Which Cary should you call home—lake-life at Lochmere, golf at Preston/MacGregor, or new-build energy in West Cary?

Relocating to Cary is less about picking “a city” and more about choosing a micro-market that fits your day-to-day life. Do you want to bike along a lake loop after dinner? Walk to a residents’ club with pools and a fitness center? Or live minutes to a private golf club with junior programs and a busy social calendar? The good news: Cary has a neighborhood that matches each version of “home,” with greenways, parks, and cultural anchors layered all around. Think Bond Park’s 310 acres with a boathouse and challenge course, Hemlock Bluffs with its steep sandstone slopes and hemlock grove, and concerts under the pines at Koka Booth Amphitheatre in Regency. These amenities are the fabric of Cary—and a big reason demand stays strong. carync.gov+2carync.gov+2

Below is a practical, hyperlocal guide to six of Cary’s most asked-about areas—Preston, Lochmere, MacGregor, Regency, Cary Park/Amberly, and Carpenter/Green Level—covering home types, price feel, amenities, pros/cons, ideal buyers, and how the right Realtor helps you match the fit.

Preston (Prestonwood)

Vibe & housing. Cary’s quintessential golf-club address. You’ll find a wide spectrum of homes—from classic brick traditionals on quiet cul-de-sacs to larger executive homes near fairways—plus townhomes in some sections. The draw is the Prestonwood Country Club ecosystem: 54 holes, tennis, aquatics, fitness, kids’ programming, and an active social calendar. Prestonwood Country Club+2Prestonwood Country Club+2

Amenities & proximity. Club life at your doorstep; quick access to Bond Park and its lake/boathouse; convenient to shopping and dining. Greenways connect out to broader trail networks Cary is known for. carync.gov+1

Pros. Prestige name recognition; robust club amenities; mature trees and established streets; strong eventual resale to relocating families who pre-shop “Preston” online. Prestonwood Country Club

Cons. Some homes are older and may need system or design updates; membership is separate from HOA; occasional event traffic near the club.

Ideal buyer. Golf/tennis/aquatics households; buyers who value club-centered social life and want a known quantity for appreciation and exit.

Agent edge. A Cary specialist will steer you to the quietest micro-streets, explain membership tiers, and comp against “upper-mid” non-club alternatives so you’re paying the right premium for the Prestonwood lifestyle. Prestonwood Country Club

Lochmere

Vibe & housing. “Lake-life in the middle of Cary.” Lochmere strings together neighborhoods around multiple lakes—Lake Lochmere, Lake Lomond, and Highlands Lake—with an extensive internal trail system. Single-family homes dominate, with pockets of attached product. lochmere.org+1

Amenities & proximity. Neighborhood trails (about 10 miles within Lochmere), tennis, pools and playgrounds (per HOA sections); easy reach to Hemlock Bluffs Nature Preserve and the Stevens Nature Center for boardwalk trails and educational programs. lochmere.org+1

Pros. Water and trail access without leaving town; established trees; strong “daily routine” appeal for joggers, strollers, and paddlers. lochmere.org

Cons. 1980s/1990s construction can mean roof/HVAC/window cycles; design refreshes may be needed to match today’s tastes; HOA rules vary by phase. lochmere.org

Ideal buyer. Nature-first households who value lakes and trails over golf; buyers who want a neighborhood feel near Southeast Cary amenities and parks. carync.gov

Agent edge. Your agent will verify which homes actually back water or greenway vs. nearby, compare HOA restrictions across sections, and flag the right inspection focus for the vintage you’re buying. lochmere.org

MacGregor (MacGregor Downs / MacGregor West)

Vibe & housing. Cary heritage with Scottish flair. MacGregor Downs Country Club wraps around Lake MacGregor and a storied Willard Byrd course (1967). Expect elegant traditionals, some lakeside opportunities, and mature landscaping throughout. macgregordowns.org+1

Amenities & proximity. Private club with golf/tennis/pool, dining, and year-round social calendar; minutes to Koka Booth Amphitheatre and Symphony Lake for seasonal concerts and festivals. macgregordowns.org+1

Pros. Longstanding prestige; lake and club adjacency; easy US-1/64 access for regional movement. macgregordowns.org

Cons. Homes can vary widely in update level; some lake-adjacent pockets are limited-inventory and trade quickly; separate club dues.

