hand.

What I saw raised my eyebrows, made me laugh, and gave me a good snapshot of what's really out there.

We took a drive in the outskirts of Apex, because we've heard Chatham County is popular with horse owners, many of whom are enjoying the country life near Pittsboro, NC. 

 

  

The first place was beautiful! Buckhorn Farms is sprawled out on what looks to be hundreds of acres, but is probably smaller than that. We pulled the car onto a gravel parking area off Richardson Road (not too far from the intersection of Hwys 64 and 751) and I hopped out to see if I could rustle up the owner of the ranch. Without knowing too much about horses myself, I was anxious to learn the business and ask a few questions about pricing and services.

After 5 minutes of poking around, a group of friendly ranch-hands trickled into the huge indoor stable. They had just come back from haying the guests and were obviously looking for the owner as well.

After rapping on the upper level of the in-stable office, the tallest ranch-hand gave us a twinkly smile and headed out to go clean his boots. the owner popped her head out on a 2nd floor catwalk and said "Who's that smoking?" If anyone's smoking a cigarette in the barn, I'm gonna shoot ‘em."  The ranch-hands smiled and the culprit outside the barn door put out his cigarette. They joked around for a second before she noticed us. It's good to know that no horses at Buckhorn Farms in Apex will be feeling the effects of second-hand carcinogens.

"I usually don't threaten to shoot people." She smiled. "How can I help you folks?" I asked a few questions and although she had to leave to deliver a couple of horses, she was very cordial and promised to answer all of them properly if I could return another time.

We showed ourselves around a bit more and snapped photos of some beautiful animals who looked quite pampered.  Everything was clean and neat, Feeding bins were full and the property was beautiful.

 

It is a pleasant start to our trip and a tough show to follow, especially for the next place.  We talked to someone over the phone at Farrington Woods Farm, but weren't able to find anyone to show us around once we got there. 

Rates are $500 per month, and the small glimpse we got didn't feel as polished.  I would probably only give it a second look if the other horse boarders were full.

 

 

 

 

 

Which ironically is what we ran into with the next boarder we visited.

Morgan Manor Farm is actually a charming farmhouse with fenced donkeys and horses, paved turnabout 1-lane driveways and a huge smoker out back adding a fantastic country scent to the fresh air.  

A knowledgeable young lady answered the door and we chatted for a moment about her boarding services. At $250 per horse/month and only 4 spots opened for boarders, it was no wonder she was full.

 

 

 

They keep 4 of their own horses alongside the guests and bring them in for the winter pack-snows. I learned that different kinds of snows impact the horses differently. The snow that packs, collects quickly in their hoofs making it hard for them to walk and the boarders bring them into the stables.

The $250 also pays for food, and for such a good deal, it's amazing people aren't trying to scare off their current boarders to open up a spot. But then I noticed the muscle car in the garage with county sheriff paint and cop-lights ready to go. Those are probably the 8 safest horses in the county.

I asked about more small-time boarders, but the manager didn't know of any offhand and recommended me to a large ranch off hwy 79.  Maybe I'll save that for another trip...when I actually have a horse to board.

Here is full contact information for a variety of horse boarders in the west Raleigh/Chatham County area, convenient for folks living near Jordan Lake, Pittsboro, Carrboro, Chapel Hill, Apex, and Raleigh.  With such beautiful country for horses (and their owners) to live, there are more options than I can list here!

Morgan Manor Farm 2092 Marthas Chapel Rd Apex, NC 919-362-6964 http://morganmanorfarm.com/ $250/month, feed only, snow packed hooves Full at this point, 8 horse limit

Farrington Woods Farm 3171 Farrington Rd Apex 919-362-9771 http://farringtonwoodsfarm.com/ $500/month, feed only

Buckhorn Farms 2301 Richardson Rd Apex 919-387-0097 Very pretty sight, many fenced areas, 30+ horses currently

Inverness Farms 1000 Hatley Rd Pittsboro, NC 919-929-9565 http://www.invernessfarms.com/

This map of the area pinpoints the horse boarding farms that we highlighted today. 

 
View Larger Map

 

Interested in new homes in with room for horses in the Raleigh area?

There are many different wonderful lots and new home neighborhoods available for your new Raleigh area custom home.

Just click here to ask for the most updated information - we'll send you some great options!

