Are you tired of the crowds in the big cities and the traffic that hits you during rush hours? Getting stuck in a traffic jam on your way home and finding a quiet place to relax and unwind is not so easy in a city that never sleeps. We all know that quiet is not a state of mind in big cities. In fact, it is quite the opposite, but some people love it that way, while others just go along with it.
However, many would prefer to live in a town with less traffic and fewer crowds but without compromising on amenities or quality of life. If you ever browsed the web, searching for some of the best cities to live in the US, you probably found out that the town of Cary NC is holding some of the top spots. At a closer look, it is easy to understand why the small city is so highly praised. The town has a privileged location inside the Research Triangle Park, the largest hi-tech research park in the US.
Aside from having a strong economy and a thriving job market, Cary NC is known for its outstanding community with friendly people, family-friendly amenities, and top-notch entertainment. People living in Cary North Carolina enjoy the sprawling culinary scene with top-rated restaurants, premium shopping, and lots of fun things to do. However, this is just the tip of the iceberg as far as what the town has to offer, and if you are thinking about relocating here, you are in the right place.
We are about to go in-depth and explore the ins and outs of Cary North Carolina to find out more about the residents, the housing market, and the pros and cons of living in the area.
Summary of the article:
- Demographics of Cary North Carolina
- Jobs in Cary NC
- The Housing Market in Cary NC
- The Pros of Living in Cary NC
- The Cons of Living in Cary North Carolina
Demographics of Cary NC
First of all, let’s tackle some aspects related to Cary NC demographics. Currently, the population is around 170,000 people, and it is one of the fastest-growing towns on the East. Since 1990, the population has increased by more than 100,000, and the numbers keep going up. In terms of its diversity, Cary’s NC demographics suggest that about 73% of residents are Caucasian, 13% are Asian, 8% are African American, 7.7% are Hispanic or Latin, and 3% are mixed-race.
On the other hand, the town has a fantastic community of friendly people that will welcome you with open arms. It is considered a great place to raise a family thanks to its excellent neighborhoods that provide plenty of opportunities for family-friendly activities. The median age in Cary NC is close to 40 years, however you can find people of all ages living in the small town.
Predominantly people between the ages of 35-45 years form 33% of the total population, followed by the age category of 5 to 17, which constitutes 20% of the population. Poverty rates are below 6%, and studies show that 21% of the population works in the professional department, offering scientific and technical services, followed by healthcare and manufacturing.
Jobs in Cary NC
For Cary’s residents, education is a priority, and with three of the best universities in the US located in the park, people in the area have access to high-quality education. The Research park was built around three well-known universities, NC State University, University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, and Duke University. Because the city of Cary NC upholds higher education standards, it opens up plenty of opportunities for high-income jobs.
The Research Park is home to more than 300 companies that employ 55,000 workers. The park holds renowned companies such as GlaxoSmithKline and Cisco, both of which have approximately 5,000 employees. Other notable employees in the area include Advarra, Agbiome, Cenduit, KBI Biopharma, and Breezi. All these companies are reputable in their industry, and they managed to turn the Southeast into a tech powerhouse.
From companies that focus on pharmaceuticals, agricultural research, drug development to companies that offer data management services, life sciences, and smart home tech, the area covers all these departments and many others. The research park has opened the possibility for countless job opportunities in different industries, so residents of Cary can find any job that suits them within the research park.
The housing market of Cary NC
If you are thinking about buying, selling, or renting a property in Cary NC it is a good time to do so as the median home price keeps going up. The average home price in Cary NC is on the expensive side but thanks to the high demand, homes keep appreciating in value. According to Zillow, the median home value is close to $400,000 and the average rent price is about $1,200.
After searching homes for sale in Cary NC, we found out that most homes are priced between $300,000 to $400,000. In Cary NC, most units rent for a price situated between $1,000 to $1,500 a month. Home types in Cary NC range anywhere from condos, single-family homes, and townhomes. Property taxes are on the low side so you might want to consider it next time you want to invest in the upscale real estate market of Cary NC.
Also, Cary’s neighborhoods are able to accommodate people from a variety of lifestyles and interests. If you want to live in the heart of the town, close to where all the action is happening, consider relocating to Downtown Cary for easy access to some of your favorite shopping and dining venues. Surrounding the downtown area are neighborhoods that offer plenty of family amenities along with a suburban feel with plenty of green areas and parks.
If any of these sounds like the right place for you, don’t hesitate to get in touch with the local realtors in Cary NC in order to find the right neighborhood for you and nail down some of the optimal home choices for your needs.
Living in Cary NC, the pros and cons
We all know that every town has its pros and cons. Cary NC is no different from other cities, and we are about to explore it more in-depth to find out what people love about it and what they don’t. Let’s start with the pros and learn from the town residents what they love most about the community.
The pros of living in Cary NC
Family-friendly community
If you are looking for the perfect community for families, you are in the right place. Cary NC is widely known for its family-friendly amenities, and there are so many great places around where parents and children can spend time together. The tight knit community is what makes the town such a special place because they are very caring and friendly.
