Triangle Communities & Neighborhoods-
(Before you jump in, you might want to take a look at this brief overview)
Overview Requires Adobe Reader, click
Timely articles about the Triangle &
area communities
|
|
Orange/Chatham
Counties |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Brier Creek Area
Adjacent to
Crabtree Valley/70 West
Crabtree Valley encompasses the area
surrounding Crabtree Valley Mall on Glenwood Avenue, including Highway 70
westward toward the airport. Home prices in established subdivisions, such as
Harrington Grove off Leesville Road, range from $137,000 to $275,000. Cluster
homes are available in Pemberton off Westgate Road near the airport for
$148,000 to $180,000. More expensive residences—priced at $234,000 to
$430,000—are located in Bridgeton Park or Pinecrest
Park.
Downtown Raleigh
For city dwellers, downtown residential
options grow more enticing with increased dining and
entertainment facilities. Apartments, condominiums, and single-family homes are
within walking distance of everything from City Market to the state government
complex. Condos at the Cotton Mill—formerly a warehouse off Capital
Boulevard—range from $149,000 to $213,000. More traditional homes are available
in the Mordecai neighborhood for $98,000 to $242,000, in Boylan Heights from
$142,000, and in historic Oakwood for $242,000 and up.
The historic Oakwood District,
Raleigh’s only intact 19th-century neighborhood, is within walking distance of
downtown. Beautifully renovated, colorful gingerbread Victorian homes line the
picturesque neighborhood’s streets.
The Mordecai neighborhood is within walking distance of the state government complex and Krispy Kreme.
With its turn-of-the century bungalows, this may be one of the few places to buy a bargain older home. Nearby there is a new development of smaller homes, The Village at Pilot Mills.
The Cotton Mill, in downtown off Capital Boulevard, is one of the hippest places to live, thanks to a renovation that turned this 130-year-old textile factory into 50 condominiums. Click here for an up to date map of downtown living options or the latest in downtown living from the Raleigh Urban Design Center
Check out the latest residential
projects and redevelopment efforts in Downtown Raleigh
East Raleigh
East Raleigh stretches from Capital
Boulevard near the I-440 Beltline to New Hope Road. Homes in older
neighborhoods, such as the golf course community of Hedingham
off U.S. 64, are priced from $97,000 to $264,000. The New Bern Avenue area
offers convenient access to Raleigh Country Club. New development occurs mainly
around Buffalo and New Hope roads. Home prices in Cobblestone range from
$94,000 to $128,000, while houses in New Hope Crossing cost $108,000 to
$139,000. The U.S. 401 corridor is a growing center of activity with new
subdivisions.
Inside the Beltline
Choosing a home inside the beltline
(I-440 around Raleigh) will get you a central location, neighborhoods with
sidewalks and less traffic, and distinctive older homes with the charm of a
bygone era. Neighborhoods include Boylan Heights with turn-of-the-last-century
homes; Glenwood/Brooklyn, a merging of two turn-of-the-century suburbs where
the homes range from tiny bungalows to spacious two-story colonials; and Five
Points, a neighborhood with an eclectic village feel and exquisitely renovated
homes in many diverse styles and sizes.
Gardens at Glenwood, one of the
newer, upscale condominium developments can be found opposite the Carolina
Country Club along
Five Points is beside the venerable Hayes Barton neighborhood. Developed
in the late 1920s, this area is home to Jesse Helms,
Smaller homes and bungalows built in
the 1940s, 1950s, and 1960s in neighborhoods like
The Oaks at Fallon Park is one of the
few new home neighborhoods in the Five Points area. There is a planned neighborhood pool and
clubhouse and prices start around $700,000.
Cameron
Park is another well
established historical neighborhood area adjacent to Cameron Village, one of
the oldest, yet quite unique boutique filled shopping areas in the country.
Newer, yet established areas inside the
beltline include Country Club Hills, which surrounds the prestigious Carolina
Country Club.
North Raleigh
As one of Raleigh’s fastest-growing
areas, North Raleigh is attractive for its mix of well-established subdivisions
and up-and-coming developments. The area is north of the 440 beltline and
bounded on the west by Leesville Rd and the east by Falls of the Neuse Rd and
extends northward up past I 540, but short of Rt
98. North
Ridge, an older neighborhood close to the beltline, offers houses from $205,000
to $620,000; North Hills, one of
Raleigh’s more established subdivisions, has many solid homes, on generous
lots, priced between $155,000 and $230,000. New homes cost $160,000 to $330,000
in Falls River, off Durant Road, and
range from $399,000 to $740,000 in Cross Gate, also off Durant
Road. Sheffield Manor is one of the more established, upscale
developments in North Raleigh, accessible from Durant Rd and also Ravens
Ridge. One of the newer, upscale
developments also off Durant Rd, is Devon, with more than 70
custom built homes on lots of 1-2 acres and ranging in price from $800,000 to $
2 million, with it's own community pool. Bent Tree is an older, but
impressive subdivision located just off Strickland, a mile east of Six
Forks. Also along Strickland (just east
of Creedmoor) there is an exclusive development evolving on both sides of the
road, offering a variety of housing options from larger, executive homes (Traemoor
Manor) to smaller, but upscale townhomes (Traemoor Village).
Along Honeycutt and extending in the
direction of Possum Track, there are several upscale developments, each with
their own individual character, but sharing a common theme of large, wooded
lots (1-5 acres), large, expensive custom built homes and a premium on privacy.
These range in price and accessibility from Faircroft (45 homes $600-1million), Pendleton Lake, which
is on the lower end ($7-800,000) to Trego and Greywalls,
along Deer Track ($1-$2 million) to Bay Leaf Farm, an
exclusive gated community (once a horse farm), where the majority of the 23
generous sized lots are open pastures and have yet to be sold or developed.
North of I 540 along Creedmore Rd, there are several exclusive communities worth
exploring, including The Moorlands
and Crossmoor which face each other
off of Nipper Rd, and price ranges between $650,000-900,000+. Between Six Forks and Creedmoore, along
Norwood there is Chatsworth, 75
homes ranging in price from $750,000-$1million ++ with their own recreation
center and swimming pool. Three miles
north of I 540 off
Off Olde Creedmoor and Mount Vernon
Church Roads is a new development called Parker Falls, which will eventually
have a total of 58 homes on lots from .75 to 2 acres, ranging in price from
$700 thousand to over $1 million, along with a community pool and tennis
facility.
Off
Wakefield Plantation, a premier country club community off Falls
of Neuse Road, is one of the newer country club community
in the area. The 2,200-acre tract, includes a Hale Irwin PGA Tournament 18 hole
TPC golf course, one of only two in North Carolina; swimming, tennis, and
dining facilities; a YMCA; greenways; and an elementary school, a middle
school, and a high school. Houses in the Wakefield complex start at $400,000
and reach in excess of $1 million.
- Variety of neighborhoods and homestyles
available from the $120s to over $2 million
- Hale Irwin designed PGA TOUR 18-hole TPC golf
course and clubhouse
- Private 38,000 square foot TPC Clubhouse, with
elegant and casual dining, pro shop and year-round activities
- TPC Sports Club, with 9-hole golf course, pro
shop, casual bar & grill, swimming pool and tennis courts
- Wakefield Elementary, Middle and High Schools
- Neighborhood YMCA, shopping and restaurants
- Close proximity to recreational activities on
Falls Lake
Hasentree is a very exclusive
Tom Fazio designed golf course community under development in north
West Raleigh
University life from NC State centers
around West Raleigh near downtown. Hillsborough Street boasts student-filled
shops and eating places, as well as older homes that stretch to Cameron
Village. Trinity Square, off Trinity Road, is a hot area that features town
houses with two-car garages bordering the new Entertainment and Sports Arena
and houses for around $205,000 to $330,000. Cameron Village condos average
around $105,000, and houses are $210,000 and up. Other university neighborhoods
run along Avent Ferry Road near Lake Johnson. Homes built in the 1980s in
Glencoe range from $206,000 to $315,000. Three-year-old homes in Trailwood Hills, near the McKimmon
Center, are $97,000 to $124,000, and homes at Lake Johnson Harbour,
adjacent to the park and greenway, are $139,000 to $190,00.
