10 Things to Know BEFORE Moving to Apex, NC
December 22nd, 2023
Living in Apex
Are you considering a move to Apex, NC? Here are ten things you need to know about living in Apex!
Apex is a beautiful town in Wake County, North Carolina, with a population of 75,187. Apex is one of the best places to live in North Carolina and offers a mixture of historic and southern charm.
Referred to as the "Peak of Good Living," Apex is a wonderful place to live, with a vibrant downtown filled with many unique shops, local restaurants, and bookstores. Home to a vintage train depot built in 1867, Apex is a beautiful place to live and a renowned historic district.
Recognized as the third largest town in Wake County, there is always something new and exciting occurring in Apex. Featuring many local events and festivals, including the Peak City Pig Fest and Apex Oktoberfest, Apex is always trying to find fun ways to bring the community together.
Named one of the fastest-growing cities in North Carolina, Apex has seen a spike in population over the past few years as more people move to the area from the West Coast and the Northeast. As the town grows and brings in more residents, more new construction and communities are introduced to the area. If you are searching for homes for sale in Apex and want to learn more about this fantastic town, this is the guide for you.
Keep reading to learn more about the ten things to know about living in Apex, NC.
Here is what life is like in Apex!
Chapters
1. Location
One of the best reasons to live in Apex is its prime location. Centrally located in the Piedmont region of North Carolina, Apex is found within three and a half hours of the mountains and an hour of the nearest beach.
Located in the center of Research Triangle Park, Apex is only minutes from major interstate highways and 15 miles from the Raleigh Durham International Airport. In Wake County, Apex is a sought-after place to live near multiple top-rated research universities.
Recognized as part of the Triangle region, Apex is located only a 20-minute drive from Downtown Raleigh, a 20-minute drive from Cary, and a 15-minute drive from Holly Springs.
Not only is living in Apex desirable, but it is also convenient. Home to many highly-rated amenities and large and small businesses, Apex has grown into a vibrant and thriving suburb of Raleigh.
2. Cost of Living
With a cost of living 2% higher than the national average, Apex is considered a relatively affordable place to live. It is a great place to raise a family; utility prices are 2% higher than the national average, transportation expenses are 5% lower, grocery prices are 8% lower, and healthcare is 3% higher.
| Cost of Living Item | Average Price in Apex, NC |
| Energy Bill | $180.36/month |
| Phone Bill | $194.02/month |
| Loaf of Bread | $3.55 |
| Gallon of Milk | $2.23 |
| Doctors Visit | $128.16 |
| Dentist Visit | $110.57 |
| Veterinary Visit | $56.75 |
*Data Sourced from PayScale.
3. Real Estate
Even though the housing prices in Apex are 15% higher than the national average, there are still plenty of affordable options for families, young professionals, and retirees. With a median list price of $737,217 and an average price per square foot of $254, Apex is a great option for people moving to the Triangle area.
Known for having a somewhat competitive housing market, most homes in Apex spend an average of 87 days on the market. Some homes for sale get multiple offers, and the hottest homes tend to sell for around the list price.
Featuring many new and beautiful neighborhoods, there are many great places to call home in Apex to fit your lifestyle and budget. From single-family homes to townhomes, it is no wonder that Apex is one of Raleigh's most popular suburbs.
4. Crime Rate
Much like Raleigh is a safe place to live, so is Apex. Offering its residents a dense suburban feel and a low crime rate, Apex is family-oriented and a sought-after place for raising children.
Considered safer than 49% of other neighborhoods and communities in the United States, Apex has an overall crime rate of 10 per 1,000 residents. Even though most of the city is safe, people who live there consider the southeast part of the city to be the safest.
| Chances of Becoming a Victim of Violent Crime in Apex, NC | Chances of Becoming a Victim of Violent Crime in North Carolina |
| one in 1,498 | one in 232 |
| Chances of Becoming a Victim of Property Crime in Apex, NC | Chances of Becoming a Victim of Property Crime in North Carolina |
| one in 105 | one in 45 |
*Data Sourced from NeighborhoodScout.
5. Education
As part of the Wake County Public School System, Apex is home to some of the best schools in the state. As one of its top-performing school systems, Wake County Public Schools serves approximately 140,000 students.
Offering some of the best education possible for families with school-aged children, the schools in Apex are highly regarded. Some top public schools in Apex include Apex Elementary School, Middle Creek Elementary School, Apex Middle School, West Lake Middle School, Apex High School, and Middle Creek High School.
For those moving to the area searching for higher education opportunities, Apex is close to more than one leading college and university. Some of the best higher education institutions include North Carolina State University, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Duke University, and Wake Technical Community College.
6. Weather
Apex has a humid subtropical climate known for its humid summers and mild winters. With temperatures between 32 and 89 degrees Fahrenheit, Apex is generally a pleasant place to live most of the year.
Early May to mid-June and mid-August to mid-October are the most comfortable and best times to enjoy outdoor activities. Though the chance of rain varies throughout the year, the wettest season in Apex is from May to August. It is best to keep a rain jacket and umbrella handy during this time.
Receiving an average of four inches of snow per year, the chance of snow is minimal. If Apex gets snow, the month with the most snow is February, with an average snowfall of three inches. Most of the snowfall in North Carolina occurs in the mountainous region.
