Cary

In the 1990s, Cary, North Carolina, was a leader in master-planned developments, and Amberly is a prime example. The goal of the community was to create a home where residents could work, study and shop all within the same neighborhood, and all within a decent driving distance from the state capital. “You get that quiet suburban life, but we’re still close to Raleigh,” said Christina Quinn, who has lived in Amberly for 8 years and runs a bakery out of her home. “It’s the kind of neighborhood where people feel comfortable letting their kids ride their bikes on the street.” The community features eight distinct subdivisions including Carolina Preserve, a 55+ active adult community. Amberly homes include a handful of curated floorplans to create a cohesive aesthetic. Newcomers can choose between a variety of brick-front single-family homes and Washington-Square-style town houses, with alleys in the back. It’s one of the larger neighborhoods in the area, covering over 1,100 acres, with small neighborhood parks nestled within the residential streets. Sidewalks stretch along grassy lawns, with streetlights and stop signs at each corner. Even the larger single-family homes are clustered close together, creating a dense neighborhood. Three-bedroom homes generally range from $450,000 to as high as $800,000. Recreation is carefully curated for Amberly families. The Amberly Residents Club includes two swimming pools, tennis courts, walking trails and a fitness center. For a more outdoorsy spot, Amberly Wellness Park is the community’s primary green space, providing access to the Morris Branch Greenway, which is about two miles in length and connects with other trails for a serene, quiet walk among the trees. For the younger neighborhood residents, Amberly Neighborhood Playground offers a place to run and play without straying too far from home. The members-only Old Chatham Golf Course offers golfers 400 acres of green grass and white sand traps. For socialization, Bradford Hall at Carolina Preserve is to the east on Allforth Place, where members enjoy clubs and community activities like sports, music, art and card games. The Wake County Public Schools district oversees most schools in Amberly. Children may attend Hortons Creek Elementary School just north of the neighborhood, where students enjoy clubs and activities from the Science Olympiad to the drawing club. The school has an A rating from Niche. Mills Park Middle School, named No. 30 of the best middle schools in North Carolina, also has an A rating and is located right next to Mills School Park for an after-school reprieve. Panther Creek High School, named number 11 of the best high schools in North Carolina, earns an A-plus from Niche. Quinn says that her kids graduated from Panther Creek Middle and went on to study at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, which is around 11 miles away. “it’s really a blessing to have them so close,” she said. “That’s one of the great parts of living here – your kids don’t run off to college hours away as soon as they turn 18.” UNC Chapel Hill is one of three prestigious universities within 20 minutes. North Carolina State University and Duke University are also nearby, which offers residents access to amenities like medical offices, museums and restaurants. Amberly maintains its self-contained atmosphere with Amberly Place Shopping Center adjacent to the neighborhood, to the south along Green Level Church Road. Well-known retailers like Publix Super Market and Aldi provide groceries, and a handful of chain restaurants like Tropical Smoothie appease residents’ appetites. Just a couple of miles down O’Kelly Church Road, Parkside Town Commons boasts a Target, Harris Teeter and several restaurants, and the Paragon Theaters Parkside serves up popcorn and the blockbusters of the day. Amberly has a prime location right between two major North Carolina cities: Durham to the north and Raleigh to the southeast, both of which are within a 30-minute drive. Residents only have to drive half an hour to reach the amenities of either city, like medical offices, parks, museums, and theaters. Raleigh’s signature destinations like Research Triangle Park, a major employer in the region, and the Raleigh-Durham International Airport, are both less than an hour away.

