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Cary has once again earned national attention as one of the top places to live in North Carolina and the country. But rankings only tell you so much.

With roughly 192,000 residents, Cary is a large town, and where you live within Cary can completely change your experience.

You can find attached homes in the $300,000s, traditional single-family homes throughout the middle and upper price ranges, and luxury estates selling for several million dollars.

So if you're thinking about moving to Cary, choosing the town may actually be the easy part.

Choosing the right Cary neighborhood is where things get interesting.

From established golf communities and rare waterfront homes to amenity-filled master-planned neighborhoods, here are five Cary communities worth knowing about—and the trade-offs buyers should understand before making a decision.

1. Preston: Established Luxury With an Incredible Triangle Location

Preston is one of Cary's most recognizable upscale communities, and location is a big part of its appeal.

Located in North Cary near Morrisville, Preston offers convenient access to Research Triangle Park, RDU International Airport, Raleigh, and Durham.

For buyers working in RTP, the commute can be roughly 15 to 20 minutes depending on traffic, while Downtown Raleigh and Downtown Durham are generally around 25 to 30 minutes away.

That location has helped make Preston attractive to buyers who want an established neighborhood without giving up access to some of the Triangle's largest employment centers.

What Do Homes Cost in Preston?

Preston is definitely not an entry-level Cary neighborhood.

Recent sales have placed the median around $1.2 million, although there is a surprisingly wide range of home prices throughout the community.

Attached homes may start in the $400,000s to $500,000s, while detached single-family homes can range from the $600,000s and $700,000s to well over $1 million.

Larger renovated luxury homes and estates can reach $2 million or more.

This is also a neighborhood where two homes with similar square footage may sell for very different prices depending on the section, lot, condition, and level of renovation.

The Preston Lifestyle

Prestonwood Country Club is an important part of the community and offers three 18-hole golf courses, tennis, swimming, dining, social activities, and an active club culture.

Membership is separate and optional, so you don't have to belong to Prestonwood Country Club to own a home in Preston.

Residents are also close to Cary Tennis Park, Fred G. Bond Metro Park, greenways, restaurants, shopping, and everyday conveniences.

What Buyers Should Know

One of the biggest things to pay attention to in Preston is the age and condition of individual homes.

Renovation levels can vary significantly, so buyers shouldn't assume two Preston homes are comparable simply because they're in the same neighborhood.

School assignments can also vary by individual address and may change over time, so buyers should always verify the current base-school assignment directly with Wake County Public School System rather than relying on the neighborhood name.

Preston may be a good fit if: you want mature landscaping, an established luxury neighborhood, golf and country club amenities, and convenient access to RTP.

The trade-off: you're paying a premium for that combination, and the condition and renovation level of homes can vary dramatically.

2. MacGregor Downs: Rare Waterfront Living in Cary

If waterfront living is high on your wish list, MacGregor Downs deserves a closer look.

Located in South Central Cary around MacGregor Downs Country Club and Lake MacGregor, the neighborhood offers convenient access to US-1, Waverly Place, Raleigh, and RTP.

But convenience isn't necessarily what makes this community stand out.

It's the setting.

Mature hardwood trees, larger lots, golf course views, established landscaping, and, on a limited number of properties, actual lake frontage create an environment that's difficult to reproduce in newer Cary developments.

MacGregor Downs Home Prices

Recent sales have placed the neighborhood's median around $1.55 million, although that number doesn't tell the entire story.

Sales can range from the $700,000s into the upper $2 millions depending on the size and condition of the home, lot position, golf course views, renovations, and whether the property actually sits on the water.

Older Homes Mean More Due Diligence

MacGregor Downs was developed decades ago, which is part of its charm—but it also means buyers need to pay close attention to condition.

Two similarly sized homes can have very different values if one has undergone significant renovations and the other hasn't.

And this goes beyond updated kitchens and bathrooms.

Buyers should pay attention to major components such as:

• Roofing

• HVAC systems

• Windows

• Plumbing

• Structural and crawl-space considerations

• Other major mechanical systems

You're also not giving up convenience for the mature setting. Waverly Place, Whole Foods, restaurants, shopping, and country club amenities are nearby.

MacGregor Downs may be a good fit if: you want an established neighborhood with character, larger lots, golf, privacy, or the possibility of rare waterfront property.

The trade-off: older homes can require substantially different levels of renovation and maintenance, so the individual property's condition matters enormously.

3. Lochmere: Mature Trees, Trails and Plenty of Housing Variety

If you love the established feel of MacGregor Downs but want more variety in home styles and price points, Lochmere is another Cary neighborhood to consider.

Development began in the 1980s, and one of Lochmere's greatest advantages today is something new construction simply can't create overnight:

Time.

The trees have matured. The landscaping has filled in. Roads wind through lakes, wooded areas, and established neighborhoods rather than following the feel of a brand-new development.

With nearly 2,000 households spread across multiple sections, Lochmere also offers an impressive variety of housing.

Buyers can find townhomes, patio homes, traditional single-family homes, and larger custom properties throughout the community.

What Does It Cost to Live in Lochmere?

Because there are so many different housing types, pricing varies considerably.

Smaller and attached properties can offer more approachable entry points, while larger renovated homes can move well into Cary's upper price ranges.

Typical values have been closer to the $800,000 range, but an overall neighborhood number doesn't tell you nearly as much as the specific section, housing type, condition, and renovations.

Outdoor Living Is a Big Part of Lochmere

Lochmere is built around lakes, green space, and miles of trails.

Residents also have access to community recreation options that include pools, tennis and pickleball courts, and gathering spaces.

