You'll Probably Love Wake Forest If You're Looking For...
- Amenity Rich Neighborhoods: With excellent master-planned communities such as Heritage, Hasentree, Holding Village, and Traditions at Wake Forest, home buyers looking for great amenities will have plenty of choices.
- Amazing Schools: One of the big reasons people want to live in Wake Forest is access to great schools. The town offers highly ranked public, charter, and private schools.
- Things To Do: With its location near Falls Lake State Park and an excellent parks department, there are plenty of recreation options in Wake Forest. Plus, there’s bowling, ice skating, horseback riding, theater, and lots more to do.
- Shopping: From locally owned boutiques to numerous big box and grocery stores, residents can usually find what they need without leaving town.
- Dining: Restaurant options are plentiful, and you don’t have to resign yourself to the same big-name chains found in every town. Great locally owned restaurants are thriving in Wake Forest, NC!
Where is Wake Forest, North Carolina?
It is primarily located in Eastern Wake County, however outer edges reach into Franklin County and Granville County. Wake Forest is neighbored by Raleigh, Durham, Creedmoor, Youngsville, and Rolesville.
Like the rest of the Triangle area, Wake Forest is just a few hours drive from mountains and beaches. Residents especially love to visit NC’s famous Outer Banks.
Top Tips For Wake Forest NC Real Estate
Quick Search Wake Forest Homes For Sale in the Area's Top Subdivisions
Similar to other Triangle area towns, Wake Forest homes for sale offer a variety of single-family homes and townhomes. Whether you’re searching for a luxury home in a neighborhood like Wakefield or Hasentree, or a newer townhome in a community such as Shearon Farms or Stonegate, you will find excellent homes to match your wants and needs.
If you’re searching for charming ambiance and walkability, Downtown Wake Forest may be your ideal place to call home.
For buyers who want a neighborhood with plenty of amenities, check out Heritage, Traditions, Hasentree, Wakefield, and Holding Village.
There truly is something for everyone, and we want to be the local market experts to help you navigate the Wake Forest NC real estate market. For more information on Wake Forest homes for sale, or to schedule a showing of an available property, contact Brandon Duncan with Duncan Prime Realty at 919-808-2001. Don’t delay; the best homes for sale in Wake Forest sell very quickly!
Your Wake Forest School Guide
Families in Wake Forest have excellent options for education, and the great schools are a big reason people choose to move to Wake Forest.
The highly-rated public schools are managed by the Wake County Public School System.
There are also excellent charter schools including Franklin Academy, Endeavor Charter School, and Wake Forest Charter Academy.
For families seeking private education, there are a number of private schools including a Thales Academy campus.
Wake Forest is the original home to Wake Forest University, and that campus is now home to Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary.
As part of the Research Triangle with its many colleges and universities, residents of Wake Forest are also close to excellent options in higher education.
Residents also benefit from the nearby Northern Wake campus of Wake Tech Community College.
Library lovers will enjoy visiting the Wake Forest Library on E. Holding Ave and the newly built Northeastern Regional Library in the Wakefield community off of Capital Boulevard.
Getting Around Wake Forest NC
With it’s location at Capital Boulevard (US 1) and Highway 98, and it’s proximity to I-540 and US 401, Wake Forest is convenient to both Raleigh and Durham.
Like most communities in the Triangle, Wake Forest is considered “car-dependant.” However, if you’re looking for the ability to walk to shopping or amenities, you do have a few options. There are parts of Heritage that are within walking distance to shopping centers, and parts of Downtown Wake Forest also offer more walkability. A Wake Forest real estate expert is your best resource for finding walkable homes for sale in Wake Forest.
Wake Forest is also convenient to the Neuse River Greenway Trail, which connects to other Raleigh greenways and the Mountains To Sea Trail. The Wake Forest and Raleigh greenways are becoming more connected and are bike friendly, making bike travel easier than ever.
Public transportation is available in Wake Forest, NC from the GoTriangle bus service. This includes a park and ride service for commuters and a local circulator known as the Wake Forest Loop. Find schedules and fares: https://www.wakeforestnc.gov/busservice.aspx
Working In Wake Forest NC
Wake Forest is a patchwork of small businesses and entrepreneurs thanks to its business friendly environment. In fact, the Wake Forest Chamber boasts over 700 members. Many in the Wake Forest area own or work for a small business.
In 2015, Wake Forest, NC was named one of the best cities in North Carolina to get a job. The largest employers in Wake Forest are:
- Wake County Public School System
- CenturyLink
- Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary Inc
- Town Of Wake Forest
- Pack-Rat
- Rex Healthcare
- Hillside Nursing Center Of Wake Forest
- Ultra Electronics / 3 Phoenix
- Franklin Academy Inc
- Southern Coastal Solutions Inc
Plus, since it is so close to Raleigh and Durham, it’s easy to enjoy the benefits of living in Wake Forest and working in a neighboring city.
