Moving Guide: Get to Know Wake Forest, North Carolina
If you’re looking for a charming yet affordable place to raise a family, check out Wake Forest, North Carolina.
With its booming local economy, lively downtown and esteemed school district, Wake Forest has everything you need for a high quality of life. Wake Forest has been a relocation hot-spot for over a decade. U.S. Census data shows that the town’s population grew by 232 percent from 2000 to 2019, making it one of the fastest-growing suburbs in the state and country.
Here are five reasons you should start planning your move to the Wake-Forest region.
Vibrant Downtown
Picturesque and walkable, Downtown Wake Forest is home to thriving businesses and small-town quirks. The Town of Wake Forest aptly describes its downtown district as “where quaint meets cool.”
Art galleries, specialty shops and consignment boutiques offer plentiful shopping opportunities. Downtown dining options range from trendy tapas and craft beer to fresh seafood and burgers. One of the area’s most well-known restaurants, Shorty’s, is a local favorite that’s been serving up homemade hot dogs for over 100 years.
Year-Round Festivities
You don’t have to worry about growing bored in Wake Forest. Year-round events and festivals keep the community connected and attract thousands of visitors to the town every season.
Families fill E. Carroll Joyner Park every year for the free “Six Sundays in Spring” concert series, which features local talent of nearly every music genre. During the summer, the annual “Meet in the Street” festival brings live music, dozens of food trucks and more than 100 artisan booths to the downtown area, drawing both locals and regional visitors. The Fourth of July is a two-day affair in Wake Forest, and Mardi Gras means a family-friendly event with games, a costume contest and a children’s parade.
Outdoor Paradise
North Carolina cities are known for their endless outdoor opportunities, and Wake Forest is no exception. The Wake Forest system has more than 50 miles of natural greenways, nearly 14 miles of developed trails, six picnic areas, eight playgrounds and more. Wake Forest residents enjoy 220 sunny days a year on average, so there is plenty of time to soak up the rays.
Wake Forest even has a state park within its city limits. The Falls Lake State Recreation Area is every outdoor aficionado’s dream. Its 26,000 acres of woodlands and 12,000-acre lake offer the perfect environments for fishing, boating, swimming, hiking, mountain biking or camping.
If you’re up for a short road trip, Wake Forest is only three hours away from North Carolina’s famous Blue Ridge Mountains and Atlantic beaches.
Acclaimed Schools
Wake Forest began in 1832 as a college town, and it still provides top-tier education for people of all ages. The Wake Forest Public School System is the 14th largest in the country, allowing families to choose between 19 public schools, seven charter schools and four private schools.
Local students have proven to be well-prepared for college academics, consistently earning SAT scores that exceed the national averages.
Many high-school students choose to stay local for college, attending one of the Research Triangle’s 12 universities. College graduates will be in good company here, as the Town of Wake Forest claims that 54 percent of residents have a bachelor’s degree or higher.
Sports Galore
The Wake Forest region boasts high-ranking collegiate athletics, like the Tar Heels of North Carolina and the Blue Devils at Duke University. Cheer on the region’s Division I football, basketball, soccer, tennis and golf teams — many of which have received national titles over the years.
Hockey fanatics can buy season tickets for the Carolina Hurricanes in Raleigh, and baseball fans can root for two different minor league teams: the Carolina Mudcats and Durham Bulls.
For residents more interested in playing than watching sports, the Wake Forest area has five baseball fields, three soccer fields, eight tennis courts, a pool and more than 10 golf courses. The Factory entertainment center also houses ice rinks, go-cart tracks and a 25,000 square-foot skate park for the adrenaline junkies.
As people rush to the Research Triangle, Wake Forest is becoming an increasingly attractive place to settle. The town has exciting opportunities for every age group, making it an ideal location for children, professionals and retirees alike.
Moving should be exciting, not stressful. Armstrong – Raleigh provides customized relocation plans and comprehensive local moving services to ensure your transition is seamless. Learn more by calling 919.568.5223 or requesting a free quote online.
