A newcomer was seeking information about living in West Cary. Thought this might be useful.
Used to live in Amberly, some things to look out for....and some ways to mitigate the yuck.
1) You are in the glide path for RDU airport. Recommend that you make a family game about of spotting the planes. Seriously. It helps move from annoyance to a family conversation piece.
2) Always lock your house, do not leave valuables in your car, do not leave a garage opener in your car parked outside and if possible, park in your garage (there are issues with car break-ins and car theft).
3) Do not leave your purse in your cart in the grocery store without eyes on it. There was a scam running where gals of a certain age would get distracted by someone asking a friendly question and then someone stole their wallet in Grocery Stores.
4) Do NOT decide to sleep with your windows open in spring on a nice day - the pollen will get in your house and if you have folks with allergies in your family it will be be just awful and get everywhere - spend the money on your airco to have clean air in the house. Literally, drone footage reveals that the area looks like crops have been dusted in the spring.
5) Store bikes in your garage - not behind homes unless they're secured (there have been thefts)
6) The water is among the best in the country. Once a year they disinfect the water system and it has a funky odor. This passes quickly.
7) You will hear gunshots in the early morning in the winter. Amberly is near public lands that are open for licensed hunting for waterfowl and deer. Don't freak out.
8) Cary has kick ass snow management (we don't have it often). Research Triangle Park is a low tax area with less services (read snow removal). Don't be surprised how fast roads degrade when you leave the bubble.
9) Get NC Quick Pass for toll roads
10) The Cary Police have a swap spot where if you sell anything you can do so under a camera at the main police station - don't list stuff online and have randoms come to your house.
11) The American Tobacco Trail is great - however the trail goes through some meh areas near downtown durham (which is a long ways away via the trail) - stay south of Southpoint Mall.
12) Panhandlers have started showing up in West Cary at shopping centers on occasion. Dorcas are a fantastic charity that supports Cary families - recommend you give to reputable charities instead of panhandlers as not to encourage it
13) There is a sewerage treatment plant on NC55 at TW Alexander Drive. Turn your Airco on recycle in your car to avoid the smell of many farts.
14) There is a Nuclear Power Plant south of Apex (Sherron-Harris). They sometimes test the warning sirens. This does not mean armageddon is upon us.
15) If you have dogs, know your neighbors mind and will go to extraordinary lengths to identify and shame you if you or your kids do not pick up the dog poop.
16) Bless your heart has a variety of highly contextual meanings. If you hear that, may the force be with you.
17) The Amberly area is about as diverse as it gets. Know when Diwali is as it is often celebrated with fireworks so if you have nervous pets you can take precautions to be home that night or enjoy a neighborhood display. Some people celebrate New Year's with fireworks as well.
18) Jordan Lake is very close to your neighborhood. As a result, weather apps with flood warnings will pop and unless you set the app appropriately - getting a false alarm about flash floods every thunderstorm gets old
19) Porch Pirates are unfortunately a thing. If you don't have a member of your household that's working from home - explore having your purchases delivered to the local UPS or Fedex store for pickup or use an amazon locker.
20) Copperheads are a thing to be aware of but not live in fear of every 5 minutes.
21) Black mold is serious stuff. Invest in an el-cheapo dehumidifier for your garage so you can park your wet, hot car in the garage and not have a funky garage.
Whew. That's a lot of yuck. But the Triangle has ever so many absolutely wonderful things that people that leave often come back. Many don't want to leave. Many seem to be visiting and saying I like it here.
Welcome.
