During WWII, the city of Butner, North Carolina, was known as The Camp Butner Reservation. The mission of the camp was to train combat troops. At the time, the reservation contained barracks, support services, rifle ranges, artillery ranges and a prisoner of war compound.
Officially incorporated as a town in November of 2007, Butner was managed by the state starting in 1947 after the military ceased using it as a training camp
During WWII, the city of Butner, North Carolina, was known as The Camp Butner Reservation. The mission of the camp was to train combat troops. At the time, the reservation contained barracks, support services, rifle ranges, artillery ranges and a prisoner of war compound.
Officially incorporated as a town in November of 2007, Butner was managed by the state starting in 1947 after the military ceased using it as a training camp. Today, Butner is a rural suburban town located within commuting distance of Raleigh and Durham. An agricultural community turned military camp turned state hospital facility turned suburban hamlet, Butner offers a peaceful place to call home within easy access to all the benefits that a large urban center like Raleigh-Durham has to offer. Since the town is still new, it's in transition from its former self into a true suburban community. New amenities like restaurants, shops, playground equipment at local parks and a pedestrian plan for the town are still being implemented. If you don't mind getting in on a new town while it's still young and in development, Butner may be just the right place for you to find an apartment.
With a population of just over 7,500 residents spread across an area of nearly seven square miles, Butner is a rural community on the cusp of being a suburban hub for the outskirts of Raleigh-Durham. There is no public transit system so you will need to find another means to make it into the city centers. Here, renters will find a mix of mostly single-family homes and mobile homes for rent. The town also includes several hospital facilities that focus on mental health issues on an inpatient and outpatient basis.
Heading into the Urban Hubs
Considered a part of the Raleigh-Durham area, Butner is within easy access of these major cities. Getting into Durham will only take you about 20 minutes whereas heading into Raleigh is double that at about 40 minutes. Like any other major U.S. city, the two nearby locales offer everything from great dining to shopping to entertainment, along with hustling and bustling crowds and all that come with the life inside a metropolis. If you are really creative at entertaining yourself, you could just hang out in your apartment with a good book or maybe feed your video game addiction. Or, take up a new hobby like basket weaving. You never know when a good basket can come in handy!
Finding a Rental in Butner
When searching for a rental in Butner, you will want to give yourself some time to scope out the various offerings. Some neighborhoods have more rental opportunities than others, so plan on allowing a couple weeks to find just the right place. Speaking of finding just the right place, don't forget to make a list of your must-haves. Do you need a pet-friendly, two-bedroom apartment or will a studio apartment that allows fish do? Just don't forget to feed the fish.
Since Butner is still a developing town, finding an apartment in a high-rise or a luxury apartment can be a bit of a challenge. Most rental properties in Butner are single family and mobile homes. The immediate area is mostly rural and suburban with few local amenities like shops or restaurants. So, you will need to expect to head into nearby Raleigh or Durham for those big shopping trips to stock up on your favorite indulgences like chips and chocolate.
E. C. Street / Central Avenue: This area is west of I-85 and offers the majority of the amenities included in town. Here, you will find a handful of restaurants and the post office. This neighborhood includes studio apartments, two bedroom apartments and mobile homes for rent. This area provides great access to local amenities and other daily needs.
Town Center: The town center is considered a mostly suburban neighborhood. In this part of Butner, renters will find one or two bedroom apartments, mobile homes and a studio or two for rent.
Old 75 Highway / Dillon Drive: Finding a rental in this neighborhood is very difficult as the vacancy rate is near 0%. This suburban neighborhood contains mostly older homes and no apartment complexes.
In Butner, there are lots of lands designated for public use and public parks. It's a great chance to discover nature and be at one with the outdoors. Additionally, there are acres of untouched forestland owned by the town that is used seasonally for bow hunting. Perhaps you won't need to head out of town for grocery shopping when you can just hunt your own food right here.
Butner Parks
From gymnasiums to game hunting lands, parks in Butner offer a variety of recreational opportunities. The Soldiers Memorial Sports Arena is a refurbished gymnasium that includes basketball courts, a concessions stand, bathrooms and meeting rooms. For the outdoor sports enthusiast, head to Lake Holt to enjoy boating and fishing. Central Avenue Park offers a gazebo, park benches, a playground and an open grass area. The park is available for birthday parties, weddings, yard sales and non-profit fundraisers.
Prior to baking the perfect birthday cake and stringing up balloons, you will need to check with town hall for current availability and any fees. "D" Street Ball Field offers restrooms and a concessions stand in addition to the field. Thinking about starting a ball league? This might be your opportunity. Into hunting? Head to the Town of Butner Game Lands, a 750-acre tract of land offering an entirely wooded spot for bow hunting. This would be the perfect place to flex your archery skills and find yourself something fresh for dinner. Talk about farm to table. You won't have to question where your food came from if you do it yourself!
Last, but not least on the long list of Butner parks is an athletic park offering four regulation-sized ball fields, a concession and meeting facility, a playground, a football field and plenty of walking trails. So, don't forget to pack your sneakers when looking for a rent here.
