New - 8 Hours Ago
$250,000
Active
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Beds
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Baths
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Sqft
0.82
Acres
4829 Optimist Farm Rd, Holly Springs, NC 27540
MLS#: 10142995
Living in Holly Springs, NC
Are you considering a move to Holly Springs, NC? Find out why so many people want to live in Holly Springs!
Holly Springs has emerged as one of North Carolina's most desirable places to call home. Just 20 miles from downtown Raleigh and 30 minutes from Research Triangle Park, this thriving suburb offers the perfect balance of small-town charm and big-city accessibility.
As one of the best places to live in North Carolina, it is no wonder that many families and young professionals want to live here. With a population of 48,674, Holly Springs has grown by around 5-6% over the past ten years.
Holly Springs isn't just another suburb – it's a community that defies expectations. The town has managed to retain its welcoming, community-oriented atmosphere while embracing modern amenities, excellent schools, and economic opportunities.
The homes for sale in Holly Springs are new and affordable, with many unique neighborhoods being developed. Whether you are a young professional drawn to career opportunities at Research Triangle Park, a family seeking top-rated schools and safe neighborhoods, or a retiree looking for an active lifestyle, Holly Springs offers something for everyone.
Here is what you need to know about life in Holly Springs
1. Holly Springs is a Safe Place to Live
Safety is often the number one priority for families and individuals relocating to a new area, and Holly Springs delivers outstanding results. As the fifth best place to raise a family in North Carolina, Holly Springs is a very safe place to live.
Holly Springs' violent crime rate was 33 times lower than the Wake County average in 2023, and its property crime rate was over 16 times lower. According to recent crime data, Holly Springs has a violent crime rate of just 1 per 1,157 residents, placing it among the top safest cities in the state.
The Holly Springs Police Department maintains a visible presence throughout the community, contributing to residents' sense of security. The western part of town is considered particularly safe, though the entire community maintains crime rates well below state and national averages.
Here are the annual crimes in Holly Springs:
| Violent Crime | Property Crime | Total Crime | |
| Number of Crimes | 40 | 500 | 540 |
| Crime Rate per 1,000 Residents | 0.86 | 10.81 | 11.67 |
Here are your chances of becoming a victim of crime in Holly Springs vs. the rest of North Carolina:
| Crime Type | Holly Springs | North Carolina |
| Violent Crime | one in 1,157 | one in 256 |
| Proprety Crime | one in 93 | one in 48 |
*Data sourced from NeighborhoodScout.
2. Top-Ranked Neighborhoods
Holly Springs features an impressive selection of neighborhoods, each with its own character and amenities. Whether you're looking for a golf course community, waterfront property, or family-friendly subdivision, you'll find it here.
Some of the best neighborhoods in Holly Springs include:
12 Oaks
12 Oaks is one of Holly Springs's most prestigious golf communities. 12 Oaks offers beautiful homes for sale and easy access to everything the City has to offer. The community provides a top-notch clubhouse, pool, and workout facility and is sometimes used as a wedding venue.
Woodcreek
Woodcreek is a new community in Holly Springs that offers a master-planned community experience with resort-style amenities. Homes for sale in Woodcreek typically range from $600,000 to $1 million.
Wescott
Wescott is another great community that people living in Holly Springs rave about. If you are moving to the Holly Springs area and looking for a more mature yet still newer neighborhood, you need to check out Wescott. You will find Wescott real estate sitting on decent sized lots.
Holly Glen
Holly Glen offers prime real estate and is another large community in Holly Springs that is sought-after. The community offers excellent amenities and is known for its friendly atmosphere, community pool, tennis courts, and clubhouse.
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3. Affordability of Homes in Holly Springs
The real estate market in Holly Springs reflects its popularity while still offering relative affordability compared to neighboring communities. With a median list price of $660,275, Holly Springs house prices offer better value compared to Cary and Apex for similar quality of life.