Lochmere Golf Club offers an 18-hole semi-private course, and nearby Hemlock Bluffs Nature Preserve provides approximately three miles of trails through one of Cary's most distinctive natural areas.

Waverly Place is also just a few minutes away for restaurants, shopping, and everyday conveniences.

What Buyers Should Watch

Older homes mean inspections and maintenance history matter.

Pay particular attention to roofs, windows, HVAC systems, crawl spaces, plumbing, siding, and the extent and timing of previous renovations.

Lochmere also includes multiple subdivisions and sub-associations, so HOA structures may vary depending on exactly where you purchase.

Lochmere may be a good fit if: you want mature trees, lakes, trails, recreation, and a neighborhood that feels established without being limited to one home style or price range.

The trade-off: older housing and varying HOA structures mean you'll want to investigate the individual home and section carefully.

4. Cary Park: West Cary Amenities at Multiple Price Points

What if you like community amenities and outdoor recreation but want something that feels newer?

That's where Cary Park comes in.

Located in West Cary, Cary Park is centered around an approximately 28-acre lake surrounded by walking and biking trails, green space, playgrounds, and recreational amenities.

One of the neighborhood's biggest advantages is the variety of housing.

You don't necessarily need a luxury-home budget to live here.

Cary Park Home Prices

Condos and townhomes may begin in the mid-$200,000s to $300,000s, while larger attached homes can move into the $500,000s.

Detached single-family homes are an entirely different market.

Buyers looking for a single-family home should generally expect prices from the $600,000s into the $900,000s, with larger or more upgraded properties reaching $1 million and above.

This is why looking at an overall "average Cary Park price" can be misleading.

A condo, townhome, and detached single-family home shouldn't be treated as though they're part of the same housing market simply because they're all located in Cary Park.

Location and Lifestyle

Cary Park offers convenient access to Highway 55, I-540, RTP, shopping, restaurants, and continued development throughout West Cary.

For someone who wants trails, a lake, neighborhood amenities, and flexibility between attached and detached housing, Cary Park provides a lot of options.

Cary Park may be a good fit if: you want West Cary convenience, trails, water views, community amenities, and several different housing choices.

The trade-off: because housing types vary so much, buyers need to compare similar properties when evaluating value. A townhome sale tells you very little about what a detached home down the street should be worth.

5. Amberly: A Master-Planned Community With Something for Almost Everyone

Amberly is one of West Cary's largest master-planned communities, covering roughly 1,100 acres and divided into eight distinct neighborhoods.

And that's probably the single most important thing to understand about Amberly.

There isn't just one Amberly experience.

Different sections offer different architecture, lot sizes, home ages, housing types, price points, and lifestyles.

One section, Carolina Preserve, is specifically designed as a 55+ community, while other areas include townhomes and traditional single-family homes developed during different stages of the community's growth.

Amberly Home Prices

Depending on the neighborhood and housing type, homes can range from the mid-$400,000s to more than $1 million.

Recent overall median sale prices have been around the $700,000s, but just like Cary Park, that overall number can be misleading because of the tremendous amount of variety within the community.

Amberly Amenities

Amenities are one of Amberly's biggest attractions.

The community includes an approximately 16,000-square-foot residents' club with fitness and recreation spaces, community programming, pools—including a resort-style pool with a water slide—playgrounds, greenways, gathering spaces, and additional recreational areas.

Its West Cary location also provides access to NC-55, I-540, RTP, shopping, dining, and continued development throughout this side of Cary.

Choosing the Right Part of Amberly

Instead of simply deciding you want to live in Amberly, buyers need to go one step further.

Do you want newer construction?

A larger lot?

Less maintenance?

A townhome?

A traditional detached home?

Or a 55+ lifestyle?

All of those choices can exist under the Amberly name.

Amberly may be a good fit if: you want a large modern master-planned community, extensive amenities, West Cary convenience, and plenty of housing choices.

The trade-off: Amberly is big. Choosing the community is really just the beginning—you still need to determine which section actually gives you the home, amenities, location, and lifestyle you're looking for.

So, Which Cary Neighborhood Is Right for You?

There really isn't one "best" neighborhood in Cary.

The better question is: Which Cary neighborhood fits the life you actually want to live?

If you're looking for established luxury and golf, Preston may deserve a closer look.

If lakefront property, privacy, and an established setting are priorities, MacGregor Downs offers something that's difficult to recreate.

If you want mature trees, trails, lakes, and a neighborhood that feels settled and lived in, Lochmere may be worth exploring.

If you want West Cary amenities with both attached and detached housing choices, Cary Park gives you plenty of flexibility.

And if extensive amenities and a large selection of housing styles appeal to you, Amberly offers multiple neighborhoods within one master-planned community.

The neighborhood name is only the starting point.

Two homes just a few miles apart can give you completely different commutes, school assignments, HOA structures, housing styles, price points, and everyday experiences.

Moving to Cary or the Raleigh Triangle?

My family and I moved to the Raleigh area from Southern California without seeing it first, so I understand how overwhelming these decisions can feel when you're trying to research neighborhoods from hundreds—or even thousands—of miles away.

If you're considering moving to Cary, NC, or anywhere in the Raleigh Triangle, start with what matters most to you:

Your budget.

Your commute.

The type of home you want.

The amenities you'll actually use.

And most importantly, what you want your everyday life to look like.

From there, you can narrow down the Cary neighborhoods that truly make sense for you.

Because Cary looks great on paper.

Finding the right part of Cary is what can make the difference between simply buying a house here and actually loving where you live.

Brandy Nemergut, Realtor ~ eXp Realty Raleigh, NC
[email protected]
919-583-6895
LivingInRaleighNow.com