A Realtor’s Guide to Experiencing the Best Wake Forest Has to Offer

Wake Forest is located just 16 miles north of downtown Raleigh and offers easy work commutes to the Raleigh-Durham area. Originally a college town, today Wake Forest is a popular choice among homebuyers due to the affordability of houses in the area, the high-ranking school district, access to premier higher education, easy commutes to major employers in the Triangle, outdoor recreation opportunities, culture, and the revitalization efforts by the town leaders, which has led to a renovated, charming historic district that offers plenty of community activities and events. Erica Anderson, a top REALTOR® and owner of Team Anderson Realty, has been serving the real estate needs of the community since 2014.

History

The Town of Wake Forest, formerly The Town of Wake Forest College, was chartered in 1909. However, the town’s beginnings started much earlier, when in 1832, the North Carolina Baptist Convention sought to establish an educational institute to train future ministers. They purchased a 615-acre plantation in what is now known as Wake Forest. Wake Forest Institute opened in 1834 and was rechartered in 1838 as Wake Forest College. In 1874, a railroad depot was built near the college, which spawned tremendous development and growth. The Royall Cotton Mill was built in 1899 and served as the main industry of the town for the early and mid-part of the 20th century. When the Mill eventually closed its doors in 1976, it was the second major economic blow to the area, coming exactly 20 years after Wake Forest College moved to Winston-Salem in 1956. The former site of the college is now home to the Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. However, despite the economic setbacks of the past, the Town of Wake Forest has persevered and thrived, and with a population of over 40,000 today, it is a fabulous place to live and work.

 

Downtown Wake Forest

Wake Forest has a charming historic district that has undergone revitalization efforts in recent years, which has attracted numerous small businesses to the area. One place that has withstood the test of time is Shorty’s Famous Hot Dogs, which has amazingly been in business for over 100 years! Originally opened in 1916, this go-to hangout for Wake Forest locals is still run by the same family that started it all. As the longest-running restaurant in the area, Shorty’s secret to success has been their dedication to serving food grilled to perfection… and their homemade secret chili recipe might have something to do with their lasting success as well! The Burger Shop is a favorite place downtown to grab a burger, fries, and a hand-squeezed lemonade or orangeade. Located in a small corner shop that had previously been occupied for over 50 years by The Barber Shop, the new owners wanted to give a nod to Mr. Harding, the town’s barber, and decided to swap out “burger” for “barber,” and named their classic burger joint, The Burger Shop.

 

White Street Brewing Company has quickly become a popular destination on the main downtown thoroughfare of White Street. This is housed in the renovated Service Chevrolet Building, which dates back to 1920. The owners stripped it down and restored it, keeping with the original character of the building, which is now home to their brewhouse and taproom. Their level of commitment to brewing is unparalleled, and you can find their collections in different shops and taps throughout the area.

Sugar Magnolia Café is a great spot to grab lunch downtown. They offer a variety of sandwiches and salads, however, what really sets this place apart are their Tea Parties. You can reserve a table or even their entire dining room, and choose from one of their many Tea Party offerings, which include premium tea (of course!), coffee, mimosas, salads, sandwiches, and desserts. They even offer tea parties for the “little” ladies which come with a tiara and wand! They also have a unique gift shop featuring goods from local vendors including different types of oil and vinegar, sauces, jams, spices, soy candles, pottery, personal care products, clothing, and more. But perhaps one of their biggest draws is their listening room, Magnolia Roots, located in their lower level, which features live music by a variety of artists in an intimate setting. With seating for 90 people, the listening room invites patrons to enjoy a glass of wine, beer, or tea and listen to original music in a chill, cozy atmosphere.

The Purple Door Day Spa is a fabulous place to relax and unwind with a facial, massage, manicure, pedicure, or more. Another great place for unwinding is Unwined, a wine lounge and yoga studio which offers an indoor wine lounge, as well as unique rooftop seating and yoga space. Tonic, Bar and Social Club, is a hip place to go in the evening for top-shelf craft cocktails, beer, and wine. Bodega Tapas, Wine & Rum boasts an eclectic range of cold and hot small plates with influences from around the world, in addition to an impressive selection of wines by the glass, a rum list offered in 1 to 2-ounce tastings, and a popular rum-based cocktail menu with house-made ingredients.

Wake Forest Coffee Company is a great place to jumpstart your day, offering a variety of coffee beverages, teas, hot chocolates, smoothies, bakery items, and more. Lumpy’s Ice Cream is definitely the place to go to satisfy that sweet tooth; specializing in the finest locally sourced all-natural ingredients without any preservatives, additives, or synthetic hormones, Lumpy’s Ice Cream offers fresh, authentic, delicious ice cream in a huge variety of custom flavors.