With “park” in its name, it’s unsurprising that the Cary Park neighborhood would be surrounded by green spaces and walking trails. “Residents like to ride their bikes on the tobacco trail and walk or ride horses on the greenways,” says Theresa Lunt, Broker and Realtor with Exp Realty who specializes in the West Cary area. This community was one of the first planned developments in Cary and features a wide range of homes, from townhouses to large custom builds. It also boasts amenities like pools and a clubhouse. “A lot of people choose that particular area because it’s beautiful, it’s walkable, and it has great schools,” says Carrie Guerreiro, a Broker with Heathstrings Realty. “It’s a very attractive area for families.” Many of the homes here are built in the New Traditional style, an architectural movement that mixes elements from classic residential styles with modern design like open floorplans. Streets are walkable, well-lit, and have limited traffic and homes are generally close together, often with leafy backyards. A one- to three-bedroom condo or townhouse will sell for around $250,000 to $600,000. Single-family homes with three to four bedrooms will range from $460,000 to $780,000. Larger homes with five to seven bedrooms will start at $800,000 and can go as high as $1.8 million, especially if it’s located near Cary Lake Park. Part of the Wake County School System, school zones here are dependent on location. Many schools have an enrollment cap, leading students to attend overflow schools. Possible elementary schools include Mills Park Elementary and Hortons Creek Elementary, both earning an A grade on Niche. Mills Park Middle and West Cary Middle also earn A scores. Green Level High and Panther Creek High are A-plus rated high schools that both offer Advanced Placement and dual-enrollment classes for students to earn college credit. “People will call me and say, ‘I want to live here so my son can go to Panther Creek,’” says Lunt. The neighborhood surrounds Cary Park Lake, a two-part lake that helps manage the community’s stormwater and provides a scenic fishing spot. It has 2 miles of paved greenway that can be used for more than walking, residents can bike, roller blade and skate on the wide trail. Mills School Park, located on the campus of Mills Park Elementary and Middle School, is open after 5pm on weekdays and all day on weekends. The park includes a running track, softball fields, walking trails and more. Residents of the Cary Park subdivision also have access to the Cary Park Clubhouse, which includes a soccer field, tennis courts, playgrounds and a community pool. “It’s optional to join the pool, but a lot of kids want to be on the neighborhood swim team,” Lunt says. Nearby green spaces include the Neighborhood Park on McCrimmon Parkway and the American Tobacco Trail, which stretches a total of 23 miles, 4.7 of those miles being in Cary. The Cary Park Town Center shopping complex provides quick access to both groceries and restaurants. The Harris Teeter grocery store here has a pharmacy within the location. Other business in the shopping center include banks and salons. Los Tres Magueyes offers authentic Mexican dishes, while Andia's Ice Cream has dessert covered with rotating flavors like Bacon Maple Praline and Cantaloupe Sorbet. Chains like McDonalds and Dunkin’ are in the shopping center as well. If residents crave Indian food or specialty cocktails, Mirchi's Indian Kitchen & Bar is located just north of the neighborhood. The Cary Park Clubhouse will sometime host activities for residents, such as bringing food trucks to the community. Downtown Cary, which is around 9 miles from the neighborhood has attractions like The Cary Arts Center, which hosts live performances and arts and crafts classes. In Downtown Raleigh, about 30 miles away, residents can visit the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, Marbles Kids Museum or the Martin Marietta Center for the Performing Arts. While the neighborhood’s sidewalks make it highly walkable, the lack of public transit means that most residents depend on their cars to get around. Cary Park is about 4 miles from NC 540, a major roadway that connects to Interstate 40. Durham is 17 miles away, while Raleigh is 30 miles away. Raleigh-Durham International Airport is about 12 miles away, a drive that will take residents around 15-20 minutes depending on traffic. WakeMed Cary Hospital is 16.5 miles from the heart of the neighborhood.

Designed for luxury, MacGregor Downs is distinguished by its Scottish-influenced country club and custom-built homes set against the backdrop of a private golf course. This master-planned neighborhood is in Cary, one of the Best Small Cities in America, according to Money Magazine. “Downtown Cary has really taken off as of late,” says Vicki DiProfio, Owner and Realtor of DiProfio Homes. “They’ve built this amazing park down there, and you are probably 10 minutes to downtown from MacGregor.” Membership of the club is completely optional for homeowners, and there are many other factors that draw residents to MacGregor Downs. These include A-rated schools, nearby shopping and local events for the whole family. MacGregor Downs has primarily single-family homes built in the 70s through 90s set on bigger wooded lots, some overlooking the golf course. Luxury townhouses can be found in subdivisions like Balmoral at MacGregor where townhouses will sell in the low to mid millions. According to DiProfio, “There are some lots being sold and some new construction in there right now, which is kind of unusual because this is a well-established area. It’s expensive, but it’s there.” New builds tend to be custom designed or full home renovations by local builders like Dogwood and Company and MJR Homes. These homes tend to be 4,000 to 7,000 sq ft and range from around $3 million to $5 million. Homes in MacGregor Downs have many different influences from Colonial and Traditional architecture to French Provincial Architecture. Students in MacGregor Downs attend school in the Wake County Public Schools district. Much of the neighborhood is zoned for Briarcliff Elementary, East Cary Middle and Cary High, all with an A-minus score on Niche. The high school was originally a private