Five Points, Raleigh, NC: Walkable and Historic

The Five Points Historic Neighborhoods is a collection of early 20th-century suburbs centered on the Five Points intersection of Fairview Road, Glenwood Avenue, and Whitaker Mill Road, just north of downtown Raleigh. The historic neighborhoods, Hayes Barton, Roanoke Park, Georgetown, Bloomsbury and Vanguard Park, were developed primarily from the 1920s through the 1950s.

Forested streets follow the natural city terrain, interspersed by neighborhood cafes and restaurants, alongside pocket parks and maintained city parks, giving Five Points an organic, suburban feel. Home styles range from grand estates to cottages, and all maintain a well-built, historic appearance.

Overall Vibe & Lifestyle

The affluent area has a uniquely artsy, yet historic vibe that shifts between neighborhoods and the commercial areas along US-70 and near Capital Boulevard. Residents walk or make the short drive to restaurants on Glenwood Avenue and Fairview Road, enjoying al fresco dining and chatting with other neighbors.

Children bike through the residential streets, and families meet up at the inner-neighborhood parks for play dates. Five Points is a busy neighborhood, yet the prolific landscaping and collection of long-standing homeowners create a steady, relaxed environment.

Safety & Walkability

All of Five Points is highly walkable. Most streets are lined with sidewalks, and while there is traffic and occasional driving incidents around the Five Points intersection and the original streetcar line, the vast majority of the area is calm with little traffic. Five Points is relatively safe with few incidents beyond property crime.

There are sharrows, road bicycle symbols, or designated bike lanes along West Whitaker Mill Road, Saint Marys Street, and Anderson Drive, covering a decent swath of the neighborhood.

Natural & Built Environment

The Crabtree Creek Greenway is a paved, 18-mile trail that runs just north of Five Points. The city has plans to further connect the greenway to the neighborhood.

There are several parks in Five Points, including Roanoke Park, which features a children’s playground, volleyball and basketball courts, and open green space for activities and community gatherings.

Design & Architecture

Five Points is filled with diverse 20th-century architecture. Craftsman bungalows and American Foursquares are especially common, with their wide front porches and detailed woodwork. Colonial Revival and Tudor-inspired homes can also be found throughout the area, adding to the neighborhood’s historic character. There are rare side-gabled Triple-A cottages and smaller, simpler Minimal Traditional and ranch homes added post-WWII.

Newer infill homes and townhouses have introduced contemporary design elements, but the neighborhood’s mature tree canopy, consistent setbacks and emphasis on single-family living maintain a cohesive appearance.

Housing at a Glance

Metric	Description
Age	Five Points contains Raleigh’s oldest historic neighborhoods, with most homes built between the early and mid-20th century.
Type	The neighborhood is primarily composed of single-family detached homes, with a smaller number of townhomes.
Styles	Craftsman bungalows, American Foursquares, Colonial Revival homes and other early-20th-century architectural styles are common throughout Five Points. Occasional contemporary infill properties.
Size & Layout	Homes range from charming two-bedroom cottages to expansive luxury residences exceeding 3,500 square feet, with the average around 3,200 square feet. Floor plans vary from traditional compartmentalized layouts to modern open-concept renovations.
Unique Features	Mature tree-lined streets, covered front porches, walkable access to local shops and restaurants and proximity to downtown Raleigh give Five Points much of its appeal. Many homes sit on established lots.
Real Estate Market	Desirable and competitive. Smaller homes often sell between $500,000 and $900,000, while larger residences frequently range from $2 to $5 million. The median home sale price is approximately $1.04 million.

Real Estate Snapshot

Five Points home prices consistently exceed citywide averages, due to its walkable location, historic character and access to popular local businesses. Well-maintained or recently renovated historic homes are especially desirable, and values tend to rise by over 10% year over year.

Limited inventory and strong demand help support home values, with homes typically selling much faster than the national average. The area is attractive to buyers seeking a long-term home rather than a short-term investment.

Amenities & Local Conveniences

Amenities in Five Points center around walkability, neighborhood gathering places, and convenient access to some of Raleigh’s most popular local businesses.

• Parks and Recreation: Residents walk the creek at the 10-acre Fallon Park or let kids roam on the playgrounds at Kiwanis Neighborhood Center.
• Entertainment: Local seniors enjoy active and creative programming, such as weaving classes and yoga lessons, at Five Points Center for Active Adults.
• Dining and Bars: The neighborhood brewery, Neuse River Brewing & Brasserie, is the spot for relaxing with a glass of cider. Meanwhile, Hayes Barton Café & Dessertery is a long-standing diner with lunch and dinner specials.
• Shopping and Grocery: US-70 is lined with local shops like the Dalhouse children’s boutique and Cellar 72 wine store. The closest grocery stores are the Harris Teeter and The Fresh Market at the Village District outdoor shopping mall.
• Community Events: Locals gather for the annual Fall For Five Points fall festival to listen to music and shop with local vendors. Residents also have easy access to downtown events like the First in Freedom July 4th Parade.

Schools & Education

Five Points is served by Wake County Public School System, one of the most respected school districts in North Carolina. The Historic Neighborhoods covers a large area of central Raleigh, so there are several public schooling options, especially for the lower grades. Depending on the specific address, elementary students may be zoned for Underwood Elementary School, Joyner Elementary School, Root Elementary School, or Lacy Elementary School.

Most students continue to Oberlin Middle School before attending Broughton High School. Families in Five Points also benefit from proximity to several specialized educational options, including the nearby Wake Young Women’s Leadership Academy and Wake Young Men’s Leadership Academy magnet schools. As with any public school assignment, attendance zones can vary by address and should be confirmed directly with the district.

As for private schooling options, there are many, including the well-ranked St. David’s School, a coed Episcopal PK-12 option.

Commuting & Location

Five Points is connected to greater Raleigh by virtue of its location in the Beltline and near US-70. The neighborhood is close to Capital Boulevard, and several bus lines run through the area.

Destination	Drive Time (Approximate, Non-Peak)
Downtown Raleigh	6-9 minutes
Raleigh-Durham International Airport	15-22 minutes
Lenovo Center	10-16 minutes
North Carolina State University	6 minutes
North Carolina Museum of Art	7-12 minutes

Five Points offers a relatively walkable lifestyle, but while daily errands and casual outings can often be accomplished on foot, most residents still rely on a vehicle for commuting across the city.

Quirks & Perks

Most of the Five Points neighborhoods have service alleys, with Roanoke Park being a notable exception. Homes also vary significantly in size and architecture even within individual suburbs, requiring prospective residents to carefully compare their options and preferences.

Underwood Elementary School, Joyner Elementary School, and Oberlin Middle School are walkable for many Five Points students.

Neighborhood Logistics

Larger homes and strong property values contribute to higher property taxes in the area, but many homes may qualify for federal and state historic tax credit programs. There are no homeowner’s associations in Five Points, though there may be some historic maintenance requirements.

Five Points offers a rare combination of historic character, walkable amenities, top-rated schools and proximity to downtown Raleigh, making it one of the city’s most desirable neighborhoods for buyers seeking a home with enduring appeal.

Note on imagery: We use AI-generated visuals to illustrate the neighborhood’s atmosphere and architectural style. To protect homeowner privacy, these images are artistic representations and do not depict specific existing properties.