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Living in Wake Forest, NC
Are you moving to Wake Forest, NC? Here are seven essential things to know about living in Wake Forest!
Living in Wake Forest is terrific. The town of Wake Forest, North Carolina, is a northern Raleigh suburb with a location that allows easy access around the Triangle (Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill area). Many folks are moving to Wake Forest, NC, for its convenient location, beautiful real estate, affordability, sought-after amenities, and high quality of life.
Those who live in Wake Forest, NC, know how great of a place it is. Downtown Wake Forest is your quintessential downtown in a great North Carolina community. Located in Franklin, Granville, and Wake Counties, this great place to live in North Carolina offers its residents a sparse suburban feel that is perfect for families.
If you are considering a move to Wake Forest or intend on purchasing a home, contact us so we can connect you with one of our Wake Forest Realtors to help you make a great investment.
Here is what you need to know about life in Wake Forest
1. The Affordability of Wake Forest, NC
One of the biggest reasons so many people make the move to Wake Forest is thanks in large part to the affordability of the town. Moreso than the affordability, though, is the value. Your money goes further in Wake Forest while providing a high standard for your quality of life as well.
With a cost of living that is 1% higher than the national average, it is no wonder that so many people want to call Wake Forest home. Groceries in Wake Forest are 1% higher than the national average while transportation is 8% lower and utility prices are 6% lower.
People from California, New York, and other places from the northeast and the west coast move to the Raleigh area to escape the expensive and congested cities, and Wake Forest is a perfect Raleigh suburb to consider.
Here is the average price in Wake Forest for common items:
| Cost of Living Item | Average Price in Wake Forest, NC |
| Energy Bill | $187.87/month |
| Phone Bill | $181.73/month |
| Gas | $3.13/gallon |
| Loaf of Bread | $4.00 |
| Gallon of Milk | $4.71 |
| Doctor's Visit | $156.89 |
| Dentist Visit | $129.01 |
| Veterinary Visit | $68.01 |
*Data Sourced from Payscale.
2. Real Estate in Wake Forest
Even though housing prices are 8% higher than the national average in Wake Forest, the real estate in this Raleigh suburb is highly sought-after and desirable. With a real estate market that is somewhat competitive, most homes for sale receive multiple offers and sell quickly.
The median home price in Wake Forest is $655,040 and an average price per square foot of $231. Most homes for sale in Wake Forest spend an average of 63 days on the market.
Check out all the homes for sale in Wake Forest and just how far your money will go in this great town. Wake Forest is loaded with great new construction neighborhoods as well if you decide that's the route you want to go, be sure to contact one of our professional Wake Forest Realtors for all of your help relocating.
3. Things To Do in Wake Forest, NC
There are several things to do in the town of Wake Forest, whether it's by yourself, with friends, or with your family and children. You'll likely find yourself spending a lot of time at the events that happen in Wake Forest, from live music to holiday parades, to just heading downtown for a day of shopping.
Even though Wake Forest offers a small-town atmosphere, there is always something fun going on in Wake Forest that brings the whole community together.
Aside from the number of things to do in Wake Forest alone, you have some larger neighboring cities with lots to offer as well, including both Raleigh and Durham. Go for a hike, head to the beach, or check out some of the best restaurants nearby that have received international recognition.
The nearby areas of Cary, Apex, and Holly Springs all have great events happening as well, so if you are making friends around the triangle, you'll likely find yourself all over the area.
4. Crime Rate
Since Raleigh is a safe place to live, it is no surprise that Wake Forest is also. Wake Forest is a safe place to live, with an average crime rate of 17 per 1,000 residents.
Considered to be safer than 25% of other cities in the United States that are of similar size, Wake Forest is a great place to live for families. Generally considered to have a lower crime rate than other areas in North Carolina, it is no wonder that so many people want to live here.
Here are Wake Forest's annual crime rates:
| Violent Crime | Property Crime | Total Crime | |
| Number of Crimes | 85 | 839 | 924 |
| Crime Rate per 1,000 Residents | 1.56 | 15.44 | 17.00 |
Here are your chances of becoming a victim of crime in Wake Forest vs. the rest of North Carolina:
| Crime Type | Wake Forest | North Carolina |
| Violent Crime | one in 639 | one in 256 |
| Property Crime | one in 65 | one in 48 |
*Data Sourced from NeighborhoodScout.
While the rate of crime compared to the rest of the state is on the lower side, it is still important to always pay attention to your surroundings and make sure to buy a home in a notoriously safe neighborhood. The most common crimes that occur here are robbery and theft.
5. Restaurants and Breweries in Wake Forest, NC
Wake Forest is home to many top-rated restaurants and breweries. Offering many different cuisines and atmospheres, enjoy a variety of casual eateries and fine dining experiences.
Check out these local favorite restaurants and breweries in Wake Forest:
Brigs at The Forest Restaurant - This restaurant is your breakfast, brunch, and lunch go-to if you live in the Wake Forest area. If you are anything like my family, breakfast/brunch is one of your favorite meals of the day, and a trip to Brigs can be a weekly dining affair. When visiting Wake Forest, be sure to stop in and enjoy some of the best breakfast/lunch favorites Wake Forest offers at Brigs.