Your children can experience a healthy social life, and the town frequently organizes family events where everyone can get involved. Throughout the year, events such as outdoor concerts, family fun movies, and BBQ festivals take place at Cary’s Koka Booth Amphitheater. The quaint, picturesque downtown area of Cary NC is the place where various holidays are celebrated throughout the year. The town creates these events in an attempt to reunite the community making it easy to meet new people and create friendships.
Great education system
We already mentioned the fact that Cary NC is known for its top schooling system. The three universities provide some of the best superior education you can get in the country if you are interested in obtaining a college degree. Education is a priority for anyone living in the Triangle area, and it is the foundation that gave birth to strong family communities in Cary North Carolina.
Research shows that 96% of the population are high school graduates, and 67% are college graduates. If you are looking for a good education, it is hard to beat the schools offered in Cary. Some of the top-rated high schools are Green Level, Green Hope, and Panther Creek and private schools such as Cary Academy and Chesterbrook Academy are just as great.
A safe place to live in
Cary is not only a family-friendly community, but it is also a very safe place to live. Crime rates in Cary NC are meager, making the town safer than 60% of other US cities. The city is continuously ranking as one of the safest places to live in the country. Part of what makes it such a safe haven for residents, is the excellent job opportunities, schools, and quality of life. When people have all the means to live a comfortable lifestyle, the crimes stay low.
Great weather in Cary North Carolina
Cary, North Carolina, enjoys great year-round weather because residents living here can escape the grueling winters, but still get to enjoy all four seasons. Winters are short and mild, while summers last longer. If you expect abundant snow in the winter, you are in the wrong place because the Triangle Region hardly gets any snow. On the other hand, the fall season is the most beloved time of year because the parks turn into works of art with all the colorful trees and lake views.
If it snows in Cary, chances are it’s going to be gone in about a day because the temperatures can’t remain low enough for snow to stick around longer. If you are a winter enthusiast, you don’t need to despair because the mountains aren’t too far away and the Appalachians provide the perfect opportunity for winter sports.
Entertainment opportunities
Working hard and playing harder is the kind of lifestyle portrayed by Cary’s residents. With the number of attractions and entertainment opportunities you can find in the town, people can never really get bored by doing the same things. Cultural and art festivals are frequently held in the downtown area throughout the year. To name a few, Spring Daze Arts and Crafts Festival, Lazy Daze Arts and Crafts Festival, Diwali Indian Festival of Lights, and Kwanzaa Festival are some of the events you can attend throughout the year.
The Cary Theater hosts films and live performances and the Page-Walker Arts and History Center features gallery exhibitions and public events. Sports fans can always find a seat at the USA Baseball National Training Complex and WakeMed Soccer Park is a great spot to follow some of the best soccer teams in the area. Hemlock Bluffs Nature Preserve and Stevens Nature Center offer the perfect opportunity to explore the fauna and flora of the Triangle Region and this is just a fraction of what you can do in Cary North Carolina.
The cons of living in Cary North Carolina
Always under-construction
Every town has flaws and Cary NC has its fair share of downsides. Because the area is continuously developing the demand for housing is increasing; therefore, constructions are being raised constantly to meet the demand. This can generate quite a bit of traffic, especially during rush hours, and being stuck in a traffic jam is more common nowadays in Cary, North Carolina.
Because the need for housing is increasing, development is rushed to meet the demand and this might also result in unattractive development where the city takes precious green space and trees in order to build upon the land. If the infrastructure fails to keep up with the growing trends of the city, it might affect its safety and people’s ability to commute on time.
Not much in the way of nightlife
The town is geared more towards families and schools. As a result, there is not much nightlife activity going on around. As a student who wants to unwind during the weekend, you might find the town of Cary lacking in nightlife activities and attractions. Most shops and restaurants close after 8 PM and it almost feels like the town shuts down at nighttime.
Because there is not a lot of activity during the night, there is no incentive to keep bars open late. If you plan on going out with friends, clubbing, and drinking, you are more likely to be headed to downtown Raleigh.
It can be quite expensive to live here
Cary North Carolina is not known for being a cheap place compared to other neighboring cities. Home for sale in Cary NC can be quite expensive if you are a first-time homebuyer looking for a home purchase in the area. Although the housing market is quite attractive for the number of housing options available, it is not as cheap as you might think. Certainly not very accessible for fresh graduates who are just getting involved in the housing market of Cary North Carolina.
For many, the cost of living in Cary NC might deter them to turn towards bigger cities such as Durham and Raleigh, where home prices are lower and rent is cheaper. However, many would argue that it is easy to get ahold of well-paid jobs which might offset the fact that some of the neighborhoods in Cary are on the expensive side.
Conclusion
It is easy to see why the town of Cary North Carolina provides such a unique setup, where families and young professionals feel at home. For anyone looking for a great community with family-friendly amenities, the town of Cary NC is for you. If you are interested in having a promising career at one of the hi-tech companies in the Triangle Region, then the small city of Cary North Carolina is also the right choice for you. From the schools and job opportunities to attractions and great communities, the town of Cary NC excels in all these aspects.
Do you agree with our list of pros and cons? Is there anything else we should know about Cary North Carolina? Let us know in the comment section below.
