7 Triangle Towns on the Rise

It’s no secret that the Raleigh-Durham housing market is one of the hottest in the country. Just take a look around and you’ll see homes that have multiple offers on the same day the house hits the market, usually for much more than asking price.  An incredibly competitive housing market with multiple bidding wars is leading buyers to venture further out into the rural suburbs of the Triangle where they can get more bang for their buck. 

The world has changed due to Covid-19, and one of the biggest changes is the sheer number of people who now work from home. When you look on the bright side, which can be hard during these tough times, allowing people the ability to work from home and set their own schedule is one of the more positive effects of the last couple years. It gives families more freedom to live where they want without having to worry about commute times to and from work.

For those who do need to commute to work, the towns below still have considerable advantages to offer. With the expansion of the I-540 loop underway, it will make traveling throughout the Triangle a much quicker endeavor. Additionally, the affordability of houses the further you get from the epicenter of Raleigh/Cary/Apex is something that has buyers flocking to these more rural areas of the Triangle. Your money goes farther in these communities because the majority of these areas aren’t yet in high bidding war territory like the rest of the Triangle, which definitely makes purchasing a home easier and less stressful.

The towns below are ones that you’ll want to keep your eye on. We expect to see record growth in these communities as people get priced out of the ever-growing areas including Raleigh, Cary, Apex, and Holly Springs. 

1. Clayton is conveniently located just 15 miles southeast of downtown Raleigh. It provides quick, easy access to US-70 and I-40, making it a great location for commuting in the Triangle. Clayton has a lively downtown area with plenty of shops, restaurants and community events to enjoy. Some of the favorite downtown spots include Yellow House: The Community Place, The Market at Three Little Birds, Revival 1869, and Clayton Steakhouse. Clayton is also home to many parks and festivals throughout the year, making it a great location to put down roots. This is one of the most quickly growing communities in the Triangle, which has seen a large influx of new residents in recent years.
2. New Hill is a picturesque, rural town nestled on the outskirts of Apex and Holly Springs. The bucolic landscape of New Hill has seen bits of growth in recent years as more people are choosing to flee bigger, more populated cities in order to live a simpler, back-to-basics lifestyle. New Hill provides residents with the best of both worlds by offering natural beauty in a quiet, peaceful setting while still in close proximity to the modern conveniences of bigger nearby towns. Residents can take advantage of Harris Lake County Park, the American Tobacco Trail, and a great school district, including Apex Friendship Middle and High schools. New Hill offers quick access to Hwy 64, US-1, and I-540 so you can easily zip around the Triangle.
3. Angier is located some twenty miles south of downtown Raleigh and offers an idyllic country setting while still being close enough to the conveniences offered by some of the larger towns such as Fuquay-Varina, Holly Springs, Garner, and Raleigh. Angier has a small downtown area and plenty of surrounding land, which has seen tremendous growth recently with the addition of many new subdivisions. With a current population of under 6,000, Angier is a quaint rural town that is quickly becoming a popular destination for people priced out of the markets in neighboring cities. Your dollar goes a lot further here, where the home sizes and land available gets you more than you could afford elsewhere. 
4. Lillington is nestled between Raleigh and Fayetteville, making either of these bigger cities an option for job opportunities if you are looking to move to Lillington. It is a popular spot for military families given its close proximity to Fort Bragg. Lillington has plenty to offer in addition to lots of land; it is home to Raven Rock State Park, which is a favorite among hiking enthusiasts. The Cape Fear River runs through the park and is a popular place for fishing, picnicking, kayaking, and horseback riding. Lillington also has a small downtown area with quaint shops and restaurants. 
5. Fuquay-Varina is easily the fastest-growing city on this list. It has experienced tremendous growth over the past 10 years and has adapted well to keep up with the influx of residents. Many buyers initially interested in Cary, Apex, or Holly Springs ultimately choose Fuquay-Varina, because of the “bang for the buck” many homeowners feel they can get compared to other cities that are closer to Raleigh or RTP. Fuquay-Varina is still in close proximity to US-401, Route 1, and I-540, making it an easy commute for many homeowners who work throughout the Raleigh and Triangle area. In 2021, SafeWise listed Fuquay-Varina as the 9th safest city in NC, making Fuquay-Varina an excellent choice for those looking for small-town living yet not having to compromise with all the amenities like plenty of dining, shopping, and entertainment options that are plentiful in this charming town.
6. Willow Spring or Willow Springs as it’s sometimes called is a large, unincorporated area spread over three counties: Wake, Johnston, and Harnett. One of the advantages of living in an unincorporated area is that you do not have to pay city taxes since cities do not provide any services to the area. Instead, water is handled by community utility companies, trash is handled by private companies, households have their own individual septic systems, and the area is under the jurisdiction of the county sheriff, thus saving homeowners the added burden of paying city taxes. Willow Spring is a largely residential area without much shopping or dining, so you will have to travel to neighboring towns like Fuquay, Clayton, Garner, or Raleigh for running errands or entertainment options. However, with the growth expected in the area that is likely to change in the near future. Willow Spring is home to plenty of rural land, but also features newer subdivision communities that are popping up as demand increases.
7. Pittsboro is a small town located in Chatham County just south of Chapel Hill. Known for the beautiful scenery and friendly people, Pittsboro is centrally located near big city hubs like Raleigh and Durham, which is an easy 40-minute commute. Pittsboro is one of the greatest places to raise a family in North Carolina, with amazing places to visit, including Jordan Lake State Park, Carolina Tiger Rescue, Fearrington Village, and the charming downtown area with an array of unique restaurants and shops. Pittsboro definitely offers you bang for your buck as far as housing and land.