The Cotton Company is located in the original brick building that housed the W.W. Holding Cotton Exchange Warehouse. After being purchased in 2000, the new owners undertook a massive renovation and restored the warehouse into a beautiful, modern space while preserving the architectural history of the building. The Cotton Company specializes in upscale home décor and gifts. They also house studios for local artists and an art gallery for artists to display and sell their work. Additionally, The Event Gallery, is an elegant space on the upper floor that can be rented out for weddings and other special events.

Southern Suds & Gifts is a great place to find unique gifts; they feature handcrafted items including original art, customized jewelry, home décor, body care, and much more. B&W Hardware has been located in downtown Wake Forest since 1949; they are a family-owned business that is committed to providing excellent customer service and offering a wide variety of items for everyday needs and special projects. Downtown Antiques is a great place to find one-of-a-kind treasures, and Page 158 Books is a fabulous independent bookshop with a helpful, knowledgeable staff.

Events & Activities

Wake Forest offers plenty in the way of events and activities. Every Saturday in downtown, you can find the local Farmer’s Market with a variety of local vendors selling their produce and other goods. The town also hosts a variety of festivals, parades, and celebrations throughout the year, including Wake Forest Mardi Gras, Fourth of July Celebration, Wake Forest Christmas Parade, HerbFest, Beach Night on White, Wake Forest Unplugged, Six Sundays in Spring, and more.

The Factory is a fun family entertainment center where you can eat, shop, and play. Some of their tenants include Polar Ice House (ice skating facility), Fireball Basketball Academy, Epic Axe Throwing and Social House, Delicious Skateboard Shop & Factory Skatepark, Brookfields Indoor Golf & Lounge, Five Hole Sports, MVP Sports Indoor Soccer, O2 Fitness, The Tumble Gym, Gonza Tacos y Tequila, Village Deli & Grille, Slices & Ices, Seeker’s Cove, So You Boutique, and much more.

The Wake Forest Renaissance Centre for the Arts features 10,000 square feet of space perfect for concerts, plays, recitals, exhibits, and more. The Wake Forest Historical Museum is located downtown and offers free tours of the historic Calvin Jones House, museum exhibits, and gardens.

There is plenty of outdoor recreation to be found in Wake Forest as well. Falls Lake State Recreation Area is a beautiful place to spend the day or camp overnight. The 12,000-acre reservoir features 5 swim beaches, multiple boating ramps, over 300 campsites, and mountain biking trails. E. Carroll Joyner Park features 117 acres that include restored farm buildings, a pecan grove, a 1,000-lawn-seat amphitheater, a state-of-the-art community center, a performance garden, 3 miles of paved walking trails, charcoal grills, and fishing spots. The Taylor Street Park Sprayground is the perfect place for the little ones to cool off on a hot summer’s day. This zero-depth aquatic play area features a variety of water features that spray, mist, and jet water in a safe, fun way. Heritage Club is an award-winning, semi-private golf course featuring an 18-hole course, driving range, clubhouse restaurant, swimming pool, and tennis courts.

Real Estate in Wake Forest

Wake Forest has plenty of subdivisions to choose from with beautiful homes and townhomes. Traditions is a gorgeous community of townhomes and single-family estate homes; they provide wonderful amenities to residents, including a clubhouse, resort-style pool, amphitheater, picnic pavilion, miles of walking and biking trails, parks, and fishing in the community-adjacent Wake Forest Reservoir (high $200s to over $1M). Kings Glen offers beautiful custom single-family homes and a community swimming pool ($300s-$500s). Heritage is a large golf community with high-end amenities that offers townhomes and single-family homes ($200s to $1M). If luxury living is what you seek, Hasentree is a resort-style golf country club community with world-class amenities and high-end homes ($500s to over $1.8M). Wakefield Estates is another luxury golf community featuring impressive estate homes with enormous lots ($700s to almost $2M). Chesleigh is a neighborhood with no HOA and offers charming, custom built homes on large lots ($300s-$400s). If you’re looking for homes for sale in Wake Forest, it’s best to work with an experienced team that understands the area and market, and that is Team Anderson Realty.

Ready to Buy a Home or Sell a Home in Wake Forest? 

Team Anderson Realty is an independent 5-star, concierge-style real estate firm that has been serving Wake Forest and the surrounding areas since 2014. We are committed to helping buyers find the perfect home within their budget. If you are looking to buy a home in Wake Forest, we would love the opportunity to show you what’s available and help you purchase that perfect home! Likewise, if you have ever thought to yourself, “What do I need to do to sell my home?” then we can help with that too! We are a top seller’s agent in Wake Forest, and we would be delighted to put our expertise to work for you in getting you top-dollar for your home. If you’re in the market to either buy or sell your home, please let us help you make the process as smooth and stress-free as possible. Call one of us today at 919-610-5126 to speak with an experienced North Carolina real estate agent.