Everything you need to know about relocating to Cary, NC — from choosing a neighborhood and understanding schools to a step-by-step timeline for your move.
The Complete Guide to Relocating to Cary NC
If you are thinking about relocating to Cary NC, you are joining one of the most remarkable migration stories in the American South. Cary has grown from a small railroad town to a city of over 180,000 residents, regularly ranked among the safest, best-educated, and most diverse places to live in the country. This guide covers everything you need to know — from your first research phase through your first year as a Cary resident.
Why People Move to Cary
Jobs: SAS Institute (6,000+ employees) and Epic Games are headquartered here. Research Triangle Park is 12-20 minutes away with 300+ companies including Cisco, IBM, Fidelity, Lenovo, and Google
Schools: Wake County Public School System — Green Hope, Panther Creek, and Mills Park consistently rank among NC's best. Public schools here match the quality of $25K-$45K/year private alternatives in the Northeast
Safety: Among the safest communities of its size in the US, with violent crime rates well below national averages
Diversity: Approximately 40% of residents are foreign-born or first-generation American. Thriving Indian, Chinese, and Korean communities with cultural centers, restaurants, and festivals. The Diwali celebration at Koka Booth Amphitheatre draws thousands
Affordability: Dramatic savings compared to NJ, NY, CA, and DC metro areas (see cost comparison below)
Cost of Living: Cary vs. Major Metro Areas
One of the biggest motivators for relocation is the financial impact. Here is what a family earning $200,000/year can expect to save by moving to Cary:
vs. New York City: A home costing $1.2M in a good NYC-area school district runs $550K-$700K in Cary. State income tax drops from 10.9% (NY) to 4.5% (NC). No city income tax. Property taxes are roughly 40% lower. Estimated annual savings: $35,000-$55,000
vs. Washington DC / Northern Virginia: A $900K NoVA townhouse equivalent is $500K-$650K in Cary as a single-family home with a yard. Virginia income tax (5.75%) drops to NC's 4.5%. Estimated annual savings: $20,000-$35,000
vs. San Francisco Bay Area: A $1.8M Bay Area home equivalent is $550K-$750K in Cary. California's 13.3% top income tax rate drops to 4.5%. Estimated annual savings: $60,000-$90,000
vs. New Jersey: NJ property taxes averaging $12,000-$20,000/year on a comparable home drop to $5,000-$8,000 in Cary. No NJ income tax premium. Estimated annual savings: $25,000-$40,000
Where People Relocate From
NY/NJ — The number one source of Cary transplants. Families are escaping high taxes, harsh winters, and brutal commutes
California — Remote work flexibility plus salary arbitrage makes Cary irresistible for tech workers keeping West Coast pay
DC/NoVA — When $800K buys a 1,500-sqft townhouse in Fairfax but a 3,500-sqft home in Cary, the math speaks for itself
Florida — Rising insurance costs (up 40%+ since 2022), hurricane risk, and inconsistent school quality are pushing families north to NC
India/China — Established diaspora communities, abundant tech jobs, cultural infrastructure including temples, grocery stores, and language schools
Relocation Timeline
6 Months Out
Connect with a local agent: Edwards Real Estate Group specializes in relocation and can provide virtual neighborhood tours, school zone maps, and market analysis. Contact us here
Get mortgage pre-approval: Work with a lender familiar with NC closings. Local options include Movement Mortgage (headquartered in Charlotte), First Bank, and national lenders like Guaranteed Rate. NC closing costs average 1.5-2.5% of purchase price
Visit Cary in person: If possible, schedule a 3-day trip. Tour homes, drive commute routes, visit grocery stores, and eat at local restaurants to get a feel for daily life
3 Months Out
Make offers and secure a home: The Cary market moves fast, especially in spring and summer. Homes in top neighborhoods often receive multiple offers within the first week
Book movers: Reputable long-distance companies used frequently in our area include Two Men and a Truck (has a Cary location), Mayflower, and Colonial Van Lines. For NJ/NY moves, budget $5,000-$9,000 for a 3-bedroom home. Get quotes from at least three companies
Start school enrollment: Wake County Public Schools accepts enrollment applications starting in late July through mid-August for the fall semester. You will need proof of residency (closing documents or lease), immunization records, and previous school transcripts. Visit wcpss.net/registration for the full checklist
1 Month Out
Set up utilities: Duke Energy for electricity (budget $150-$250/month for a typical home). Town of Cary for water and sewer ($60-$90/month). Internet — see provider comparison below
Forward mail and transfer insurance: NC requires separate homeowner's insurance (no earthquake or wildfire premiums — a pleasant change for CA transplants). Average home insurance in Cary runs $1,200-$2,000/year
Register kids for school if not done already. Contact the specific school directly to arrange orientation and placement testing if needed
Find healthcare providers: Major health systems in Cary include WakeMed Cary Hospital, UNC REX Healthcare (urgent care and primary care offices throughout Cary), and Duke Health Cary. For pediatricians, Cary Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine and Triangle Pediatrics are popular with families. Dental practices like Cary Family Dental and Preston Dental Center accept new patients regularly
Moving Week
Close on your home: North Carolina uses real estate attorneys instead of title companies for closings. Your attorney will handle title search, document preparation, and disbursement. Expect the closing to take 45-60 minutes
Move in and meet neighbors: Cary neighborhoods are genuinely friendly. Do not be surprised if neighbors bring cookies or introduce themselves within the first few days
Pet registration: The Town of Cary requires dogs and cats to be registered. You can register online at townofcary.org or at the Town of Cary Animal Services facility on SE Maynard Road. Fee is $20/year for spayed/neutered pets, $40 for unaltered
Internet Providers: Google Fiber vs. AT&T vs. Spectrum
Fast, reliable internet is non-negotiable for remote workers. Here is how Cary's major providers compare:
Google Fiber: Available in most of Cary. 1 Gbps for $70/month, 2 Gbps for $100/month. No data caps, no contracts, no price hikes. The gold standard — request this when choosing a neighborhood
AT&T Fiber: Widely available. 500 Mbps for $55/month, 1 Gbps for $80/month, 2 Gbps for $110/month. Reliable with occasional promotional pricing. Equipment fee of $10/month unless you use your own router
Spectrum: Available everywhere as cable backup. 300 Mbps for $50/month, 500 Mbps for $70/month. No data caps. Good fallback option but speeds are lower than fiber
Most Cary homes have access to at least two of these providers. Verify Google Fiber availability at fiber.google.com before finalizing your home purchase if gigabit speeds matter to you.
