Moving to Cary, North Carolina

Some people think of Cary, North Carolina as a premier commuter city, but this thriving suburb is a relocation destination in its own right.

Just 12 miles west of downtown Raleigh, Cary is one of the best places to go to school, start a business, raise a family and retire in the United States. After receiving the No. 5 slot on Money Magazine’s prestigious Best Places to Live list in 2018, Cary has racked up national accolades and seen its relocation rates explode. SmartAsset data shows that Cary is one of the top 10 cities where millennials are moving. The Town of Cary notes that Cary has a similarly fast-growing population of retirees.

Are you considering a move to the Raleigh-Cary area? Here are six things to know about this up-and-coming city.

The Technology Town of North Carolina

Raleigh is the best city in the country for jobs, according to a 2020 Glassdoor report. In addition to the nearby career opportunities of Raleigh, Durham and the Research Triangle, Cary residents have immediate access to several top companies headquartered within Cary’s city limits.

Two of Cary’s largest employers are national insurance provider MetLife and multinational software developer SAS Institute. Soon, Cary will also have a gleaming headquarters for Epic Games, an interactive entertainment company that spent around $95 million to transform an old Cary mall into its home base.

Most Affordable Safe City in the U.S.

National rankings consistently place Cary in the top 20 safest cities. SmartAsset found Cary to be the most affordable safe city in the U.S. because of its low crime rates and median annual housing costs, which are only 16 percent of median household incomes.

Cary’s affordability, safety and high-achieving schools make it the perfect place for families with young kids. School-aged children make up nearly 25 percent of the city’s population, and as a result, the public school system is robust. Cary is part of the Wake County Public School System — the largest district in North Carolina, with more than 160,000 enrolled students.

One of America’s Fittest Areas

According to the American College of Sports Medicine, the Raleigh-Cary area is not only a hub for education and employment, but it’s also one of the fittest areas in America. With at least 31 public parks and 82 miles of trails, Cary attracts runners, bikers and outdoor lovers. Its central location allows residents to drive to beaches or mountains in only a couple of hours.

Athletes can hit the driving range at one of Cary’s five golf courses, show off their serve at the 40-court Cary Tennis Park or catch some air at the Sk8-Cary Skate Park. For residents seeking more mild activities, the Hemlock Bluffs Nature Preserve provides incredible scenic overlooks and ample opportunities for watching wildlife.

Olympic-Worthy Sports Attractions

If you’d rather watch sports than play them, Cary also sets the stage for some of the country’s most competitive teams. Watch the North Carolina FC and North Carolina Courage dominate the soccer field, and head to the PNC Arena when the Carolina Hurricanes take the ice. Meanwhile, Duke University and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill have championship-winning college teams in nearly every sport.

Cary is a common stop for athletes on their journeys to the Olympics. Before the 2012 Olympic Games in London, Cary hosted the North American Table Tennis Olympic Trials. Before the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio, the North American and Caribbean Rugby Association Men’s and Women’s Sevens Championship came to Cary.

Award-Winning Food and Breweries

Cary has more than 200 different dining options, many of which receive rave reviews from national food critics. One of the most famous is La Farm Bakery, an authentic French bakery and café run by Lionel Vatinet, a three-time nominee for the James Beard Foundation’s Outstanding Baker award.

Beer and wine connoisseurs will fall in love with the city’s bars and breweries. Bond Brothers Beer Company is the most popular among residents and tourists alike after USA Today named it the best new brewery in the U.S. For more old-school eats, check out Ashworth Drugs, a pharmacy that’s been serving amazing hot dogs and coke floats for over 60 years.

Outstanding Arts, Festivals and Entertainment

Cary is a haven for artists, musicians and performers. The beloved Koka Booth Amphitheatre is a stunning outdoor venue that has held concerts by Kacey Musgraves, Paul Simon, Chris Stapleton, John Mayer and other Grammy Award-winning singers. This venue hosts the North Carolina Chinese Lantern Festival and the North Carolina Symphony’s Summerfest Series.

Summer also brings the Lazy Daze Arts & Crafts Festival, a two-day event with local artisans, live music and nonstop family-friendly entertainment. Cary can soon add another shopping center to its list of entertainment opportunities — a 300,000-square-foot Fenton development that will host retailers, restaurants, wine bars and more.

Start your move to Cary off on the right foot with Armstrong Relocation. Armstrong is committed to providing exceptional customer experiences every time through stress-relieving services and dedicated support. Get started by calling 919.899.7677 or request a free quote online.