Townhomes provide a more affordable entry point, ranging from $330,000 to $540,000 in subdivisions like Woodcreek. For buyers seeking luxury properties, estate homes on golf courses can reach $1-2 million.
With a cost of living that is only 1% higher than the national average, utility costs are 11% lower than the national average and housing expenses are 2% lower. Considered to have a competitive market, there is a strong demand to live in Holly Springs and the town continues to appeal to buyers.
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4. The Weather in Holly Springs
Holly Springs enjoys a temperate climate characteristic of North Carolina's Piedmont region. Summers are hot and muggy, winters are short and very cold, and it is wet and partly cloudy year round, with temperatures typically ranging from 32°F to 89°F.
The mild climate allows for year-round outdoor activities. Golf courses remain playable throughout most of the year, parks and greenways are accessible in all seasons, and the comfortable spring and fall weather makes it ideal for outdoor festivals and events.
Summer temperatures can be warm and humid, but modern amenities and swimming pools in most neighborhoods provide relief. Winter brings occasional cold snaps and rare snow events, but generally remains manageable without the harsh conditions found in northern states.
5. Award-Winning Schools
The educational excellence that Holly Springs offers is a main appeal to families. Home to top-rated schools and educational programs, people moving to Holly Springs with school-aged children will be happy to learn that education is taken seriously.
The Wake County Public School System serves Holly Springs and is the largest school system in North Carolina and the 15th-largest in the United States. The system offers various educational options including traditional calendar schools, year-round schools, and magnet programs.
Holly Springs High School in particular is ranked 48th within North Carolina, with an AP participation rate of 69%. The school maintains a graduation rate of approximately 95%, well above the state average.
Elementary schools also excel in the Holly Springs area. Holly Springs Elementary is ranked 37th in North Carolina Elementary Schools, with 83% of students scoring at or above the proficient level for math, and 80% scoring at or above that level for reading.
With its proximity to Raleigh, Durham, Cary, and Chapel Hill, you can be at NC State, Duke University, or UNC-Chapel Hill within 40-50 minutes. Access to some of the most outstanding universities in the world also gives you an excellent opportunity to cheer on your local team.
6. Prime Location Offers Easy Access to Major Employment Centers
Location in the Triangle area is one of Holly Springs' greatest assets. Positioned on the southwest border of Wake County, Holly Springs is only a 20-minute drive from the Raleigh urban center and a 30-minute drive to the Raleigh-Durham International Airport and Research Triangle Park via NC 540.
Research Triangle Park, one of the world's premier research and technology centers, houses major employers including IBM, Cisco, GlaxoSmithKline, and hundreds of other companies. The short commute makes Holly Springs ideal for professionals working in technology, pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, and research fields.
Downtown Raleigh offers additional employment opportunities in government, education, healthcare, and professional services. Durham and Chapel Hill, with Duke University, UNC-Chapel Hill, and additional medical centers, are also within reasonable commuting distance.
Healthcare is huge in the Holly Springs/Raleigh area and also offers many employment opportunities. Located near some of the best hospitals in the world, Duke, UNC, and WakeMed all provide top-notch healthcare.
7. Parks, Recreation, and Outdoor Activites
Holly Springs offers an impressive array of outdoor recreation opportunities that enhance residents' quality of life. Home to some of the best parks in the area, there is no better way to spend the day than outdoors in Holly Springs.
Bass Lake Park is the crown jewel of Holly Springs parks. The 54-acre lake allows visitors to rent canoes and boats. This park features over 2 miles of walking trails, a North Carolina Environmental Education Center, and a free Tackle Loaner Program. The adjacent Sugg Farm encompasses over 117 acres for special events, including an archery field, RC field, and dog park.
The Holly Springs greenway system connects neighborhoods and parks, offering safe routes for walking, running, and cycling. The trails wind through natural areas, providing opportunities to observe local wildlife and native plants.
For golf enthusiasts, Devil's Ridge Golf Club offers a challenging 18-hole course with meticulously groomed fairways. The Twelve Oaks golf course provides another option for members of that community.
