Aug. 19, 2008 - Why I love Cary NC!

I moved to the Triangle in 1991 and have lived in Cary since 1994. I'm practically a native.  I've watched Cary blossom  into and established and well planned community.  Here are some of the reasons I love to call Cary, NC home! 

Location & proximity to Research Triangle Park

Many of the Triangle area residents commute North into the RTP (Research Triangle Park) area rather than downtown Raleigh.  Now that the widening of two major alternative routes to I-540 (HWY 55 and Davis Drive) has been completed the commute into RTP is a quick 10-15 minute drive to the major employers in the area.  Cary is also a quick commute to the RDU Airport and the 3 Major Universities in the area.   

The Great Outdoors

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 20 city parks, including the Fred G. Bond Metro Park and Hemlock Bluffs Nature Preserve. There's also the Kids Together Park with a large playground. In addition to community swimming pools, tennis courts and some of the finest golf courses in the area, these green spaces are what make people from all over the country want to call Cary home.  There are also plenty of public sports venues around town including Cary Tennis Park, Triangle Aquatic Center (TAC), and the USA Baseball Park. 

Highly Educated Community & Great Schools 

Cary has the highest median household income in Wake County ($89,623), and more than two-thirds of Cary residents hold a college degree.  Cary is also been touted as having the highest number of Phd's in the country.  Cary schools are a part of the Wake County Public School system and continue to rank as some of the highest rated schools in Wake County.  Many are still on the traditional school calendar also.  

Planned Community

Planning, planning and more planning is Cary's adage. It takes but one drive around the Maynard loop, which circles Cary, to understand the vision: planned neighborhoods with large homes, two-car garages and well-groomed lawns are scattered throughout the town.  National Geographic even wrote a great article on Cary a few years back titled "All roads lead to a cul-de-sac in this mushrooming high-tech hometown of transplanted Yankees. A friendly game of bunco, anyone?"  

Business

Cary is home to such leading companies as SAS Institute-the largest privately held software company in the World.  American Airlines and John Deere also have a big presence. However, unlike many towns, commercial development is regulated much the same as residential development. While other Triangle towns have rules governing residential neighborhoods, Cary insists on tasteful commercial buildings that match the surroundings. 

Downtown Cary 

Downtown Cary is undergoing a major revitalization over the next few years called Cary Streetscape.  The goal is to preserve the days gone past but bring in businesses and shops that allow residents to live, work, and play in the downtown area.  This is also where Lazy Daze Arts and Crafts Festival is held annually, which is considered one of the finest festivals in the state. Page-Walker Arts and History Center, formerly the Page-Walker Hotel, which was built in 1868 to serve train passengers is also located in the downtown area and a great destination point. 

Cultural & Performing Arts  

Jordan Hall Arts Center  features an art gallery for monthly exhibits that promote and support local artists. Studio time for potters, painters and portrait artists is regularly scheduled. The center is also monthly meeting place for The Fine Arts Leaque of Cary.  If you enjoy art on a larger scale the North Carolina Museum of Art, in Raleigh, is one of the finest art galleries in the Triangle.  For performing arts Koka Booth Amphitheatre is located in the Regency area of Cary, has regularly scheduled concerts and venues, and is a fantastic way to enjoy an evening outside in the summertime.   

Medical Care

WakeMed is Cary's top notch hospital and is located near Tryon Road and Kildaire Farm Road.  WakeMed has helped to serve the growing population's need for, and access to, convenient medical care. 

Accolades 

The list keeps growing every year.  Money magazine is in love with Cary and the Triangle in general.  Cary was recently named best place to live in the country and the hottest town on the East Coast.  Click here to watch Kiplinger's Video on why the Raleigh-Cary Area is ranked the #2 Best Place to Live in 2008. 

Growth of Cary 

Attention to detail has proved very beneficial when dealing with the population explosion in Cary. In fact, Cary has doubled its population every decade since 1960.  Cary is the seventh-largest municipality in the state and has grown from 43,000 in 1990 to more than 120,000 today.

To handle the expansion, city leaders and developers carefully control development and have built an infrastructure to absorb the growth. In fact, it wasn't until recently that the voice to slow down Cary's growth was heard. Lately, Cary officials have been developing innovative growth controls. Some of these include requiring developers to prove there are enough roads and classrooms to accommodate the newcomers, as well a $70 million expansion of the water treatment plant that serves Cary and nearby Apex.

If you are thinking of relocating to the area feel free to contact me or send me an email with any questions you might have on the area. 

 Related Posts 

Why choose Cary NC for your next home? Letter to my prospective clients...

Bond Park in Cary - A favorite escape in the heart of Cary

Things to Do with the Kids in the in Triangle

Top 5 Things to Do in the Triangle Area of North Carolina

Downtown Cary's Long Awaited Streetscape Unveiling Scheduled Tuesday June 3rd-

Cary NC Real Estate - Triangle Aquatic Center(TAC) opens today in Cary, NC

Koka Booth Amphitheatre in Cary - An amazing venue

Do you like Arts & Crafts? Spend your day at the Lazy Daze Festival in Cary, NC on August 23rd