Top family-friendly neighborhoods in Cary with excellent schools, parks, and community amenities.
Cary's neighborhoods range from established tree-lined communities to modern planned developments. Each offers distinct advantages depending on your family stage, budget, and lifestyle priorities. Below is our in-depth guide to Cary's best neighborhoods for families, covering school assignments, amenities, commute times, and real costs so you can make a confident decision.
Preston is Cary's most prestigious neighborhood, situated north of I-40 between Cary Parkway and High House Road. Tree-lined streets, large half-acre-plus lots, and mature hardwoods create a stately, established feel. Homes range from $700,000 to $1,200,000+, with most built between 1990 and 2010 by well-regarded builders including Highmark and Toll Brothers. Construction quality is excellent, with brick and stone exteriors, hardwood floors, and generous floorplans standard throughout.
School assignments: Davis Drive Elementary, Davis Drive Middle, and Green Hope High School — all rated 8+ on GreatSchools. Green Hope High consistently ranks among the top public high schools in North Carolina.
HOA & amenities: HOA fees run approximately $150-$200/month and cover common area maintenance, landscaping of shared spaces, and community events. Preston has the Preston Country Club (separate membership, ~$350/month for family golf), three community pools, tennis courts, playgrounds, and a clubhouse available for resident events.
Walkability & greenways: Walkability is moderate — sidewalks connect most streets, and the neighborhood links to the White Oak Creek Greenway, giving families bike and walking access toward Umstead State Park and Annie Jones Park. Nearby grocery options include Harris Teeter at High House Crossing (3 minutes) and Publix at Parkside Town Commons (5 minutes).
Property taxes: A typical $900,000 home in Preston carries annual property taxes around $7,200-$8,100 (Wake County rate of ~$0.80-$0.90 per $100 assessed value).
Best for: Families with school-age children through high school who want top-tier schools, an established community feel, and don't mind a slightly older home. Commute to RTP: 12-18 minutes. Commute to downtown Raleigh: 20-25 minutes.
Located in south-central Cary near the intersection of US-1 and Kildaire Farm Road, Amberly features elegant homes, resort-style amenities, and a strong family-focused culture. Homes range from $650,000 to $1,100,000, primarily built between 2006 and 2018 by Toll Brothers and Ashton Woods. Construction is newer, with open floorplans, energy-efficient systems, and modern finishes.
School assignments: Penny Road Elementary, Dillard Drive Middle, and Panther Creek High School. Panther Creek High is one of Wake County's highest-performing schools, with strong AP course offerings and a graduation rate above 95%.
HOA & amenities: HOA fees are approximately $175-$225/month and include maintenance of the resort-style pool complex, fitness center, tennis and pickleball courts, multiple playgrounds, splash pad, and over 30 acres of open space. The Amberly clubhouse hosts regular community events including summer movie nights, food trucks, and holiday celebrations.
Walkability & greenways: Amberly connects directly to the White Oak Creek Greenway and is adjacent to Bond Metro Park — a 310-acre park with disc golf, hiking trails, a boathouse, and athletic fields. Harris Teeter and Lowes Foods are within a 5-minute drive, and the Crossroads Plaza shopping center (Target, REI, Trader Joe's) is 8 minutes away.
Property taxes: A typical $850,000 home carries annual property taxes around $6,800-$7,650.
Best for: Families with younger children (elementary through middle school) who value resort-style amenities, newer construction, and easy access to outdoor recreation. Commute to RTP: 15-20 minutes. Commute to downtown Raleigh: 18-22 minutes.
MacGregor Downs is a well-established country club community in south-central Cary along Walnut Street and Tryon Road. Homes range from $450,000 to $800,000, offering better value than Preston or Amberly. Many homes were built in the 1980s and 1990s on large, wooded lots of one-third acre to one acre, with a mix of brick ranch-style and traditional two-story homes. Older homes may require kitchen and bathroom updates, but the lots and bones are excellent.
School assignments: Northwoods Elementary, Dillard Drive Middle, and Cary High School. Cary High is the town's original high school with strong academics, active extracurriculars, and a newly renovated campus.
HOA & amenities: HOA fees are lower here, typically $100-$150/month. The MacGregor Downs Country Club (separate membership ~$300/month for family golf) anchors the neighborhood with an 18-hole golf course, swimming pool, tennis courts, and dining. Non-club residents still enjoy neighborhood walking trails, mature tree canopy, and a quiet, established atmosphere.
Walkability & greenways: The neighborhood connects to Cary's greenway system via the Black Creek Greenway, offering a paved trail to Bond Park and beyond. Nearby shopping includes Maynard Crossing (Harris Teeter, Starbucks, restaurants — 4 minutes) and Waverly Place (Whole Foods, Barnes & Noble — 7 minutes).
Property taxes: A typical $625,000 home carries annual property taxes around $5,000-$5,625.
