Moving to Cary

Located in North Carolina's Research Triangle, Cary is a burgeoning town boasting a strong sense of community, rivalled only by its plentiful economic prospects and excellent schools. Cary is also a business-friendly city, attracting giants such as Google, IBM, and Apple. 

Those moving to Cary are in for a high quality of life made possible by the town's kind and friendly people, beautiful neighbourhoods, and top-notch amenities. 

Cost of living in Cary 

The cost of living in Cary is relatively affordable, with goods and services priced lower than the national average. Although housing costs in Cary are rising, most of the city's neighbourhoods have reasonable home prices.  

Transportation and groceries fall below the national average. Despite being slightly above the national average, utilities and healthcare are also reasonably priced. 

Getting around in Cary 

Cary is an exceptional commuter town due to its central location. The town boasts efficient road networks and a wide range of public transport options. GoCary offers six bus routes across Cary from Monday to Saturday. To ensure accessibility, GoCary provides a door-to-door service for people with disabilities and senior citizens.  

Amtrak manages the rail services at Cary Station, the only operating train station in Cary. The company provides three train lines to regional cities such as Raleigh and Charlotte and even extends to New York City and Washington, DC.

With 200 miles (322km) of cycle paths and greenways, Cary is among the top bicycle-friendly cities in the US. The town also prioritises pedestrians, with a walkable Downtown centre and plans to expand the existing pedestrian infrastructure.

Useful links

• GoCary
• Amtrak

Healthcare in Cary 

With more than 15 hospitals offering diverse services, Cary offers its residents exceptional healthcare. WakeMed, UNC Health, and Duke Medicine offer some of the town's best healthcare facilities, with services ranging from urgent care and internal medicine to cosmetic surgery.  

WakeMed offers a specialist women's health and birthing facility, while UNC Health (REX Healthcare of Cary) has over 45 care areas, including integrative medicine, cardiac care, and audiology.  

Useful links 

• Duke Health 
• WakeMed Cary Hospital 
• REX Healthcare of Cary 

Schools in Cary 

Education is highly regarded in Cary, as over 60 percent of the town's population hold bachelor's degrees.  

Based on their address, students moving to Cary will attend a public school in the Wake County Public School System (WCPSS) or Chatham County Schools. Both districts have great schools and excellent student achievements, providing an exciting opportunity for children to receive a first-class education. Parents in Cary have various schooling options, from language immersion schools to exceptional charter and magnet schools.

Additionally, WCPSS and Chatham County offer alternative, exceptional, and special education programmes that allow students to learn and thrive in small group settings catering to their individual needs. Cary may not have schools teaching foreign curricula, but rest assured, there are magnet and private institutions offering the prestigious International Baccalaureate qualification.

For those seeking higher education options, Cary is a stone's throw away from some of the best institutions in the world. These include the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Duke University, and North Carolina State University.  

Useful links 

• Wake County Public School System
• Chatham County Schools

Weather in Cary 

Cary's climate is subtropical and humid, influencing the town's four distinct seasons. Summers in Cary are hot and tend to last longer than the cold season. Winters are decidedly mild here, with the town receiving only four inches of snow annually.  

The most pleasant time of the year in Cary is autumn, when the town's parks come alive with beautiful foliage, while the wettest time typically occurs from April to September. July is the hottest month, with average temperatures peaking at 89°F (32°C). Winter lows often reach 30°F (-1°C) in January. 

Working in Cary 

Many new arrivals are attracted to Cary by its economic prospects. The Raleigh-Carey area has recently been ranked Glassdoor's top place for jobs in the US. Life insurance giant MetLife has expanded its campus in Cary, while Apple has plans to open its own office at the MetLife campus. 

To top it all off, Cary is within the Research Triangle Park. This office park is home to more than 300 companies that employ over 60,000 employees across the technology, science, and business management sectors. Many employees choose to live in Cary and commute to work in Raleigh, as the town offers safe, affordable, and family-friendly living.  

Accommodation in Cary 

Cary boasts some of Raleigh's most desirable neighbourhoods, yet housing prices are still affordable for newcomers. The town has become increasingly popular due to its urban amenities, strong community values, and excellent schools. As is the case in most US towns and cities, driving is the primary mode of commuting, so new arrivals must carefully consider the distance between their new homes, workplaces, and children's schools.  

New arrivals who love the outdoors will find plenty of greenways, public parks, and walking trails around Cary. Cary Park is one of the best neighbourhoods to take advantage of the town's gorgeous natural landscapes. The neighbourhood boasts a variety of condos, single-family homes, and townhouses set against the backdrop of a 28-acre lake with walking trails around the water.  

Lochmere is another top suburb in Cary, with three lakes, golf courses, and a tight-knight community. Other family-friendly suburbs with access to road networks, golf courses, and top eateries include Preston and MacGregor Downs.  

Young professionals and those seeking convenience will enjoy living in Amberly. The neighbourhood is a new development located in the Research Triangle, meaning its residents can have short commutes to work while schools, shops, and restaurants are also nearby. Park Village and Wellsley also have affordable but beautiful homes, making them the perfect neighbourhoods for young families looking to get their foot on the property ladder.

Useful links

• Top 11 Neighbourhoods in Cary

Lifestyle in Cary 

The lifestyle in Cary is fantastic and offers all its residents plenty to see and do. The town is particularly great for those moving with children. Cary is incredibly diverse, so newcomers moving here will get an opportunity to experience many cultures. Cary's culinary scene, among the best in North Carolina, plays well on the town's diversity. 

Gourmands will enjoy a culinary adventure in Cary, with everything from Asian and Southern cuisine to artisanal bakeries and craft beer breweries on offer. Golf lovers will have their pick of country clubs, while the world-famous host of the US Open Golf Championship, Pinehurst, is just an hour's drive away.  

Cary also has many scenic hiking and walking trails, while newcomers can be at the mountains or the beach within a few hours, thanks to the town's central location. Hemlock Bluffs Nature Preserve and Stevens Nature Centre have exquisite hiking trails and wildlife sighting opportunities. New residents will also find many swimming and boating opportunities at one of Cary's many lakes.  

For performing arts lovers, Koka Booth Amphitheatre is the place to be. The venue has hosted concerts by famous artists like John Mayer and Chris Stapleton. Koka Booth Amphitheatre converts to an outdoor movie theatre in the summer. The Cary Arts Centre is the perfect place to watch and take part in community theatre and local ballet.  

Despite Cary's relatively small size, the town is a thriving hub for pro sports. New arrivals can support their local pro soccer club, North Carolina FC, at WakeMed Soccer Park. Newcomers can also enjoy college, women's, and youth baseball games at the state-of-the-art USA Baseball National Training Complex. 

Useful links

• Town of Cary – Recreation and Enjoyment