Old Raleigh, renowned for its established Southern homes along tree-lined streets,
is a premier address off of
Old Stone Crossing is a new
community of 56 custom home sites on ¼ to ¾ acre lots conveniently situated in
a wooded area off of
Less than a mile off
Other Wake County Communities
The 11 Wake County municipalities just outside Raleigh offer appealing choices
for newcomers seeking small-town atmosphere with big-city convenience. Many of
these communities are experiencing progressive growth and have been hailed by
various sources as wonderful places to live. Quality-of-life features include
lower tax rates, lower crime rates, easy commuting access to major commercial
centers, excellent schools, and strong parks and recreation opportunities. Home
buyers will discover quaint older homes and impressive new communities, many
complete with golf courses.
Town
of Apex
Chamber of Commerce
(919) 362-6456/(800) 345-4504
Located in southwestern Wake County,
Apex combines a relaxing small-town atmosphere with convenience to big-city
amenities and a motto known as “The Peak of Good Living”. It is positioned for
future growth: its population, estimated to be 33,780, is projected to reach
40,000 in the next eight to ten years. The town planners are working to ensure
that the small-town character remains while allowing for many new residents to
join the community.
In 1994 Apex was named the state's
#1 Small Town in economic vitality by Business North Carolina magazine.
With such growth come new services, including a new year-round elementary
school and the new Eva Perry Regional Library serving all of western Wake
County
Apex has restored many of the 60 commercial buildings and homes along Salem
Street to their original appearance, and now the historic district contains
antique stores, specialty gift shops and restaurants. The renovation project has restored Apex's
downtown and recaptured its historic flavor, placing it on the National
Register of Historic Places as one of the best examples of an intact turn-of-the-century
railroad town.
In addition to some 50 churches,
North Carolina’s only Mormon temple opened off N.C. 55 in Apex in 1999. The $5
million, marble building drew national attention then and continues to sparkle.
The community has nine parks, and a system
of greenways and walking trails is being developed, along with a new community
center. Major industries include Cooper Tools/Lufkin; Hare Pipeline
Construction; EMC2 Corp.; Henry Wurst, Inc.; Morton Metalcraft; and Tipper Tie.
With new commercial developments such as shopping centers at Olive Chapel Village and Beaver Creek Commons, shopping, eating out and going to the movies is now more convenient for Apex residents.
With easy access to Jordan Lake and
Research Triangle Park, Apex offers varied housing options for singles and
families. More than 25 developments—including apartments, patio homes,
duplexes, town houses, and single-family homes—are under construction. Avalon
Peaks and Summit Lake luxury apartments feature carports and community centers
with pool and tennis facilities. The Kelly
West subdivision’s housing options range from $130,000 to $180,000.
Single-family homes in Scott’s Mill
range from $150,000 to more than $300,000, and Abbington features executive residences from $230,000 to $400,000. North of NC 64 there are established
neighborhoods with moderately priced homes, like Charleston Village. In Apex you are also more apt to find rare,
large lot developments like Chapel Ridge, (off Olive Chapel Rd.) where many of
the homes have sufficient land to board their own horses. In addition to these neighborhoods, there
were several developments that participated in the last Parade of Homes,
including Abbington, Beckett Crossing, Bradley Park & Terrace, Brook
Crossing, Cameron Park, Fair Oaks, Glen Arbor, Grenadier, Haddon Hall, Highland
Creek, Ivory Hills, Jamison Park, Sawyers Mill, Scotts Mill, Village of Wynchester, Whitehall Manor and Windermere The Arbors.
Bella Casa is one of Apex’s
newest new home community with 28 homesites near
Demographics
(all data is 1990 Census unless otherwise indicated)
Population
Estimate: 33,780
Median Family Income: $78,689
Per Capita Income: $14,575
Median Age: 31.2 years (from 2000 Census)
Education: (min. high school) 81%
College Grad (min.): 42%
REAL
ESTATE TAXES
Town - $.40/$100 valuation,
Wake County - $.604/$100
SALES
TAXES
Wake County - 2%
State - 4%,
NC Prepared Food - 1%
Wake County Schools in Apex
- Apex
High School
Historic Downtown Apex
Apex began as a railroad community in 1873 and is one of the state's most
intact turn-of-the-century railroad towns with sixty well-preserved commercial
buildings and homes dating from 1870-1940.
In order to preserve the historical character of the district, the town
has begun restoring many of the structures to their original early twentieth
century appearance and has received a listing in the National Register of
Historic Places. Enjoy shopping in the downtown area while wandering the
streets to appreciate an early 20th century tobacco warehouse, craftsman-style
one story home, and colonial and neoclassical revival style turn-of-the-century
boarding house, to mention a few of the highlights. The Apex Historical Society
provides a Walking Tour Guide of the Salem Street/Hughes Street area, available
at the Chamber of Commerce office.
Maynard-Pearson Home
The Maynard-Pearson House Trust, associated with the Apex Historical Society,
is currently restoring this significant 1870 farmhouse located at 1101 Olive
Chapel Rd. The home is headquarters for the Historical Society and hosts an
annual Christmas reception. For more information about helping with the project
or visiting the house call the Historical Society at (919) 362-8980.
Historic Apex Union Depot circa 1914
The most significant historic landmark in Apex, the Union Depot, was recently
restored to reflect its 1914 heritage. The former separate waiting rooms for
white and colored railroad patrons have been converted to serve as the Apex
Chamber of Commerce office and community meeting rooms. Visitors will enjoy the
rich woodwork, double fireplace, ticket windows of the station master's office,
and old switchman's lanterns. A37-foot-long bay window styled Louisville
caboose is located at the side of the building.
Kidstowne Playground
A completely community-funded, community built and maintained playground
appropriate for children of all ages. Mazes of wooden towers, swingsets, sandboxes, and even a basketball court. Free to
the public for enjoyment. To visit Kidstowne Playground, take Olive Chapel Road
off of Highway 55. Go approximately 2 and 1/2 miles taking a left on Kelly Road
just past Olive Chapel Elementary School. The park will be on your left.
New Hope Valley Railway
A delightful train ride and North Carolina Railroad Museum are located 10
minutes from Apex on Old US 1 in Bonsal. Train rides
are every hour on the hour from noon to 4:00 p.m. on the first Sunday of each
month from May through November, plus additional trips are scheduled at
Halloween and in early December. Group rides can be arranged for other dates by
reservation. For more information and charges call (919) 362-5416.
Concerts at the Depot
The Apex Chamber of Commerce and Apex Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources
sponsor a series of evening entertainment in front of the train depot during
the spring, summer and fall. For a schedule call the Chamber (919) 362-6456.
Party at the Park
An annual fall event, sponsored by Apex Parks, Recreation and Cultural
Resources, the free party is held at the Apex Community Park and features
games, activities, and music for all ages.
Christmas on Salem Street
The Apex holiday season begins the first weekend in December with the lighting
of the Town's Christmas tree on Friday night. The stores and historic train
depot are open that evening for refreshments, caroling and horse drawn sleigh
rides offered on Salem Street. The fun-filled evening includes Scrooge's
Scavenger Hunt planned by the Downtown Merchant's. On Saturday, the scavenger
hunt continues and in the evening the Apex Jaycees sponsor the annual Christmas
Parade, which draws large crowds along Salem St. The parade features bands from
area schools, floats sponsored by local merchants and groups, scout troops,
antique cars, and Santa Claus. On Sunday, the Apex Historical Society hosts the
Christmas Historic Homes Tour in the downtown area.
Peak Week Festival
Each year on the first Saturday in
May, the citizens of Apex gather together for fun and festivities to celebrate
the "Peak of Good Living," which is the town motto. The streets of
downtown Apex are closed to traffic to accommodate an exciting street festival
sponsored by the Apex Festival Commission and the Town of Apex. With something
for everyone, it features arts and crafts, a variety of food concessions,
children's activities and games, musical groups, and local and big-name
entertainment. The street festival is the last event in a weeklong series of
community activities, which include a 5K road race, an outdoor concert, a golf
tournament and other exciting events.
Today and Yesteryear Festival
A fun Apex experience is the Today and Yesteryear Festival, held each
September to welcome autumn and celebrate local heritage. The past comes to
life through demonstrations by blacksmiths and weavers, a Civil War
reenactment, a kids’ area with storytelling and magicians, and a free evening
concert at the Union Depot. The Festival also provides opportunities for early
Christmas shopping, with almost 200 arts and crafts booths lining Salem Street.
Town
Cary is easily accessible by car via
Interstate 40 to the north, NC Highway 55 to the west, and US Highways 1 &
64 to the south and east. NC Highway 54 (Chapel Hill Road) cuts directly
through Cary, two blocks north of the heart of downtown. There are 2 nearly
circular roads, Maynard Rd (a complete circle) and Cary Parkway (almost a
complete circle)
Cary also has its own scenic, train depot in downtown which hosts daily Amtrak
service.
