Living in Wake Forest, Everything You Need To Know

Small Town Charm with Big City Convenience

Are you thinking about moving to the Raleigh area and wondering if Wake Forest is the right fit for you and your family? This vibrant town offers a unique blend of big city energy and small-town charm. With its historic downtown, strong sense of community, and easy access to urban amenities, Wake Forest provides an exceptional quality of life filled with parks, green spaces, and community events like farmers markets and concerts in the park.

When my family and I moved from California seven years ago, we consistently heard people praising Wake Forest as a fantastic place to live. Over the past decade, it has rapidly grown in popularity as one of Raleigh's thriving suburbs, home to some of the best neighborhoods in the greater Raleigh area. If you're looking for new construction homes or newer communities, there are plenty of excellent options to explore.

Location and Transportation

Wake Forest is primarily in Wake County, with a portion in Franklin County, located approximately 30 minutes north of downtown Raleigh. Main roadways include US-1 running south into Raleigh, Highway 98 running west toward Durham, and I-540 connecting to other suburbs in the area.

Traffic can be challenging during rush hour, especially on US-1/Capital Boulevard—a major vein that connects Wake Forest to Raleigh. This is one of the biggest complaints I hear from locals who commute to Raleigh for work.

Exciting transportation developments are on the horizon: the revival and construction of the S-Line passenger rail from Raleigh to Wake Forest is scheduled for completion by 2030. This $1.1 billion federal grant to the NC Department of Transportation will return passenger train service to Wake Forest, connecting the town to major business destinations from the southeastern US to Washington, DC. The high-speed rail service will make three daily round trips, with stops in Youngsville, Franklinton, Henderson, and Norlina.

Demographics and Safety

Wake Forest is the third-largest suburb of Raleigh with approximately 55,000 residents as of 2024, growing at nearly 3% annually. The population has increased by nearly 12% since the most recent census. With an average annual household income of approximately $132,500 and a poverty rate of just over 3%, Wake Forest is considered a safe place to live, with lower crime rates than the state average, ranking in the top 20 safest cities in North Carolina in 2024.

Downtown and Community Events

One of Wake Forest's standout features is its beautiful historic downtown area, surrounded by a historic district of homes and abundant mature trees. Walking the downtown streets is one of our favorite activities in the Raleigh area.

"Friday Night on White" is a popular outdoor event held on the second Friday of each month from April to September. It features live music from local bands, food trucks, and a family-friendly atmosphere as the community gathers on White Street to enjoy entertainment, food, and drinks from nearby vendors and breweries.

Downtown shopping includes unique boutiques like Sugar Magnolia Cafe and Emporium (clothing, home decor, and gifts) and The Cotton Company, a marketplace filled with local artisans and vendors offering handmade crafts, jewelry, clothing, and home decor.

For dining, local favorites include Emilia's (authentic Italian restaurant with fresh-made pasta), Branzino (seafood), Shuckers Oyster Bar and Grill (fresh oysters and crab legs), and Over the Falls (burgers, beers, pizza, and sandwiches with occasional live music).

Wake Forest also boasts excellent breweries like White Street Brewing (a laid-back setting with regular live music events) and Norse Brewing (craft beers with Scandinavian twists and a full menu of Scandinavian-inspired dishes).

The Renaissance Centre for the Arts serves as a cultural hub, featuring live performances including concerts, theater, and other art-related events.

Employment and Development

The employment landscape in Wake Forest includes educational services, healthcare, professional scientific management, administrative roles, retail, and manufacturing. For those working in Raleigh or Durham, the commute is only around 30 minutes.

Wake Forest recently announced several exciting developments, including the long-awaited Costco (to be built behind Lowe's) and a $50 million multi-use project starting in December 2024 near the football stadium. This project will transform the area into a space filled with apartments, businesses, and gathering places.

Outdoor Recreation

Outdoor lovers will enjoy Wake Forest's beautiful parks and natural spaces. Joyner Park is a local favorite with 117 acres of open space, beautiful oak trees, miles of paved trails, a playground, and a recreation center. Forest Ridge Park offers 587 acres adjacent to Falls Lake with mountain biking, multi-use trails, fishing, a wildlife garden, playground, and nature programs.

The Neuse River Trail, a 30-mile paved greenway, is perfect for walking, running, or biking—a family favorite especially during the spring and fall when the weather is spectacular. Falls Lake, one of the largest lakes in the area, is ideal for boating, while Wake Forest Reservoir is perfect for kayaking.

The town comes together for annual family-friendly events like Fourth of July fireworks and the Christmas parade. A popular spot for families is The Factory, a mixed-use sports and entertainment complex with ice rinks, soccer fields, and more.

For sports enthusiasts, Wake Forest High School's football team regularly competes for state championships. Professional sports are also accessible: the Carolina Hurricanes (hockey) are about 35-40 minutes away, the Mudcats (baseball) are 30 minutes away, and the Durham Bulls (baseball) are approximately 40 minutes away.

Neighborhoods and Housing

Wake Forest offers some of the best selection of neighborhoods in the Raleigh area, especially for those considering new construction, luxury options, larger lot sizes, and master-planned community living. Home prices range from around $420,000 up to $3 million, with square footage from 2,800 to 6,500 square feet. As of late 2024, the median price for a single-family home in Wake Forest is approximately $582,000, while townhomes average around $356,000.

Two popular master-planned communities are:

Holding Village: Offering everything from apartments to new-build townhomes and single-family homes, with a 15-acre lake perfect for kayaking. This is an excellent option if you want to experience Wake Forest living before buying. Prices range from approximately $400,000 to $800,000, with square footage from 1,800 to 3,600 square feet.

Heritage at Wake Forest: One of the area's most popular neighborhoods, this beautiful 2,000-acre community features an award-winning golf course. Located on the southeast corner of Wake Forest (with parts in Rolesville), the community offers access to greenway trails, playgrounds, a town soccer park, swimming pool, tennis, and nearby shopping and dining. Prices range from the low $400,000s to around $1.2 million.

Hasentree: Located on the west side of Wake Forest, this community offers luxury resort-style living with a Tom Fazio-designed golf course. Amenities include a clubhouse, bar and grill, six lighted tennis courts, top-of-the-line fitness center with training and classes, restaurants, and Wednesday wine tastings. Homes feature larger lot sizes (half-acre to full acre), with prices from $700,000 to $3 million and square footage from 2,000 to 6,500 square feet in homes with up to seven bedrooms.

Education and Weather

Wake Forest has a thriving education system with award-winning K-12 schools within the Wake County Public School System, plus prestigious universities and community colleges. Nearly 60% of Wake Forest residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher, exceeding the US average by 22%. Beyond public schools, you'll find many charter and private school options.

The weather is a major draw for people relocating from across the country. Wake Forest enjoys four distinct seasons, with spring and fall weather reminiscent of California. Winters are mild with a slight chance of snow, with temperatures ranging from the 30s to 60s. Summers are hot and humid with temperatures in the 80s to 90s—thankfully, air conditioning makes this manageable. The area receives an average of 47 inches of rain annually (compared to California's 11 inches), but storms typically pass quickly. There's a running joke that you can experience all four seasons in the same week or even the same day!

Is Wake Forest Right for You?

With its strong sense of community, stunning natural beauty, excellent schools, and growing economy, it's easy to see why so many people love calling Wake Forest home. If you're considering a move to the Raleigh area, this could be the perfect place for your family.