Best for: Families wanting larger lots, mature trees, and a country club lifestyle at a more accessible price point. Also appeals to empty nesters who want to stay in Cary without the premium of newer communities. Commute to RTP: 15-20 minutes. Commute to downtown Raleigh: 15-20 minutes.
Lochmere sits in south Cary near the intersection of Kildaire Farm Road and Lochmere Drive, centered around a 50-acre private lake. Homes range from $550,000 to $950,000, built primarily in the late 1980s through early 2000s. Construction quality is solid, featuring brick and hardiplank exteriors, with many homes renovated in recent years.
School assignments: Lochmere Elementary (located within the neighborhood), Mills Park Middle, and Green Hope High School. Having an elementary school within walking distance is a major draw for young families.
HOA & amenities: HOA fees run approximately $130-$170/month and include access to the private lake (canoes, kayaks, fishing), swim and racquet club with two pools, six tennis courts, a fitness center, playgrounds, and nature trails around the lake. The Lochmere Golf Club (separate membership) offers an 18-hole course designed by Gary Player.
Walkability & greenways: Lochmere has excellent internal walkability with sidewalks, nature trails, and the lake loop trail. The neighborhood connects to the Lochmere Greenway which links to the larger Cary greenway network. Shopping is convenient — the Lochmere Village shopping center (Food Lion, restaurants) is within the neighborhood, and Crossroads Plaza is 5 minutes away.
Property taxes: A typical $750,000 home carries annual property taxes around $6,000-$6,750.
Best for: Families with elementary-age children who want a walkable, lake-centered community with an in-neighborhood school. The private lake and nature trails create a summer-camp atmosphere kids love. Commute to RTP: 18-25 minutes. Commute to downtown Raleigh: 15-20 minutes.
Located in west Cary off NC-55 near the Chatham County line, Cary Park is a master-planned community offering strong family appeal at a more accessible price. Homes range from $400,000 to $700,000, with most built between 2005 and 2020 by DR Horton, Lennar, and CalAtlantic. Construction is modern with energy-efficient features, open layouts, and newer mechanical systems.
School assignments: Carpenter Elementary, Hortons Creek Elementary (depending on section), Mills Park Middle, and Panther Creek High School. Both elementary options and the middle school are highly rated.
HOA & amenities: HOA fees are approximately $120-$160/month and include a community pool, splash pad, playground, dog park, sports courts, and a community center that hosts events year-round. The Cary Park neighborhood also features pocket parks throughout.
Walkability & greenways: Cary Park connects to the American Tobacco Trail, a 22-mile rail-trail running from south Durham to the Chatham County line — ideal for biking and running. The neighborhood is near Carpenter Village for local restaurants and shops, and Park West Village (Harris Teeter, Target, restaurants) is 8 minutes away.
Property taxes: A typical $550,000 home carries annual property taxes around $4,400-$4,950.
Best for: Young families and first-time buyers who want newer construction, strong schools, and excellent amenities without breaking the budget. Also great for active families who will use the American Tobacco Trail regularly. Commute to RTP: 20-25 minutes. Commute to downtown Raleigh: 25-30 minutes.
Northeast Cary neighborhood appealing to families seeking established community with small-town charm. Homes range $350,000-$600,000, built primarily in the 2000s. The walkable village center with local restaurants, a coffee shop, and community events creates a tight-knit atmosphere. School assignments include Carpenter Elementary, Mills Park Middle, and Panther Creek High. HOA fees run $90-$130/month. Close to Park West Village shopping. Commute to RTP: 15-20 minutes.
North Cary neighborhood with newer construction and modern amenities. Homes range $400,000-$750,000. School assignments include Davis Drive Elementary, Davis Drive Middle, and Green Hope High. HOA fees of $110-$150/month include pool, clubhouse, and walking trails. Nearby Whole Foods at Waverly Place and Harris Teeter at High House make grocery runs easy. Commute: 18-23 minutes to RTP.
Western Cary's growing planned community continues developing. Homes range $400,000-$700,000 with modern construction standards and energy-efficient designs. School assignments feed into Hortons Creek Elementary, West Cary Middle, and Green Level High. HOA fees of $100-$140/month cover pool, playground, and common areas. Near Costco and Walmart on NC-55. Commute: 22-28 minutes to RTP.
Research specific school assignments before purchasing — Wake County uses address-based assignments, and different streets within the same neighborhood can feed different schools. Use the Wake County Public School System's assignment lookup tool at wcpss.net to verify assignments for any address. Visit neighborhoods during morning drop-off, after school, and on weekends to see how the community lives. Check HOA financials and meeting minutes to understand the health of the association. Consider your commute — northern Cary neighborhoods like Preston and Highcroft offer the fastest RTP access, while southern neighborhoods like Lochmere and Amberly are closer to downtown Raleigh.
Ready to find the right Cary neighborhood for your family? Contact Edwards Real Estate Group for personalized neighborhood tours and school zone guidance. Read more in our Complete Guide to Relocating to Cary NC.
