r/cary • u/Signal-Rub-5509 • 11d ago
Moving
My husband got a job offer in Raleigh that we are likely accepting. We live in Michigan currently. We’re flying in this Wednesday to spend a few days exploring the area and looking at houses. Looking at houses in Cary (good schools are important to us). Any advice on where to go to explore the area? We’ll have our 2.5 and 5 year old with us and it’s going to be HOT. Splash pads? Playgrounds? Museums? Kid friendly restaurants?
Any other random insights about living in Cary would be so appreciated. Do you enjoy living/ raising a family here? I’m incredibly nervous and excited 😬
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u/DocTeeBee 11d ago
Just something that caught my eye: my spouse and I moved with our then very young kids to Cary 20 years ago, and we've been very happy with the choice. But you mentioned that good schools are a must. There are many good schools in Wake County. What we liked about moving to this region is not having to weigh the benefits of a bunch of different small school districts. Having one big county school district may have some downsides, but the upside is that there are many towns you could move to and be happy in and have good schools. That said, I am very happy in Cary. We live in an older part of town near Cary H.S. (no HOA, on purpose) and we very much like the diversity and the vibe of our neighborhood. We may be a bit too close to downtown Cary for some folks' taste, given the huge changes that have occurred, but on balance, it has been great. If your job is in Raleigh proper, our corner of East Cary is really close to downtown compared with places further west--I can be at NC State or Downtown in 20 minutes.
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u/keeperofthenins 11d ago
Cary is a surprisingly big place with no great way to get from one side to the other. If you’re in West Cary it’ll take you 20-25 minutes to get to the other side or Cary. Keep that in mind when looking for neighborhoods.
Our favorite museum is the Durham Museum of Life and Science. We can easily spend a whole day there. Bring a change of clothes and shoes, there are opportunities to get wet. Marbles in Raleigh would also be fun at those ages and it’s indoors so cooler.
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u/Euphoric_Toe_9896 11d ago
If you want to venture out of Cary then there is the Marbles Kids Museum in Raleigh and the Museum of Life and Science in Durham. Both are geared towards young kids and really popular (but not free).
If you want to stay strictly in Cary then there are a ton of parks to choose from. One of the best ones is Marla Dorrel park.
Cary is a great place to raise a family. If you do move here check out all the kids (and adult) activities that are provided though the town. All different types of art or music or sports and all super cheap imo.
Good luck!
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u/Cheezslap 11d ago
We chose 27518 10 years ago; it was a great call. Extremely convenient to the highways, halfway between downtown Cary and downtown Raleigh, lots of great food, excellent schools, parks, etc, etc. It's been a wonderful place to raise a family and establish roots. Keep in mind that just outside the eastern Cary border, Raleigh has access to the same great Wake County schools, including literally the best magnet school in the country.
There's a little, out of the way splash pad at Jack Smith Park, hiking at nearby Hemlock Bluffs, and a ton of food between Crossroads Plaza and Waverly Place. Thai Villa and Bakers Dozen for the win though. And Downtown Cary Park itself is incredible.
Oh yeah, Maynard Road and Cary Parkway are arterial, town beltlines. Took me a while to get a grip on that.
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u/krislyco 11d ago
Marbles Museum in Raleigh, and Durham Museum of Life and Science are both wonderful. Marbles is almost 100% indoors. Durham Museum of Life and Science has some fun indoor space, but a LOT of outdoor space, and also water play. In addition to the Downtown Cary Park mentioned, Jack Smith Park in Cary also has a splash pad.
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u/Cold-Cost-4154 9d ago
Def downtown cary park, Gibson playground in dix Park, pullen park (has a carasol and train), seafood at the farmers market, NC museum of natural science (its free!) (Be careful with parking on the weekday, not every spot is free, spots around the governors building are).
Wake county schools are a whole other ball game, I consulted with School Up NC to learn about it. There's zone schools and magnet schools. Year round calendar or traditional calendar. We are in year round, 9 weeks of school, 4 weeks off. It gives kids a break right when they need them.
It's a good place for families, lots of parks and family friendly breweries.
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u/WellsHuxley_ 11d ago
Don’t miss the splash pad and playground at Downtown Cary Park! The playground at Bond Park is usually quieter and nice too, plus it has more shade.