. . . . . . . but we are not complaining at all!
This Summer's clouds have been especially beautiful, often
piled up like whipped cream in the Carolina blue sky.
I whipped my iPhone out to get these photos as we drove past this building just
minutes from our home. Yes, the latest hi-rise to be completed - there are several others
plus more under construction - on land which at one time was most likely part
of the farmland (we dug up a vintage tractor seat in our back garden) where
our older neighborhood stands tucked in between massive oak, hickory and pine trees.
We have lived in this area of Raleigh, north of downtown, for almost 40 years.
The changes to the landscape were slow at first, then with more roads, high-priced
suburban neighborhoods, and strip shopping areas gradually stretching even further
north, the countryside has been eaten up, bite by bite, year by year.
It's called progress!
Across the main road from our neighborhood, built just prior to our move here in 1977,
was the only enclosed 2-story air-conditioned mall between Washington D.C. and
Atlanta, Georgia.
It was also Raleigh's only mall with two levels of department stores, shops and
restaurants, a fun place to visit for many years. Later it was sold and gradually
went downhill when other more modern upscale malls started springing up around
the growing city.
In 2001 along came a man with great vision who bought the dreary mall,
a nearby shopping plaza, aging apartment complexes, and much of the
surrounding area, eventually building what has become known as Midtown.
This North Hills area is an ongoing expansion of quality hotels, hi-rise office
buildings, posh apartment complexes, great shops, a multi-screen cinema,
hi-tech bowling alley, brewery, outdoor park and performance/concert areas,
and many excellent restaurants of every type.
Now under construction, along with three more office buildings and a boutique hotel,
is also a wonderful retirement/assistive living complex.
The design and quality construction of this entire new area couldn't have been
better. We do have more traffic, and lots more people, but with something
for all age groups we enjoy how lively this destination close to home has become.
The fact that our property values are increasing as we now sit on a prime location
is good. There are a lot of people moving to Raleigh/Wake County - they
estimate 63 per day - who work for these national companies, many of them
want to buy homes!
Older homes are selling quickly, some becoming tear downs, and larger,
elegant houses are being built in their place, this helps breathe life into a somewhat
tired neighborhood. We enjoy hearing the music wafting over from the Thursday
evening Summer concerts, and a Saturday morning Farmers' Market brings
plenty of fresh farm bounty almost to our door.
During the holiday season from November thru early January, there is plenty of
entertainment and we can walk from home - no searching for a parking spot.
The outdoor concert/performance park.
Construction continues with more office/hotel/apartment high rises underway.
Will we remain here in this now busy urban neighborhood?
Who knows what the future may bring!
Have you lived in your neighborhood many years?
If so, has it changed much?
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