Over the Falls - A great Downtown Wake Forest staple, Over the Falls serves your favorite sandwiches, pizza, and wings with all sorts of daily specials that will keep you coming back for more.
Backfins Crabhouse - Another one of Wake Forest's best restaurants is Backfins Crabhouse. For your seafood lovers, this will be one of your favorite spots to dine, and there is something on the menu for the entire family, even if seafood isn't your thing.
From Chicken Tenders to Chicken sandwiches to hot dogs, anyone can find something they like on this menu, and for those of you who love some incredible seafood, you'll be returning time and time again.
Shuckers Grill & Oyster Bar - A popular, seafood-inspired restaurant located in Wake Forest is Shuckers Grill & Oyster Bar. Shuckers have been a Raleigh and Wake Forest area staple for quite some time and are a fan favorite among many of the local folks who live in the area.
Farm Table - Wake Forest has no shortage of great restaurants, and Farm Table is one of the best. Any restaurant that serves bacon, mac, and cheese is bound to show up on my list of favorite restaurants and recommended dishes.
What makes Farm Table a bit different than other Wake Forest restaurants is that they serve dishes inspired by all culinary arts, from Carnitas Enchiladas to Asian Sticky Glazed Ribs to Seared Scallops. The wide variety of menu options truly gives you many great options when dining at Farm Table.
White Street Brewing Company - White Street Brewing Company is the most popular Wake Forest Brewery, and for good reason. You will notice in the video above they sponsor some truly great events downtown for the folks in the Wake Forest community.
If you love great beer, you will love the White Street Brewery in Wake Forest. One of the best parts about the Raleigh area is all the great breweries nearby. From Wake Forest to Raleigh, to Durham, all the way out to Aviator in Fuquay-Varina, the craft beer scene is popular.
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Norse Brewing Company - Norse Brewing Company is new to the Wake Forest brewery scene, and they are only bringing out the best in all the Wake Forest breweries with some great new beer options.
New on the scene and ready to make a large impact in the Wake Forest community, their downtown location provides great craft beers with some pretty great food as well.
Lonerider Brewing Company - Lonerider Brewing Company has a great location in Wake Forest called the hideout. Opening their doors originally in Raleigh, NC, back in 2009, Lonerider has expanded into the town of Wake Forest with their hideout location.
Offering a great atmosphere with some truly great craft beers and food, it's hard to beat the hideout location in Wake Forest for a great time out with friends and family.
6. How Far is Wake Forest To Raleigh?
Wake Forest is a neighboring town to Raleigh, NC meaning it is very close. Some parts of Wake Forest can be less than five minutes to Raleigh, though to Downtown Raleigh, it will likely be a 20-35 minute drive depending on your location and traffic.
7. How Far is Wake Forest To Durham?
Durham is located to the direct West of Wake Forest and is anywhere from 25-45 minutes, depending on your location and where you are heading to in Durham.
Downtown Wake Forest to Downtown Durham is an approximate 35-minute drive for anyone who is commuting to work in Durham or possibly wants to check out a Durham Bulls baseball game, the Durham Performing Arts Center (DPAC), or even check out some of the best restaurants in Durham.
Moving to Wake Forest, NC Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Low cost of living
- Affordable housing
- Great quality of life
- Excellent education
- Prime location
- Highly rated restaurants and breweries
- Low crime rate
- Safe neighborhoods
Cons:
- Traffic
- High humidity
- Long commute times
Methodology
To determine the best things to know about living in Wake Forest, NC, factors such as affordability of homes, the cost of living, crime rate, things to do, local amenities, and distance to nearby cities were considered. Information about the cost of living was sourced from Payscale and information about the safety rating was sourced from NeighborhoodScout.
FAQs
Here are some common questions about moving to Wake Forest, NC.
Is Wake Forest, NC, a good place to live?
Wake Forest is a great place to live in North Carolina that is best known for its moderate weather, affordable homes for sale, family-friendly atmosphere, great location, and outdoor recreation activities.
What is living in Wake Forest like?
Wake Forest offers small-town life in the middle of the Research Triangle area. Surrounded by plenty of natural beauty, Wake Forest is a top-rated place to live, with a rich history and diverse culture.
How far is Wake Forest, NC to the beach?
Wake Forest, NC, is about a two to three hour drive to the nearest beach. Wrightsville Beach and Carolina Beach are considered the closest to Wake Forest and make a great day or weekend trip.
Moving to Wake Forest, NC - Final Thoughts
Moving to Wake Forest, NC, is oftentimes a difficult decision since picking up and moving a family is not easy, especially if you are moving cross country to a city that is not as known. The few homebuyers I have spoken with who have made the move already have told me their only regret is not having made the move sooner.
If you intend to relocate to the area of Wake Forest or planning on purchasing a home contact us so we can connect you with one of the best Wake Forest Realtors to help you make a great investment.
