7 Best Neighborhoods in Wake Forest, NC

Best Places to Live in Wake Forest

Are you searching for the best neighborhoods in Wake Forest, NC? Here are seven great places to live in Wake Forest! 

Wake Forest is a town northeast of Raleigh that has been exploding with growth over the past few years. One of the best parts of living in Wake Forest is the lively downtown area, which is filled with local shops, restaurants, breweries, and a small-town charm that will surely delight you. 

Beloved for its prime location, Wake Forest is a beautiful suburb of Raleigh in Franklin, Granville, and Wake Counties. With a population of 54,337 and ranked as the sixth best place to live in North Carolina, it is an excellent place for families and working professionals.

We have helped several people buy and sell homes in Wake Forest and are happy to help you. Let's go ahead and jump into the information you're looking for: the best neighborhoods in Wake Forest. 

Check out these best places to live in Wake Forest 

1. Hasentree

Where world-class amenities meet small-town charm, Hasentree is one of the more modern neighborhoods in Wake Forest. With a country club as its backbone and amenities for everyone, it's a place the whole family will enjoy.

The homes for sale in Hasentree have a median home price of $1,153,000 and an average price per square foot of $288. Most homes in this neighborhood range in style and square footage and can spend an average of 22 days on the market. 

Hasntree offers a peaceful setting with top-notch amenities. It's a resort-style community located just North of the state's capital, Raleigh, about two and a half hours from Charlotte and 60-90 minutes to the North Carolina beaches. The community is filled with all sorts of folks ranging in age from first-time homebuyers to families to empty nesters.

Hasentree is one of Wake Forest's most prestigious communities, offering luxury living in a private club setting. The neighborhood centers around an award-winning Tom Fazio golf course as its crown jewel.

Home to the Hasentree Club, this neighborhood is perfect for those looking for the country club lifestyle. Featuring an 18-hole golf course, a top-of-the-line clubhouse, and plenty of events and activities, Hasentree offers a tight-knit community and friendly atmosphere. 

Hasentree has HOA fees plus optional club membership fees that vary based on the level of access desired. The community is somewhat isolated on the northern edge of Wake Forest, meaning longer commute times to Raleigh but incredible privacy and natural surroundings.

Here are some unique features of living in Hasentree: 

• Resort-style amenities, including a 30,000 sq ft clubhouse
• Family-friendly atmosphere with community swimming pools featuring splash zones
• Tennis and pickleball courts with professional instruction available
• Located in the highly-rated Wake County Public School System

2. Wakefield

Wakefield is a neighborhood you have to check out. It's located on the Raleigh line, with some homes in Raleigh and some in Wake Forest. 

Wakefield's location on the southern edge of Wake Forest offers convenient access to I-540, making commute times to Research Triangle Park (RTP) and Raleigh much more straightforward than from other Wake Forest neighborhoods.

Considered another community with a country club backbone and one of the premier neighborhoods in the Triangle, Wakefield is a sought-after place to live. Homes for sale in Wakefield range in price considerably, with hundreds of homes inside the community. Many homes in this neighborhood sell for upwards of one million dollars. 

The median list price for homes in Wakefield is $1,513,719, and the average price per square foot is $334. Wakefield is an excellent option if you are looking for a more mature neighborhood with the lifestyle amenities of a country club community.

Here are some unique features of living in Wakefield: 

• Built around the Country Club at Wakefield Plantation 
• Wakefield Plantation spans multiple sub-communities with varying price points
• Walking paths connect residential areas to schools and Wakefield Commons shopping area
• Home to some of the area's top-rated public schools (Wakefield Elementary, Middle, and High)
• Easy access to shopping at Wakefield Commons and nearby Triangle Town Center

3. Traditions at Wake Forest

Another great neighborhood in Wake Forest is Traditions. Check out homes for sale in Traditions, where you'll find anything from single-family homes to townhomes. The median list price in Traditions is $476,940, with an average price per square foot of $198.

Traditions offer a perfect blend of modern convenience and small-town charm at a more accessible price than some of Wake Forest's other premier communities.

This neighborhood has won multiple awards for its planning and design. Its location provides easy access to downtown Wake Forest's charming Main Street area, which features local shops and award-winning restaurants.

There are plenty of things to do in the Traditions community, from a day at the pool to hiking the miles of nature trails. Traditions offer the country club amenities you expect with a small-town community feel. Plus, if you are looking for a golf course, you'll find a handful within a 10-minute drive from the neighborhood. 

Here are some unique features of living in Traditions at Wake Forest: 

• Charming community designed with traditional neighborhood development principles
• Community farm and garden plots available for residents
• Wide range of housing styles from townhomes to single-family homes
• Comprehensive amenities, including pool, clubhouse, and fitness center
• Regular community events and activities organized by the HOA

4. Heritage

One of the largest neighborhoods in Wake Forest is Heritage, which is just ten minutes from Raleigh. This community has world-class amenities, golf courses, tennis courts, a pool, and something for virtually everyone. 

Heritage is almost a small town unto itself, with over 2,000 homes. Its shopping center has grocery stores, restaurants, and service businesses. The community features high-end amenities and a sense of community.

