The 10 Best Places to Live in North Carolina for Families

There are many reasons why visitors flock to North Carolina all year—great sights, great climate, great attraction, and so forth. It’s quite easy to paint the picture. These are the same reasons why so many visitors end up becoming residents. North Carolina is an extremely attractive place for many people, but it’s even more so for families. There are amazing career opportunities here for parents and plenty of culture, history, coastlines, and splendid schools for the kids. North Carolina offers the best of many worlds, and there are a number of neighborhoods that are excellent options for families. Here are the 10 best places to live in North Carolina for families.

10. High Point

With High Point’s low cost of living, families here are able to afford a quality life. While housing will be the biggest cost in this part of North Carolina, that cost is still only roughly around $127,000—much lower compared to other cities in the state. High Point offers a lot of great parks as well as museums and galleries.

9. Mooresville

Once a railroad town and a racing city, Mooresville is one of North Carolina’s oldest areas. Founded in 1850, this town has history at every turn. One of the oldest hardware stores here has been around since 1899. While families may learn a thing or two from Mooresville history, there are also plenty of benefits to living here. For one, you’ll get access to some of the best motorsports facilities in the nation. And if motorsports isn’t your family’s thing, you can do the total opposite and go antiquing instead. Better yet, your family can do both.

8. Huntersville

There are many reasons to love Huntersville. To start off, the houses here are incredibly affordable. The area is in close proximity to Lake Norman and Charlotte, and there are plenty of housing options for those who want a quieter feel to those looking for a more uptown feel. Lake living can be an awesome experience for families, but the topnotch schools in Huntersville might be the difference maker overall.

7. Apex

With a moderate population, the city of Apex doesn’t feel as congested as bigger cities. However, Apex still has all the amenities and attractions that a big city would normally have. You’ll get the small-town charm here as well. Apex has seen growth in population over the last few years, attracting many residents to its neighborhoods. This area has gotten a nickname of being the “peak of good living” partly because of the town being the peak of the Chatham Railroad but also because living here is just awesome.

6. Smithfield

Smithfield is a small NC town that’s been incorporated since 1777. This means that there are even more historical trails to explore here, but that’s not all. Family fun doesn’t have to be confined to the weekend at Smithfield. Whether you and your family enjoy music, art, food, or the outdoors, you’ll find something to explore and enjoy in this small town. It’s certainly a good place to call home.

5. Holly Springs

If safety is a priority for your family, Holly Springs is a great option to raise a family. As a suburb of Raleigh, Holly Springs has excellent amenities and there’ll be lots to do here. The weather, just like many areas in North Carolina, stays comfortable year-round. This means you can enjoy being outdoors and breathing in the fresh Holly Springs air even more.

4. Cary

There are a few things you should know about Cary that might just be what you’re looking for. Cary schools are some of the best in the state. This town also happens to be consistently on the safest rankings. Cary offers the beach and the mountain in one locale, and it offers an incredible small town yet urban appeal. It’s also mostly a commuter town, so you can expect quiet days when you’re here. This shouldn’t be a big deal if you plan on commuting given that Cary is only a short distance away from major NC cities including Raleigh and Durham.

3. Davidson

Davidson is right next to North Carolina’s largest man-made lake—Lake Norman. This simply means plenty of beaches, beach homes, boating, fishing, camping, and so much more for your family. There are plenty of parks in the area for you and your kids to enjoy, but Davidson is more than just its looks. Living in Davidson can afford you the active family life you’ve always wanted or the quiet life you yearn for.

2. Wake Forest

Being second best for families in a state full of wonderful cities and town is incredible to say the least. While the cost of living is higher in Wake Forest compared to the rest of NC, it’s all worth it for the kind of standard you are going to get. The pace of life here is something you might appreciate, It’s slow and can get boring at times.Wake Forest is definitely not for everybody, but make sure you give it a chance before you dismiss it.

1. Concord

Living in Concord, NC might actually put some money back into your pockets. The cost of living here is lower than the state’s, but that’s not the only reason why Concord is the best place for families. Concord offers plenty of attractions to explore here including parks, aquariums, festivals, and so much more. There’s lots of fun outdoor activities available for all members of the family too. Concord is simply stunning, and it’s a good place to see a family grow into the next generation. Concord is the kind of place where you plant your roots. It’s simply the best North Carolina area to call home.