Where to Live in Raleigh: Neighborhoods and Beyond

These areas attract young professionals looking for access to nightlife, investors and young families looking to purchase and stay in a home long term. Many of the homes are older, dating back to early 1900s and even older. Of course, the price tag is higher. The average home in these areas may start in the mid to upper $500,000s. There isn't much turnover as people tend to stay long term.

** Grab brunch at Tupelo Honey or Flying Biscuit in Cameron Village and take in many of the high end shops! A great lunch option in downtown Raleigh is Gravy, The Pit for some bbq and Taverna Agora (ask to sit upstairs on the picturesque patio). Dinner at Poole's Diner is another favorite - and don't forget to grab a pic in front of the famous mural shown above! Another great spot for brunch or lunch in Five Points is NoFo (previously a Piggly Wiggly grocery store turned quirky cafe, food market and gift shop. Follow this with dessert at Hayes Barton Cafe & Dessertery (considered by many the best in town!).

Located just North of the belt line, North Hills is one of Raleigh's fast growing and popular areas! The entire shopping center has been redesigned and has an outdoor amphitheater for performances and letting the kids run around, hotels and even more planned for the future. Access to major highways, tons of high end shopping and a robust restaurant scene, attracts young professionals, retirees and families. Join the North Hills Pool Club for pool, tennis and a sense of community. If golf is your thing, the Carolina Country Club is nearby and public courses as well.

Home styles vary from older ranch homes to new, luxury homes. The beautiful trees and yards, access to the best of Raleigh and greenways, make North Hills popular. Starting point for homes in this area is mid $500,000s and can reach into the millions.

** Start exploring North Hills with brunch at Coquette Brasserie. Bar Taco is great for lunch (ask for the secret taco :) and dinner at Rosewater Kitchen & Bar. Top off the night with a drink at The Level 7 roof top bar take the family bowling at Kings!

Visit www.visitnorthhills.com for a list of hotels and attractions.

If you are looking for a suburban, family-friendly neighborhood with access to all Raleigh has to offer then head to North Raleigh. Just a 25 minute drive to downtown Raleigh makes these neighborhoods incredibly popular! The homes are newer with larger lots, lower price tags and good schools. Both Bedford and Wakefield are master planned communities with amenities, parks and sidewalks.

Wakefield has a TPC golf course and country club to join offering pool, tennis, a workout facility and club house. The central location is a draw to many. The average price for a 3 bedroom, single family home is $407,000. Wakefield also offers multiple house options ranging from apartments and townhomes all the way to million dollar estate homes.

Bedford at Falls River is a charming neighborhood full of Charleston style homes with southern front porches perfect for gathering with neighbors and some iced tea on a hot NC summer day! The community boasts numerous parks and playgrounds, access to greenway and a pool community. Average price for a single family, 3 bedroom home starts at $450,000 with a variety of housing options as well.

** Explore North Raleigh (zipcode 27614) with coffee and a quick breakfast at Jubala in Lafayette Village, Lunch at Zest Cafe and dinner at Winston's Grille or Farina. Ready for a caffeine pick-me-up and maybe some delicious mini donuts? Head to Sola Coffee Cafe and of course snap a pic by their famous mural...

Located in the heart of the Triangle - directly between Raleigh and Durham, and just north of the Cary. Brier Creek is a neighborhood with a variety of housing options from luxury condos to estate homes. A golfer's paradise, Brier Creek Country Club is an Arnold Palmer designed course. The club also offers social activities, tennis and pool amentities. Brier Creek offers great access to RDU – Raleigh’s international airport. If you don't like the sound of planes flying overhead, this might not be the spot for you. This neighborhood is particularly appealing to young professionals, families, and older adults, as the access to interstates 40 and 540 offer easy transportation, to other areas of the Triangle.

The average 3 bedroom, single family home in Brier Creek starts in the mid $500,000s.

** When exploring Brier Creek make a dinner reservation at The Angus Barn, Raleigh's iconic steak restaurant! Known for their prize winning beef, table cheddar cheese and crackers and Chocolate Chess Pie.

Six Forks is always one of the areas that people touring fall in love with! Located in North Raleigh, many of the homes in the Six Forks area are between three and five bedrooms and built between 1970 and 1990. These neighborhoods have alluring charm, mature trees and a location that is just minutes from downtown Raleigh, Crabtree Valley Mall and all surrounding areas. The average 3 bedroom, single family home starts has a median price point of close to $400,000.

** When exploring Six Forks North, enjoy breakfast at The Metro Diner, lunch at Relish and dinner at Bella Monica (one of my favorites!). Do the kiddos need a break? Burn off some energy at the Sassafras All Children's Playground at Laurel Hills Park.

When many people hear Raleigh they also think Cary, NC! Cary is the largest town and seventh-largest municipality in North Carolina, located just a little over 12 miles from Downtown Raleigh (18 minutes). Cary, NC is one of the most popular towns due to the strong schools, close Proximity to Research Triangle Park (RTP) and amenities. Over the last 25 years the population has grown from 45,000 to over 160,000 and is climbing fast. The people who are moving to Cary, NC didn't typically grow up in the area and are instead moving from places all over the world! Cary, NC has a fast pace feel that appeals to many valuing convenience over a slower paced way of life.