 

You may also be interested in:

New Home Lots for Sale in Chatham County, NC

Chatham County NC Property Tax Rates 2011-2012

Build On Your Lot in Chatham County, NC

How to Determine a Reasonable New Home Budget

Chatham County Accessible Home Builders

Mother in Law Suite Floor Plans Chatham County 

 

When shopping for a place to live, great schools are a bonus, running water and electricity is also important, but for some people few things are more important than the shopping in the neighborhood.

So being the ever-vigilant neighbor, with nothing but all of your welfare in mind of course, I went shopping. Not just shopping, thrift store shopping. We can all go online to see what the first-hand stores have, but second-hand stores each have a flavor of their own. And in Cary NC, it's a blast. Here's the skinny:

GCF Donation Center and Store

Our first stop was the Goodwill on Kilmayne Drive in Cary NC. We finally grabbed a spot in the tight parking lot (partly because of the donation center). Out front, my cousin and I bumped into a fellow treasure-hunter and asked her if this was going to be a good one. Both she and her teenage daughter seemed happy to help. "It's a pretty good store" she said. "The clothes are all organized by color and it's clean and well kept." In my thrifting experience, the cleaner stores are generally pricier. But when I went in, I was surprised.

Worth the Hunt

This particular location is predominantly a clothes shop.

Quite a few name-brand clothes in good shape, all priced the same. Men's shirts were all a certain price, women's pants, all the same, dresses all the same. Some were dated, but for $3-$5, it was worth the hunt.

The store manager reluctantly refused my request to post some internal pics but if you've ever been in any Goodwill, they all look about the same. Some furniture was displayed in the corner and there were some dubious loiterers milling about, but I was there for the clothes, and I found some great buys.

The cashier was very careful to give me a receipt, but when I asked if I could return them if they didn't fit, I was referred to the common thrift-law: no returns or exchanges.  Good thing dressing rooms were provided. Bottom Line: Great value, clean, organized clothes store with some real opportunity for great finds.

 

Next we went to Plato's Closet. I should mention here that this was not on our original list to review, but the teenager from the previous store actually stopped us as they were leaving to recommend this place.

I couldn't resist. It's nestled right next to Best Buy in the CrossRoads Plaza in Cary NC (one of my favorite shopping centers, Crossroads Plaza also includes Michael's, Old Navy, Toys R Us, Bed Bath & Beyond, and more - but that's another story!).

Once inside, I could see why she was so impressed. To begin with, this store buys chic clothes from consumers much like the game-swap shops. The store has a trendy, edgy flair with scores of really cute shoes, purses, and a staff that looks like they know clothes.

 

Name Brand Clothing 

This store is geared towards teenagers, mostly with girls clothes, but I did find a couple of racks for guys as well. I couldn't find anything that was off-brand. Hilfiger, AE, Express, Banana Republic, Hollister, you name it, its here.

Really great stuff and not from 5 years ago, either. This is a great store! Pants are $8 to $15 and shirts are half that, these clothes are ready to wear to school tomorrow. I could picture in my mind scores of teenage and college girls swapping wardrobes with each other on a budget by bringing them to this chic trading boutique. The selection wasn't as big as some of the other stores, but there was more quality and no junk.

 

Salvation Army in South Raleigh

The Salvation Army located on 205 Tryon Rd, just on the southern border of Raleigh, was our last stop for the day. It's a large store, but mostly furniture.

The selection wasn't that compelling, but there were some treasures to be found. Especially since each item is priced differently. If you don't get frustrated by looking through items that aren't sorted by size, this is worth a stop.

EBay Treasure Hunters

There were some great men's clothes here including some tux shirts and a pretty good suit selection. $12 for a 3-piece suit is hard to ignore.

 

 

 

There was also a good selection of dishes, collector knick knacks and household stuff. I imagine this sleeper has some pretty good stuff pass through it and there were at least 2 items I could have resold on E-bay for 100% profit.

Go Treasure Hunting

The stores we chose to visit are only the tip of the iceberg for thrift shops. There are many others located throughout the Triangle area, each with unique treasures to be found. So next time you are looking for something fun to do, Google "thrift stores Raleigh", print a treasure map, grab a friend and go hunting for some great bargains.

Here's a map of the treasure hunting expedition in case you'd like to do some browsing of your own.  .If you're moving to or within the Triangle area and have found a few items you'd like to donate to a local charity, click on the links above to find out specifics about what can or can't be donated.