boarding school but became North Carolina’s first state-funded public high school in 1907. It is now well known for its band program and speech and debate team. Homes on the western end of the neighborhood tend to be zoned for Apex Elementary, receiving an A-minus and Apex Middle and High, both scoring an A. MacGregor Downs Country Club is the community's signature spot within walking distance of most homes in the neighborhood. Here members enjoy a private 18-hole championship golf course with a scenic view of McGregor Downs Lake, pools, tennis courts and a clubhouse for dining and socializing. The club also has many social events like pool parties, comedy nights and dinner banquets. For an outdoor space open to the public, Apex Community Park is right next door to the west. In addition to over 160 acres of trails, courts for basketball and pickleball and fishing dock, the park is currently converting a multi-use field into street hockey rinks. To the south, the Koka Booth Amphitheatre hosts live concerts, picnics and the annual Beer and Bourbon and Barbecue festival. “That’s where we go every year for the fireworks,” DiProfio says. “Koka Booth Amphitheatre is a big destination for the 4th of July.” MacGregor is also close to Cary's local events like annual holiday celebrations and creative festivals like the Lazy Daze Arts & Crafts Festival. Waverly Place Shopping Center is southeast of MacGregor, with major retailers like Whole Foods and a CMX CinéBistro. “That particular shopping center is my favorite because it’s an outdoor experience,” DiProfio says. “They have concerts in the summer and a splashpad for kids.” Across Kildaire Farm Road is Crescent Commons, which houses major big box stores like Walmart Supercenter and Harris Teeter. For dining out, local eatery Lucky 32 Southern Kitchen is known for its farm-to-table menu and Danny's Bar-B-Que for its Texas-toast sandwiches. MacGregor Commons across Highway 64 to the south also has a host of prominent local restaurants, such as Asali Desserts & Café with a sweet selection of coffee and treats. Those traveling far outside of the neighborhood can reach Raleigh-Durham Internation Airport in 16 miles. Residents working in Research Triangle Park can commute there in about 19 miles. “It’s very close to the intersection of Highway 64 and U.S. 1,” DiProfio says. “Highway 64 will take you into Cary in one direction. In the other direction, you can go down to Apex. U.S.1 will take you into Raleigh.”

About a mile north of Downtown Cary sits Northwoods, a quiet residential neighborhood where each home packs a lot of personality. A brick home with yellow trimmings will neighbor a snout house with a triangular teal garage. While they may be on smaller size at an average of 9,500 sq ft, residents take pride in their yards with well-maintained lawns and small trees blooming with pink flowers. Northwoods is also host to a few different townhome and apartment communities. Those residing in a townhouse at The Preserve or an apartment at The Gregory will benefit from amenities like a playground and pool. On gently curving streets, colonial and Cape Cod transitional single-family homes are fanned out on cul-de-sacs shaded by mature leafy trees. Homes here were built in the 1970s all the way up to the 2010s and vary in colors, designs and details like large garages and screened porches. Some streets like McIntire Lane back up to the woods, giving homeowners a secluded backyard. Other sections of the neighborhood, including The Ridges of Northwoods, feature sets of newly renovated townhouses. A single-family home will range from 430,000 to 585,000, while a townhouse will start around 500,000 and go as high as 627,000. In the year 2023, less than a dozen homes were sold in the neighborhood. Students are zoned for the Wake County Public School System and may attend Kingswood Magnet Elementary, which earns a B-plus overall grade on Niche. They can then graduate to Reedy Creek Magnet Middle and Cary High, both scoring an A-minus. In 2023, the high school’s mascot, known as the Cary Imp, won the best high school mascot in the country in a contest held by Sports Illustrated. They competed against 66 schools in a tournament-style bracket for the title. The school is also highly regarded for its marching band, which has performed across the country including the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in 2016. In Northwoods, residents don’t have to travel far to find green spaces and outdoor activities. “There are many nice parks in the area with unique features like a rock-climbing wall, dog walking, lakes with paddle boats and an amphitheater,” says Barbara Dzamba, a Realtor with Nest Realty who has been selling in the area since 2002. Robert V. Godbold Park, situated along Northwest Maynard Road, is home to a tennis park, dog park and state and bike park. It also serves as a trailhead for Black Creek Greenway, one of Cary’s longest greenways at just over 7 miles. Most shopping destinations in Northwoods are along Northwest Maynard Road including Walmart and Aldi. Or, on North Harrison Avenue, there are national retail stores and supermarkets like Harris Teeter and Lidl, as well as a handful of chain restaurants. Northwoods has a few independent restaurants like the Big Easy Oven and Tap with New Orleans-inspired Southern eats and nearby Woody's Sports Tavern & Grill. It's also only a mile from Downtown Cary where there are a variety of popular spots like La Farm Bakery and craft breweries, such as Bond Brothers Beer Company. Northwoods is less than 13 miles or 20 minutes away from Raleigh, where residents have their pick of theaters and museums. It’s also only 8 miles, or a 15-minute drive, to Raleigh-Durham International Airport. Those looking for a quick commute to Research Triangle Park can hop on I-40 and be there within 12 miles or 15 to 20 minutes depending on traffic. Northwoods is close to Cary’s local events like annual holiday celebrations and creative festivals such as the Lazy Daze Arts & Crafts Festival in downtown Cary. “Numerous festivals are normally held at the Koka Booth venue,” Dzamba says. “Including Chinese lantern festivals, the Diwali Festival of Lights and the Beer Bourbon and BBQ Festival.”

