Poll - Pros/Cons of living in Clayton

Hi all,
I am considering moving to Clayton (from Fuquay) and would like to get an idea of what you all like and/or dislike about living in Clayton. Also, does anyone know anything specifically about the Lionsgate community? Thanks a bunch!!!

 

I just moved to Clayton, from Garner, and I really like it there. I live in a subdivision next to Lionsgate. I know they have a great community center there and they maintain everyone's yard, which is a nice feature. I also feel safe in the area that you are talking about. They currently have homes right off Amelia Church Rd, but are expanding on Shotwell too.

Clayton offered me the small town feel and good bang for the buck as far as buying a home. I'm happy I moved there!

 

well the taxes are higher (at least last year) in clayton and Johnston County vs Wake County.... Also in Clayton the Power/water/and trash is sub out thru the town and the cost is high. When I lived in Clayton my light/water and trash bills was bout $40 a month or more higher. Clayton is not a bad place at all... but cost wise it seems to be more. Also the traffic will be annoying! LOL I had to move towards Garner/South Raleigh/ North Fuquay area but still close to the 40/42 area.. just my opinion and thoughts though!

 

We're all full up. Sorry.

 

Yes, the prices are exactly why I am considering it. That and I really hate Fuquay, lol. My water bills are ridiculous now so I'm not too worried about that. The traffic is getting awful everywhere around here (and yes, people like me who move here from NY are the main reason, lol). Even Fuquay of all places is getting really congested.

Clif... lol I'll take that as a sign that you like it there just the way it is and count that as another positive point for Clayton.

 

You didn't mention whether or not you had kids...that's a factor, I believe...I grew up in Wake County. I went to eight schools in 12 years....eight! We live in Jo. Co. because you can get more house for the money and generally your kids won't be flipped from school to school (the only exception being when a new school is built because there's no restraint on development in your district). My kids are in 6th, 7th & 9th grades and they are with kids that they went to kindergarten with...I can't comprehend what that's like...the longest I ever went to school with anyone was the 2 1/2 years I was at Athens.

 

We do not have kids although that is something I do take into consideration since that is an important factor for resale value. Good point! Thanks!

 

I love Clayton now, transplanted here from Va/Tn in 2001. As other's have stated, more house for your $$$ than Wake county, at least there was 5 years ago, property is getting higher all the time............great schools, friendly people for the most part.

Did anyone else see the article in the N & O over the weekend about where all the transplants are coming from and why? (NY, CA) Apparently the secret is out! It's only going to get more populated here for sure!

 

I've noticed the traffic congestion too. Fuquay is becoming Little Cary (or Cary Minor).

 

[Apparently the secret is out! It's only going to get more populated here for sure![/QUOTE]

Yes, people are coming here in droves from all those unaffordable markets (NY, CA, NJ, FL). I predict that if you own a home anywhere within 30 miles of Raleigh, you are pretty much sitting on a goldmine if you wait long enough. Clayton is only 16 miles from Raleigh which is poised to be a MAJOR city in 5-10 years. I've seen this happen first hand. The city I grew up in is only 16 miles from Manhattan and most people I know who bought houses 5-10 years ago for 300K and under are now sitting on almost a 600K-900K. It's just a matter of time before that happens here with the growth the way it is. I don't think that's really such a good thing though.

 

:cry:









Just kidding. Kinda. :neutral:

 

I totally agree! I'm guilty of moving here myself but now I wish people would stop coming! lol I can barely afford a house here now except in Fuquay, Southeast Raleigh, Garner, Clayton, or Durham. Not that those are bad or anything but 5 years ago I could have lived anywhere I wanted to in the triangle.

 

There is no way on God's green Earth that I would move back to Wake Co. again. This area suits me just fine. Reminds me alot of back home, especially downtown Clayton.

 

... Now where is that NEON "NO VACANCY" sign that DH bought at an auction last month?








:lol:

<Joke People, only a JOKE!>

 

Pros: Clayton has a good variety of grocery stores, restaurants and banks on every dern corner. Most of the people are reasonably friendly and there is a downhome atmosphere to the town. The schools are good as are the police department, fire and rescue. Nice park or two. Plus, despite recent bad publicity, its still probably one of the safety towns in the area.

Cons: Bring patience when going to the post office at almost any time of the day. The "new" post office can barely handle the traffic now and really needs a new smaller satellite maybe over on 70 around the CVS or somewhere. Be prepared for varying utility bills...especially if you live in town. They can be much higher than other towns from what I've seen. Traffic is a PITA compared to what it was 5 years ago. Highway 70 and Lombard from Hambee out toward Barber Mill Road is crazy at times. The State DOT tried to improve the intersections and IMHO, made them worse at the major crossings. They're closing off crossovers between Main Street and Lombard Street underpass and putting a stoplight in the seemingly most stupid place they could on 70. Instead of putting it at the First Citizens where traffic could flow straight to Main and round through the cemetary to 42, they put it at a intersection with a residental, light-traffic street. When are they going to put a stoplight at the ramp of Hwy. 70 and Lombard? That's a horrific place to be at 3:00 (when school gets out) and 5-6 when people are returning from work!! Plus the intersection crossover there at the High School is terrible. It is only a matter of time before several Clayton HS students will be busted wide open at that intersection and only then...will they put up a stoplight.

 

If you let traffic flow across 70 at First Citizen's over to the cemetery then you would have to put a stoplight there at 42 in front of the storage place. It a booger to turn left there in the afternoon.

 

what yard???

:mrgreen:

 

lmao...you know, the postage stamp out front w/ green fur.. lol.. point taken; Okay,the yards are small! lol But, they bring their scissors by every week!

 

You may be right and the nature of the winding road is probably a factor in discouraging it as a cut-through. However, if they were to redesign the ramp there at 70/42, I think it could be made to work. Also, the traffic there at Lombard and 42/Hambee St. (?) also compounds the problem. Its a design that obviously existed long before notions of high-volume traffic. There is where the problem lies...people would not have wanted to use the cut-through if the ramp was better designed. Its just a difficult area to work with as it passes so close into residental Clayton. The bypass will alleviate much of this problem, but until then that stoplight there at John St will probably do nothing for congestion.

 

The water and trash are grouped together in Clayton, but compared to Garner, where all that is separate (and water is HIGH), or in the case of having well water (undependable in cases where if the power is out, the pump only works for several flushes). I feel Clayton is reasonable and reliable in those utilities. And, I just like getting my Clayton Newsletter in that bill every month. LOL

If you live downtown, the electric will be with Clayton Electric and if you live outside the downtown area, you have Progress Energy. I moved here last April and the phones are with Time Warner and Embarq/Sprint. (Could have more options now though!) I have lived in several locations in this area, and Clayton is just so much nicer.