 

View Larger Map 

 

Goodwill Industries

220 Kilmayne Dr
Cary, NC 27511-4467
919-319-5558

Store Hours: Mon-Fri 9 am - 8:30 pm, Sat 9 am - 6 pm, Sun Noon - 6 pm.

Platos Closet

241 Crossroads Blvd
Cary, NC 27511
919-851-9737

Store Hours: Mon-Fri 10 am - 9 pm, Sat 10 am - 8 pm, Sun 1 pm - 6 pm.

Salvation Army

205 Tryon Road
Raleigh, North Carolina 27603
919-779-8867

Store Hours: Mon-Fri 10 am - 6 pm, Sat 9 am - 6

New to the Raleigh area?  Considering relocation to the Triangle region?  Here are some other Raleigh relocation topics you may find interesting:

Cary, NC New Home Lots and Land

Cary, NC New Home Builders

Accessible Homes in Cary, NC

Shopping in the Raleigh Area - What Kind of Shopping Is There?

Raleigh Relocation Package - All About the Raleigh Area!

Wake County NC Property Tax Rates 2011

Virtual Tours - See This Week's Most Exceptional Homes

Beaver Creek Crossings - Apex, NC Shopping 

 

"Well, what kind of shopping is nearby?"

That's one of the most common questions I get from the great people I speak to that are looking to move to the area.

Here's an example of one terrific shopping area.

Beaver Creek Crossings is a new shopping center in Apex, NC that has a lot to offer.  It's been open for less than a year, and many of the small shops are still under construction.

But there are a lot of great anchor stores that have been open and have a lot to offer, and it's becoming a destination for Jordan Lake residents as well as Apex natives, because it's so easy to get to on Hwy 64.

 

 

Thinking about trying a new sport? 

Dick's Sporting Goods has just about everything you can think of, whether you want to support your favorite pro team, mountain bike, ice skate, golf, play tennis, go tubing on the lake, or set up a home gym. 

Ulta - Beauty Products and More

This is the 10th Ulta to be built in North Carolina, but the first one I've been in.  They have everything from drugstore Preference Hair Color to Redken and TIGI hair products.  If you're looking for a professional styling appliance like a Chi ceramic hair straightener, this is the place to go.  Check out the Sunday paper for their weekly ads - this week's special is $3.50 off any $10 purchase, along with a Best of Stile make up kit for $40, retail value $120.50. 

Need a new game? 

Circuit City has computer and video games, tv's, electronic equipment, digital cameras, GPS systems, car sound systems, and more.  Nice clean store with friendly associates. 

Gardening for Dummies - and a cup of latte

Border's Books is your typical large bookstore with a coffee shop inside.  You may want to sign up for the Borders Rewards programs.  It's free, and you'll get coupons for 15 or 20% (or even more) off featured books, movies, tv series on DVD, and more.  Also, you'll get $5 off everytime your accumulated purchases add to $150. 

How about a new rug for the new kitchen?

TJMaxx HomeGoods offers discounted home fashions like curtains, sheets, towels, and more.  There are large seasonal lines, dishes, children's furniture - lots to look at, and because this is a discount store, the merchandise mix is constantly changing.   You may have seen a TJ Maxx HomeGoods section inside of a Marshall's, but this is the first stand-alone store I've seen, and it's about as big as the neighboring Circuit City.

Want to see a Movie? 

The left end of the shopping center is anchored with Beaver Creek Cinemas, a Consolidated Theatre.   Check the link for movie times and ticket prices.  The theatre also offers children's movies from time to time with a special $1.00 ticket price. 

 

Jeans, Sweaters, Career Wear, and More

Kohl's is slightly separate, but visible from the main center, just to the west of the movie theatre.  Kohl's is one of my favorite places to shop.  They have a large selection of clothing and housewares for the whole family, and lots of sale events.  Sign up for a credit card, and you'll get lots of "15% off your entire purchase" coupons throughout the year. 

 

There's also a section of smaller shops with traditional "small town" parking.  Get your nails done, have your hair cut, grab lunch, or buy a new cell phone.  There's lot of choices, including a Red Robin and a Lonestar Steakhouse. 