Offering residents a blend of urban excitement and suburban charm, North Cary is located just minutes away from the hustle and bustle of the Raleigh-Durham area. With Cary itself being one of the most popular suburbs—not just in Raleigh but in all of North Carolina—residents looking to claim a piece of this growing suburb can look forward to a sense of community and charm on top of the standard advantages living close to a metropolitan area offers. And though closer to the action than some of its surrounding neighborhoods, North Cary is still distanced enough to provide excellent outdoor opportunities. “It’s just a really appealing place to be,” says Scott Korbin, Broker with Compass Commercial and former resident of North Cary. “You have the option of venturing out or staying close to home, and you have all you need either way.” With its blend of charm, access, and space, North Cary makes sense for those who want to be a part of the fastest growing area in North Carolina. Homes in Cary can be tough to find, with the area’s population having grown considerably in recent years. “Inventory is low throughout Cary,” says Korbin. “And it probably won’t change for a while.” As such, prices are higher than other areas in the Raleigh-Durham area—though, crucially, still lower than the national average. Featuring several subdivisions and communities within the neighborhood, each has their own unique feel. “Overall, the style of the area is very much a mix of traditional and craftsman,” says Korbin. “But there are a lot of newer custom builds, too.” Areas like Silver Creek and Cary Pines feature tree-lined streets ending in cul-de-sacs and are comprised primarily of styles like modern contemporary, as well. Those looking for shopping and dining options will have plenty to choose from in neighboring Raleigh and Durham, but Cary itself has plenty to choose from. The Arboretum Retail and Restaurant Center has a variety of big box retail chains, boutiques, and restaurants to choose from—including a Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse. Downtown Cary is known for its personality and style, with local favorites like Bond Brothers Beer Company serving as a great place to get award-winning brews with friends. Grocery needs can be met at nearby Waverly Place’s Whole Foods Market. Weekly farmers markets also allow for fresh produce pickup and help lend to Cary’s charm. Further developments are coming, leading to a feeling of excitement in the town. “Downtown Cary Park is coming fast, and it’s going to bring a ton of commercial development with it,” says Korbin. “Development is here at levels Cary hasn’t seen in decades.” With over 200,000 guests annually paying visit, the Chinese Lantern Festival is one of the area’s biggest events and takes place every year at nearby Koka Booth Amphitheater. Allowing visitors to take in the stunning art pieces at their own pace, each lantern was handcrafted and represents some of the finest Chinese artisanship. In addition to the Chinese Lantern Festival, Koka Booth Amphitheater also hosts smaller events like cooking competitions, beer festivals, concerts, and plays. Students in North Cary begin their education at Reedy Creek Elementary, before moving on to Reedy Creek Middle and finishing up at Cary High School. According to Niche, all three of these schools earned ratings of A-minus—making the school district a popular reason for moving to the area. “The schools are very, very good,” says Korbin. “We’ve had people relocate to Cary just because of that.” Cary High School offers a number of extracurricular activities and clubs, with many of them focused on career preparedness after graduation. Even with new development on the horizon, North Cary still offers more than enough opportunity to appreciate the surrounding natural beauty. Nearby Hemlock Bluffs Park features over 200 native Hemlock Trees, something not found in North Carolina outside this area. Black Creek Greenway connects several North Cary neighborhoods and offers a walkable way to get around. In fact, Cary is considered a silver-level community according to WalkFriendly—making strolls one of the selling points of the neighborhood. Location is a key feature of Cary in general, and North Cary is no different. Residents can easily commute to Durham at 20 miles away, and Raleigh is even closer at just 15 miles. North Cary is also particularly great for those working at Research Triangle Park, with the neighborhood shaving off several minutes in comparison to some Cary neighborhoods farther south. “You’ve got better proximity to urban areas and the highway,” says Korbin. “It’s a great, centralized location.”

