Andrew HillDASH Carolina 984 · 464 · 7329

Cary & Apex, NC · Wake County

Cary and Apex Homes and Neighborhood Guide

Cary and Apex sit next to each other in western Wake County, close to Research Triangle Park. I help buyers and sellers in both towns as a broker with DASH Carolina.

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Aerial view of Downtown Cary Park in autumn

Overview

Why buyers look at Cary and Apex

Cary has about 183,600 residents and Apex about 80,400 (U.S. Census Bureau estimates, July 2025). Both towns are close to Research Triangle Park by I-40, NC-540, and the Triangle Expressway, and that commute is one of the biggest reasons people buy here.

The two towns offer different things. Cary’s historic downtown blocks and Lochmere hold strong land values, and Downtown Cary Park and the Fenton district have added new places to eat, shop, and gather. Apex has kept its historic Salem Street downtown intact and has grown around it.

Southwest Apex is where the biggest change is planned. UNC Health and Duke Health have chosen about 230 acres at US-1 and NC-540 for NC Children’s, a children’s hospital campus with 500 beds and roughly 8,000 jobs when complete. Groundbreaking is expected in 2027. It sits inside Veridea, a planned community of more than 1,000 acres with up to 8,000 homes and a new Wake Tech campus.

Parts of Town

Where to look in Cary and Apex

Downtown Cary

Historic blocks around Downtown Cary Park, the town’s newer central park. Older homes and infill sit within walking distance of restaurants and the library.

Lochmere

An established Cary neighborhood built around lakes, with mature trees and a golf course. Resale homes here hold their value well.

West Cary

Newer neighborhoods toward Green Level and the Chatham County line, with newer schools and quick access to NC-540.

Downtown Apex

Salem Street’s historic depot district, with restaurants and shops in the original buildings. Homes within walking distance are limited.

Southwest Apex

The area around US-1 and NC-540 where the NC Children’s campus and Veridea are planned. Buyers here are buying ahead of that growth.

If you are deciding between Cary and Apex, call or text me and I will send recent sales of similar homes in both towns.

Free · Sent by Andrew

Get the current Cary and Apex market report

Prices here change month to month, so I send current numbers on request instead of posting figures that go out of date. The report includes:

  • Recent sales in the town and neighborhood you choose
  • Homes for sale now and how long they are taking to sell
  • New construction communities and their current pricing
  • My notes on which streets are selling fastest

This goes straight to me. I send the report myself, usually the same day.

History

How RTP shaped both towns

Research Triangle Park opened in 1959 between Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill. As it added employers, Cary and Apex grew from small railroad towns into two of the largest suburbs in the Triangle.

SAS, the software company founded in 1976, has its global headquarters in Cary. Epic Games bought the 87-acre former Cary Towne Center site for a planned headquarters, though its rezoning request was withdrawn in late 2024 and the company has not shared new plans. The site remains zoned for a mixed-use development.

Apex took a different path. Its Salem Street downtown, built around the railroad depot, is still largely intact, and the town has grown in rings around it.

Living Here

Restaurants, schools, and things to know

Eat and drink

  • La Farm Bakery — French bakery in Cary
  • Herons — fine dining at The Umstead hotel
  • M Sushi — sushi at Fenton
  • Bond Brothers Beer Co. — brewery in downtown Cary
  • Scratch Kitchen & Taproom — restaurant in downtown Apex
  • The Provincial — farm-to-table on Salem Street
  • Salem Street Pub — burgers in downtown Apex

Schools

  • Cary High — one of Wake County’s oldest high schools, offering the IB Diploma Programme
  • Green Hope High — west Cary
  • Panther Creek High — northwest Cary
  • Apex High and Apex Friendship High — Apex’s two public high schools
  • Green Level High — serves west Cary and Apex growth
  • Cary Academy — independent school founded by SAS’s founders
  • Wake County Public School System assignments change as new schools open. Verify the assignment for any address with WCPSS before you make an offer. Ratings are published on NC School Report Cards.

Worth knowing

  • Downtown Cary Park and the Fenton district for dining and events
  • Greenways connect many neighborhoods to both downtowns
  • NC Children’s and Veridea planned for southwest Apex, with groundbreaking expected in 2027

For Owners

What is your Cary and Apex home worth?

Online estimates do not account for school assignment, lot size, upgrades, or how close a home is to RTP and NC-540. I will prepare a price range from recent comparable sales and send it to you. There is no obligation to list.

  • Comparable sales near your address
  • A suggested price range and the reasoning behind it
  • Which updates would raise your sale price and which would not

I prepare these myself from local sales data. Your information is not shared or sold.

Questions

Common questions about buying in Cary and Apex

What do homes cost in Cary and Apex right now?

Prices change month to month, so I send current numbers on request instead of posting figures that go out of date. Request the market report and I will send recent sales, homes for sale, and days on market for the area you are considering.

How long is the commute to RTP?

Most addresses in Cary and Apex reach Research Triangle Park by I-40, NC-540, or the Triangle Expressway. Drive times depend on the address and time of day, so test the commute at rush hour before you buy.

What is being built in southwest Apex?

UNC Health and Duke Health plan the NC Children’s campus on about 230 acres at US-1 and NC-540, with a 500-bed hospital and about 8,000 jobs when complete. It is part of Veridea, which is planned for up to 8,000 homes. Groundbreaking is expected in 2027.

Should I buy in Cary or Apex?

Cary has more established neighborhoods and strong land values close to downtown. Apex has a historic main street and more new construction. I can send recent sales of similar homes in both towns so you can compare.

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