Wake Forest NC Parks
One of the jewels of the Wake Forest community is the Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Resource Department. They manage twelve facilities and a growing number of greenways.
The ‘cultural’ part of this department has done a fantastic job of bringing theater and entertainment to Wake Forest. From puppet shows to concerts and even dinner theater, there’s always something interesting coming up in Wake Forest.
Locals also love being close to Falls Lake and the Neuse River, which offers water sports, fishing, hunting, and hiking at the Falls Lake State Park.
A number of neighborhoods along this part of the Neuse River have easy access to the Neuse River Greenway Trail, which is 27.5 miles long and connects to the Mountains To Sea trail as well as many smaller trails in the Raleigh greenway system.
Don't Miss These Wake Forest NC Attractions
From bowling to dinner theater, there’s always something fun to do in Wake Forest. These are the top places to visit:
Falls Lake State Park
As mentioned above, locals love Falls Lake and make use of it regularly. There’s just so much to do! The short list of things to do at Falls Lake or nearby in the Neuse River includes: camping, swimming, fishing, boating, walking, hiking, biking, hunting, and tubing. Visit Website For Locations & More Info: https://www.ncparks.gov/falls-lake-state-recreation-area
E. Carroll Joyner Park
Joyner Park is a wonderful place to spend an afternoon! This 117-acre expanse offers paved walking trails, a shady pecan grove, interesting old farm buildings, and an amphitheater, where outdoor activities are held during the summer.
Address: 701 Harris Rd Wake Forest NC 27587
Visit Website: https://www.wakeforestnc.gov/joyner-park.aspx
Wake Forest Historical Museum
Step back in time to the founding of Wake Forest at the Wake Forest Historical Museum. Located in the historic first home built by Dr. Calvin Jones, this museum tells the story of Wake Forest with a collection of fascinating artifacts.
Address: 414 N. Main St Wake Forest NC 27587
Visit Website: https://wakeforestmuseum.org/
Best Restaurants In Wake Forest
Wake Forest offers a variety of restaurants and coffee shops. Whether you’re looking for a big name restaurant or a mom-and-pop spot, you’ve got plenty of excellent choices in Wake Forest. These three consistently make “Best Restaurants in Wake Forest” lists:
Over The Falls
With consistently good food and a friendly staff, Over The Falls has been winning over patrons for years. You can’t go wrong with anything on their menu, but one of their best known dishes is their amazing burger.
Location: 419 Brooks St. Wake Forest NC 27587
Visit Website: https://www.otfalls.com/
Charlie’s Kabob Grill
With two Wake Forest locations and a food truck, Charlie’s Kabob Grill is a favorite that not only serves great food, but is also convenient. Stop in and try one of their daily specials. They’re all yummy!
Locations: 12235 Capital Blvd & 929 Heritage Lake Rd
Visit Website: http://www.charlieskabobgrill.com/
Shucker’s Oyster Bar & Grill
Offering delicious menu items for seafood fans and land-lovers alike, Shucker’s is a busy local favorite. Online reviewers rave about their shrimp and grits, raw bar, and steak.
Location: 3309 Rogers Rd Wake Forest NC 27587
Visit Website: http://www.shuckersgrill.com/
Wake Forest NC: Then & Now
The story of Wake Forest began in 1832 when Dr. Calvin Jones bought 615 acres of forest in Wake County. Back then, the area was sparsely populated and was known as the “Forest of Wake” or Wake Forest. Dr. Jones sold the farm to the North Carolina Baptist convention, which opened what would become the Wake Forest College.
The railroad came to the area in the 1840s, bringing growth and economic opportunity. The community was incorporated in 1874.
In 1956, Wake Forest College moved to Winston Salem, and Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary took its place. The seminary is still located at the original home of Wake Forest College in the heart of Wake Forest.
Modern Wake Forest NC
Now a fast growing Raleigh suburb with about 40,000 people and counting, Wake Forest is a popular choice for anyone looking for a great place to live, work, and play.
Wake Forest NC Stats:
- 6th fastest growing town in NC
- Population: 38,199 as of 2015
- Median Age: 35.3
- Median Family Income: $97,442
- Average Commute Time: 15.06 minutes
Wake Forest Accolades
- June 2015: #3 Best City in NC to get a Job by Zippia
- June 2015: #6 Best Suburb to Buy a House in North Carolina by Niche
Conveniently located northeast of Raleigh near Falls Lake, Wake Forest is a highly-desirable community for many reasons.
MLS #: 2378069