Ideal buyer. Those who want an established private-club community with lake ambience and quick access to concert nights at Booth Amphitheatre. boothamphitheatre.com

Agent edge. A local pro knows which streets offer the best lake sightlines, how to price “updated-traditional vs. original finishes,” and when MacGregor inventory tends to surface. macgregordowns.org

Regency (including Renaissance at Regency)

Vibe & housing. Upscale East/Southeast Cary with pockets of custom homes, wooded cul-de-sacs, and proximity to culture. Think newer and “near-new” luxury mixed with established high-end streets. The everyday perk is Koka Booth’s programming—lantern festivals, concerts, and events by Symphony Lake. boothamphitheatre.com

Amenities & proximity. Amphitheatre events; lakeside paths; a short hop to shopping and dining; quick links to US-1/64 and Tryon. boothamphitheatre.com

Pros. Lifestyle anchors (events, lake, parks) without leaving the neighborhood area; luxury custom options; easy regional connectivity. boothamphitheatre.com

Cons. Inventory is spottier than West Cary; price points vary by micro-enclave; limited supply near the lake can mean competitive offer scenarios.

Ideal buyer. Culture-forward households who want concerts and festivals nearby, plus custom-home aesthetics and tall trees.

Agent edge. Your agent will time the search around event calendars (traffic/noise considerations), highlight micro-enclave differences, and suggest marketing or touring windows that work around big shows at Booth. boothamphitheatre.com

Cary Park / Amberly (including 55+ Carolina Preserve inside Amberly)

Vibe & housing. West Cary’s master-planned energy: sidewalks and greenways, neighborhood lakes, residents’ clubs, and multiple pools. Cary Park is built around a 28-acre lake with two miles of paved trail, while Amberly offers a Residents’ Club, waterslides, fitness, and 55+ living at Carolina Preserve (indoors/outdoors pools, courts, a 35k sq. ft. clubhouse, and 120+ clubs). Product ranges from townhomes to single-family to active-adult. carypark.org+2Carolina Preserve+2

Amenities & proximity. Pools/clubhouses, fitness, playgrounds; extensive neighborhood trails that connect into Cary’s wider greenway network; convenient access to NC-540 for RTP/RDU commutes. carync.gov

Pros. Newer housing stock; low-maintenance options (especially in 55+ sections); “resort-style” amenity packages that are genuinely used. Carolina Preserve

Cons. HOAs are robust (great for amenities, but do read the rules); some sections can feel busier; townhome parking/driveway depth varies by builder phase. carypark.org

Ideal buyer. Families or right-sizers who want pool/club convenience, fast access to 540, and a ready-made social calendar—plus a strong 55+ option at Carolina Preserve. Carolina Preserve

Agent edge. A neighborhood-savvy agent will compare sub-HOAs, explain exactly what the master vs. sub-association covers, and show how lake/greenway adjacency changes day-to-day living (and resale). carypark.org

Carpenter / Green Level (West Cary)

Vibe & housing. A mix of historic crossroads charm—Green Level Historic District—and the new-build corridor along NC-540 with custom and semi-custom pockets (Copperleaf, Montvale, and nearby enclaves). You’ll see larger lots in places, trail adjacency, and steady new-home energy. The Town’s Green Level Church Road study underscores ongoing attention to mobility and place-keeping in this corridor. carync.gov+1

Amenities & proximity. Quick reach to the American Tobacco Trail connections via West Cary spurs, plus greenways, parks, and easy 540 access for RTP and RDU. (Green-level-area links into Cary’s broader greenway web are a major lifestyle win.) carync.gov

Pros. Newer homes and thoughtful custom neighborhoods; access to trails and regional routes; “edge-of-town” feel with modern conveniences. carync.gov

Cons. Construction activity can be present as new phases roll out; some routes are car-forward until more network links fill in; HOAs can be stricter in certain enclaves.

