Cary subdivision recommendations (Apex, Salem, Laurel Park: power lines, new home, neighborhood)
Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill, CaryThe Triangle Area
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
We will be relocating to the RTP area soon and will be looking for a new home. We've done a bit of research on Apex and we would like to start looking now at Cary as well. So I would appreciate your recommendations for subdivisions in Cary to consider for a new home. Our budget is $500K-$600K. Things that are important to us:
(1) Assigned to one of the following elementary schools: Davis Drive, Highcroft, or Mills Park
(2) Lots at 1/4 or 1/3 acre; single family home at 3,500 sq ft +/-
(3) Upgraded homes and modern construction (or custom built)
(4) Family-friendly community (we have young toddlers)
Your price point and home size requirements are high for Davis Drive ES. There is a certifiable mania about DDES, so half-decent homes in DDES assignment nodes sell fast and at premium prices compared to homes with other school assignments.
Upchurch Farm is a tract-built neighborhood that might work. You can get the home size, at a lower price. It adjoins the DDES/DDMS campus, so it has had pretty stable school assignment. Also has a community pool.
Wellesly may also work. But you will be at the top of the neighborhood, and while the homes were constructed by custom builders, you may see need for updating. And again, the good stuff sells at premium pricing in a day or two on the market. Community pool and tennis.
Mills Park ES
Cameron Pond. Good builder group. Be selective regarding the lot. Watch out for proximity to 540 and power lines. New and resale opportunities. Community pool.
Cary Park is a sprawling subdivision with many resale opportunities. Tract and custom. Pool. Large pond. Trails.
Weldon Ridge. Tract new construction and resale opportunities. Pool.
Highcroft ES
Start with Highcroft. Many homes have smaller lots than you want, but .25 acre lots exist. The neighborhood wraps around the school and community pool. Sears Farm Rd. Park on the Southeast side is just lovely. Be selective regarding the lot, due to some proximity to 540, and a proposed development between 540 and Highcroft.
The Reserve. All resales of 10-15 y.o homes, but a very pretty neighborhood with larger lots than Highcroft being the standard, not the exception. Community pool and Sears Farm Rd. adjacent on the north side.
Toscana. New. Tract. Some lots you will like. No pool.
Westvale. Local custom builder group. Uses Highcroft Village pool. Lot selection could matter, with tract stuff going up on both west and north sides. Cemetary on the east side, if that matters to you. But, it will sell out fairly quickly.
As a DD parent I have to agree about the mania attached to the school. Those test scores come at a very heavy emphasis on the test itself. Once January rolls around, it's all about the EOGs. My feeling is if the kids are getting the material taught to them, everything else will fall into place, especially at a school with the demographics of DD - apparently I am the only one associated with the school who feels this way, LOL.
And with the choice plan we had last year, it really affected the school in a negative way. Tons of parents who got their kids in so the school could "fix them" and they don't do jack for the school - probably because they don't live nearby and it's hard for them, or they just don't care about anything but test scores.
Mike nailed it. Those are the same places I would have suggested. You might also look for resales in Weycroft, but those are hard to come by and won't all be in your price range. Horton's Creek resales might be. Some will meet your lot requirements. Both developments have young kids.
__________________
When in doubt, check it out: FAQ
Mike nailed it. Those are the same places I would have suggested. You might also look for resales in Weycroft, but those are hard to come by and won't all be in your price range. Horton's Creek resales might be. Some will meet your lot requirements. Both developments have young kids.
I skipped Weycroft only because WCPSS now shows Alston Ridge ES, not Mills Park.
Great neighborhood, even if they have to run down to Cameron Pond for the pool.
I skipped Weycroft only because WCPSS now shows Alston Ridge ES, not Mills Park.
Great neighborhood, even if they have to run down to Cameron Pond for the pool.
I would prefer it. Large lots, no power lines. I didn't realize they switched schools, thought.
If I was searching here, I'd be more concerned about where each ES feeds for middle and high. We have pretty good elementary schools across the board.
__________________
When in doubt, check it out: FAQ
I would prefer it. Large lots, no power lines. I didn't realize they switched schools, thought.
Would you care whether your assignment was Mills Park or Alston Ridge?
I am also curious why the OP disregarded Salem ES, Green Hope ES, Weatherstone ES, Laurel Park ES.
It isn't like we have a shortage of well-regarded schools.
You ninja'd me with this:
"If I was searching here, I'd be more concerned about where each ES feeds for middle and high. We have pretty good elementary schools across the board."
Yes, I am biased, but look at Preston Village. The school pyramid is Green Hope Elementary (in the neighborhood), Davis Drive Middle and Green Hope High.
There is a mix of custom and tract homes. Many of the tract homes have been upgraded. There is a great park in the neighborhood. We also have a neighborhood pool and swim team.
About six times/year, the neighborhood holds some type of event at the circle green or pool.
Homes have been selling very quickly, so there may not be much inventory, but homes do come on the market fairly regularly.
Tons of kids, friendly neighbors and a 10 minute ride to RTP, even at rush hour.
This has been an announcement from the Preston Village Chamber of Commerce.
Plus when you start looking in the far western reaches of Wake County, you're ripe for reassignment anyway.
All schools Mike mentioned are good, I know people who are happy at all of them. Weatherstone is now a STEM school, too.
Only complaint from GH parents is when they get to Davis Drive Middle they are overwhelmed with the work requirements - one parent told me last year they basically get no homework at GH and it's quite a shock when the kids get to middle school.
Would you care whether your assignment was Mills Park or Alston Ridge?
I am also curious why the OP disregarded Salem ES, Green Hope ES, Weatherstone ES, Laurel Park ES.
It isn't like we have a shortage of well-regarded schools.
You ninja'd me with this:
"If I was searching here, I'd be more concerned about where each ES feeds for middle and high. We have pretty good elementary schools across the board."
Yep.
Nah. It's Track 4 only. Pretty nice.
We have plenty of great elementary schools in Cary. No doubt. Mine went to Weatherstone and Reedy Creek. They are now at West Cary MS and Green Hope High. Neither kid was unprepared for the next level and both have scored well on the EOGs.
__________________
When in doubt, check it out: FAQ
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