Cary's location can't be beat - a 10-15 minute ride to Raleigh-Durham International Airport makes commuting to other states convenient. With a focus on technology, healthcare, and education, companies like Google, SAS, IBM, Cisco, Apple, and more are calling the area home. Cary, NC is full of award wining restaurants and golf clubs. People live for golf in the Cary area and the town is home to some of the best Country Clubs in the U.S. Additionally, Pinehurst, NC is only an hour-long drive away (where the U.S Open is held). Some of the golf course communities in the Cary area include MacGregor, Preston, and Lochmere.

The homes in Cary may be less affordable than in most areas surrounding Raleigh. The average 3 bedroom, single family home in Cary, NC starts around $450,000.

** When exploring Cary, enjoy lunch or dinner at Lucky 32, CAVA or Tazza Kitchen.

As Cary,NC continued to grown and the area become more popular, people started pushing out to Apex and Holly Springs for more expansive neighborhoods, space and affordability. Both areas are within 20 minutes of downtown Raleigh and offer functional and livability that is hard to beat.

With a population of just over 30,000 Holly Springs has been growing around 5-6% annually. Holly Springs is located in Wake County and is a suburb of Raleigh. Everything is seemingly new in Holly Springs from the semiprofessional ballpark to Holly Springs Town Center for shopping and dining. Popular neighborhoods in Holly Springs include: 12 Oaks, Woodcreek, Wescott and Holly Glen. A 3-bedroom, single family home starts near $400,000.

** Holly Springs: Lunch at The Mason Jar Tavern / grab a drink at Bombshell Brewing

Similar to Holly Springs, Apex NC has experienced tremendous growth! In the 1990s, with the development of Raleigh's Research Triangle Park, Apex's population quadrupled to over 20,000. Today, Apex is home to an estimated population of 45,000. Apex has been successful at preserving it's small-town southern feel. The quaint downtown area is home to charming restaurants and boutiques. Popular neighborhoods include: Abbington, Bella Casa, Brookshire Manor, Carriage Downs, Crocketts Ridge, Greyhawk Landing, Haddon Hall, Salem Oaks, Scots Laurel, Village of Apex, Woodridge. The average 3-bedroom single family home in Apex starts at $445,000.

** When exploring Apex, enjoy lunch or dinner at Scratch Kitchen & Taproom, The Peak and The Provincial.

As more and more people are deciding to move to North Carolina due to employment opportunities and desirable quality of life, Clayton is a good place to call home for all ages. Located in Johnston County, you'll find there are a lot of great houses in Clayton as well with larger lots and a bit less expensive! Projected to be one of the fastest-growing cities over the next ten years in North Carolina, Clayton has a lot to offer. Since the city is fast-growing, new businesses are popping up all over the area and new real estate is being built for future residents. While this may be a slower pace of life, those that are moving to Clayton will love the peaceful charm and welcoming sense of community that the city provides.

Clayton has the perfect, central location: 35-minute drive away from Research Triangle Park, near Interstate 40, Interstate 95, Interstate 540, and US 70, and 40 minutes to Raleigh's International Airport (RDU). Those who like to drive into Raleigh for cultural arts, museums and then return home to pass farmland and escape the traffic will love Clayton. Additionally, the craft brew scene is popular here! Specializing in American-style beer, Deep River Brewing Company is Johnston County’s first legal brewery and has been making beer in Clayton since 2013.

The median price of a 3 bedroom, single family home in Clayton, NC is $290,000.

** Take in lunch on the southern from porch of Yellow House The Community Place and then head down the street for an incredible fancy milkshake at The Crazy Comet Creamery (with or without booze :).

The easternmost city in Wake County, North Carolina, Zebulon has a good mix of rural and suburban living. As of 2019, the population is 5,404 and growing. As continues to grown due to employment opportunities and nationally ranked livability ratings, submarkets such as Zebulon are on track for tremendous growth in the future. Builders have taken note and communities and shopping are popping up.

Zebulon is just 25 minutes from downtown Raleigh and boasts a vibrant, welcoming community packed with tons of activities ranging from sporting events to art galleries. Baseball lovers can root for the home team and catch a classic minor-league baseball game with the Single-A Carolina Mudcats throughout the spring and summer at Five County Stadium. If you loved the movie 'Field of Dreams' you definitely will feel at home at a Mudcats game.

The median price of a 3 bedroom, single family home in Zebulon is $275,000. People looking for larger lots should explore Zebulon, NC.

** The top voted restaurants in Zebulon are McLean's Ole Time Cafe and Southland Steakhouse. During the warmer months cool off at Sunset Slush.

Tucked away in northeastern Wake County, Rolesville is a suburb of Raleigh. Not only is the town the second oldest in Wake County, but it is considered one of the fastest-growing small towns in the state of North Carolina. With a population of 9,475 people, Rolesville has seen an upward trend of growth over the past few years since 2013. Rolesville puts you about 15 minutes to downtown Raleigh and 30 minutes to the Raleigh Durham International Airport (RDU). Rolesville is a very active area with numerous parks and trails. It even has Fantasy Lake Scuba Park - known as the largest scuba diving park on the east coast! Learn to scuba in water that reaches depths of 80 feet. With campsites and glass-bottom boats, this scenic area is more than just an ordinary park.