Ideal buyer. Those who want new or near-new homes, trail access, and fast 540 connections—often commuters to RTP who still want a quieter, wooded backdrop. carync.gov

Agent edge. Your agent will map current and proposed road/sidewalk/greenway work, read builder reputations phase-by-phase, and pressure-test HOA guidelines against your outdoor-living plans. carync.gov

Commutes, parks & trails: the common denominators

No matter which micro-market you choose, Cary’s greenway system ties neighborhoods into parks and regional trails, with Bond Park and Hemlock Bluffs as standouts on opposite sides of town. For regional mobility, Cary’s beltway access (I-40/540, US-1/64) is complemented by the Cary Depot (Amtrak CYN)—handy for occasional rail to Charlotte or the Northeast and for bus connections. If you’re splitting your time between home, RTP, and RDU, these connective tissues matter. carync.gov+2carync.gov+2

Quick comparative cheat-sheet (high level)

*Commute feel is directional only; test your actual windows.

Sources: Prestonwood & program details; Lochmere lakes/trails; Cary Park lake loop; Amberly/Carolina Preserve amenities; Greenway network and parks; Koka Booth location/events. boothamphitheatre.com+9Prestonwood Country Club+9Prestonwood Country Club+9

How a Cary-savvy Realtor matches the fit (and protects your upside)

1) School-boundary nuance. School options are a major driver for relocators. Boundaries and year-round vs. traditional calendars can vary within the same large community (e.g., master-planned West Cary). A local agent keeps an updated map of assignment zones and can explain magnet or application program pathways that affect where families choose to live.

2) Micro-pocket comping. Citywide medians aren’t useful when one street backs the Cary Park lake loop, another borders a Prestonwood fairway, and a third is tucked beside Hemlock Bluffs. Your agent will comp like-for-like—age, HOA/club context, trail adjacency, and update level—to ensure you neither overpay nor under-market when selling. carypark.org+2Prestonwood Country Club+2

3) Future projects & road work. In Carpenter/Green Level, the Town’s corridor studies (e.g., Green Level Church Road) and National Register protections shape pace and character; elsewhere, planned greenway connections can quietly lift a block’s long-term livability and value. Your agent should point out not just what exists, but what’s scheduled. carync.gov+1

4) Lifestyle mapping. Whether your “daily win” is rowing at Bond Park, walking to a Residents’ Club class in Amberly, or catching a concert at Koka Booth, a Cary specialist will design a tour that lets you experience each area at the right time of day—commute windows, evening trail use, or a live event night. carync.gov+2Carolina Preserve+2

5) HOA/club due diligence. In amenity-rich neighborhoods, it’s vital to separate HOA coverage (what dues include) from club membership (separate cost and privileges). Sub-HOAs inside master associations—especially in Cary Park—have their own covenants and fees; knowing those differences on the front end avoids surprises. carypark.org

Bottom line

Cary is a quilt of distinct experiences, not a monolith. If you picture club life and junior golf, start with Preston and MacGregor. If your heart is set on lakes and trails, Lochmere and Cary Park shine. If you want concerts and custom homes under tall pines, Regency belongs on your short list. And if new-build energy and 540 access are the priority, head for Carpenter/Green Level and the West Cary corridor. Layer in the parks, greenways, and cultural anchors that make Cary… Cary—and let a hyperlocal Realtor turn your wish list into a set of neighborhoods that live right on day one and hold value for the long run. carync.gov+2carync.gov+2

Ready to discuss your real estate needs? Contact Be Sunshine Realty Group Brokered by EXP today for a confidential consultation. Call (919) 583-6895 or visit www.livinginraleighnow.com to connect with Raleigh Triangle's most trusted real estate team.

Ready to discuss your real estate needs? Contact Be Sunshine Realty Group Brokered by EXP today for a confidential consultation. Call (919) 583-6895 or visit www.livinginraleighnow.com to connect with Raleigh Triangle's most trusted real estate team.