Are you moving to Cary, North Carolina? If so, you're in good company. Nicknamed "Central Area for Relocated Yankees," and the "Technology Town of North Carolina," Cary is one of the fastest growing cities in the United States.

 

Located just west of Raleigh, Cary is centered in North Carolina's renowned Research Triangle area, which is regularly ranked as one of the most desirable regions in the country to work, raise a family, or retire.

 

Here's what you need to know about your new home:

 

City vs. Town

 

Before the 1960's, Cary was a quiet town with a few thousand residents. Development of the Research Triangle Park changed all that. As the park grew, so did Cary's population. By the 1970's, Cary's population was over 20,000. This number doubled during the 1980's and doubled again in the 1990's.

 

In January 2008, town officials estimated Cary's population at 127,640. Though Cary has seen tremendous growth in the last forty years and is now, officially, a major city, residents and elected officials have remained committed to managing growth and preserving natural beauty. Cary can be described as "big city meets close-knit community."

  

Culture

 

Besides the cultural programs offered by Cary's Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources Department, the town is home to:

 

• North Carolina Symphony
• Concert Singers of Cary
• Cary Community Choir
• Applause! Cary Youth Theatre
• Cary Ballet

 

Besides the cultural programs offered by Cary's Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources Department, the city is home to the North Carolina Symphony, Concert Singers of Cary, Cary Community Choir, Applause! Cary Youth Theatre, and the Cary Ballet.

 

Economy

 

Cary's economy is thriving. The town's median family income is $98,360 compared to the national median of $58,526.

 

Employment

 

Besides being just minutes from world-renowned Research Triangle Park, Cary is home to a number of world-class businesses. SAS Institute is the town's largest employer. Other companies based in Cary: MCI WorldCom Network Services, IBM, Lucent Technologies, Siemens, and John Deere.

Environmental Protection

Cary has been proactive in environmental protection and has received a number of awards including twenty-three Tree City USA awards and an Erosion and Sedimentation Control Award given by the N.C. Sedimentation Control Commission. Cary was the first city in North Carolina to save drinking water by reclaiming treated wastewater for irrigation and industrial uses. Cary was also the first city in North Carolina to offer curbside computer recycling.

 

Healthcare

 

The Research Triangle area is home to some of the nation's top research and teaching hospitals. UNC Hospital and Duke University Medical Center are just a short drive from Cary.

 

In town, 114-bed WakeMed Cary Hospital serves the town's residents by offering 24-hour emergency care, a birthing center, inpatient and outpatient operative services, cardiopulmonary, imaging, and outpatient rehabilitation services.

History

The town of Cary has three National Register Historic Districts: the Cary Historic District around Academy Street, Harrison Avenue in downtown Cary, and the Carpenter and Green Level Historic Districts in west Cary.

Two Cary buildings are listed on the National Register of Historic Places: the Page-Walker Hotel (now the Page-Walker Arts and History Center) and the Nancy Jones House on Chapel Hill Road.

Housing

 

Cary government officials pay attention to aesthetics and strictly enforce building and sign regulations. As a result, the town still boasts tree-lined streets and well-groomed subdivisions. In addition to single-family dwellings, the town offers town houses, condominiums and luxury apartments. An average single family dwelling in Cary is valued at $238,800.

 

Nightlife

 

Though Cary isn't known for its night-life, Raleigh is only ten minutes away and offers five entertainment districts with live music and visiting performance venues, comedy clubs, restaurants, bars, alternative and traditional nightclubs.

 

Recreation

 

With more than 20 public parks, 20 miles of trails, SAS Soccer Park, USA Baseball National Training Complex, and a Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources Department that offers programs for singles, families, kids, teens, and seniors, Cary is a mecca for recreation-minded people.

 

Safety

 

Cary regularly ranks as one of the nation's top 20 safest large cities.

 

Schools

 

Cary's school-age children attend public schools in either the Wake County Public School System or the Chatham County School System, depending on their address. Because of the tremendous growth in both counties, school boards and administrators have struggled to maintain high standards. In some areas, a year-round calendar has replaced the traditional school calendar. In addition, in an effort to keep the districts balanced, Cary children are sometimes bussed to schools outside their neighborhoods. Despite the difficulties, Cary parent-teacher organizations are active, involved, and welcome new participants.

 

For post-secondary students, Cary is less than 25 miles from three major universities: Duke, UNC at Chapel Hill, North Carolina State University as well as many well-regarded local colleges.

 

Weather

 

Cary's climate is temperate with over 200 sunny days each year. Temperatures reach the high 80's in July and drop into the low 3
0's in January.

 

So there you have it: Cary, North Carolina is a big city with a small town feel. Good luck with your move!