By car, Cary is about 15 minutes from the Raleigh-Durham International Airport,
20 minutes from downtown Raleigh, 25 minutes from downtown Durham, and 35
minutes from downtown Chapel Hill.
The population is well educated: 95
percent of residents over age 25 have a high school diploma, and nearly 50
percent have a college degree. Cary also enjoys the lowest crime rate of North
Carolina’s 10 largest cities.
History
Cary began as a settlement in 1750
called Bradford's Ordinary. About 100 years later,
the construction of the North Carolina Railroad between New Bern and
Hillsborough placed Bradford's Ordinary on a major
transportation route.
Soon after, Allison Francis Page, a Wake County farmer and lumberman, bought
300 acres of land nearby and established a sawmill, general store, inn and post
office. He called his development Cary, after Samuel Fenton Cary, a prohibition
leader from Ohio whom Page admired.
In 1868, Page built a hotel to serve the Seaboard and the North Carolina railroad
passengers coming through Cary and three years later, on April 6, 1871, the
Town of Cary was incorporated. Page sold
the hotel to J. R. Walker in 1884.
Today, the Page-Walker Arts & History Center, located on Town Hall
Campus, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
In the late 1800s, a prestigious, private boarding school was started in Cary
and later became the first public high school in North Carolina. The school was
located on the site currently occupied by Cary Elementary School in the heart
of Cary's downtown.
Today
With the development of the Research
Triangle Park in the 1960s, Cary experienced the beginning of the high-quality growth that still characterizes the Town
today.
Home to the largest, privately-held software company in the world—SAS
Institute, Cary has attracted other key, world-class businesses including IBM,
Verizon, Siemens, American Airlines, Lucent Technologies, Oxford University
Press, the Lord Corporation, John Deere and RH Donnelley.
Cary’s housing choices range from a suburban neighborhood overlooking one of the many small area lakes to a country estate surrounded by North Carolina’s famous longleaf pines. Homes range from $120,000 in Park Village to the $250,000-to-$750,000 range in Lochmere, Preston, and Somerset. Some developments offer recreational amenities like racquetball courts, swimming pools, and tennis complexes, and are laced with jogging and walking trails.
|
Cary
is the third largest city in the Triangle. A large part of its appeal is not
only its close proximity to Research Triangle Park, but also its neat fit
into the American dream of suburbia. Planning, planning and more planning is
Cary’s adage. It takes but one drive around Maynard Road, which circles Cary,
to understand the vision - planned neighborhoods with large homes, two-car
garages and well-groomed lawns as far as the eye can see. |
|
In addition, Cary’s land-acquisition ordinance requires
builders to donate land to the city’s Parks and Recreation Department based
on the number of houses that will be built. Currently, Cary has 15 city
parks, including the Fred G. Bond Metro Park, Hemlock Bluffs Nature Preserve
and Lake Crabtree County Park. The Kids Together Playground at Wellington
Park. This, in addition to community swimming pools, tennis courts and some
of the finest golf courses in the area, is what makes people from all over
the country want to call Cary home. The construction of Western Wake Medical
Center near Tryon Road and Kildaire Farm Road has helped to serve the growing
population’s need for, and access to, convenient medical care. Once considered the outskirts of town, the Greenwood
Forest subdivision is now in the middle. Built during the 1950s and
60s, it is bordered by Walnut Street and East Maynard. Close by are Cary High
School, Cary Village Square shopping center and Cary Towne Center Mall. Lochmere, a PUD not far from Regency Park on the southern end of Kildaire Farm Road east of U.S. 1, was also developed in the 1980s. With three lakes, miles of nature and jogging trails, swim and tennis clubs, golf and several different neighborhoods in all price ranges. Lochmere has been a very successful community. Some of the newer, smaller, upscale developments in South Cary include the Birklands, a 25 home subdivision with customs homes starting at $1million (located off Penny Rd), Newstead Manor a 20 home subdivision with lots ranging in size from 1-2+ acres and home prices ranging from $800,000 to $2 million + , Stanton Place, a subdivision of 55 custom homes, starting at $ .5 million, further to the south off Ten Ten Rd and Wrenn Meadow (also on Ten Ten Rd), a 73 estate home community that is within walking distance to the Southwest Wake YMCA. |
|
Preston
is the largest golf course
community in the Triangle, consisting of more than 20 distinct neighborhoods built
around three 18 hole golf courses (54 holes), swimming, exercise and tennis
facilities as well as a club house that are part of Prestonwood
Country Club, which hosts nationally televised events like the
Jimmy V. Celebrity Golf Classic (named for the late North Carolina State
basketball coach Jim Valvano) and the SAS Championship, a Senior PGA Tour
event held in late September at Prestonwood Country Club. Since
1991 Preston has grown to more than 2000 homes encompassing approximately
1950 acres of land. Traditional, transitional and contemporary
homes are found throughout this subdivision. Beyond Evans, along Further South along Harrison Ave
towards the downtown area of Cary there are a limited number of new home
areas. Governors Row is an example of
the new home subdivisions in this area, with a plan for just 28 custom homes
from John Wieland.
Because of the limited space in this ideally located area, prices will
start in excess of $600,000. Some of the newer planned developments are found in the western area of Cary. Just west of 55, convenient to RTP, there is Cary Park. Cary Park offers a variety of home styles and pricing in a mixed-use, planned community setting, with its own pool/recreation complex and a soon to be constructed 30 acre village center with shopping, dining and professional offices. Today, it is one of the larger, faster growing, established subdivisions in the western part of Cary. Further west of Weycroft
is a much smaller development in this same Greystone is a moderately
priced M/I Homes development located in Also west of 55 along Further north along NC 55 off of Carpenter Fire Station Rd (close to where I 540 will eventually go) the developers of Highcroft are working on another planned subdivision called Cameron Pond. The community will be very similar to Highcroft with it’s own community recreation facilities and will be adjacent to a new 21 acre Town of Cary Park Carpenter Village, located 4 miles from RTP offers a range of price and home types from townhomes, single-family homes and executive & estate homes- developed around a subdivision with 90 acres of greenways & parks and community pool, tennis and volleyball and neighborhood shopping. Magnolia Estates is a new area
of The Estates at Olde Carpenter and Meadows at Olde Carpenter is a Toll Brothers development consisting of estate homes priced from $500,000 and townehomes from the $250,000. KB Homes has teamed up with Martha Stewart to create a unique subdivision called Twin Lakes., a collection of Stewart inspired designs in single family homes ranging in price from $250,000 to $450,000. Townhomes are also being added to the community. Although Twin Lakes has a Cary address, it is actually located in Morrisville. Hortons Creek is a small (90 homesites) neighborhood being developed west of NC 55 nearby the new Panther Creek HS. Custom homes will be on 1/3 acre sites and amenities include a community pool and access to the Cary Greenway. |
Town of Fuquay-Varina
Chamber of Commerce
(919) 552-4947
Fuquay-Varina began as two communities—Fuquay Springs, a resort near a spring on Stephen Fuquay’s property, and Varina, a ridge near a general store founded by J.D. Ballentine. When Fuquay Springs was incorporated in 1909, the Varina community was subsumed, but in 1963, the hyphen was added to acknowledge the historical presence of both settlements.
This town of about 11,000 residents is located 30-40 minutes southeast of Raleigh, and 45 minutes from Research Triangle Park and the airport. Fuquay-Varina has five elementary schools, two middle schools, a high school, and four parks. While the town’s early strength and pride came from its mineral springs and tobacco-rich land, high-tech industries and innovative businesses balance today’s economy in the community. Major employers include Guilford Fibers, John Deere Turf Care, Southbend, and Freight Handlers.
Guided by the Fuquay-Varina
Revitalization Association, Inc., the historic downtown districts are
undergoing significant restoration. Area houses remain affordable, with options
including starter and cluster homes from $95,000 up, as well as estate homes
and golf course homes from $180,000 to $1 million. Located in close proximity
to town are several semiprivate and private golf courses.
More and more restaurants and retail
are bringing big city conveniences to the small town. The arrival of big-city traffic to little Fuquay-Varina is
the most obvious sign that the southern Wake town is bursting at the seams.
