Relocating to a new town can be scary for just about anyone.  New friends, new Doctors, new grocery stores, new schools, a new routine all together.  I know that if I was thinking of moving to a new town I would get on the internet and do research on the different areas.  Many of my clients have done just that and found out about Cary, North Carolina on the web.  They heard it was a great town and decided to check it out online before taking the big plunge to make the move. 

Here are some important questions that buyers ask me on a regular basis that I thought I'd share with you on relocating to Cary, North Carolina. 

What are the schools like?

Cary schools are a part of the Wake County Public School System and continue to rank as some of the highest rated schools in Wake County.  Many are still on the traditional school calendar also.  The Triangle area is also home to several major universities and colleges. 

What's the weather like?

I grew up in Dallas, TX and I always talk about the Four Seasons here in North Carolina.  I love the outdoors and, year round there's always something blooming in Cary.  Our temperatures are seasonal, but moderate.  We are lucky enough to escape the extreme cold winters characteristic of the North, and does avoid the drastic heat in places like Texas and Florida.

Winters are short and mild, arriving in mid-December and ending by early March. Snow and sleet are recorded once or twice a year, but seldom to the extent that it accumulates. Children are known to get very excited when snow is in the forecast, anticipating a day off from school.

Because I love to garden, Spring is one of my favorite times of year.  The weather is moderate and all of the flowers begin to bloom.  Some of my favorites include dogwoods, redbuds, azaleas, daffodils, and tulips to name a few. Spring continues through April with temperatures in the high 60's and low 70's.

July can get a bit hot and sticky.  As a result many residents flock to the beaches of the mountains. There are days where temperatures reach well into the high 90's.

Fall is my favorite time of year.  The leaves change, the weather cools off, and it really gives families time to enjoy the great outdoors.     

What is the job growth like in the area? 

The National economy is currently in a state of turmoil, and, although job growth has slowed, the Raleigh-Cary area is No. 2 on a new list of metropolitan areas that are creating and sustaining jobs and economic growth.  Raleigh-Cary came in No. 1 for job growth between March 2007 and March 2008.   In the past five years the Research Triangle Regional Partnership set a five year goal to create 100,000 jobs in the area and they are on track to succeed.  Their next project to sustain growth is being touted at "Staying on Top 2" with the intent of continuing the success achieved in the past five years.  Although corporate growth has slowed since April there are 44 new potential businesses that would generate $1.6 Billion in revenue and another 15,000 jobs.   

What is the cost of living like and how much can I expect to earn?

Many clients that visit the area expect to get a lot more for their money than where they are coming from.  In most cases this is true, however, the popularity, national exposure, and Cary, NC's proximity to RTP home prices in Cary, NC have continued to steadily appreciate even with the current real estate market conditions. Most of my clients also want to know about taxes and insurance.  Real estate taxes are reasonable right at 1% of the assessed tax value.  In Cary real estate assessments are done every eight years. North Carolina Income Tax varies based on income with the maximum rate for incomes over $120,000 at 8%.  North Carolina Sales Tax is currently 4.5%.  CNN Money has a great calculator that compares one cities cost of living to another.  It's a great way to compare where you're living today vs. Cary, NC.  Cary, NC has the highest median household income in Wake County ($89,623) and more than two-thirds of Cary residents hold a college degree. 

What will my commute be like?

In most cities if you live in the suburbs you will commute from your hometown into the "big city". In my area that would be Raleigh.  In the Triangle area residents commute  into the RTP (Research Triangle Park) area rather than downtown Raleigh.  Now that the widening of two major alternative routes to I-540 (HWY 55 and Davis Drive) has been completed the commute into RTP is a quick 10-15 minute drive to the major employers in the area.  Cary is also a quick commute to the RDU Airport and the 3 Major Universities in the area. 

There are a number of other considerations to think about when moving to new town.  Thank you for stopping by and taking a look at Why I love Cary, NC!  If you would like more information on the area view a longer video on the triangle here produced by Fonville Morisey or visit my website for more information.