Willow Spring

Cleveland residents plant one foot in the country and one foot in the suburbs. This community south of Raleigh is a collection of subdivisions interspersed with still-undeveloped forests and pastures. It straddles the inner ring of Raleigh suburbs and the rural exurbs, says Exp Realty Realtor Doug Baer, who has sold homes across the Triangle region since 2020. “People think of Benson, a town to the south, as being way far out there, but they think of Garner, to the north, of being in the city. This is the best of both worlds.” A drive around Cleveland will reveal country backroads and clusters of cows, but the character of the area is increasingly shifting as new homes pop up all over. “It won’t be considered rural for very long,” Baer says. Cleveland’s housing options are concentrated in subdivisions that sprout off Cleveland Road, which runs east to west through most of the neighborhood. The subdivisions each feature distinct architectural identities, with neo-colonials lined up in some, while Cape Cod-inspired houses fill others. New builds are also common, spurred by Raleigh’s seemingly nonstop outward growth, Baer says. “There are a ton of homebuilders out here. I don’t think they’re stopping anytime soon.” What most of the homes have in common is they stand on wide yards, with the median lot size measuring more than half an acre. With an average size of 2,200 square feet, houses provide ample space inside and out. Homeowners likely will appreciate that fact, as there isn’t recreation or entertainment within walking distance of most houses. Three-bedroom homes can be bought in the low $400,000s, with similarly sized new construction available in the mid-$400,000s. Prices stretch into the $800,000s for custom four-bedroom new builds. Cleveland Elementary, Middle and High School all earn a Niche grade of B-plus. High School students are able to earn a certificate, a diploma or college course credits through the high school’s Career & College Promise Program. The program allows students to take college classes, as well as complete technical education certificates or diplomas in fields such as accounting or cosmetology, from Johnston Community College. Kids who want to join a youth sports league sign up through the Greater Cleveland Athletic Association. The nonprofit’s athletic complex in the neighborhood hosts baseball, basketball, soccer, softball and volleyball games. At Juniper Level Botanic Garden, visitors can explore 28 acres of plants from around the world, but only for eight weekends out of the year when the garden is open. Some subdivisions, including Summerwind Plantation and Adams Point have pools and clubhouses maintained by a homeowner's association. A pair of shopping centers on the west side of the neighborhood makes it convenient to knock out shopping or find a spot to dine out. Locals can find hot dogs and cheeseburgers for lunch at Snoopy’s; this joint is an express version of the original Snoopy’s that opened in Raleigh in the ‘70s. For a cup of coffee, there's Ugly Mug Bean & Brew. Nearby is a Food Lion grocery store, while a Walmart Supercenter and Lowe’s Home Improvement are found down the street. Homeowners on the east end of Cleveland will find it quicker to zip to the intersection of Cleveland Road and McLemore Road near the center of the neighborhood. Here they can access Food Lion, or sip a rotating selection of beer and wine at the couches of Draft & Vine. Cleveland hosts parades for both Christmas and the 4th of July. The Independence Day celebration begins with a pancake breakfast and features a food truck rodeo in addition to the parade. It ends with a fireworks display at dusk. Residents can check The American Wildlife Refuge’s calendar for educational events. The nonprofit rehabilitation center for eagles, hawks and other raptors frequently puts on events at its facility in the neighborhood. In October, kids alternate between trick or treating and holding a resident vulture at the Owl-A-Ween festival. Cleveland lies beyond the reach of the regional public bus system, but Raleigh is a straight shot by car. Interstate 40 cuts through the neighborhood, and motorists use the highway to cruise 18 miles north into downtown Raleigh. Raleigh is home to major employers, including the state government and tech giant IBM. It’s also the site of culture and entertainment hotspots, such as the North Carolina Museum of Art and PNC Arena, where the National Hockey League’s Carolina Hurricanes play. Continuing along I-40 for 15 miles west of downtown Raleigh leads to Raleigh-Durham International Airport, the metro’s primary airport. Meanwhile, the nearest full-service hospital is UNC Health Johnston Clayton, 6 miles away in Clayton.