The Beaver Creek Crossings shopping center is just a block from Beaver Creek Commons, which includes SuperTarget, Lowe's Hardware, Linen's N Things, Office Max, and more great places to eat like Qdoba's, Panera Bread, Chili's, and a new IHOP that has just opened. 

Whether you live near Jordan Lake, in Apex, or Holly Springs, it's easy to get all your shopping done in one place, at the Beaver Creek shopping centers at the corner of Hwy 64 and Hwy 55 in Apex, NC. 

 

Raleigh and the Triangle Area

Whether you're looking for someplace to start your career, relocation to a friendly place to raise a family, or a terrific climate for your retirement home, Raleigh and the Research Park Triangle has something to offer you. Great schools, Forbes rated #1 for Businesses and Careers, lots of lakes and golf courses, top-rated cultural centers, universities, and hospitals - and all only two hours to the ocean and three hours to the mountains - it's no wonder that Raleigh is a "Best Place to Live"!

 

The Raleigh area offers many great places to live, including Angier, Apex, Bear Creek, Cary, Chapel Hill, Coats, Fuquay-Varina, Garner, Harnett County, Hillsborough, Holly Springs, Knightdale, Morrisville, Pittsboro, Siler City, Silk Hope, Rolesville, Wake Forest, and Wendell.

 

You may also be interested in:

Apex NC New Home Lots and Land

Virtual Tours - See Some of Our Most Exceptional Homes

Wake County Property Taxes 2011-2012

Shopping in the Raleigh Area - What Kind of Shopping Is There?

Raleigh Relocation Package - All About the Raleigh Area!

 

Holly Springs Relocation

Holly Springs Library

Nothing to read in the house?  Need a book on CD for the commute home?  The Holly Springs Library has you covered!

Then head over to the new Holly Springs Library, just a few blocks from the intersection of Main Street and Holly Springs Road.  It's been open for just over a year, but this is the first time I've checked it out.  

It's very impressive.  The landscaping is pretty and tasteful.  A roundabout in front of the library ensures slow traffic, and is accented with brick pavers. 

The Holly Springs Branch Library opened in December 2006, and offers all kinds of community activities, both through the library itself and through the adjoining Holly Springs Cultural Center. 

The library itself is about 8,000 square feet, with lots of open space, good lighting, and high ceilings.   With over 45,000 books and audio books, as well as about 100 magazines and newspapers, there's plenty to keep even the most avid readers busy. 

If you have an internet research project and need a place to go, settle in a comfy chair in front of one of 20 internet and research computers with access to Microsoft Office 2003. 

The library has even followed the trend of many grocery and hardware stores - they offer a couple of self-service stations for checkouts and holds.

It's even very convenient to return books.  Simply drive by on the way to work or other errands and drop books into the drive-up drop boxes, just like at Blockbuster!  Or members can even drop off the books at any other Wake County library branch, all of which now have drop boxes.

Borrowers who have checked out a book and haven't had time to finish it can renew their loan by phone, as well as hear a list of titles currently on loan or on hold. 

 

 

There's a strong focus on programs for children.  The children's corner of the library is bright and open, with plenty of enticing books and cozy places to sit.  Story Time is offered five times a week for ages up to 5.  Click here for a current schedule of toddler readings. 

Stories are appropriate for different age groups - up to 18 months, 18 months to 3 years, and 3 to 5 years - with readings that appeal to preschool children.  

The scheduled reading events don't just apply to preschoolers though.  There's a folkstory night weekly, crafting events, a monthly "Pizza and a Paperback" bookclub for middle schoolers, and even Dungeons and Dragons events.

                                                                                                                                                                    

There are many other events scheduled in the connected Holly Springs cultural center, including comedy shows, brass quintet concerts, Teen Band Night, Shakespeare Theater, and children's theater events. 

It's easy to get a library card, and free for Wake County residents.  Just bring photo ID with your current address, or a combination of photo ID and a bill or checkbook that shows your current address.  The card is good for internet access or book and audio book loans at all 19 Wake County Libraries. 

If you're new to the area and wondering how to find the library, click here for a Mapquest map. 

It's easily accessible from Hwy 55 coming from Apex or Fuquay, as well as from the many neighboring subdivisions in Holly Springs. 

Hours:

Monday-Thursday:	9 a.m.-9 p.m.
Friday:	9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Saturday:	10 a.m.-5 p.m.

