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I personally think that each of those three areas have a distinctive feel to them and the best way to know is which one feels like home. I have lived in both North Raleigh and Wake Forest, but Wake Forest feels so much like home to me than North Raleigh. I've spent enough time in Cary to know that it doesn't have the same feel I am personally looking for. I don't think one is better than another just different. But I disagree that the main difference is location. There is a flavor and feel different to each. I have no idea which one is right for you. While I haven't lived in Apex, my understanding is that Apex and WF are relatively similar in feel.
That said, if Wake Forest appeals to you, I would take what people who don't live in WF say with a grain of salt about it being to far out and talk to people who live there. For me personally as having lived in WF/Youngsville for 15 years, I don't think that unless you are working in RTP or Cary that Wake Forest is too far from everything in the Triangle at all. And honestly for me the commute to RTP would be worth it to live in WF, but I know that's not true for everyone. Unless I'm going at rush hour, I can be almost anywhere in the central part of Triangle (Cary, Durham, downtown) in 20-30 minutes especially if I use backroads and shortcuts (not Capital). And there is so much shopping and restaurants in North Raleigh these days that is only 15-20 minutes away as well as so much in WF these days. I really don't have to leave this area for much at all anymore unless I want to go to an event in downtown or Durham. Or to go to a better mall - Crabtree or Southpoint.
Last edited by jenniferg72nc; 11-29-2016 at 11:27 AM..
I'm way closer to "everything" in Wake Forest than I ever was when I lived in Apex. I'm literally 1/2 a mile from my hairdresser, pharmacy, vet, pediatrician, eye doctor, primary care doctor, fave restaurant, Publix, Harris Teeter, my dry cleaner, x Ray, dermatologist, gym.... These are literally all on the same road. I find WF way more convenient. I never get on Capitol Blvd. I can walk to an amazing greenway that is currently being connected to an extensive network of greenways including the Neuse river greenway. I can walk to a wine bar. I run into neighbors in town. We have tons of festivals here. The topography is different in WF... way more hills and scenery. Apex felt spread out and not personal. Drive around downtown Wake Forest and you will see a real historic downtown with a lot to offer.
WF seems to be getting a bit of a bad rap here. I live in N Raleigh for the last 27 years, have moved around some in about a 7 mile radius. Have plenty of friends in WF, I work in Cary/Morrisville. As far as people saying WF is to far out, well, there's tradeoffs in every location. IMO, WF is NOT that much different than N Raleigh or Apex in regards to distance to RTP if that's where you end up working. As others have advised, explore each area and see how you feel about it, which one speaks to you?
Don't rule anything out based on its distance to 540! I spend each commute figuring out how to get away from 540, traffic just sucks on it in the evening and morning commute. That is unless you use the toll portion which is virtually empty. I prefer N Raleigh/WF over Cary, all of them have their highs and lows and traffic throughout the triangle is getting tricky no matter where you are.
There are great areas in all of these places - it honestly depends where location wise you live within Apex, Wake Forest, North Raleigh, Cary etc..... and where you need to commute to or what is important to you. I definitely have my own opinions but it is based on my needs and what I want. I don't know what the OP or other people want.
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