Living in Apex, NC
Explore Things To Do, Cost of Living and Quality of Life Details

Thinking of moving to Apex, NC? The town is a suburb of Raleigh and consistently ranks among the best places to live in the United States. For over 150 years, Apex has maintained its small-town charm, with its plentiful parks and historic downtown Salem Street, and has benefited from access to big-city Raleigh amenities.

The town is largely walkable, with shops, restaurants and cultural centers in easy reach and a short commute to the rest of the Triangle. Despite its suburban vibe, Apex is a culturally diverse place to live where events like the Apex Latino Arts Festival and the Rotary Christmas Parade unite locals in celebration.

As part of the Research Triangle region, Apex maintains its own distinct identity while benefiting from easy access to Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill and Research Triangle Park. If you’re considering a move, understanding what daily life in Apex looks like is the best first step.

Why You’ll Love Living in Apex

Apex is a fully fledged town with all the amenities of a larger city, including well-maintained green spaces, a walkable downtown and plenty of shopping and dining options.

Apex residents are community-driven, and events like PeakFest bring in regular visitors. PeakFest is the largest community event in the area, drawing over 45,000 people each year with musical and dance performances, food and local vendors.

Residents feel safe walking their dogs at night and letting their children walk to school. Despite a growing population, Apex is a calm, friendly place with plenty to see and do.

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The town is in Wake County, just southwest of Raleigh and near the heart of North Carolina’s Research Triangle. Major roadways such as NW Maynard Road and I-40 make it easy to travel throughout Apex and reach surrounding communities. A typical drive to downtown Raleigh takes about 25 to 30 minutes, depending on traffic.

This location provides convenient access to nearby communities like Cary and is only a two-hour drive to the East Coast beaches.

Apex has all four distinct seasons, but with the short, cool winters typical of central North Carolina. Summer temperatures often reach the upper 80s, while winter days are generally mild, with average highs in the low 50s and overnight lows dipping into the 30s.

Spring and fall are especially popular seasons, since they bring comfortable temperatures and a colorful landscape. The best times for outdoor activities are typically from early May to mid-June and from late August to mid-October, when the weather is warm without peak summer humidity.

Residents often plan their routines around the changing seasons, spending extra time in parks in spring and fall and planning trips to the beach in summer. Since winter is mild, locals are comfortable spending much of their time outdoors on weekends and after work.

Research Triangle Park is only a 15-minute drive from Apex, giving residents a quick commute to some of the world’s largest employers. Within Apex, many locals work for Bland Landscaping, the Wake County Public School System (WCPSS), and Rand Coca-Cola.

The unemployment rate is only 2.8%, and new businesses are constantly opening in Apex, providing more opportunities for meaningful employment.

Apex is served primarily by the Wake County Public School System, but school assignments vary by neighborhood, so it’s important to verify attendance boundaries directly with the district. Families also have access to a wide selection of private and charter schools throughout Apex and the surrounding Research Triangle.

A standout is Apex Friendship High School, one of the best-ranked high schools in the state.

Higher education is one of the region’s greatest strengths. Residents are within easy reach of numerous public and private colleges and universities across the Research Triangle, including in-state tuition for eligible students at the University of North Carolina System.

Apex is a growing town of over 85,000 residents with well-established neighborhoods ranging from the more urban Downtown Apex to sprawling mature neighborhoods like Waterford Green.

• North Apex: Residents enjoy luxury housing developments like Destin with large estate-like homes and high-end amenities.
• East Apex: This area is home to Waterford Green and is close to local amenities such as Koka Booth Amphitheater and the neighboring town of Cary.
• South Apex: Salem Village is the predominant neighborhood of South Apex, with plenty of parks, including the Salem Village Playground, and quick access to US-1.
• West Apex: Home to Apex Nature Park and the newer Apex Friendship School system, West Apex is still growing with newer master-planned communities like Bella Casa and the Sweetwater Town Center Apartments.

The largest provider in Apex is the WakeMed Apex Healthplex, which operates a 24/7 full-service emergency department and is backed by WakeMed Children’s Hospital. The town also has several private physician practices, medical clinics, urgent cares and more.

Proximity to Raleigh and the rest of the Triangle provides access to the best care in the world in a number of specialties. The planned NC Children’s 500-bed children’s hospital and outpatient care center is planned for construction in Apex at the intersection of US-1 and NC-540.

The town offers a range of activities and opportunities for connection, from cultural amenities and restaurants to green spaces.

The Halle Cultural Arts Center is a longtime staple of Apex’s downtown, where residents take arts classes and enjoy rotating performances. Locals shop the Saturday Apex Farmers Market & Local Food Alliance for locally grown and sustainable items.

Apex residents spend time mingling with neighbors at one of the city’s yearly events like the Apex Oktoberfest and Run the Peak 5K and 10K.

There are 12 city-maintained parks in Apex, ranging from the 160-acre Apex Community Park with several playgrounds, nature trails and an agility course to downtown’s Clairmont Park with its quaint picnic area, playground and basketball court. These outdoor spaces make it easier for locals to exercise without leaving their neighborhood.

There are also more than 11 miles of city greenway and an extensive network of maintained bike paths.

Apex offers a diverse array of food and drink options that cater to a wide range of preferences and events.

The best downtown dive is Salem Street Pub, a tavern known for its local on-tap brews and wings. Catty corner you’ll find the more upscale Serafina Ristorante with its famous short rib and refined brick setting. The family-run Common Grounds Coffee House & Desserts is the spot to work remotely, listen to live music, chat with neighbors and enjoy their famous Death by Chocolate Cheesecake.

Apex gives residents the feeling of living in a dense town environment while benefiting from a prime location near Raleigh. This Southern living atmosphere combined with excellent access to industry and resources makes life in Apex fulfilling, busy, and largely peaceful.

There are plenty of areas for sports and recreation, spots to take leisurely walks in nature and there’s always a new restaurant or food truck to try. Apex maintains its own distinct identity while benefiting from its location within the Research Triangle, giving residents the charm of a historic small town alongside easy access to Raleigh and the broader region.