Holly Springs Library

300 W. Ballentine St.

Holly Springs, NC 27540

Phone: 919-577-1660

 

 

Holly Springs NC New Home Resources - Building a Home in Holly Springs

Holly Springs Lots for Sale

Build On Your Lot in Holly Springs

Holly Springs, NC Accessible Home Options

New Homes on Acreage in Holly Springs, NC

Holly Springs New Home Builders

 

Triangle Custom Home Builder Stanton Homes now offers

Single Story Homes

on Acreage at Cattail Creek

 Raleigh Custom Home Builder Stanton Homes is excited to announce our collection of over one dozen exciting new one story floor plans, designed by Frank Betz & Associates, available in gorgeous Chatham County at Cattail Creek. 

 

These home plans offer sweeping, contemporary roof lines and classic exteriors, as well as all the wonderful amenities that Stanton Homes is known for, in single story modern bungalow style plans. 

From our signature elliptical and radius archways to our exquisite master suites, these new single story homes will delight you with so many exceptional details - all included in the price. 

With solid hardwood floors, custom tile floors, extensive tile bathrooms, and 9 foot ceilings - plus soaring, vaulted ceilings in the family, great, or living rooms - Stanton Homes always feel spacious and welcoming. 

 

As always, the master suites are especially pleasing.  All have vaulted master bathrooms, with custom tile floor, soaking tub with custom tile surround, separate custom tile shower with glass enclosure, and dual vanities.   All master bedrooms include a detailed trey ceiling and extensive, two-piece crown moulding.  Some even have private sitting rooms! 

 

 

One Story Custom Home - Raleigh Custom Home Builder Designs
 

 

 

Here's just one example of the type of one story home available in Cattail Creek (or ask about building this home elsewhere in the Triangle!) 

The Devonshire - Contemporary 2350 sq ft One Story Home

2nd Floor with Finished Bonus Room plus unfinished space (includes plumbing and electrical rough-ins)

Hardwood and Tile Floors, 10 Foot Ceilings, Barrel Vault Foyer, Arched Entrance to Master Suite

Full Tile Master Bath with Extra Cabinetry, Wrap Around Master Closet with Built in Storage System

Built By Stanton Homes - set on 1.5 Wooded Acres in Cattail Creek

 

Other Available Floor Plans - One Story Homes in the Raleigh NC Area

If you're looking for a ranch or bungalow style home, with custom amenities and incredible details, look no further. 

Single story "rancher" homes can start in the $250s. 

As a custom home builder, Stanton Homes can make any of these one story homes even more perfect for you. 

We can extend rooms, add bay windows, change closet configurations, make laundry rooms larger, add built-in bookcases, and much more, depending on the home plan. 

Oxnard Elevation - Copyright Frank Betz & Associates - Subject to Change at Builder Discretion 

Some homes also offer optional second floor bonus rooms, which can be finished or unfinished.  

 

Offered on acreage in Cattail Creek, these bungalow and ranch style homes can be built on any of your choice of a dozen heavily wooded homesites, all at least 1.4 acres.   

Choose a home plan and style today.  Want plenty of trees screening the front of your home?  Or a huge front lawn?  We can place your new home exactly where you want it on your wooded homesite - ask for more information. 

Cattail Creek is in the heart of Chatham County, just northwest of Pittsboro.  Close to the Haw River, Jordan Lake, five golf courses, and more,   Cattail Creek is also within easy driving distance of Raleigh, Chapel Hill, Apex, and all the Triangle has to offer. 

To find out more about countryside living on your own land in a gorgeous custom Stanton Home, request more information. 

 

 

Interested in new homes in Chatham County on acreage? There are many different great locations available for your new Chatham County home - we'll send you some great options! 

Golf Course Community Homes in Chatham County

Accessible Homes in Chatham County

Build On Your Lot in Chatham County

Additional Chatham County New Homes, Lots, and Land

Horizon - New Custom Homes in the $330s and Up

 

 

Raleigh Custom Home Builder Stanton Homes Now Offers

Exceptional Contemporary One Story Homes

  

Raleigh Custom Home Builder Stanton Homes is pleased to announce our collection of 10 exciting new one story floor plans, designed by Frank Betz & Associates.  

 

 

From contemporary rancher homes to gorgeous one story bungalows, these homes will delight you. 

 

 

Artist Rendition - Copyright Frank Betz & Associates - Subject to Change at Builder Discretion 

Some even have optional second floors or second floor bonus rooms.  