Fuquay-Varina's population grew 40 percent from 2000
to 2004 and currently stands at about 11,000. With 4,000 new homes under
construction or approved, that number is expected to climb dramatically. The town's draw stems from its small-town
atmosphere and location. It sits about 20-25 miles from Raleigh, Cary and
Research Triangle Park, and many home-buyers are finding they can get more for
their money.
The influx of new residents is prompting officials
to make major improvements to the town's roads, water and sewer system and
recreational facilities. But those investments could mean less money to spend
on managing growth. Fuquay-Varina is a
partner in a wastewater treatment plant being built in Harnett County along the
Cape Fear River. The project is $5 million over budget because of rising
construction costs, and the town's tab stands at $17 million. In 2006, the town will begin a $3.5 million
expansion of its community center. It is also spending $750,000 to upgrade its
parks and soccer fields.
The town's tax base is currently 55 percent
residential and 45 percent commercial, he said.
Traffic remains the most immediate annoyance for
residents, particularly commuters who find themselves mired at rush hour along
Sunset Lake Road and Holly Springs Road north of town. Town officials hope two road projects will
alleviate some of the congestion. The
state Department of Transportation is widening N.C. 55 between Holly Springs
and Fuquay-Varina to four lanes, a project that is expected to be completed
this fall.
In the meantime, developers show no sign of losing
interest in the town. Earlier this year, the town granted approval for South Lakes, a 900-home subdivision
east of N.C. 55 at Old Honeycutt Road.
South Lakes will create a new center of activity within the town.
A variety of family neighborhoods are in and around town – prices for
single-family homes range from the mid 100s to $500,000. Resales
are still hot in Neills Crossing, Woodland Point,
Coley Farms and Millers Creek. Ballentine Farms is at
the homesite of the first schoolteacher turned
Confederate soldier. For golf enthusiasts, Bentwinds
Golf & Country Club is surrounded by homes ranging in price from $200,000
to $500,000. And, Crooked Creek is a large planned community with condominiums,
townhomes and single-family homes. Other developments that participated in the
last Parade of Homes include
Schools
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Town
of Garner
Chamber of Commerce
(919) 772-6440
Garner, located at the interchange
of Interstate 40 and US 70, approximately 8 miles south of Raleigh, is one of
Wake County’s best-kept secrets, and its official slogan proclaims it "the
most promising corner of the Triangle." Although it’s the third-largest
municipality in Wake County, Garner is still a place where neighbors know each
other’s names and children enjoy many outdoor recreational activities. With some 20,000 residents and growing,
Garner keeps its aura of a small, historic town. The downtown area is a designated historic
district, with several buildings, such as the train depot, on the National
Register of Historic Places. The locals
still gather at the Toot-N-Tell, as much for gossip as for the traditional
southern fare. And whether you qualify as a local or not, more than likely,
you'll fit right in. Because here, in one of the most promising corners of the
Greater Raleigh area, the welcome mat is always out.
History
The town began as a 1759 land grant (3,000
acres) by England’s King George. Part of the area later became the site of a
community known as Rand`s Mill, and Rand`s Mill Pond was later renamed Lake Benson. (It was
enlarged in 1951 and is now used as a reservoir.) Garner experienced combat in
the closing days of the Civil War, marked by the carefully preserved bullet
holes in Bethel Church and the “Garner” house, which was used as a hospital for
wounded soldiers.
Times immediately after the war were difficult, but by 1878 the community had
established a post office. The town of Garner was officially named in 1905. A
historic map shows that Garner was connected to Raleigh by Holloman`s
Road – a typical country road that remained unpaved until about 1918. In
addition to linking Garner to the state capitol, the road was a small section
of what was to become one of the oldest and longest traveled corridors in North
Carolina – the Central Highway, which went from the mountains to the sea. In
1910, the road became jointly known as Number 10 and U.S. 70. It was the first
paved road to be built in the state.
The first settlers were primarily cotton farmers. Town records show that the
first business in Garner was a wood shop owned by Henry Fort, who was a
cabinetmaker and carpenter – making wardrobes, bureaus, and other pieces of
furniture that are still used by some Garner residents today. Early businesses
included a mercantile, several general stores, cotton gins, a blacksmith,
barbershops, livery stables and boarding houses. The first bank was established
in Garner in 1910; telephone service came to Garner in 1912.
Schools
Part of the Wake County School
System, Garner is a “Community Involved In Its Schools.” Garner’s seven
elementary schools, two middle schools, and one high school are among the best
in the state, and are often chosen to lead in the development of new and
innovative programs. There are also options for year-round or magnet
schools. The town proudly rallies around
its sports programs. Friday night
football is a town ritual.
|
Elementary Schools |
Middle Schools |
High Schools |
|
Aversboro Elem. |
East Garner Middle*** |
*Year Round School **Magnet
School **Special Calendar School
***This
School has an International Baccalaureate Magnet Program starting the 2004/05
school year
Garner is more than a family-friendly
community atmosphere; however, business thrives here, contributing to the
economic success of the entire Triangle area. National and international
companies at home here include Goodmark Foods, maker
of Slim Jims, and Pergo, Inc. With only a short drive
to RDU and an ideal location at the crossroads of U.S. 70 and I-40, Garner is a
prime site to locate a business and attract employees throughout the Triangle
and Eastern North Carolina. Garner ranks second in Wake County and fifteenth
statewide on work force, business climate, infrastructure and quality of life,
according to Business North Carolina magazine’s rating of the state’s 50
largest cities in its “Best Cities for Business” issue, 2/98.
Retail chains are finding space in
Garner among a population that likes the idea of not having to drive so far to
other cities to shop. Chains like Lowe's, Applebee's, Home Depot, Target,
Staples, Golden Corral and a 10-screen United Artists Theater have invested in
the community. New stores are continuing to open in the Garner Towne Square
Shopping Center and other shopping centers. A new retail center, consisting of
500,000 square feet of retail space will open in Spring 2003.
Six parks offer programs such as
softball, basketball, karate, and yoga; there are three area golf courses; and
an arts association sponsors a community chorus, a theater group, and art
classes.
Garner Parks and Recreation
Department offers these facilities to the public for a variety of recreational
opportunities:
Cloverdale Park - Located in the Cloverdale subdivision off
Cranston Road, this wooded park features
a picnic shelter, play equipment and a basketball court.
Greenbriar Park - Located in the
Greenbriar subdivision on Winterlochen
Drive, this neighborhood
park offers a tennis court, play equipment and a picnic shelter.
Jaycee Park - Located on Sycamore Drive in the Forest
Hills Subdivision, this park features a
family picnic area with grills and a shelter, as well as a tot lot and other
play equipment.
Lake Benson Park - Located at Buffaloe
Road, this spacious park includes a walking trail, and accommodates a variety
of activities from family gatherings at the four picnic shelters to Town wide
special events. In warm weather, fishing and boat rentals are also
available at the Lake Benson Boat House from sunrise to thirty minutes prior to
sunset on Wednesdays through Sundays.
*Picnic Shelter Reservation
Rules: 1.) Shelters may be reserved up to 90 days in advance but no less than 7
days in advance.
2.) Arrangements for
special equipment and amplification of sound must be approved by the
Town. 3.) Reserving group is responsible for clean up. 4.) Shelters
are available from 8:30 am to dark. *Picnic Kit Rentals: (see information
below)
Rand Mill Park - Located on the corner of Rand Mill Road
and Smith Drive, this park attracts many
neighborhood residents with its ball field, play equipment and picnic shelter.
South Garner Park - Located in Heather Hills on Poole Drive,
this park has something for everyone.
The park features three softball fields, a multipurpose field, tennis courts, a
hiking trail and a large
playground.
Thompson Road Park - Located off Thompson Road, this provides
practice facilities for a variety
of athletic teams.
Avery Street
Recreation Center and Park
- Located on the Old Garner
Elementary School campus,
this Recreation Center offers a gymnasium that serves as a base for
after-school program and summer
day camp. The park also features a play field and North Garner baseball
field which are operated by the Town.
Garner Historic
Auditorium - Located at 742
West Garner Road, the restored 512-seat auditorium is
host to many performances and events. The elegant lobby can be leased for
special occasions and acts
as an art gallery.
Garner Recreational
Park - Located in the
Historic Garner District, this park features two ball fields
and playground. In the Creech Road section of the park, there are lighted
tennis courts.
Garner Senior
Center - Located at 205 East
Garner Road, the center is a focal point for senior adult programs
and has received statewide recognition for quality services.