NC Driver's License and Vehicle Registration
North Carolina requires new residents to obtain an NC driver's license and register vehicles within 60 days of establishing residency.
Driver's license: Visit a NC DMV office. The closest locations are the Cary DMV on Walnut Street and the Apex DMV on US-64. Bring your current license, two proofs of residency (utility bill, bank statement), Social Security card, and passport or birth certificate. Fee is $5.50 for an 8-year license. You will take a vision test but written and road tests are waived for valid out-of-state license holders
Vehicle registration: NC requires a state safety inspection and emissions test before registration. Inspection stations are at most independent auto shops — cost is $30 for safety plus $30 for emissions. Registration fee is approximately $72/year. NC also charges a Highway Use Tax of 3% of the vehicle's value (capped at $250) when you first register an out-of-state vehicle
Voter registration: Register online at ncsbe.gov or in person at the Wake County Board of Elections office on Sunnybrook Road in Raleigh. You can also register when getting your NC driver's license. Registration must be completed at least 25 days before an election
Top Neighborhoods
Preston — Established golf community, $700K-$1.2M+, Green Hope High district
Amberly — Resort amenities, modern homes, $650K-$1.1M, Panther Creek High district
MacGregor Downs — Country club, large lots, $450K-$800K, Cary High district
Lochmere — Private lake, swim/tennis, $550K-$950K, Green Hope High district
Carpenter Village — Walkable small-town charm, $350K-$600K
Downtown Cary — Walkable revival area, restaurants, culture, arts district
Fenton area — Live-work-play mixed use, modern apartments and townhomes
For a deep dive into each neighborhood with school assignments, HOA details, and property tax breakdowns, read our Best Neighborhoods in Cary for Families guide.
Schools
Wake County uses address-based school assignments. Top-performing high schools in Cary include Green Hope High, Panther Creek High, Cary High, and Green Level High. The district also offers magnet schools, year-round calendar options, and early college programs. Edwards Real Estate builds school assignment data into every property search so you always know exactly which schools your children will attend.
Jobs & Remote Work
SAS Institute and Epic Games are headquartered in Cary. Research Triangle Park — 12-20 minutes from most Cary neighborhoods — hosts 300+ companies and 60,000+ workers including Cisco, IBM, Fidelity, Lenovo, and Google. Google Fiber and AT&T Fiber make Cary one of the best-connected cities in the Southeast for remote workers. North Carolina is consistently ranked a top state for small business formation.
Cultural Adjustment Tips
Relocating is not just logistics — it is a lifestyle shift. Here is what to expect:
The pace is slower (and better): People let you merge in traffic. Strangers say hello. Customer service is genuinely friendly. It takes a few weeks to stop assuming people want something from you
Humidity is real: June through September brings heat and humidity that surprises northeasterners. Budget for good HVAC maintenance (annual service runs $150-$200), and expect your energy bill to spike in July and August. The flip side: mild winters with maybe one or two snow events per year
You will need a car: Cary is not walkable in the urban sense. Most families have two vehicles. The upside is free parking everywhere and a 20-minute drive gets you almost anywhere in the Triangle
The food scene is better than you expect: Cary has outstanding Indian (Biryani Maxx, Kebab and Curry), Korean (Soo Cafe), Japanese (Sushi Tsune), and Southern (Ashworth Drugs lunch counter) food. The Fenton development and downtown Cary revival are adding new restaurants monthly
People actually like living here: You will not hear the constant complaining about quality of life common in larger metros. Most transplants say they wish they had moved sooner
Getting Settled: First Year Checklist
Months 1-3: Handle all DMV, registration, and school logistics. Learn the road network (I-40, US-1, NC-55, Cary Parkway are your main routes). Find your grocery store, gym, and coffee shop. Join Nextdoor for neighborhood updates
Months 3-6: Build friendships through neighborhood events, kids' sports leagues (CASL soccer, Cary Little League), and community activities. Explore Bond Park, Hemlock Bluffs, and the 80+ miles of Cary greenways. Attend Lazy Daze Arts and Crafts Festival (August) or Diwali at Koka Booth (October)
By year end: Most families report feeling fully settled and deeply glad they made the move. The combination of career opportunity, school quality, safety, and genuine community is hard to match anywhere in the US
Contact Edwards Real Estate Group
Whether you are six months away or ready to move next month, Edwards Real Estate Group has helped hundreds of families relocate to Cary from across the country and around the world. Call (919) 307-5575 or visit our contact page to start the conversation. We will build you a personalized relocation plan based on your family's priorities, budget, and timeline.