These plans offer sweeping, contemporary roof lines and classic exteriors, as well as all the wonderful amenities that Stanton Homes is known for, in single story modern bungalow style plans. 

From our signature elliptical and radius archways to our exquisite master suites, these single story homes will delight you with so many exceptional details - all included in the price.  Homes in Chatham County generally start in the $250s. 

 

Interested in building a new custom home in Raleigh?

There are many different wonderful lots and new home neighborhoods available for your new Raleigh custom home.

Just click here to ask for the most updated information - we'll send you some great options!

 

 

You may also be interested in these other Raleigh new home articles - top tips straight from Raleigh's most exceptional new home builder, Stanton Homes.

One story floor plan options

Main floor master floor plan options

Value floor plan options

What is a Craftsman Style Home?

Formal Dining Rooms - Disappearing, or Here to Stay?

Today's Ceilings Make Statements - Information Every Buyer Should Know

Virtual Tours - See This Week's Most Exceptional Homes

Or ask us about design/build options.

 

North Carolina Museum of Natural Science

Free Activities for Kids in Raleigh

 

If you want somewhere free to take your family for an afternoon of educational fun, I highly recommend the North Carolina Museum of Natural Science in Raleigh. 

Whether you're considering a move to the Triangle area, or you're a life-long resident, this museum has a lot to offer, with its  captivating approach to understanding the mysteries of geography, geology, plants and animals as a "window on the world."

 

 

 

You can't miss the museum - its green glass rounded roof and sprawling building are easy to spot on Bicentennial Plaza in downtown Raleigh, between the Capitol and Legislature building, at the corner of Jones and Salisbury streets at 11 West Jones Street.

 

 

Every time we mention going to the Museum of Natural Science, the kids get excited. They absolutely love the displays, including both living and real-life-looking wildlife, grasses, rocks, pictures - even a 20-foot high indoor waterfall - and plenty of hands-on interaction available on four floors of a perfect architectural layout of free-flowing hallways, open space and exhibits.

 

The main entrance leads to a soaring hallway of exhibits, with a theater off to the left showing featured films. 

 

 

 

In addition to the core exhibits - including giant dinosaur relics, one of the world's most outstanding displays of great whale skeletons and, yes, even bugs and snakes (that the kids appreciate a lot more than I do)  the Raleigh Museum of Natural Science has special exhibits every few months (though the museum is free, some of the special exhibits have a fee).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

When we visited a couple of days ago, we saw Willo, the world's only dinosaur with a fossilized heart,along with a real Acrocanthosaurus skeleton. A while back there was a special CSI (how bugs can reveal criminals) exhibit. And we've heard that the Dead Sea Scrolls will be coming sometime later this year.

 

 

 

 

 

 

But that's not all. The North Carolina Museum of Natural Science also offers special presentations and movies about Wilderness North Carolina (currently featuring Planet Earth: From Pole to Pole and Weird Nature: Fantastic Feeding.) 

 

There are lots of opportunities for Raleigh kids to sit and learn at Storytime (for little children) or Meet the Animals, complete with live animals (everything from alligators to opossums.)

 

 

 

Recent science discoveries are probed in yet more classroom-type discussions, where museum educators present topics fresh from today's news, like global warming.

 

 

Even outside its walls, the Raleigh Museum of Natural Science is having a huge impact on North Carolina.

It sponsors"Exploring North Carolina," a localized, science-based program about ecosystems, geology, rivers, weather patterns, fauna and flora, as well as early explorers and natives from the Age of Discovery - nominated for an Emmy, which airs on UNC television.

You can find the current season's schedule at Exploring North Carolina.  

A new grant is making it possible for specific episodes of the program to be available for students to view at North Carolina middle and secondary public schools at no cost.

 

The museum is also heavily involved in scientific research that goes far beyond the fascinating displays we enjoy so much. They work hand-in-hand with state and federal agencies, international organizations and local universities including Duke University, North Carolina at Chapel Hill, North Carolina State University and North Carolina Central University.

If you're coming to visit, don't miss the gems on the first flooror the dinosaurs on the fourth floor! And if you're hungry, there's even a café just down the hallway, offering lots of nutritious and inexpensive choices.

Best of all, not only is the museum free, it's also open all week long, from 9 am to 5 pm Monday through Saturday, and noon to 5 pm on Sunday. And on the first Friday of every month, the museum is open until 9!