The housing market, fueled by the
town’s growth, is expanding dramatically. Homes in virtually every price range
abound—from starter homes under $100,000 to a medium-sized homes, to executive
homes on large, wooded lots (a Wake County rarity) for $300,000.
The average size lot is estimated to be around three-quarters of an
acre. Garner is on the verge of becoming
the hottest growth corner in the Research Triangle area. Owning a home in
Garner is a good investment, as projected steady growth in the area promises to
increase home value. In addition, in
Garner it is often possible to get more home for the money than in some other
areas in the Triangle because of lower land prices.
Because of its proximity to Downtown Raleigh, Raleigh-Durham International Airport, and the Research Triangle Park, Garner is a popular choice for many workers who are looking to buy a home and raise their family in a safe, affordable, and convenient location. People are finding that Garner is more accessible and has more elbow- room than many Triangle residences.
A recent survey showed that nearly 80 percent of Garner's residents own their own homes, and the well-kept appearance of Garner's neighborhoods show that they take great pride in home ownership. This high percentage also indicates community stability and the commitment of Garner residents to the town and its welfare. This combined with an aggressive effort within the Garner business and residential community to build on our quality of life features, with a stronger educational and cultural arts program, makes Garner true to its motto.
Town of Holly Springs
Chamber of Commerce
(919) 567-1796
Tucked between Apex and
Fuquay-Varina on N.C. 55, Holly Springs is a family oriented rural community,
blending historic and newly constructed homes, within a somewhat longer
although still manageable commute to Cary, Raleigh and RTP.
History
The town is named for a spot of
fresh water springs that grew near numerous holly trees. Travelers from Raleigh
to the Cape Fear River and Fayetteville stopped to quench their thirst. In the
1800s a village formed with a general store, a Baptist Church, a Masonic Lodge
and two schools. The Holly Springs Academy was founded in 1854 to prepare young
men for admission to Wake Forest College. A year later, an academy for girls
opened.
Holly Springs became “a deserted village” after the Civil War and the
construction of a railroad through the neighboring community of Apex. Although
the relocation of a successful mercantile business to Holly Spring started its
comeback in 1875, the two World Wars and the Depression again hit the town
hard. Once again, in the 1960s, residents embarked on an effort to revitalize
their town. The construction of a sewer plant in 1987 spurred growth – but the
boom began in 1992 as the population spilled over from Cary and Apex.
Today
Just 10 years ago, Holly Springs had
less than 1,000 residents. Today, that number tops 18,500 making Holly Springs
one of the fastest-growing municipalities in North Carolina. In 1990, Holly
Springs had 996 homes, according to the U.S. Census. Last year, that number had
more than tripled to 3,778. Town
officials project the population to reach 24,000 by 2010.
New access roads like the N.C. 55
Bypass and the planned extension of I 540 are helping to stimulate residential
and commercial development in Holly Springs.
The main focal point for commercial development growth is centered on
the Main St and the NC 55 Bypass area.
Here is a sampling of what is expected to evolve:
* In the western portion of the intersection, Harris Teeter is
expected to anchor a 250,000-square-foot shopping center, SouthPark
Village and could be built by 2011.
* In the northern portion,
approximately 100 townhouses are expected to be built in 2007.
* East of the intersection on 40
acres, Main Street Square, a mixed-use development with up to 90 townhouses, 17
single-family homes, 150 apartments or condominiums and 40,000 square feet of
shops with 40,000 square feet of offices on top will be constructed.
* At the southern portion, there
is a plan to develop the Shoppes at Holly Springs,
which could include Wal-Mart along with 50,000 square feet of other shops,
restaurants and services, in the next several years.
Residents of Holly Springs enjoy the town’s intimate atmosphere. Annual
festivals include Holly Days, a Labor Day celebration in September and
Scarecrows in the Park in October.
Recreational opportunities abound, with both Jordan and Harris lakes
nearby, and the four-star Devil’s Ridge golf course (private).
Business opportunities exist in two busy industrial parks and the several
shopping and office centers recently completed. Holly Springs is the location
selected by Novartis for a new state of the art
vaccine plant.
Recently completed enhancements to
the downtown infrastructure include a pedestrian-friendly downtown renovation,
complete with amphitheater, walkways, and bicycle paths connecting residential
areas with downtown; a 46-acre park; a library; and additional schools to meet
the needs of this rapidly growing, family-friendly community.
Housing options include older homes,
farmsteads, and modern subdivisions, including Oak Hall, Windward Pointe, Holly
Glen, Sunset Lake Village, and Sunset
Ridge. New homes start around $100,000 and range upward to $750,000. Sunset
Ridge, is a 1,300 home golf course community, around Devils Ridge Golf
Club. This neighborhood – with home prices ranging from the low $200s to nearly
a million – features an aquatic club with two Olympic-size swimming pools and a
water park. Windward Point, an older
community in the middle of town, backs up to an elementary school and enjoys
good resale value with homes from $120,000 to $180,000. Other developments that participate in the
most recent Parade of Homes include, Arbor Creek, Avent Acres, Brackenridge
Pointe, Braxton Village, Holly Glen, Valleyfield and Wescott. Growth in
Holly Springs continues, with the start up of a 1,300 home Nicklaus
designed golf course community called Twelve Oaks on 680 acres north of New
Hill Rd and west of NC 55 by-pass.
Nearby Sunset Ridge, along
Schools
|
|
PTA |
Elementary |
|
|
|
School |
Elementary |
|
|
|
|
Elementary |
|
|
|
|
Elementary |
|
|
|
|
Elementary |
Holly Ridge |
|
|
|
High |
|
|
|
|
High |
|
|
|
|
High |
|
|
|
|
Middle |
|
|
|
|
Middle |
|
|
|
|
Middle Elem & Middle |
Holly Ridge |
Town of Knightdale
Chamber of Commerce
(919) 266-4603
Knightdale, incorporated in 1927, is a community of some 5,000 residents located along Highway 64, about 15 minutes east of Raleigh and 25 miles east of RDU. According to the North Carolina Office of State Planning, Knightdale is the state’s seventh-fastest-growing municipality for towns with more than 2,500 people. Moreover, it was recently designated as the Triangle area’s Best Town.
Most of the community’s growth stems from new development rather than annexation. Careful planning and quality development have allowed Knightdale to maintain one of the lowest tax rates in Wake County— and the state—at 44 cents per $100 of property value. Knightdale has three elementary schools, a middle school, and a high school. Recreation sites, such as a swimming pool, parks, and golf courses, provide fitness opportunities and family fun, and a 22,000-square-foot, regional library opened in the fall of 1999. One of the town’s major employers is Square D Corporation.
New housing is plentiful in Knightdale. Homes are available in a wide range of prices and sizes. For example, homes range from $100,000 to $120,000 in Ashley Hills, start at $120,000 in Planter’s Walk, and are priced above $200,000 in Magnolia Place. Newer subdivisions include Mingo Creek and Emerald Point, and these two new apartment complexes total 340 units.
Town of Morrisville
Chamber of Commerce
(919) 380-9026
Morrisville is small (10 square miles), and seemingly all business. Adjacent to RDU, it’s a major commercial center whose growth is evident in the phenomenal increase in chamber of commerce membership from 70 to 625 in just four years. The tax base in 1999 was $515 million, approximately 80 percent of which is commercial. Major employers include Hudson- Belk, Leggett, PPD Development, Magellan Labs, Biovail Pharmaceuticals, Nortel, XpedX, and Yellow Freight. There are several office parks, the Prime Outlet mall, and a 32-acre shopping center that houses the largest Carmike theater in the state.
Morrisville’s home prices average
$225,000 and range from the low $100,000 to $500,000. Amenities include three
parks and two community centers—one with a 25-meter swimming pool; a gym; and
tennis, volleyball, and basketball courts. Annual events include a circus and
numerous bluegrass concerts. Apartments are available at more than 10
locations. And 7,500 new living units have been approved for construction in
Morrisville, including single-family homes, apartments, town houses, and
condos.
Today, its residential
population approaches 9,500, with another 30,000 people commuting into town
daily to work at the industrial and commercial enterprises that have sprung up.
The growth will continue: Town officials have approved construction of enough
living units to boost Morrisville`s population to
13,300 by 2006.
One example of the new developments
under construction is Kitts Creek, a master
planned neighborhood situated near RTP and conveniently adjacent to the new
sections of I 540. When completed, this
subdivision will have the look and feel of a turn of the century neighborhood,
with 620 single family homes incorporating a variety of architectural styles
and townhomes, ranging in price from $175,000 to
$600,000.