Home to the Heritage Club, a sought-after and well-known semi-private golf course, Heritage is a great place to live for anyone looking for a welcoming atmosphere and a golf course community with high-end amenities. 

The homes for sale in Heritage have a median list price of $698,171 and an average price per square foot of $235. Most stay on the market for an average of 19 days. 

Here are some unique features of living in Heritage: 

• 18-hole public golf course running through the community
• Extensive greenway system connecting the entire neighborhood
• Multiple community centers with pools and fitness facilities
• Community-sponsored events throughout the year
• Wide range of home styles and price points, making it accessible to various budgets

5. Bishops Grant

Offering a more intimate neighborhood experience with larger lots and distinctive custom homes, Bishops Grant is one of the top neighborhoods in Wake Forest and is certainly one to check out if you're considering a move to the area.

It's one of the more desirable neighborhoods whose higher price point reflects that. Found in a convenient location, the homes for sale in Bishops Grant range from single-family homes to townhomes. Offering various amenities, including a community pool and plenty of green space, Bishops Grant is a great place to live for families. 

Bishops Grant provides a more secluded living experience with fewer neighborhood amenities but larger home sites and more privacy. It appeals to those who want custom homes without the maintenance of truly rural properties.

Here are some unique features of living in Bishops Grant: 

• Custom homes on spacious lots, typically 1/2 acre or larger
• No through traffic creates a peaceful, private setting
• Mature trees and established landscaping
• Proximity to the Wake Forest Reservoir for outdoor recreation
• Low HOA fees compared to many other Wake Forest neighborhoods

6. Holding Village

Holding Village is a new community in Wake Forest designed around the concept of connecting with nature and forming genuine connections with neighbors.

Developed on the land of a former dairy farm owned by the Holding family, Holding Village offers homes for sale with a median list price of $434,395 and an average price per square foot of $208. 

The Holding family played an active role in establishing Wake Forest and used their land as a great place to gather and enjoy all the town has to offer. The development has preserved many natural features while creating a walkable community with modern amenities.

This neighborhood has applied many of the Holding family's values to today's Holding Village. In the Holding Village community, there is no need to spend time in front of the television because there's so much to do outdoors. 

Offering 35 acres of green space, hiking trails, six parks, and an excellent lake for kayaking and fishing, you will never run out of things to do when living in Holding Village. 

Here are some unique features of living in Holding Village: 

• Built around a restored 15-acre lake with fishing pier and kayak launch
• Emphasis on outdoor living with numerous parks and green spaces
• Modern farmhouse and craftsman-style homes
• State-of-the-art community center and pool complex
• Named for the original Holding family who founded Wake Forest

7. Dansforth

Dansforth is a smaller neighborhood in south Wake Forest that offers a mature community feel and plenty of beautiful real estate. With easy access to Capital Boulevard, residents can easily travel throughout the Triangle. 

Considered a popular neighborhood for first-time home buyers and young families, Dansforth is one of the best places to live in Wake Forest. Blending classic architecture with modern conveniences, Dansforth features single-family homes for sale with brick, stone, or vinyl siding. 

Offering various amenities, including a community pool, clubhouse, and playground, this neighborhood always has something fun going on. Located 15 minutes from WakeMed North Hospital and 35 minutes from the Raleigh-Durham International Airport, Dansforth is in a great location. 

For those moving with school-aged children, Rolesville Elementary School, Wake Forest Middle School, and Heritage High School are some of the best schools in the area that serve the neighborhood. 

Here are some unique features of living in Dansforth: 

• Tree-lined streets with sidewalks throughout
• Distinctive brick-front homes with traditional design elements
• Community pool and clubhouse with regular social events
• Excellent location near downtown Wake Forest
• Mix of original homes and newer phases of development

Methodology 

To determine the best neighborhoods in Wake Forest, NC, factors such as real estate, amenities, unique features, and overall popularity were considered. Data was sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau and local neighborhood websites. 

FAQs 

Here are some common questions about the best neighborhoods in Wake Forest, NC. 

Is Wake Forest, NC, a nice place to live? 

Wake Forest is a great place to live in the Triangle area that offers beautiful real estate, a family-friendly atmosphere, fun things to do, delicious restaurants, and excellent education and job opportunities. 

Is Wake Forest, NC, affluent? 

Even though Wake Forest is known for its affordable cost of living, the city has a high median household income of $120,777. 

How far is Wake Forest from the beach? 

Wake Forest is between a two and three-hour drive from the closest beach, which makes it easy to take day or weekend trips with the family. The closest beaches are Wrightsville Beach and Carolina Beach. 

Best Neighborhoods in Wake Forest, NC - Final Thoughts

Whether you are moving to Wake Forest for a new job or a change in scenery, there is no shortage of great neighborhoods to call home.

From beautiful single-family homes for sale to townhomes for sale, finding your dream home in Wake Forest is possible with the help of the real estate experts at Raleigh Realty. 

Contact us today to speak with an agent. We are here to help and are ready to answer any questions.