 

You may also be interested in these Raleigh, NC relocation resources:

Virtual Tours - See This Week's Most Exceptional Homes

Wake County Property Taxes 2011-2012

Government Jobs in Wake County NC

Raleigh, NC Government Jobs

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Shopping in the Raleigh Area - What Kind of Shopping Is There?

Raleigh Relocation Package - All About the Raleigh Area!

 

On New Year's Day, I decided to check out the Concord Mills Outlet Mall.  I've been to a few outlet malls within driving distance of Raleigh - Tanger at Blowing Rock, Burlington Manufacturer's Outlet Center, Prime Outlets at Morrisville, and Carolina Premium Outlets in Smithfield, over the past few years. 

I was impressed.  First, this is the only fully indoor outlet mall I've been to in North Carolina.  It's a huge complex, in a "race track" oval.  There are over 200 shops, including a lot of big guys like Burlington Coat Factory, Circuit City, Bed Bath & Beyond, AC Moore, and even the huge Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World (touted as the only one in North Carolina). 

We started in the center of the mall.  The food court is huge and open, and has access to the other half of the long oval path around the mall, in case you've only got time to make half the loop.  There's even a Chili's restaraunt right in the food court.   The merry go round is festive but not obnoxious. 

There was only one "vacant" shop in the entire mall.  Sometimes the outlet malls have a high level of vacancy - it's easy to see this mall is healthy and active.  The one shop that wasn't open was a new Disney Outlet Store, opening soon.  I can't wait to go back for that one! 

Another unique attraction at Concord Mills is Dave & Busters.  This is the first one I've seen in NC.  Basically, Dave & Busters is a Chuck E Cheese for adults.  There's a high quality gaming area with new, well-maintained skill and arcade games.  Deeper inside is a full, sit-down restaraunt with a pretty good menu, and a full bar for more adult beverages.   You can buy "food and play" packages for more tokens, and trade in tickets for prizes that are a lot better than average. 

 

The mall looks quiet in these pictures, but we arrived just as it opened.  We had planned to spend two or three hours shopping, but soon realized that Concord Mills is an all-day experience. 

No matter what you're looking for, there's plenty of shops to browse through.  Children's clothing?  How about Carter's, Gymboree Outlet, Limited Too, OshKosh B'Gosh, Strasburg, and even a Children's Place outlet! 

Looking for shoes?  There are thirteen different shops to choose from, including Timberland for my hard to shop for husband.   There are two nail salons, and specialty shops include the Black & Decker Factory Store, Education Express, the Hat Shack, and Scrubs & Beyond.  If anyone in your group is looking for a prom or special event dress, check out Group USA.  Lots and lots of cool gowns, with fairly reasonable prices - especially on the clearance racks. 

 

There are supposed to be 101 "true outlet" shops in Concord Mills.  Compare that to 90 outlet shops at Smithfield, 42 shops at the Burlington Outlet Center, 27 at the Blowing Rock outlets, and only 23 at the Prime Outlets in Morrisville near the airport.   But Concord Mills has a lot more that none of these other centers has.  Besides Dave & Busters, there's also a full AMC 24 Theatres and an indoor Nascar Speed Park for entertainment. 

 

This outlet mall is a bit more of a drive from Raleigh than the Smithfield outlets, but I think it's worth a cool day trip.  It's a terrific rainy day activity because there's so much to see and do inside.  We took 40 from Cary/Raleigh through Durham and across to Greensboro, then south down 85.  The outlet mall is at exit 49, about 10 miles north of Charlotte.  It took a little over two hours to get there. 

You can check out their website at Concord Mills Outlet Mall for coupons and specials, but you can't get a good feel for the experience there.  If you're looking for what to do with the family or a group of friends this weekend, the Concord Mall is worth visiting.  Between the discounts and the activities, everyone will have a great time. 

 

 

Thinking about moving to the Raleigh area? Stanton Homes builds throughout the Triangle, in cities and counties such as Angier, Apex, Bear Creek, Cary, Chapel Hill, Coats, Fuquay-Varina, Garner, Harnett County, Hillsborough, Holly Springs, Knightdale, Morrisville, Pittsboro, Raleigh, Rolesville, Silk Hope, Siler City, Wake Forest, and Wendell.

 

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