A bit farther out than some of other nearby suburban neighborhoods in Cary and the Raleigh-Durham area in general, South Cary offers a lifestyle that’s a bit quieter thanks to its small-town charm—while still providing residents with access to the hustle and bustle of its metropolitan neighbors. The town of Cary overall is one of the most popular suburbs not just in the Triangle area, but in North Carolina at large. “The area has exploded in popularity recently,” says Scott Korbin, Broker at Compass Commercial and longtime resident of Cary. “You have access to a ton, and there’s even more coming.” Thanks to its mix of convenience, community, and natural beauty, South Cary represents an appealing choice for those looking to be close—but not too close—to all the action. Homes in South Cary are generally more established than in other nearby neighborhoods, especially North Cary, reflecting a classic suburban charm to them. A walk down a South Cary street reveals many ranch styles shaded by mature trees and sitting on large lots with sizable yards. Colonial revivals are also a common sight, with these structures further lending the area a vintage appeal. Established 3-bedroom homes typically range in price from $280,000 to $725,000. Though not necessarily common, newer homes can be found in areas like Chandler Cove, which features modern contemporary and new traditional styles. MacGregor Downs features more new construction, mostly in the form of large estate homes situated near the golf course and lake. These larger, newer homes tend to go from $850,000 to $1.5 million. “The prices in Cary reflect the change that’s happening right now,” says Korbin. “But South Cary is still a bit better when it comes to pricing.” Though close to larger cities like Raleigh and Durham, Cary is well-known for its own downtown area—something that residents of South Cary will appreciate being so close to. Residents can start their days at local favorite Esteemed Coffee, before heading to Chatham Street later that evening for some of the best restaurants and breweries in the area. Sidebar is one such example that serves up classy cocktails, while Bond Brothers Brewery was lauded as the top new brewery in the United States back in 2017. For another local staple and some classic southern cuisine, residents can check out Lucky 32 Kitchen. Retail shopping needs are met at Crossroads Plaza with its numerous big box stores, and groceries can be purchased at Waverly Place’s Whole Foods Market. Drawing over 200,000 visitors annually, the biggest community event in Cary is the annual Chinese Lantern Fest held in the Koka Booth Amphitheater. A self-guided walk through stunning works of art, each glowing lantern was handcrafted by more than 25 Chinese artisans, and is a great way for the community to celebrate history and bring in the new year. Koka Booth Amphitheater hosts a variety of other events throughout the year as well, such as concerts, plays, and other regional festivals. Students in South Cary start their education at Briarcliff Elementary, before moving on to East Cary Middle School and finishing up at Cary High School—schools that, according to Niche, all earned scores of A-minus. Cary High School is committed to offering a wide variety of extracurricular activities and clubs, while also prioritizing career readiness—offering internships and shadowing programs that prepare students for the evolving job market. With over 80 miles of interconnected greenway trails throughout the area, Cary is an excellent choice for those looking to appreciate North Carolina’s natural beauty. South Cary is especially ideal for outdoor activities, with Hemlock Bluffs serving as the neighborhood’s go-to green space. True to its name, Hemlock Bluffs features over 200 beautiful hemlock trees. The area is extremely walkable, having earned a silver-level community by the national program WalkFriendly. Trails like the Hinshaw Greenway link South Cary neighborhoods with paved trails perfect for walking or biking. The renowned Research Triangle Park business hub is nearby, and has played a large role in Cary’s expanding population over the past 25 years. Companies like IBM, Epic Games, and Ford Motors all have offices in the Research Triangle, making the hub a huge source of employment. “South Cary adds a little bit to your commute,” says Korbin. “But it gives you access to more nature, and you still aren’t all that far from things like the Research Triangle.” At only 20 miles from Durham and just 15 from Raleigh, the area is excellent for commuters of any kind.