love/like/hate Cary?

[Eliza B]

Greetings from Maryland~
My family and I will be relocating to Cary in June 07.
I want to know WHY you love/like/hate Cary. I heard the traffic is ridiculous. The public school system is fabulous. The people are really pretentious and the housing is far more reasonable than Wash metro area.
Thanks for any info you can give me ~

[Tracy Santrock]

Why do I love Cary? I've lived in the area for almost 15 years and I've seen a lot of changes in this community. I can't imagine living anywhere else.

Do you like safe cul-de-sac communities? All roads lead to a cul-de-sac in this mushrooming high-tech hometown of transplanted Yankees. A friendly game of bunco, anyone?

Rolling clay tobacco fields and loblolly pine forests have given way to sweeping new subdivisions and brick-fronted shopping centers that look remarkably similar. The town’s largest employers now include IBM, Cisco Systems, Lucent Technology, and SAS Institute, whose world headquarters occupies a 500-acre (2-square-kilometer) campus on the edge of town. SAS Institute produces software that scans oceans of information to find relevant patterns and meaning. Its uses now range from developing new drugs to calculating the consumer price index of the United States. Jim Goodnight, the founder of the largest privately held software company in the world, SAS Institute is largely responsbile for the development of a number of community pluses-Prestonwood Country Club, SAS Soccer Park, and Cary Academy(Academic) to name a few. Just this past week he was featured on 20/20 regarding the development and charity that he has supported to develop our community.

The way I see it---SAS Institute mirrors Cary and Cary mirrors SAS. The average age in Cary is 33, the average SAS employee is 35. The median household income in Cary is about $60,000. Fifteen percent of all households include someone with an advanced degree. The crime rate is among the state’s lowest for cities of its size.

Quite honestly, some may consider Cary boring. For others, Cary resembles a futuristic Pleasantville. You be the judge.

Where are you moving from? What are you looking for in a community?

[I hate cary]

Been born and raised in NC all my life. I grew up on the Raleigh/cary border and I went to the Cary schools.All I've got to say is you notherners are ruinning everything.Theres been so much change in Cary over the past 10 years it is'nt funny, stores that have been in the same location for as long as I can remember,(25 years) have been destroyed to make room for a freakin' strip mall or subdivision.That really,really sickens me.Cary has destroyed the Carpenter community off of HWY55 thats where my grandmother lived. She moved out there on Greenlevel to Durham RD back in '86 just when I was 4 years old. That was my home away from home when when my folks got to fightin real bad I'd go out there to stay.I was able to do all the stuff out there that I was'nt allowed to back home.1st and only time I wrecked one of my cars was out there.Did ALOT of Target practacing out there even did some drinking with my grandma.I've got so many memories that have been destroyed,because unfourtonally,my grandma rented that house.Well she got put in a nursing home in Dec. of '05 and my mom & uncle are now homeless because they got evicted because the land was sold and the house was going to be torn down to build a sub-division.There now homeless and grannys still in the nursing home.Thanks Cary, for destroying my childhood memories so you northerners can have a new subdivision.I wish all this building would stop.BTW: I enjoy driving my 1987 model car around town(Even though I reside in another county I still drive through cary to see my other grandma)just to anger you northerners driving your brand new cars.You know the newer cars are made of plastic not out of metal like mine(metal=safer car)People in Cary have no heart don't care about who made has lived on that land before there subdivision was built.Screw Cary!!

[Jenna]

Cary's a good place if you have children, have a degree in computer science (most of the jobs that pay enough to buy a house are high tech), don't mind the lack of diversity (being Jewish is considered "exotic" here), are willing to put up with some "good ol' boys" every once in a while who seem to believe that the Civil War is still being fought and the Confederacy is winning, houses with no character, etc. For singles and childless couples, especially those used to living in a big city, this place is a nightmare. There is no nightlife anywhere in NC except maybe Charlotte, rent is through the roof, there is no reliable public transportation, bike riding is a joke unless you like cars purposefully trying to hit you, if you're not white and Protestant, you will stick out like a sore thumb, etc. Personnally, I can't wait to get the hell out of here. It's truly Stepford meets Hee Haw.

