Apex or Holly Springs?Which would you choose? (Cary: home, work)

[BFLOGRLATHRT]

Apex and Holly Springs are both really nice areas....Apex has more stores/shopping centers, but Holly Springs just opened a Super Walmart and are attracting more and more stores. I used to live in Holly Springs 4 years ago (before the big boom down there) and I have to say that the traffic into RTP was absolutely without a doubt horrible during rush hour, especially down hwy 55 and Holly Springs Road into Cary...the travel time would be almost 1 hour each way during the worst traffic, without traffic it was closer to 30-35 minutes...it was 28 miles each way to work. That is why you get more house for your money because of the distance....now, a lot of people have more flexible schedules, can work from home more, dont work in RTP, etc., or traffic just isnt a big deal for them...it is all a matter of what is important/a priority to you. I loved Holly Springs, the neighborhoods, the community feel, etc., but the drive was just to much...and I would imagine that as much as it has built up in the past 4 years since I left there that the traffic has only gotten worse. Apex is a lot closer to everything, and although traffic on Hwy 55 thru Apex is horrible during rush hour, you are a lot closer to RTP to cut down on your commute, plus there is just so much more shops closer to you. I live up in NW Cary and love the commute to RTP! I prefer to spend more time with my family rather than sitting in my car for an hour trying to get home.

[BWalker]

Regarding the commute, it is basically a wash, especially since the 55 Bypass is complete. Hopefully 540 to HS will be started soon which will make the commute, specifically to RTP and the Airport much better. Housing, schools, etc are very similar in HS and Apex. New shopping centers are being built in HS which will be more convenient to many neighborhoods, especially those on Avent Ferry Rd.

[BFLOGRLATHRT]

Yes, the 55 bypass is complete which is great to avoid driving thru downtown holly springs (which I used to do until the bypass opened) but hwy 55 totally bottlenecks in Apex (where it is not widened to 4 lanes and has no plans to do so) and with all the lights thru apex and cary, it totally backs up traffic. as for the 540, it could be 10 years before that is complete down to HS and FV. You just have to be sure that sitting in traffic is not a big deal for you.

[aahlawat]

I would like to hear your input on choosing Apex or Holly Springs and why one is better then the other.

This is very tricky. I can talk about Apex all day because I live in Apex and I can propably give little more inforamtion about this town than anyone else can. Let me see why I want to move to Holly Spring? I will move to Holly spring because I can still buy big lots and built a big home for less money. If I work in RTP than I am driving another 20 min to work than if I am in Apex. If I work in Samford may be Holly spring is better choice. Property appreciation in Holly spring is not as good as in Apex. Being in real estate I have always encountered that people like to move to place where everything is convinient and close to home. You still have to drive to Apex to shop or go to Cary. Once I540 is complete the property values will rise in Holly Spring and the commute time might reduce.

I don't know much aboout the school in Holly Spring but there are three elemnmantry school that were listed real good in Apex. Baucham, Olive Chapel and Turner Creek(Cary). There are some good houses that you can buy in Apex starting from $220000. Olive chapel road is a good neighborhood and is close to Elementry School. There are new communites building ll over Apex and Holly Spring. Apex middle school and High is about 15-20 min from any place in Apex or Holly spring. I hope this helps. Good luck.

[DeadTrees]

I vote Apex hands down...

I dont live in Apex or Holly Springs, but I am a Wake County firefighter and I deal with Apex and Holly Springs firefighters on a regular basis... From their stories, you will definitely want Apex.
Not to mention the way Apex is growing currently there is still rural areas with moderate home prices but they are still very close to civilization.
The new Target, Lowes, Movie Theater, TJ Maxx, all off of Highway 55 that makes living in that area rather nice honestly. You can go from farm land to a Large new fancy 'Plaza' in 10-15 minutes door to door.

[I'minformed2]

You are right, Apex as it was just a few years ago and for right now, still is; is a great place; probably teh best in Wake County. But, IMO, it is growing too fast and will soon be just as conjested and over developed as Cary.

[MAtoNC!]

Originally Posted by DeadTrees

From their stories, you will definitely want Apex.

Please elaborate

[rgault00]

It may not matter to some but you may want to consider the proximity to the power plant for resale. It's a lot closer to Holly Springs which is part of the reason the housing costs are lower in some cases. I believe you have to disclose to all buyers and have them sign a waiver that they were made aware of it. It's not a big deal but it could turn some buyers away.

[kristennc]

Originally Posted by MAtoNC!

Please elaborate

I second that!

Yes - my husband, who is retired from HS, is quite curious about that one too.

I know several of our current firefighters and think those men absolutely ROCK. (I only know men, don't get me wrong on the gender thing.) Maybe I'm missing something... Apex has more trucks?

[BWalker]

In reality, considering how close Apex and Holly Springs are to each other, it comes down to the specific property you are looking at, commercial or residential. Proximity to Shearon Harris is a wash, distance to Raleigh is a wash. Apex is a little closer to RTP but a lot of it depends where in Apex/Holly Springs you live. Once the Apex Peakway Loop is completed, it will ease traffic congestion down Hwy 55 (Williams St). Again, I would let the actual property be the deciding factor. Both are great communities to live in.