Moving To Raleigh, NC -Clayton vs Garner (Which Is BETTER)?

Are you thinking of moving to the Raleigh area and considering Clayton or Garner but wondering which might be a better fit for the lifestyle you want to live? Both suburbs have similarities and differences, yet each offers unique perks that make them appealing choices for new residents. Let me walk you through what makes these towns special to help you decide which feels right for your next home.

Location and Appeal: Two Great Options

Clayton, located just south of Wake County in Johnston County, sits slightly farther from the main hubs of the Triangle area but ranks as the #1 suburb to live in Johnston County. A major draw for many homebuyers is its affordability compared to other areas around Raleigh, especially if you're looking for new construction. When my family moved here from California seven years ago, most people were heading to the west side of Raleigh to places like Cary, Apex, and Holly Springs, which were more budget-friendly back then. But as prices in those areas rose and buildable land became scarcer, buyers and builders started shifting toward the south and east sides of Raleigh, with Clayton quickly gaining attention for its affordability and relatively easy commute.

We personally chose Clayton for its more rural, small-town feel, the larger lots, and the ease of a 30-45 minute commute, which coming from California felt like a breeze! Though it's grown significantly with new housing and commercial developments since we relocated here, Clayton still holds that Southern charm and laid-back lifestyle that initially attracted us.

Garner, on the other hand, is conveniently located just 15 minutes from downtown Raleigh and offers a great suburban vibe with easy access to Raleigh's amenities. Part of Garner is in Wake County, with some areas extending into Johnston County, giving residents a mix of city proximity and rural feel. If you work in the Research Triangle Park (RTP), Garner's location makes it about a 30-minute commute, which is a nice plus. Garner has been rated as one of the top 10 suburbs to buy a home in the Raleigh area, with good schools and a mix of new construction and established communities.

Size and Population: Room to Grow

Size-wise, Clayton has just over 30,000 residents and has seen a remarkable population increase of 277% from 2000 to 2020, while Garner has around 40,000 residents. Both towns continue to grow as more people discover the benefits of living in these Raleigh suburbs.

Housing Markets: Finding Your Price Point

When it comes to affordability, Garner's median price for a single-family home is around $468,000, while townhomes average around $315,000. New single-family homes typically start closer to $523,500, with new townhouses around $352,500. There's no expansive luxury market in Garner, but you'll find charming farmhouse-style and ranch homes with decent-sized backyards, with price points reaching up to the high $700,000s. The upcoming I-540 expansion and completion of the outer beltline will improve commute times and increase accessibility, likely boosting property values in the coming years.

Some popular neighborhoods in Garner include White Oak, which is popular due to its location near White Oak Shopping Center. The homes are generally spacious with a suburban feel, and the community is great for those looking for convenience to shopping and dining. Adams Point is a newer community on the Johnston County side of Garner with easy access to I-40 and local amenities. Chadburn is a neighborhood of custom-built homes, most being brick or stone on larger lots of at least half an acre. Turner Farms is one of the more established and popular neighborhoods in Garner, known for its large, affordable homes and sense of community.

In Clayton, you'll find even more affordability, with the median price for a single-family home right around $442,500 and townhomes averaging around $287,000. New single-family homes generally start around $434,900, with townhomes closer to $293,000. You can also find upscale neighborhoods and homes reaching upwards of $1 million for those seeking luxury.

Popular Clayton neighborhoods include Flowers Plantation, a large master-planned community with multiple subdivisions featuring walking trails, pools, a clubhouse, fitness centers, and even a spa. Riverwood Athletic Club neighborhood offers an on-site athletic club, pools, and playgrounds with a friendly, small-town feel and good schools nearby. Portofino is an equestrian neighborhood with miles of horseback riding trails, a beautiful clubhouse, pools, and custom homes on larger lots, offering serenity with a luxurious lifestyle. Glen Laurel is a popular golf community featuring The Neuse Golf Club, a beautiful semi-private course with upscale homes on larger lots surrounded by mature trees and peaceful streets.

Downtown and Shopping: Amenities That Matter

Garner has a pretty small downtown – just a small strip of buildings – but the town has been working on revitalizing it. You'll find a bakery, a bar, yoga and wine, and a coffee shop (Full Bloom Coffee is my favorite). Less than 3 miles away, you also have access to White Oak Crossing shopping center, which has lots of shops, restaurants, and even a movie theater. It spans 710,000 square feet and includes major stores like Target, BJ's, Kohl's, PetSmart, and Dick's Sporting Goods. Some of our favorite restaurants here are Carolina Ale House, Annamia Bistro, and Lorraine's Coffee. There's something for everyone. There's also a Costco about 15 miles from downtown Garner (technically with a Raleigh address), but it borders Garner and Fuquay. The area also has plenty of fast-food options, another Starbucks, Chick-fil-A, and more.

In comparison, Clayton really doesn't have much when it comes to shops and box chain stores. There are a handful in downtown Clayton and a Walmart, but for major shopping, you'll need to head over to White Oak Crossing in Garner, which, depending on where you live in Clayton, can be anywhere from a 10-20 minute drive. The good news is that with the continued growth of the area, we're seeing new commercial developments popping up around some of the newer residential neighborhoods.

In Flowers Plantation, there's the Waterfront District, which will have everything from apartments to condos, restaurants, and retail space – there will even be a waterfront hotel. Another new development on the way is the Copper District, which is on a longer timeline but is said to be about three times the size of the shopping and dining area of Fenton in Cary. These developments are paving the way for future growth in the area and will provide great spaces for residents to enjoy, along with additional outdoor green spaces and parks.

