Town Highlight: Wake Forest

Wake Forest is a rapidly expanding suburb of Raleigh, located northeast of the city. Originally the home of Wake Forest University, which is now located in Winston-Salem, this town has a rich history of its own. If you are looking for a historic town that’s conveniently located close to Raleigh, with both a small-town feel with plenty of things to do, consider looking at Wake Forest as a potential new place to call home. According to Niche.com, Wake Forest is currently ranked as #11 in Best Suburbs to Live In North Carolina. It’s one of those special communities in an area that is regularly cited as one of the best places in the country to raise a family, get an education, seek health care, do business or retire. There is something for everyone in this growing suburb with a small-town vibe.

Slower Pace than City Life:
Residents really love the relaxed pace of life when they are at home in Wake Forest. The historic brick buildings on Main Street that house many different shops and restaurants encourage a slower pace of foot traffic. Enjoy a leisurely lunch and then browse local art on a Saturday afternoon, or take a summer evening stroll on one of the many trails and greenways. You will also notice while driving through town that there is a certain rural feel that has been maintained despite rapid growth in recent years. While there are a fair amount of big-box retailers and grocery stores, there is also a decent amount of mom-and-pop businesses servicing the community. Visitors also find that the residents are very friendly and welcoming, adding to its small-town charm.

Enjoy the Outdoors
Falls Lake Recreational Area is comprised of seven access areas on the shoreline of an undeveloped, 12,000-acre reservoir. There are five swimming beaches and several boating ramps for a variety of different watercraft, along with mountain biking and hiking trails, which makes this recreation area a great choice for a day spent in the outdoors. The Neuse River Greenway Trail ties into this area as well. The trail is a 27.2-mile paved track great for runners, bikers, and dog walkers and many area athletes use this scenic route to train for various competitions. E. Carroll Joyner Park is a 117-acre park that has been updating its grounds thanks to a $750,000 grant and is a great option for a day in the park. One of the largest parks in Wake County, the original farm buildings and pecan grove have been restored for a rustic flair, while also accommodating outdoor events with an amphitheater.

Great Schools
Wake Forest has no shortage of great schools. Public school students in Wake Forest are part of the highly ranked Wake County Public School System, with many of the best schools in the district being located in Wake Forest. Wake County schools have 19 schools located in Wake Forest, with another 7 charter and 4 private schools which are also very highly-ranked, servicing town residents. Parents do not have a shortage of quality schools to choose from in the immediate area.

Lots of Things To Do
While downtown Wake Forest has a variety of things to see and experience, including several community events throughout the year, there are plenty of things to do all over town. There are many restaurants to choose from for a night out and several breweries. Take a look at some unique finds in one of the several antique shops, art galleries, or gift shops. The Polar Ice House is one of the few ice rinks in Wake County and is a great place to either learn how to ice skate or enroll the kids in hockey. There are also several family farms nearby that offer seasonal events, such as pumpkin picking, Christmas light shows, and more that are great for a day out of family fun!

Convenient Location
Wake Forest is located on the northeast side of Raleigh, but thanks to US Route 1 and I-540, it is a short drive from downtown Raleigh, Research Triangle Park (RTP), major universities such as NC State, UNC-Chapel Hill, and Duke, and the Raleigh-Durham International Airport. Downtown Wake Forest is less than 30 minutes from many parts of the Triangle, such as the popular North Raleigh area.

The small-town vibe with suburban amenities makes Wake Forest a great choice for people in all stages of life looking for a little bit of peace and quiet away from bustling city life while still being a short drive from downtown Raleigh.

Thinking about buying a home in Wake Forest? Check out this list of local professionals with the Jim Allen Group or view some of our new Wake Forest Communities.

The Jim Allen Group is a nationally-recognized and award-winning real estate team in Raleigh, North Carolina – ranked the #1 Coldwell Banker HPW Sales Team in the nation.