Best Budget:  Clayton

The first category is all about getting the best bang for your buck, so our pick for the best area to live around Raleigh to stretch your dollar the most is Clayton.

Over the past year, Clayton’s average price per square foot has been around $190/SF, which is $30 to $50 per square foot less than much of the area.  So, you’re getting a much larger house for your money than just about anywhere else around Raleigh.  

Clayton has some really great neighborhoods to choose from, both new and established, is part of the Johnston County School system that is known for some of the best schools around, and is rapidly building more restaurants and shopping.

So you may be wondering, why are the prices so low?  Clayton is a more rural town that has just recently started to really develop.  It’s also one of Raleigh’s furthest suburbs from downtown and RTP, which can make it less desirable for some people.

Other areas where your money goes further is Fuquay-Varina, Knightdale, Wendell, and actually even parts of Wake Forest.

Best for Families:  Apex

Moving on to the next category, the best location for families, which goes to the once named best place to live in America, Apex.

This category was a tough one, as there are so many great places for families all around the triangle, but Apex edged out the rest for several reasons.

First up, it has a great park system overall with plenty of playgrounds for the kids.  The Apex Community Park is massive with so many different sports fields, a fitness course for kids, and a beautiful lake, while it’s new Pleasant Park has been a massive hit and is still expanding.  There’s even a really nice skate park in downtown.  And if you’re child plays sports, there are so many top notch sports fields around.

Now, many of Raleigh’s suburbs shine in the park department, but what separates Apex is its’ location as it is sandwiched in between Cary and Holly Springs, as well as a short drive into Raleigh, so you’re able to quickly take advantage of the amazing parks those areas have to offer as well!

Apex also has an amazing downtown and community center, that puts on many family oriented events throughout the year that cater to families, so there’s also something to do.

And most importantly for many families, Apex has some of the best public schools in the area with many charter and private options in the area to choose from as well.

Best Neighborhoods:  Wake Forest

Next up is the category of best neighborhoods in the Raleigh area, which goes to the Raleigh suburb of Wake Forest.

Like the families category, there really are great neighborhoods around the whole area, but what separates Wake Forest in my opinion is the variety, relative affordability, and availability of large lots.

The variety in Wake Forest is excellent, as there are existing neighborhoods that have been built out for years now with established trees and privacy, to new construction neighborhoods with lower maintenance yard options.  

There are higher end luxury communities with large lots as well as more budget friendly options, which includes both established and new construction.  Some communities have very nice amenities with more stringent HOA’s while others have very little HOA oversight at all.  So, there really is a fit for just about anyone.

As mentioned, there are also multiple, more affordable neighborhoods in relation to many of Raleigh’s more popular suburbs.  While the average home value of $610k is on the higher end, bolstered by the many luxury communities around, the price per square foot is around $218/SF, so you get more house for your money.  And overall, this allows for more reasonably priced homes, even for typical, new construction communities.

Also, another pro of Wake Forest neighborhoods is the availability of larger lots, especially for those with a higher end budget.  Many of neighborhoods that are deemed Wake Forest, but are just outside of town limits, require septic fields.  This naturally leads to larger yards to accommodate the field, allowing for ¾+ acre properties, which has become a rare find in the triangle.

Best Location:  Mid-Town Raleigh

Moving on, the next category is all about convenience, and the winner of the best location goes to Mid-Town Raleigh.

Encompassed mostly by the areas between North Hills, Crabtree, Glenwood and Falls of Neuse Road, Mid-Town Raleigh is around a max 20 minute drive to just about everything.  

There are tons of shopping centers and restaurants right around you to give you everything you need within 5 minutes, and the fact that you’re right on I-440 allows for the quick access to other parts of the Triangle.  

You can also quickly use Glenwood Ave to get to the airport in 15 minutes or less, as well as into Durham, and you can use lesser traveled roads to get into downtown Raleigh.

You’re only 10-15 minutes from the PNC Arena and Carter Finley stadium for Carolina Hurricanes and NC State sports, and you have the entertainment of North Hills right in your backyard.

Best Quality:  Cary

Okay, this last one I can’t say was to hard for me, as the Best Quality area goes to Cary.

Cary is a step above the rest when it comes to having the best of the best.  Everywhere you go in Cary, things are neat and well-kept.  When you drive around Cary’s roadways, the medians are beautifully landscaped and the sidewalks are freshly cut.

Shopping Centers are the same way, and their parks are just pristine with truly the best facilities in the area.  Cary continues to add high quality parks to its’ already impressive offerings that cater to the desires of the community, such as their new McCrimmon Park with their array of pickleball courts, and the massive Cary Tennis Center.  

Most Cary neighborhoods are kept in the same condition as the rest of the area, with expectations for well landscaped yards and common areas.  Cary is also home to two of the nicest golf communities in the state in Prestonwood Country Club and MacGregor Downs Country Club.

So if you’re looking for high end living, look no further than Cary.

Best Overall:  North Raleigh

Alright, so after making our way through all of the more specific categories, let’s break down the best all-around area of Raleigh, which goes to North Raleigh.

While not the best in any one specific category, North Raleigh is exceptional in just about every one.  It’s in a great location as its’ right next to I-540 that allows for quick access to most of the Triangle, which includes the airport and RTP.  It has also everything you need within five minutes, and is still a short drive into North Hills, Crabtree, as well as the PNC Arena area sports and major entertainment.  So it’s still convenient, but most parts are not quite as congested as areas in Mid-Town Raleigh.

It’s great for families as it’s next to some incredible parks and greenways, and there are multiple areas that are great for family entertainment.  

And it’s neighborhoods are great as well, and while the portions inside of I-540 are generally pretty expensive, if you’re willing to go just north of I-540, neighborhoods like Durant Trails, Falls River, and Bedford provide pretty good value for their locations.

So that’s my list of the best places to live in Raleigh.  Let me know in the comments what you think and what you would rate differently!  And for more information on any of these areas, please check out our other blogs on these areas:  Clayton, Apex, Wake Forest, Cary, Raleigh.

If you need any real estate assistance, please don’t hesitate to reach out as our team would love to help you, as we have helped so many others from this channel find the right home for them!

Please reach out via our contact information below:

Phone:  919-504-5265

Email:  alison@thewgroupraleigh.com

Website:  www.thewgroupraleigh.com