8. Vibrant Downtown and Cultural Scene
Downtown Holly Springs has evolved into a charming hub of activity. The village district features locally-owned restaurants, boutiques, yoga studios, coffee shops, and wine bars, all within a walkable area that maintains small-town character.
The Holly Springs Cultural Center is southwestern Wake County's home for theater, dance, music, and more, hosting performances, events, programs, and classes throughout the year, with art exhibits in the lobby and hallways. The center regularly features local theater productions, music concerts, dance performances, and art shows.
The Holly Springs Farmers Market is open Saturday mornings along Ballentine Street beside the Cultural Center, offering farm-fresh foods, live music, and special events throughout the year.
9. Great Restaurants in Holly Springs
Holly Springs has some great restaurants for those coming to town and looking to try local cuisine. There are also some great restaurants in Raleigh and top-rated restaurants in Cary, which are only a short drive away.
Visit the Pimiento Tea Room with family and friends to enjoy a wide selection of teas, craft beverages, and a rotating menu of southern-inspired dishes. Perfect for lunch, dinner, or weekend brunch, this beloved restaurant features live music and a supper club on select nights.
For all of you Mexican food lovers, fear not. Holly Springs has some great Mexican restaurants, and the best is Mi Cancun Mexican Restaurant, also conveniently located in Holly Springs Town Center. It's a great spot for tacos, burritos, and margaritas.
Osha Thai Kitchen and Sushi is a top-notch Thai and sushi restaurant offering so much more, including some classics like stir fry and curry dishes. Nightingale Rooftop provides panoramic views of downtown Holly Springs with heated patio dining year-round, making it perfect for date nights or special celebrations.
10. Family-Friendly Atmosphere
Perhaps Holly Springs' greatest asset is its strong sense of community. Despite rapid growth, the town has maintained a welcoming, family-oriented atmosphere that makes newcomers feel at home quickly.
The median household income is $132,425, reflecting a stable, educated population. Residents are involved in their community through neighborhood associations, volunteer organizations, school programs, and civic engagement.
The growth trajectory in Holly Springs shows no signs of slowing, with continued development of neighborhoods, businesses, and amenities. However, the community remains committed to preserving the small-town charm and quality of life that attracted residents in the first place.
Pros and Cons of Living in Holly Springs
Pros:
- Great location
- Affordable real estate
- Low crime rate
- Beautiful weather
- Excellent restaurants
- Job opportunities
- Highly-rated schools
- Family-friendly things to do
- Green spaces and parks
Cons:
- New construction traffic
- High humidity
Methodology
Data was sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau, the Town of Holly Springs, Payscale, and NeighborhoodScout to determine the best things to know about living in Holly Springs, NC.
FAQs
Why move to Holly Springs, NC?
Holly Springs is a growing subrub near Raleigh that offers small-town charm with access to big-city amenities. Families, young professionals, and retirees love living in Holly Springs for its growing job market, great parks, excellent education, community events, affordable homes, and great restaurants.
Is Holly Springs rural or urban?
Featuring a mixture of established neighborhoods and new subdivisions, Holly Springs is considered a suburban area that is known for its growing population and location within the Research Triangle.
Does Holly Springs, NC have a downtown?
Yes, Holly Springs has a lovely downtown district which is home to many thriving businesses including local boutiques, restaurants, yoga studios, and wine bars.
Moving to Holly Springs - Final Thoughts
With exceptional safety ratings placing it among North Carolina's safest communities, top-ranked schools that prepare students for success, diverse and well-appointed neighborhoods, and a great location that provides easy access to major employment centers, Holly Springs checks all the boxes for an outstanding place to call home.
As one of the Triangle's fastest-growing communities, now is an excellent time to explore what Holly Springs has to offer. With a quality of life that is hard to match, it is no wonder that Holly Springs is one of the best places to call home in the Raleigh area.
Are you ready to discover your perfect home in Holly Springs? Contact Raleigh Realty today to explore available properties and learn more about living in this exceptional North Carolina community.
