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This is a little discouraging. Out of everything I've read Cary seems like the place I want to go.
Have you visited the area? Cary specifically? That would probably help to clarify some things for you. People on this forum are full of opinions, which varies and are sometimes contradictory. That's all good! But don't make your decisions based solely on someone's post. Go for a visit and form your own opinion.
Cary is what it is - a suburb. If you're looking for a thriving urban center, then it won't be for you - look more into Raleigh or Durham instead. We didn't move to Cary because we thought it was the most "exciting" - we moved here because it is a beautiful, quiet area that's great for raising kids, and convenient to the entire Triangle: RTP, RDU, Durham, Raleigh, and Chapel Hill.
The things that the OP specifically mentioned about Cary can be also be found throughout the triangle, such as chain stores and restaurants everywhere, cookie cutter homes, large homes on small lots and storm doors.
If you limit the Triangle to Wake County perhaps....
I don't find those features to necessarily be true of Chapel Hill, Durham, Hillsborough, Pittsboro....
I don't think Cary is representative of the Triangle
Do you paint/sculpt/write? Do you run road races/compete in orienteering events? Do you dress entirely in black/white/grey as if you were in a film noir movie?
Perhaps if we knew more about you we could assess where you fall on the continuum of interesting and dull. Then we could have a clearer idea of which Triangle communities would suit you best.
So tell us about all the ways in which you are not vanilla.
If you limit the Triangle to Wake County perhaps....
I don't find those features to necessarily be true of Chapel Hill, Durham, Hillsborough, Pittsboro....
I don't think Cary is representative of the Triangle
There are plent of areas in Wake County that aren't cookie cutter-like. I do agree that Cary is not the whole of the Triangle....people from other locations just keep hearing about it in the national press and think it's the best the area has to offer.
We spent time in Cary on 2 of the days we were there. My kids played at a park on Walnut. And Hubby and I shopped at different places, chain and independent. I expected Cary to be vanilla, but found it quite interesting, beautiful, and even walkable. There is a shopping center of some size on a lot of corners which makes getting what you need quick and easy. The only reason we are not looking to live there is the small backyards.
As for the glass door, I love that. I grew up with that in VA and folks in the midwest do it too. It's welcoming and lets light in. A screen door lets your a/c or heat escape.
Perhaps if we knew more about you we could assess where you fall on the continuum of interesting and dull. Then we could have a clearer idea of which Triangle communities would suit you best.
We absolutely love Chapel Hill, close to UNC. So I think we've found many locations which are interesting and cultured. Certainly the home prices we're seeing in Chapel Hill reflect a highly desirable area.
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