7. Job Market
Job growth in Apex has been positive and is not slowing down soon. As more people and businesses move to the area, there are new job opportunities and economic growth for job seekers.
With a job market increase of 3% over the last year, future job growth in the area is predicted to be 49.5%, higher than the national average. Not only does Apex have a low unemployment rate, but the city also has a median household income of $129,688.
Found close to Research Triangle Park, many residents work for science and technology firms, government agencies, startups, and nonprofits. With Apple set to build a campus in Raleigh as soon as 2026, the Triangle area is expected to benefit.
If you are moving to Apex for a job, some of the best companies to work for include SPS Corp, Citadel Contractors, ATI Industrial Automation, Polyzen, and Indovance.
8. Great Restaurants
Offering more than just southern charm, Apex is home to many fantastic restaurants. Good food is part of living in Apex, from fine dining establishments to local neighborhood hangouts.
Check out these local favorite restaurants in Apex, NC:
Scratch Kitchen and Taproom: Enjoy made-from-scratch dishes in an inviting atmosphere with plenty of southern hospitality and charm.
Abbey Road Tavern: Visit this neighborhood bar and grill for daily specials, great service, and live entertainment.
Doherty's Irish Pub and Restaurant: Serving delicious Irish American cuisine in a family-friendly setting, this local pub is perfect for dinner and a night out with friends.
TapStation: This Downtown Apex restaurant offers plenty of outdoor seating, great food, and handcrafted beer.
9. Fun Things To Do
Whether you are looking for a new date idea or something fun to do with the whole family, there are plenty of fun things to do in Apex. Offering indoor and outdoor activities all year round, you will never be bored living here.
From farmer's markets to small boutiques and local shops, Apex is a great place to call home, no matter what you like to do in your free time.
Check out these fun things to do in Apex, NC:
Apex Farmers Market: This local farmers market occurs every Saturday from April to December and every first and third Saturday from January to April.
DJ's Berry Patch: This seasonal farm features pick-your-own strawberries in the summer and a pumpkin patch in the fall.
Southern Peak Brewery: This neighborhood brewery and taproom in Apex is known for its handcrafted beer and beautiful location.
Sky Zone Trampoline Park: Bring the whole family to this indoor trampoline park for exciting fun and entertainment.
10. Parks
One of the best ways to enjoy living in Apex is visiting one of its many parks. From playgrounds to open green spaces, there is no shortage of clean and safe parks in Apex.
Whether you are searching for a great place to walk the dog or a nice park to eat lunch with your kids on a warm day, Apex has plenty of outdoor spaces and parks to take advantage of, including the brand-new Pleasant Park.
Check out these local favorite parks in Apex, NC:
Apex Community Park: This 160-acre park features a three-mile walking trail, a fishing dock, basketball courts, tennis courts, volleyball courts, ball fields, batting cages, and playgrounds.
Apex Jaycee Park: Bring the kids to this 23-acre park with a playground, picnic shelter, and softball and soccer fields.
Hunter Street Park: This 12-acre park features a dog park, paved walking trail, skate plaza, multipurpose field, and picnic shelter.
Kelly Road Park: Visit this 25-acre park for its playgrounds, picnic areas, tennis courts, pickleball courts, and softball fields.
Pros and Cons of Living in Apex, NC
Pros:
- Great location
- High safety rating
- Strong economy
- Top-rated schools
- Sought after real estate
- Affordable cost of living
- Fun things to do
- Delicious restaurants
- Family-friendly
Cons:
- Lack of nightlife
- Humid weather in the summer
- Traffic
- High pollen count
FAQs
Is Apex, NC, a good place to live?
Apex is one of the best places to live in North Carolina, with an affordable cost of living, beautiful real estate, and plenty of opportunities for business and growth.
Is it expensive to live in Apex, NC?
With a cost of living 2% higher than the national average, Apex is affordable for families and young professionals.
Is Apex, NC, growing?
Apex is one of the fastest-growing cities in North Carolina, and it is predicted to be home to more than 120,000 people by 2030.
Moving to Apex, NC - Final Thoughts
Whether you are considering a move to Apex for a new job opportunity or simply for a change in scenery, the growing town of Apex is a fantastic place to live. Found just outside of Raleigh, this suburb offers its residents a small town feel with all of the offerings of a big city.
No matter where you choose to live in Apex, you and your family will be surrounded by amenities and local favorites. Whether searching for a single-family home, townhome, condominium, or apartment complex, Apex has just what you need and more.
If you are ready to start your home search in Apex, reach out to one of our Realty Specialists. Contact the experts at Raleigh Realty today to find your dream home.
Ryan Fitzgerald
Hi there! Nice to 'meet' you and thanks for visiting our Raleigh Real Estate Blog! My name is Ryan Fitzgerald, and I'm a REALTOR® in Raleigh-Durham, NC, the owner of Raleigh Realty. I work alongside some of the best Realtors in Raleigh. You can find more of my real estate content on Forbes, Wall Street Journal, U.S. News and more. Realtor Magazine named me a top 30 under 30 Realtor in the country (it was a long time ago haha). Any way, that's enough about me. I'd love to learn more about you if you'd like to connect with me on Facebook and Instagram or connect with our team at Raleigh Realty. Looking forward to connecting!
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