Small town on verge
of something big
By Stephanie Hlavin
Morrisville was born a century-and-a-half ago with the siting of a train depot near Crabtree Creek. In 1850, Jeremiah Morris donated land for a train station that linked Charlotte with Goldsboro by rail, and the town of Morrisville was born. With origins that began at a rural crossroads, Morrisville again finds itself at a crossroads, but on a much larger scale.
Location is the town’s most obvious advantage. Adjacent to Research Triangle Park (RTP), minutes from Raleigh-Durham International airport, a 20-minute drive to Raleigh or Chapel Hill, and only 15 minutes to Durham, Morrisville’s proximity to almost the entire Triangle is unquestionable. Word is spreading quickly, and the town’s population is growing rapidly.
In 1980, Morrisville had no stoplight to slow the 250 people that called the town home. Since then, its population has almost tripled from 5,000 residents in 2000 to 15,000 people in 2007. Ben Hitchings, the town’s planning director, says the growth is almost entirely due to people working in RTP and living in Morrisville.
With population growing at about 4.5 new residents each day, how will the 10-square-mile town create its own identity? Carefully, says Hitchings, who is helping to create the town’s brand.
“We have an interesting story to tell, with the classic historical N.C. themes of Civil War activity and artifacts, railroads, textiles, and religious histories,” he says.
A drive through the center of town includes the original depot and site of a 1910 knitting mill, as well as three historical churches and examples of the signature decorative sawn work for which historical Morrisville homes are known. While they might not be obvious for passersby, “We have a chance to create an exciting opportunity for folks to learn about them,” Hitchings says.
Creating an identity
The town will begin its branding process by referencing its history while creating a vision for its future.
“We have spent quite some time looking at the history of the town and understanding it,” Hitchings says. “Now we must go about honoring it and weaving it into the design of our civic and residential spaces.”
Morrisville residents and planners are keen on preserving its small-town character, so they have joined forces to create a Town Center – a focal point that will honor the town’s past and serve as a vibrant center of community for current and future residents.
“By working together to implement the plan, the town and the community can help protect and enhance Morrisville’s place as the small town in the heart of the Triangle,” Hitchings says.
The Town Center design was developed through extensive public input, with an eye on maintaining a small-town feel while providing access to the region’s amenities. Key elements of the plan include:
- Protecting historic structures, specifically those around Church Street
- Creating a community gathering place lined with small businesses and anchored by a civic and cultural facility
- Establishing a Civil War park and rural heritage park
- Linking parks and other destinations with a network of sidewalks and greenways
- Investing in transportation improvements
The Town Center plan was created by Elam, Todd, d’Ambrosi (ETd), a provider of urban planning and landscape architecture services, which moved its Cary office to Morrisville to take advantage of the town’s pro-business approach, says Sarah Mercer, director of marketing and client development.
“Morrisville is a dynamic town that takes advantage of its strategic location and friendly residences,” adds Pat Mallett, ETd partner.
“When people think of Morrisville, I hope they think of a vibrant small town that has a wonderful central gathering place,” Hitchings says, adding that he also wants it to be known as a neighborhood for people of all ages who want to live in an enjoyable community with access to regional destinations.
With new families moving in each day, access to quality schools also is important to residents. Morrisville is part of the Wake County School System and less than 20 minutes away from top universities and colleges.
“Because of our central location, not only can residents get to work without sitting in traffic long, but you also can leave your job in Durham, Chapel Hill, Raleigh or RTP and go read to your child’s class or have lunch with them and be back at work quickly,” Faulkner adds.
Amenities: Mixing it up
Along with development comes convenience. Unlike a few years ago, Morrisville residents will not have to go to Raleigh, Durham or Cary for a mix of housing options. Builders and developers remain busy in the town, creating communities that offer generous amenities at various price points and distinctions.
With a tagline that states, “Celebrating Small Town America in the Heart of the Triangle,” Kitts Creek aims to take would-be residents a step back in time with the conveniences of today, says Lanny Caldwell, manager and owner of Experience One Homes.
Kitts Creek is planned and developed in line with new urbanism, neo-traditional neighborhoods and traditional neighborhood design. This planning “creates an atmosphere of warmth and neighborliness, with pedestrian-friendly sidewalks on both sides of the street,” Caldwell notes. Homes are positioned closer to the street, and many have rocking chair-friendly front porches that promote interaction with neighbors.
The 6400-square-foot Kitts Creek Community Center, eight-lane competition swimming pool, children's pool and playground areas, 1,100-square-foot cabana building, and outdoor pavilion are located within a three-plus acre, landscaped recreational space. Situated in the middle of the neighborhood, amenities are accessible to all homeowners.
Kitts Creek currently is approved for more than 700 home sites comprised of 90 townhomes and single-family detached homes. With more than 100 home designs, architectural diversity is maintained.
Located in what developers refer to as the heart of Morrisville, Providence Place is situated on 176 acres and features four neighborhoods suited for families of all sizes and budgets.
According to Dennis Hobbs, MIRM, area sales manager of K. Hovnanian Homes and Providence Place, the development is a traditional neighborhood with a wide selection of townhomes, villas, single-family homes and estate homes that reinforce the community's character and the town’s emphasis on small-town living.
Rather than compromising the community’s natural beauty to squeeze in more homesites, Providence Place has left many trees standing. The development also features a junior Olympic-sized swimming pool and three playgrounds.
By offering a diverse range of homes, Hobbs says Morrisville is an ideal place to live because the town can satisfy almost everyone’s wants and needs.
“Our homebuyers want to be close to work and recreational opportunities,” he says. “Within 20 minutes, Providence Place residents can access over a dozen golf courses, camp and fish or boat at Jordan Lake, and hop on walking and biking trails, including our own trail that connects to the town’s park trail system.”
A 270-acre mixed-use development located at McCrimmon Parkway and the future Town Hall Drive, Town Hall Commons includes office, retail and residential options. Currently, there are 161 single-family attached townhomes and 148 single-family homes. Upon completion, Town Hall Commons will expand its residential offerings to include 230 additional townhomes and single-family homes.
Amenities will include an 800-student Wake County Elementary School site with public facilities such as a gym, library and ball fields; a public library; Morrisville park and recreational regional softball and baseball complex; community center; neighborhood swim club; day-care center; greenways that link to walking and jogging trails; and Church of Latter Day Saints.
A place to call home
While each community has a distinct style and structure, developers agree on Morrisville’s overall appeal.
“Morrisville is truly one of the Triangle’s gems, especially with its location, beauty and small-town charm,” says Greg Sanchez, president of Tri Properties Inc., developer of Town Hall Commons. “The town government and Morrisville Chamber of Commerce have been doing an excellent job controlling the growth and making sure that developing projects will have long-term positive impacts on the town.”
Whatever brand statement it creates, Hitchings says it no doubt will reflect that Morrisville is a small town in the center of the Triangle. It is combination that not only is wonderful but also unique, he adds.
“Only recently has the area grown into the interior of the Triangle,” Hitchings notes. “This late-arriving expansion has enabled Morrisville to remain a small town and have only 250 residents as recently as 1980. Yet despite all this growth, we still have an opportunity to create an authentic place, a real place – not a field that was cleared and built with a main street.”
Stephanie Hlavin is a freelance writer based in the Triangle.
Town
of Rolesville
Chamber of Commerce
(919) 554-4150
With some 1,000 citizens, Rolesville is Wake County’s smallest community and "the last rural community in the county," says Mayor Joe Winfree. Its small-town atmosphere is reflected by festival days held as fund-raisers for town organizations or for citizens in need. The downtown is charming and rustic, with antique shops and a flea market; and yet, Rolesville has many amenities typical of larger communities (it’s come a long way from its first traffic light in 1967). Two new elementary schools and a shopping center with a supermarket and other specialty stores are located near downtown. A park provides ball fields, concessions, and a place to enjoy the fine North Carolina weather. Local industries include Pine Glo Products Inc. and Wake Monument Co. The newly formed chamber of commerce boasts more than 55 members, including some from Raleigh and Wake Forest.
Rolesville’s growth is evidenced by the spurt of new housing. Jones Dairy Farm, an established development just over the town line in Wake Forest, features homes from $112,000 to $208,000, while newer developments, such as Olde Town and Walt Creek, offer homes at starting prices of $135,000 and $192,000, respectively.