Outdoor Spaces and Recreation: Connecting with Nature

One of my daughter's favorite parks in Clayton is the Municipal Park, which has a newer playground, splash pad, basketball courts, picnic shelters, and a walking loop. Then there's the Clayton River Walk on the Neuse, a beautiful greenway that follows the Neuse River and connects to the popular Neuse River Trail in Raleigh. Not too long ago, the town completed the Sam's Branch Greenway that connects to the Riverwalk and built a new access point.

Clayton's greenway system is truly amazing, as its trails are part of North Carolina's Mountains-to-Sea Trail and the East Coast Greenway, which stretches over 1,100 miles from the Great Smoky Mountains to the Outer Banks. A fun fact: Segment 11 of the Mountains-to-Sea Trail runs through Clayton, Raleigh, and Smithfield. These trails mainly follow the Neuse River and make up over 65 miles of greenway and over 26 miles of roads.

In Garner, you'll find some beautiful outdoor spaces, including Lake Benson Park. There's fishing, boating, and you can rent a kayak or go for a walk and take in the beautiful surroundings. The Garner Veterans Memorial is also there and is a great place to visit and honor our veterans. Across the way is White Deer Park. Each year, there's a race that loops around from one park to the other, and it's a great scenic route between the lake and all the green trees – very serene. On a daily basis, you have your choice of a little over a 2-mile or a 1-mile nature walk, and they also have a Nature Center with a great playground for the kids. This is also where many community events and activities take place in Garner.

Cultural and Community Events: Small-Town Spirit

Both towns have strong community spirit and provide plenty of cultural activities throughout the year. In Garner, you'll find many cultural activities through the Garner Performing Arts Center, which hosts concerts, theater performances, and comedy shows. They also offer art classes and camps for various age groups. The town organizes annual events such as the Independence Day celebration, the Christmas parade, and seasonal festivals at Lake Benson Park. Garner's Downtown Social District also features live music events and food festivals, creating a lively community atmosphere.

In Clayton, you'll also find numerous cultural and community events, from the annual Clayton Harvest Festival (a multi-day event with food vendors, rides, and live performances drawing crowds from across the region) to holiday celebrations like the Christmas Village and tree lighting, and the Clayton Christmas parade. Additionally, there's the Artmosphere Community Art Center, which provides art classes and hosts gallery exhibitions. For nature and art lovers, the Clayton Sculptural Trail and Riverwalk on the Neuse offer scenic outdoor experiences with public art displays and trails for hiking or biking.

One of my favorite events is Last Fridays in Clayton, a monthly community event held on the last Friday of each month in the downtown area. It features live music, food trucks, local vendors, and family-friendly activities, offering residents and visitors a chance to enjoy a festive evening while supporting local businesses. The event often includes art displays, performances, and opportunities to explore downtown Clayton shops and restaurants.

Jobs and Economic Opportunities: Beyond Bedroom Communities

Don't let a small downtown like Garner fool you – another big draw to Garner is employment opportunities. Amazon is the largest employer in town with nearly 3,000 employees. Other major employers include Pergo, Mohawk Industries, Butterball, Duke Energy, Progeny, and Wake Health and Hospital.

Clayton is also home to two pharmaceutical companies – Grifols and Novo Nordisk. Other major employers include Johnston Health (part of UNC Healthcare), Caterpillar, and Cisco Food Distribution. The economic outlook for both towns continues to strengthen as more businesses discover the benefits of locating in these growing suburbs.

Schools and Education: Quality Learning Options

Garner offers a variety of schools within the Wake County Public School District. Bryan Road Elementary School is one of the highest-rated elementary schools, excelling in both math and reading proficiencies and ranking in the top 20% for North Carolina elementary schools. Cleveland Middle School is among the top middle schools in Garner, with good academic performance and ranking in the top 20% for middle schools in the state.

Clayton offers a variety of schools with solid performance rankings within the Johnston County Public School District. Cleveland High School ranks in the top 20% of North Carolina public schools and boasts a graduation rate of 96%, significantly higher than the state average of 86%. Clayton High School ranks in the top 50% of schools statewide with a graduation rate of 94%. Johnston Charter Academy is known for its strong academic performance, serving grades K through 8 and holding a high reputation within Clayton.

Top elementary schools in Clayton include Riverwood and Cleveland Elementary, both scoring a 9 out of 10 in rankings, with Riverwood Middle also performing well in the middle school category. For private schools, Thales Academy in Flowers Plantation, which opened in 2022, is known for its rigorous academic curriculum. The school emphasizes character development and real-world skills with a structured and supportive environment, using the classical education approach with a focus on critical thinking and personal accountability.

Making Your Choice: Which Town Is Right for You?

Choosing between these two towns ultimately depends on the lifestyle you envision. If you want a more rural feel with Southern charm and slightly lower housing prices, Clayton might be the perfect fit. If you prefer closer proximity to Raleigh and a suburban community with quick access to amenities, Garner is an excellent choice. Either way, you'll find a strong sense of community, plenty of outdoor activities, and convenient access to the greater Raleigh area.

Both Clayton and Garner offer wonderful quality of life with their own unique advantages. As someone who chose Clayton for my family, I can personally attest to the warm community and growing opportunities here, but I also see the tremendous appeal of Garner's convenience and established amenities. The good news is that whichever town you choose, you'll be joining a thriving community in one of the most desirable regions in North Carolina.

If you're considering relocating to either Clayton, Garner, or anywhere within Raleigh or the surrounding suburbs and looking to purchase a home, I would love to help. Feel free to reach out to me at 919-583-6895 whether you want to give me a call, shoot me a text, or send me an email – I would love to chat about finding your perfect home in this wonderful area.