I worked with a wonderful couple from Chicago this past weekend.  They are moving from the Lakeshore area and wanted to replicate their lifestyle here in the Triangle but also downsize a bit, save a bit of money, and to be with their family.  The Triangle area is very spread out and the neighborhood "communities" throughout the Triangle area very different. What I mean is that the culture, atmosphere, and dynamics are different.  You can't hop on Realtor.com, take a few virtual tours, and expect to get a good feel for the area.  If you are considering relocating to the Triangle a short weekend visit will be a good indicator whether you will like it here.

I personally am fortunate in that I have lived in the area since 1991 and spent a lot of time on the road since then!! I lived in Chapel Hill for three years, went to school at Duke for post-graduate finance classes, play tennis at the Raleigh Racket Club and other clubs throughout the Triangle, and now live in Cary (have for 11 years).  This has helped me provide sound advice to newcomers. 

As a result of my time spent with my cilents over the weekend, I thought it might be a good idea to provide some basic information on some of the top Luxury Home Communities in the Triangle in one post for Localism, Active Rain's affiliate.  Most REALTORs specialize in either Wake County or Orange County or even Durham County.  My goal is to give a broad perspective for what is in our area-it's much smaller than big cities where I grew up like Dallas and Chicago.  You can actually take a tour of the area in 3-4 Hours including key neighborhoods. 

So, what are the top appreciating Luxury Home* neighborhood in the Triangle?

1.  Country Club Hills-Gorgeous area in Inside The Beltline

Appreciation Rate: 11.33%  Average Price $736,000

2.  Southern Village-Newer Chapel Hill neighborhood

Appreciation Rate: 11.46% Average Price $653,100

3.  North Ridge-Premier North Raleigh Location off of Falls of the Neuse.  Established homes built in the 80s and beyond. 

Appreciation Rate: 9.65% Average Price $655,474

4. Brier Creek-Raleigh's newest golf course community central to Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill.  This community is a Toll Brothers community.

Appreciation Rate:  9.04% Average Price $607,595

5.  Lochmere-The first PUD(Planned Urban Development in Cary) when Cary was a bedroom community in the '80s.  It has wonderful tennis,swimming, jogging trails, and several lakes around the area. 

Appreciation Rate:  8.66% Average Price $556,500

6.  Preston- 54 Hole Golf Course Country Club community in the heart of Cary.  A wide variety of neighborhoods starting in the high $200s to the multi-million $$ property.

Appreciation Rate:  8.07% Average Price $699,896

7.  MacGregor Downs-Most established area in South Cary. Country Club community close to restraunts, shopping, the Symphony at Regency, and other ammenities. 

Appreciation Rate:  7.92% Average Price $717,750

8.  Preston Village-Newer section of Preston w/community pool, playground, within 1/4 mile of Cary Tennis Center.  Sunstar Homes and Toll Brothers are primary builders with a handful of custom builders.

ppreciation Rate:  7.45% Average Price $576,295

9.  Waterfall Plantation-Executive home neighborhood Wake Forest neighborhood off of Falls of the Neuse in N. Raleigh and HWY 98.

Appreciation Rate:  6.16% Average Price $607,222

10.  Sheffield Manor-Most homes here on the market are $1M+ off of Durant Road just north of I-540.  Great area with large oversized tree lined lots.  High end executive homes w/home theatres, custom home ammenities. 

Appreciation Rate:  5.92% Average Price $682,450

I want to mention that these numbers are current numbers.  We are still seeing consistent appreciation numbers throughout the area. 

* The Luxury Home Market is defined by any home over $500, 000 in the area.