Town of Wake Forest
Chamber of Commerce
(919) 556-1519
Wake Forest is a thriving town steeped in tradition and history, yet it is always progressing. The town grew up around the campus of Wake Forest College, now the Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. It’s a charming setting featuring stone buildings, stately trees, and ivy-covered walls.
As the town’s population steadily
increases, business and community leaders work together to encourage quality
growth and safeguard its small-town quality of life. More than 22,000 people
now live in Wake Forest, located off U.S. 1 about 10 minutes north of Raleigh
and 30 minutes from RDU. The town has nine parks, a public swimming pool, and
two golf courses, and is only five miles from Falls Lake, a major state park.
What’s more, the historic district is a growing business area. A hot dog at Shorty's and a visit to the Olde English Tea Room and Gift
Shoppe are absolute musts, as is a stroll through Wake Forest's historic
downtown. National
and international companies located in Wake Forest include Athey
Products, Mallinckrodt Chemical, Novo Nordisk Biochem, Sprint, and Weavexx
Corp. Housing options range from 19th-century residences to new, planned
communities. Heritage
Town of Wendell
Chamber of Commerce
(919) 365-6318
Wendell is a laid-back community with an interesting pedigree. It grew slowly around a one-room schoolhouse established in 1861, and was named for Oliver Wendell Holmes in 1891. Legend attributes the pronunciation (wen-DELL), which continues today, to a train conductor. The town of 4,000 residents is located 20 minutes from Raleigh and 45 minutes from RDU Airport. Major employers include Cotton Exchange Apparel, Measurements Group, Mortex, and Siemens.
Known as the home of progress and opportunity, Wendell has big-city amenities, including a park with athletic fields and tennis courts, the J. Ashley Wall town square with its picturesque gazebo, and a country club with a swimming pool and an 18-hole golf course. An 18,000-square-foot gym/community center is currently under construction in Wendell Park. A new community park will feature two softball/baseball fields, two soccer fields, and a walking trail. Wendell has two elementary schools (one magnet and one with a traditional and alternate calendar), a middle school and a high school. Retirement options include the Robinwood Community and Rose Terrace Assisted Living Center.
Downtown features a variety of shops and other businesses, and is included on the National Register of Historic Places. Subdivisions like Ridge Haven, Northwinds, Holly Pointe, Greystone, Jones Landing and Cobblestone feature houses from $75,000 to $100,000, while properties in Candlewick and Deerfield are $90,000 to $150,000. Executive homes from $200,000 are available in Blair Hills.
Town of Zebulon
Chamber of Commerce
(919) 269-6320
Zebulon is at the easternmost edge of Wake County on Highway 64, about 30 minutes from Raleigh and 45 minutes from the airport. The town of about 5,000 people was recently ranked as the Triangle’s second-favorite town, according to a study conducted by News Channel 11 (ABC) and NC State. Zebulon is renovating its downtown district, welcoming commercial growth while maintaining its quaint atmosphere.
Zebulon is home to the Carolina Mudcats, North Carolina’s only Class AA professional baseball franchise. A country club offers swimming, golf, and fishing, and city-sponsored recreation programs in individual and team sports are available to all ages. Eastern Wake Hospital, a 20-bed, day facility, is also located here. Major employers include Nomaco, Glaxo Wellcome, and PYA/Monarch. Whitley's is a Carolina landmark. And, in this town of friendly people, only Lillian Kannon's chili is more revered than her restaurant's famous hot dogs.
Housing is available for any lifestyle. Older homes downtown cost anywhere from $80,000 to $350,000. New housing in Pineview, off North Carolina Highway 97, ranges from $80,000 to $100,000; prices in Whitley Way start at $150,000; Hunter’s Green residences are $150,000 to $190,000; and executive homes in Wakefield Oak Grove run from $225,000 to $400,000.
Orange County –and Chatham County
Orange County is well known for its rich history, outstanding educational and employment opportunities, and diverse and friendly citizens. Nestled in the hills of the North Carolina Piedmont, Orange County is located strategically between the Research Triangle Park and the Triad cities of Greensboro, Winston-Salem and High Point. With more than 100,000 citizens, Orange County includes historic Hillsborough, the county seat, Chapel Hill, home of the University of North Carolina, and Carrboro, a former railroad and mill town.
Orange County is proud of its long and distinguished history. When Orange County was founded in 1752, five Native American tribes lived in this area. Two years later, William Churton laid out the boundaries of Hillsborough on land where the Great Indian Trading Path crossed the Eno River. Hillsborough was the center of North Carolina politics in the colonial era and hosted the state's Constitutional Convention in 1778, where North Carolina delegates demanded that a Bill of Rights be added before they would ratify the U.S. Constitution.
In 1789, the North Carolina General Assembly chartered the University of North Carolina, the nation's first state university. UNC-Chapel Hill is the flagship of a 16-member state university system and is consistently rated as one of the finest state universities in the country.
The county encompasses rolling farms and dairy land, vital urban areas, and graceful historic sites. Orange County combines the best of small town living with an abundance of social and cultural resources, and easy access to major metropolitan areas. It offers a quality of life that is the pride of long-time residents and an attraction for newcomers of all ages.
Chapel Hill/Carrboro Chamber of Commerce
The Town of Chapel Hill is located
principally in Orange County and slightly in Durham County. The area’s topography is characterized by
rolling hills. The Town, which was incorporated in 1819, presently covers an
area of 21.04 square miles and has a population of 51,598. The Town is the home
of the University of North
Carolina at Chapel Hill, the nation's oldest public university,
established in 1789. Today, the University enjoys a reputation as one of the
best public universities in the United States. The University is the oldest state University
in the nation (1795) and offers residents of our community many amenities like
concerts, plays, libraries, planetarium, art museum and many sporting events.
Chapel Hill's growth and development is inextricably linked with the University of North Carolina. The University and its hospital continue to be the town's largest employer. Chapel Hill has one of the largest choices of restaurants in the country. Chapel Hill is rapidly becoming popular as a retirement community.
Chapel Hill and the University of North Carolina
are joined at the hip. Located in downtown Chapel Hill, the university is the
hub of this small city. Franklin Street,
which fronts the university, offers locals and students a wide range of
shopping, restaurants, coffee shops, arts and theater. It is a quaint community
with an easy pace. Older, historic homes surround the campus, along Franklin
Street, Tenny Circle and Gimgoul.
Established neighborhoods, subdivisions and older
farm homes are found outside of downtown and heading towards Durham,
Hillsborough and Pittsboro.
Chapel Hill and Carrboro have
numerous neighborhoods to choose from.
While many Chapel Hill homes – especially new ones – are among the most expensive
in the state, others, tucked in older neighborhoods, have prices more
comparable to those in nearby cities. Average house prices in Carrboro tend to
be lower.
The planning departments in Chapel Hill and Carrboro have been quite
restrictive in terms of their home development to prevent sprawl and to
preserve the maximum amount of land in it’s natural state the towns have
required that developers cluster homes. That is one of the reasons when
searching for a newer home many are about 1/3 acre within the town limits.
There are only a few newer home
neighborhoods with homes built in the past few years with lot sizes of one
acre+ with water and sewer. That neighborhood is The Reserve and Hunts
Reserve with home prices starting in the upper $600,000’s. In Orange county (outside Chapel Hill and Carrborro city limits) lots are larger because more land is
necessary for the well and septic systems. Outside the city limits, 3 miles
south of Chapel Hill is a newer, large lot development (1 acre +), called The Woodlands www.thewoodlandsofchapelhill.com
In Chapel Hill, historic neighborhoods with Victorian to contemporary charm
encircle the university. The Cameron-McCauley district is south of
Franklin Street and west of Columbia Street. The Franklin-Rosemary
section, similar to Cameron-McCauley with its 1920s- and 1930s-era homes, is
just north of Franklin Street. The Chapel Hill Preservation Society is
headquartered there in the Horace Williams House, a 19th-century farmhouse.
On the east side of campus, Gimghoul Road’s stately homes adorn a
winding loop on a bluff adjacent to Battle Park, a forested preserve with
trails. In winter through Battle Park’s bare trees, you can catch glimpses of
lights in Glendale homes tucked into bluffs overlooking the woods. At the end
of Gimghoul Rd, beyond the church, lies the mysterious Gimghoul Castle, home of
the secrect society of famous UNC alumnus.
Between the 1950s and 1980s, neighborhoods developed off major roads leading
away from campus. Their personalities vary by style and year built. Shopping
centers with grocery and sundry shops are close enough to bike or walk to.