Downtown Rolesville has just broken grown on a revamp of the Main St area to include restaurants, shopping and public art. This project is expected to be completed in 2023 and bring new life to the downtown Rolesville area! Of course this project is also attracting new communities and people to the area. Some of the popular neighborhoods in Rolesville, NC include: Heritage, Averette Ridge, Granite Falls, Elizabeth Springs (new build), Barrington, Cedar Lakes, Willoughby.

** The median cost for a 3 bedroom single family home in Rolesville, NC is $373,000.

Not to be confused with the city of Wake Forest, NC (home to Wake Forest University), the town of Wake Forest, NC is a suburb just 20 minutes north of downtown Raleigh that touches Wake, Granville and Franklin Counties. Easy access to the entire Triangle area (Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill),an active downtown and good schools has people moving here in droves. The number of parks, trails, playgrounds and access to Falls Lake provides a quality of life that can't be beat. Wake Forest just opened a new Wegman's this past spring! Historic downtown Wake Forest has quaint shops, restaurants, coffee shops and a plethora of local events. Friday Night on White (White St. being the main drag through downtown Wake Forest) is a gathering of bands and artists that draws from the entire Raleigh area throughout the summer months and has everyone dancing in the street! Visit wakeforestnc.gov to discover all that Wake Forest has to offer.

Neighborhoods like Heritage, The Traditions and Hasentree are located right in the heart of Wake Forest. These large, planned out communities offer a variety of housing options and price ranges along with fantastic amenities like pool, gift and tennis. Additionally, Wake Forest is home to the 55+ Del Webb community. Looking for a larger lot, a neighborhood down Hwy 98 off Camp Kanata Rd. towards Falls Lake might be of interest! Many new communities are also popping up just north of Wake Forest in Youngsville, NC, Franklinton, NC and Henderson, NC.

When visiting Wake Forest stop for breakfast and a latte at Stewart's Bistro, lunch at Over the Falls or The Lemon Tree and end the day with a cold brew at Norse Brewing.

** The median cost for a 3 bedroom single family home in Wake Forest, NC is $381,000 and on the rise!

Durham, NC is famously known as home to Duke University. The city itself is located just west of Raleigh and north of Chapel Hill with a population around 270,000. People move to Durham for it's affordability, food and art scene and access to the Raleigh area.

Durham was once best known for its textile mills and tobacco factories, including the “Bull Durham Tobacco and Company." Durham is referred to as the "Bull City," home to the Durham Bulls baseball team and stadium. Both the American Tobacco Historic District and Brightleaf Square, two mixed-use developments brimming with restaurants, bars, and live music venues, are housed in former tobacco warehouses that date back to the 1800s and 1900s.

Durham has a fantastic food scene and was noted in Southern Living as "The South's Tastiest Town's." Visit for details : (https://americantobacco.co/, https://historicbrightleaf.com/ ). Durham is also home to the Durham Performing Arts Center (DPAC) as well as the Museum of Life and Sciences (https://www.lifeandscience.org/).

** When exploring Durham, NC try Dame's Chicken & Waffles, breakfast at Rise, dinner at NanaSteak (my favorite :), a beverage at Clouds Brewing Brightleaf Square.

A few popular neighborhoods to explore in Durham: Brightleaf at the Park, Carolina Arbors (55+ community), Chancellor's Ridge, Duke Park, Fairfield, Grandale, Hope Valley Farms, Northgate Park.

** The median cost for a 3 bedroom, single family home in Wake Forest, NC is $373,500

Pittsboro, NC is a mid-sized-city complex in Chatham County - Northeast-central North Carolina just 40 miles south of Virginia border, 34 miles from downtown Raleigh and 31 miles to Raleigh's RDU International Airport. Pittsboro is the perfect location if you are looking for a more rural/suburban feel near urban cities. The striking natural beauty and quaint downtown has put Pittsboro on the map!!

Pittsboro provides easy access to a variety of outdoor recreational opportunities and is just a short drive from the Haw River and the Jordan Lake State Recreation Area, which is a great place for all great outdoor activities - hiking, camping, and boating...another great plus!

Pittsboro, like all Raleigh surrounding areas, has experienced growth with more jobs and people flocking to the area. The median home cost in Pittsboro is Real Estate: $377,700. Home appreciation the last 10 years has been 9.4%.

A few neighborhoods to explore in Pittsboro: Chatham Park (a master planned community with multiple neighborhoods and new build options - learn more at https://chathampark.com/), Seaforth Landing, Chatham Forest, Cedar Mountain, Chapel Ridge, Sunset Grove, Fearrington Village.

** When visiting Pittsboro stop on main street at S&Ts Soda Shoppe, located in the old post office is the Postal Fish Co. (they travel to the coast bi-weekly for fresh fare), enjoy pizza at The Mod.

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