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Raleigh,Cary, Wake County Blog and Relocation Information

Cary, North Carolina

Welcome to my blog on Raleigh-Cary and the Triangle area of NC Real Estate. Here you can read current information on the Triangle area including neighborhood profiles, school information, taxes, market conditions, and even find things to do in the Triangle.

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Raleigh,Cary, Wake County Blog and Relocation Information

Thinking of relocating to Cary, NC?

Sep. 25, 2008
Categorized in: Relocating?

Relocating to a new town can be scary for just about anyone. New friends, new Doctors, new grocery stores, new schools, a new routine all together. I know that if I was thinking of moving to a new town I would get on the internet and do research on the different areas. Many of my clients have done just that and found out about Cary, North Carolina on the web. They heard it was a great town and decided to check it out online before taking the big plunge to make the move.

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Here are some important questions that buyers ask me on a regular basis that I thought I'd share with you on relocating to Cary, North Carolina.

What are the schools like?

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. The Triangle area is also home to several major universities and colleges.

What's the weather like?

I grew up in Dallas, TX and I always talk about the Four Seasons here in North Carolina. I love the outdoors and, year round there's always something blooming in Cary. Our temperatures are seasonal, but moderate. We are lucky enough to escape the extreme cold winters characteristic of the North, and does avoid the drastic heat in places like Texas and Florida.

Winters are short and mild, arriving in mid-December and ending by early March. Snow and sleet are recorded once or twice a year, but seldom to the extent that it accumulates. Children are known to get very excited when snow is in the forecast, anticipating a day off from school.

Because I love to garden, Spring is one of my favorite times of year. The weather is moderate and all of the flowers begin to bloom. Some of my favorites include dogwoods, redbuds, azaleas, daffodils, and tulips to name a few. Spring continues through April with temperatures in the high 60's and low 70's.

July can get a bit hot and sticky. As a result many residents flock to the beaches of the mountains. There are days where temperatures reach well into the high 90's.

Fall is my favorite time of year. The leaves change, the weather cools off, and it really gives families time to enjoy the great outdoors.

What is the job growth like in the area?

The National economy is currently in a state of turmoil, and, although job growth has slowed, the Raleigh-Cary area is No. 2 on a new list of metropolitan areas that are creating and sustaining jobs and economic growth. Raleigh-Cary came in No. 1 for job growth between March 2007 and March 2008. In the past five years the Research Triangle Regional Partnership set a five year goal to create 100,000 jobs in the area and they are on track to succeed. Their next project to sustain growth is being touted at "Staying on Top 2" with the intent of continuing the success achieved in the past five years. Although corporate growth has slowed since April there are 44 new potential businesses that would generate $1.6 Billion in revenue and another 15,000 jobs.

What is the cost of living like and how much can I expect to earn?

Many clients that visit the area expect to get a lot more for their money than where they are coming from. In most cases this is true, however, the popularity, national exposure, and Cary, NC's proximity to RTP home prices in Cary, NC have continued to steadily appreciate even with the current real estate market conditions. Most of my clients also want to know about taxes and insurance. Real estate taxes are reasonable right at 1% of the assessed tax value. In Cary real estate assessments are done every eight years. North Carolina Income Tax varies based on income with the maximum rate for incomes over $120,000 at 8%. North Carolina Sales Tax is currently 4.5%. CNN Money has a great calculator that compares one cities cost of living to another. It's a great way to compare where you're living today vs. Cary, NC. Cary, NC has the highest median household income in Wake County ($89,623) and more than two-thirds of Cary residents hold a college degree.

What will my commute be like?

In most cities if you live in the suburbs you will commute from your hometown into the "big city". In my area that would be Raleigh. In the Triangle area residents commute 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.

There are a number of other considerations to think about when moving to new town. Thank you for stopping by and taking a look at Why I love Cary, NC! If you would like more information on the area view a longer video on Cary here with actual interviews with Cary residents or visit my website for more information.

 

Why I love Cary NC!

Aug. 19, 2008
Categorized in: Cary Real Estate

 

I moved to the Triangle in 1991 and have lived in Cary since 1994. I'm practically a native.  I've watchedBond Park Shelter 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 Ritter Park in CaryDepartment 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. Triangle Aquatic Center 

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. Ashworth Drug Store in Downtown Cary

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 Koka Booth Amphitheatremonthly 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.  CaryPrestonwood Golf Course 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. 

 

 

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