Why Wake Forest, NC is a Great Place to Live
Good cost of living, top schools are among many reasons.

Just north of North Carolina’s state capital of Raleigh is Wake Forest, the original home to Wake Forest University for 122 years before it moved to Winston-Salem in 1956. Today, Wake Forest is one of the fastest growing suburbs in America, and the cost of living remains attractively low for residents and businesses.
Here are reasons why Wake Forest is such a great place to live:
In This Article
Impressive Stats
The median annual income for a family in Wake Forest is an impressive $80,978, and the average price of a single-family home is about $267,300. More than 50 percent of the local population ages 25 and older have a bachelor’s or advanced degree.
In the Know
Parents can enroll their children in the high-ranking Wake County Public School System, which features 41 Magnet school programs, 24 NC STEM designated schools and two Early College programs. Meanwhile, three top tier universities are within close proximity of town: Duke University in Durham, North Carolina State University in Raleigh and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
8 Reasons You Should Think About Moving to North Carolina
Get Out
It’s easy to find outdoor recreation opportunities in Wake Forest, with parks that can offer activities such as boating, cycling, fishing, golfing, hiking, swimming and more. One of the most popular local destinations is Falls Lake State Recreation Area, which is highlighted by a 12,000-acre Falls Lake. Also, there are more than six miles of greenway trails in Wake Forest.
Lots of Culture
If you can’t find anything to do entertainment-wise in Wake Forest, you aren’t looking hard enough. Amenities include a farmer’s market, Forest Moon Community Theater and a Wake Forest Renaissance Centre, while annual community events include Friday Night on White, spring concerts at Joyner Park, a holiday parade and a Mardi Gras Street Festival.
Downtown Charm
A mixture of independent stores, unique restaurants and interesting businesses line the downtown Wake Forest landscape, which has undergone revitalization efforts in recent times thanks to a strategic Renaissance Master Plan. Officials say their goal for downtown Wake Forest is making sure that residents and visitors see the district as charming and full of Southern hospitality.
9 Things the Rest of the Country Should Thank North Carolina For
Healthy Outlook
A strong healthcare network is in place for residents throughout Wake Forest, with several world-renowned providers available to patients. They include Duke University Medical Center, Rex Healthcare and WakeMed Health & Hospitals, and the community has multiple specialty clinics.
Do the Ride Thing
The transportation network is a driving force in the local economy, with several distribution and logistics companies choosing Wake Forest for its easy access to major markets. Conveniences include Interstates 40 and 85, plus there are highways like U.S. 1 along with NC 96 and NC 98. For business and recreational travelers, Raleigh-Durham International Airport is only 15 minutes away.