Golf course developments in Chapel Hill are few and consist primarily of the
various phases of Oaks I, II, III sub-divisions built around Chapel
Hill Country Club, an 18 hole private club.
As in most older Chapel Hill
neighborhoods, Lakeshore Drive’s homes are widely spaced and built amid
trees, and in this case, surrounding a private, community-owned lake. Other
family-oriented communities in the north part of are as convenient to I-40 as
to UNC.
New planned communities are in the northern part of Chapel Hill. All you have
to do to find them from downtown is drive north on Airport Road toward I-40.
You’ll find others by turning right at Weaver Dairy Road. These communities
have spacious, expensive homes on smaller lots, lending them a more urban feel.
Southern Village, one of
several communities on
In the western end of
Carrboro was founded in 1882,
three years after a Railway line was extended to link students with the outside
world. Today Carrboro is known for having one of the most extensive
on and off-road bikeway systems in the state. The town of Carrboro is
about 4.25 square miles and supports over 150 small businesses.
From Carrboro’s Main Street, either
go north on Greensboro Street (by Carr Mill Mall) or west along Main toward
U.S. 54 then sidestep onto streets of established neighborhoods whose home
choices range from ranch and colonial to contemporary and transitional.
Carrboro also has many new communities.
Nearby Chapel Hill is Governor’s Club, http://www.governorsclub.com/ Founded
in 1988, Governors Club is an award winning 1,600 acre private golf community
located five miles south of Chapel Hill, NC..
The reasons for choosing to live at Governors Club are as individual as
the people who make them. For some, it's the peace of mind of an attended
gatehouse entry 24 hours a day that makes Governors Club the perfect place to
raise their families. For others with children grown and off on their own, its
the active lifestyle at Governors Club and the area's mild, four-season
climate. For many it just may be the
Chapel Hill address without the Chapel Hill taxes. Governor’s Club is located in Chatham county,
where the taxes are less than half of Chapel Hill.
Located on the site of an 18th century dairy farm, just south of
Colvard Farms is
a new, small sub-division situated near the Jordan Lake Recreation area, off of
751 in
The Hills of Rosemont,
an exclusive gated sub-division started in 2003, is
located 4 miles south of The Streets at Southpoint in northern
The Old Chatham Golf Club opposite The Hills of Rosemont will also be home to a limited number of estate homes that will be developed as part of Old Chatham Estates. The plan is to build up to 10 custom estates on a 45 acre tract of land that overlooks the 11th hole.
The Legacy at Jordan Lake is one of the newest planned
luxury home gated community, located west of
There are
2 new first-rate golf communities situated in Chatham County that were
developed by the same firm, Blue Green Golf Community. The Preserve at Jordan Lake is
located due south of
Just to the south of Chapel Ridge and also north of
NC 64 and Pittsboro in
Hillsborough, the Orange County seat, is a small town with a population
of 6,000 in approximately 5 square miles located near the
intersections of I 40, I 85, and NC 70, north and west of Durham and Chapel
Hill.
History
Orange County was founded in 1752 and two years
later Hillsborough was laid out by William Churton on
land where the Great Indian Trading Path crossed the Eno
River. The street names — Tryon, Wake, King, Queen, Churton
— still recall this early history. William Churton
first laid out the town of Hillsborough, then called Orange, on 400 acres
granted by the Honorable John Earl Granville. He provided for spacious public
squares at each intersection of main streets. In 1766, however, this plan was
abandoned, and in spite of the hilly situation of the town, the familiar
checkerboard-and-cross street plan was employed. Hillsborough took its present
name in 1766 after the Irish peer, William Hill, Earl of Hillsborough,
Secretary of State for the Colonies from 1768 to 1772 under George III in 1754.
Hillsborough was a center of political activity
during the Colonial and Revolutionary periods. Several royal and elected
governors lived here, as did a signer of the Declaration of Independence,
William Hooper, whose house still stands. The War of the Regulation (1766-1771)
ended here. The town hosted the third Provincial Congress (1775); the state’s
constitutional Convention of 1778, which demanded that a Bill of Rights be
added to the U.S. Constitution; and five General Assemblies (1778, 1780, 1782-1784).
General Cornwallis raised the Royal Standard here in 1781. Hillsborough
remained a political and cultural center in the nineteenth century. It was from
temporary headquarters near town that General Joseph E. Johnston rode out to
surrender the largest of the Confederate armies to General Sherman in 1865.
There remain more than 100 late eighteenth and
nineteenth century structures that illustrate the Town's early history.
In addition, there are numerous secondary buildings, bridges, millsites and dams along the Eno,
and Native American relics from the locations of ancients towns stretching back
thousands of years.
Historic Hillsborough is sometimes referred to as a museum without walls. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the historic district boasts more than 100 late 18th century and early 19th Century structures still standing. Residents appreciate the quaintness and friendliness of their small town, but also enjoy its fast, convenient access to other Triangle cities via Interstate 85 and Interstate 40, which run through or near the town limits.
The boundaries for Hillsborough were laid out in 1754, where the Great Indian Trading Path crossed the Eno River. Known as the "capital of the back country," Hillsborough was the scene of many dramatic events taking place prior to the Revolutionary War. The town was the site of the trial and hanging of the Regulators, who staged an uprising to protest taxes, corrupt officials and non-representation. Hillsborough is also the site of the momentous Constitutional Convention of 1788 where the North Carolina delegates demanded a Bill of Rights before they would ratify the U.S. Constitution. Equally important is Hillsborough's place in Civil War history. The town's visitor center once served as the headquarters for General Johnston, who negotiated his surrender to General Sherman, which marked the end of the Civil War.
Today, Hillsborough encompasses residential neighborhoods, a large historic district and a considerable number of retail and business areas that emphasize antiques and craft shopping. The town prides itself on being as hospitable as it is visually attractive.
Self-guided tour of historic Hillsborough
Schools
Two school systems serve Orange County: Chapel Hill/Carrboro City Schools and
Orange County Schools. Most residents of Hillsborough and northern Orange
County attend Orange County Schools. The system currently serves approximate
6,200 students at 7 elementary schools, 2 middle schools and 2 high schools.
|
A
city of paradoxes, Durham has its origins in tobacco and textiles, yet today
is home to some of the most acclaimed medical institutions and high-tech businesses
in the Triangle, if not the nation. |
|||||||
|
The most notable testament to the Duke family’s
contributions in Durham is Duke University and its world-renowned Medical
Center. Together with Durham Regional
Hospital the VA Medical Center and other health institutions, about one-third
of Durham’s work force is in a health care-related field. Nearby North
Carolina Central University, a historically black institution that offers an
array of liberal arts courses, contributes to the academic environment and
college atmosphere within the city. |
|||||||
|
Durham residents can pursue a variety of other
recreational and cultural attractions. The Durham Bulls, a AAA International League baseball team, plays at Durham Bulls Athletic Park. Another
team synonymous with Self-guided
overview of Durham From 20-acre horse farms to lavish mansions, the city offers a wide variety of neighborhoods to its 210,000-plus residents. Trinity Park, Durham’s first historic neighborhood, has experienced a renaissance that has set the precedent for historic renovations in other sectors of the city. The demand for homes along the tree-lined streets near Duke remains greater than the supply, resulting in sale prices that escalate each year. Townhomes and single family homes developed as part of Trinity Heights by Duke for their faculty and staff are in great demand. Croasdaile and the newer Croasdaile Farms is only ten minutes north of Duke University and Duke Medical Center with easy access to I-85, the Durham Expressway to RTP or south on 15-501 to Chapel Hill. Croasdaile residents enjoy easy commutes to all points in the Triangle. Homes in Croasdaile and Croasdaile Farm are distinctive on spacious well landscaped lots. Some of the homes in Croasdaile are well situated along the fairways of Croasdaile country club, an 18 hole private golf course recently renovated under the direction of architect John B. LaFoy. The Forest Hills Community occupies a hilly park-like area south of
downtown Durham, with large, older, historic homes full of character, many of
which have been updated and renovated.
|
|||||||
|
Treyburn, is a golf course/country club community encompassing
over 5,000 acres north of
|
Research Triangle
Park (RTP)
Davis
Park is one of the first mixed-use developments that is actually located within RTP. Davis Park is being built on a 153 acre site
at the corner of Davis Drive and Hopson Rd.
When completed it will feature an array of town homes, condos, lofts,
situated around a village center with retail shops, restaurants, cafes and
offices.