Why Are People Flocking To Holly Springs and Moving to Raleigh, NC  Blog Post

A Small Town's Remarkable Transformation

Holly Springs was once known as a charming small town with a slower pace. Fast forward to today, and you'll discover a community that's experienced tremendous growth over the past two decades, with its population more than doubling since 2010 to around 50,000 residents. The town continues to rapidly evolve with new projects shaping its future, offering beautiful outdoor amenities, rich culture, friendly locals, and an award-winning farmers market. From beautiful neighborhoods and top-rated schools to great outdoor spaces and strong employment opportunities, Holly Springs ranks consistently in the top 10 safest cities in North Carolina.

Strategic Location and Accessibility

Located in Wake County and part of the Research Triangle area, Holly Springs sits southwest of Raleigh, approximately 25 minutes from downtown depending on traffic. The town is easily accessible via Highway NC-55 and US-1. A major improvement arrives this month (September 2024) with the completion of the I-540 extension, featuring a diverging diamond interchange at Holly Springs Road that will eliminate troublesome left turns across traffic and reduce time spent at red lights.

Holly Springs earned its distinctive name from the freshwater springs surrounded by holly trees that attracted early settlers. These springs became a central gathering point, contributing to the area's early development and eventual naming of the town.

Downtown Revitalization

Holly Springs has been investing heavily in its downtown area with a comprehensive revitalization project. Several new mixed-use buildings are under construction, offering retail, dining, and residential spaces designed to create a vibrant hub for residents and visitors. Since relocating from Southern California seven years ago, I've witnessed impressive downtown revitalization projects throughout the Triangle, and Holly Springs is no exception.

Plans include boutique retail shops, farm-to-table restaurants, craft breweries, coffee shops, bakeries, ice cream shops, health and wellness studios, and co-working spaces. Some local favorites include Bless Your Heart Boutique for clothing and gifts, Fresh Local Ice Cream for sweet treats, and restaurants like Osha (sushi and Thai food—try the Naughty Roll!), Vieni Ristobar (Italian), and My Way Tavern (great burgers and beer).

Another downtown gem is Pimiento Tea, a house converted into a restaurant offering Sunday brunch, live music, indoor/outdoor seating, and delicious scones. For a relaxed atmosphere, Niche Wine Lounge features special live music nights ranging from open mic to jazz to piano performances.

The Holly Springs Farmers Market, running Saturdays from April through November, showcases local produce, meats, honey, and various vendors. I personally love Mama Salsa, who makes fresh salsa and chips. Fun fact: she also relocated from California, and we lived just 15 minutes apart there! She was one of the first people I met at the local farmers market.

Employment Opportunities

Holly Springs has established itself as a hub for high-tech industries, particularly in the biotech and life sciences sectors. Major companies like Amgen, Seqirus, and Fujifilm have facilities in town. The new Triangle Innovation Point in nearby Chatham County (less than a 20-minute commute) will create a 450-acre campus for biotech and life science companies, expected to bring 20,000 new jobs to the area. This area will also host VinFast, the electric car manufacturer. These developments provide viable job options close to home without the need to commute to Research Triangle Park.

Parks and Recreation

The town is actively expanding its network of parks, green spaces, and trails designed to connect various parts of the community. Sugg Farm, an over 100-acre park of fields and woods adjacent to Bass Lake, hosts the annual HollyFest with rides, activities, food, and music. For the brave, The Haunted Trail in October provides a good scare (though you definitely won't find me there!).

Womble Park, a 46-acre recreational area, has been recognized as the best place for outdoor recreation in town. Ting Park, a 42-acre athletic facility, features an 1,800-seat stadium (home to the Holly Springs Salamanders amateur baseball team), soccer fields, tennis courts, basketball courts, and two playgrounds. Located just minutes from Holly Springs Town Center, it allows parents to shop while teens play sports.

The town hosts several annual events that bring the community together, including Spring Fling (Easter egg hunt), Spooktacular (Halloween), and a Christmas celebration with Santa escorted by the fire department.

Holly Springs isn't just for families with children—the town offers numerous activities for seniors, including bingo at Bass Lake Park, card clubs, quilting/knitting/crochet clubs, Wi-Fi bowling, a seniors walking club, book club, and free fitness classes. World Atlas has even recognized Holly Springs as one of the top nine friendliest towns to visit in North Carolina.

Healthcare and Transportation

The local healthcare infrastructure continues to improve with the expansion of Rex Holly Springs Hospital, which is adding specialized medical services to meet the growing community's needs. I had my gallbladder surgery there and was impressed with the excellent care from doctors, nurses, and staff.

As Holly Springs grows, the town is focusing on improving public transportation options by expanding bus services and creating more pedestrian-friendly infrastructure. New bus routes will cover more areas within Holly Springs, including newly developed neighborhoods and commercial districts, connecting key points like shopping centers, schools, and healthcare facilities. The town is also working to improve regional bus connections to Cary, Raleigh, and Durham. This addresses a pain point for many relocating from major metro areas with robust public transportation.

Education Excellence

Holly Springs is dedicated to creating an inclusive, diverse educational environment. The town's schools are part of the Wake County Public School System, which is top-rated within North Carolina. Currently, over 10,000 Wake County Public School students live in Holly Springs, and almost all town schools were built since 2000.

New educational facilities opening in fall 2024 include a new campus from Triangle Montessori Academy. Thales Academy, a private school, is expanding its campus to include a new junior and high school building and a "gymatorium" for the 2024-2025 school year. Additionally, two new public schools—Rex Road Elementary and Felton Grove High School—are set to open for the 2025-2026 school year.

As growth continues, Holly Springs is expanding existing schools to increase capacity and enhance educational offerings. Upgrades include improved facilities, science labs, libraries, and sports facilities. New and expanded schools feature smart classroom technology, enabling dynamic lessons and student engagement. The town places strong emphasis on STEM education, recognizing its importance in preparing students for future careers.

Is Holly Springs Right for You?

From downtown revitalization to enhanced sports and recreation facilities, proactive healthcare improvements, expanded public transportation, and significant investments in education, Holly Springs offers something for every life stage. The town continues to build its reputation as a desirable place to work, live, and play, combining modern amenities with a strong sense of community.

If you're considering relocating to Holly Springs or anywhere in the Raleigh area and looking to purchase a home, I would love to help you find the perfect property for your lifestyle.