[I hate cary]

I now have a website www.pissoncary.com
Thank You,
Brian Craig, site owner

I hate cary wrote:

Been born and raised in NC all my life. I grew up on the Raleigh/cary border and I went to the Cary schools.All I've got to say is you notherners are ruinning everything.Theres been so much change in Cary over the past 10 years it is'nt funny, stores that have been in the same location for as long as I can remember,(25 years) have been destroyed to make room for a freakin' strip mall or subdivision.That really,really sickens me.Cary has destroyed the Carpenter community off of HWY55 thats where my grandmother lived. She moved out there on Greenlevel to Durham RD back in '86 just when I was 4 years old. That was my home away from home when when my folks got to fightin real bad I'd go out there to stay.I was able to do all the stuff out there that I was'nt allowed to back home.1st and only time I wrecked one of my cars was out there.Did ALOT of Target practacing out there even did some drinking with my grandma.I've got so many memories that have been destroyed,because unfourtonally,my grandma rented that house.Well she got put in a nursing home in Dec. of '05 and my mom & uncle are now homeless because they got evicted because the land was sold and the house was going to be torn down to build a sub-division.There now homeless and grannys still in the nursing home.Thanks Cary, for destroying my childhood memories so you northerners can have a new subdivision.I wish all this building would stop.BTW: I enjoy driving my 1987 model car around town(Even though I reside in another county I still drive through cary to see my other grandma)just to anger you northerners driving your brand new cars.You know the newer cars are made of plastic not out of metal like mine(metal=safer car)People in Cary have no heart don't care about who made has lived on that land before there subdivision was built.Screw Cary!!

[Tracy Santrock]

I hate cary wrote:

I now have a website www.pissoncary.com
Thank You,
Brian Craig, site owner <quoted text>

I'm sorry to hear about your grandmother's neighborhood. Actually Carpenter Village is a wonderful area. There is the pond, swimming, tennis, and even a restraunt.

Regarding all the Northerners-I moved to Cary in 1991 and I'm from Texas. While there are a lot of Northerners moving here I work with a lot of people from the midwest and West Coast. The #1 city for relocatees in 2006 was in Virginia-not exactly too far North.

[Robert]

I agree. Cary is a bit of an anomalie in an otherwise rural, agrarian state. My family has lived here for 16 years, so I have witnessed its transformation over time during my visits (I live in the District of Columbia). I'd describe it as very conservative and FAMILY OBSESSED. If you are single and looking for diversity you will NOT find it here, with the exception of bumping into high-tech upper caste Brahmins from the Indian sub-continent and Asian ex-pats at local grovery stores, but you will probably not ever socialize with them. Nor they with you. Like throughout the rest of the dreary American suburban landscape, the houses sprouting up here like mushrooms are all look-a-like vinyl sided "breeding boxes" with either a mini-van, SUV, or both parked in the drive way. You WILL NOT observe children playing in neighborhoods anywhere, unless it's in a trailer park and I'm sure the Cary Town Council will pass an ordinance to ban them soon. Hordes of faux blond house wives (so un-PC, I know) driving little Madison, Caitlin, Jackson, etc. in monstrous SUVs' to "play dates" while yammering away on cell phones while their high-tech work-a-hubbys do battle in their thankless role of "provider." Oh, the horror! The horror!

Jenna wrote:

Cary's a good place if you have children, have a degree in computer science (most of the jobs that pay enough to buy a house are high tech), don't mind the lack of diversity (being Jewish is considered "exotic" here), are willing to put up with some "good ol' boys" every once in a while who seem to believe that the Civil War is still being fought and the Confederacy is winning, houses with no character, etc. For singles and childless couples, especially those used to living in a big city, this place is a nightmare. There is no nightlife anywhere in NC except maybe Charlotte, rent is through the roof, there is no reliable public transportation, bike riding is a joke unless you like cars purposefully trying to hit you, if you're not white and Protestant, you will stick out like a sore thumb, etc. Personnally, I can't wait to get the hell out of here. It's truly Stepford meets Hee Haw.

[john doe]

yeah, alot of the stories you heard in these other articles are true.traffic is horrible compared to other n.c. towns but believe me not even close to maryland or the d.c metro area.local roads and streets are slowly being improved however.the comment about there being no nightlife in cary to speak of is especially true.people here do seem to be homebodys with little motivation to socialize.however some pockets of local resistance do attempt it.cary has several town ordinances that limit parts of the building process on new homes, such as the actual color of a house and such as that.cary has great schools.cary has plenty of diversity in people but seldom do you ever see them.the ones you do see appear to be rather clickish and prefer not to mingle with others.aside from some growth issues i love cary.though i would love it alot more if it developed socially.

[Relocated Yankee]

HAHA you loser, I am a yankee that just moved to cary and I love it!!!!! I am sorry that we are harder workers and do a better job than you but that is life, deal with it!! I like how you just bitch instead of trying to better your own life. We are young professionals that love getting paid higher wages and having half the cost of living. Cry me a river you hick!!!!!!! By the way I got a bunch of friends moving down here in a month so why dont you move your pickup truck and dog out west and you can write sad country songs while we rake in the dough and build an awesome houses in your town. Your a douche.

[Meredith]

Stepford meets Hee Haw!! Very true, but mix in a little Desparate Housewives.

Cary is great if you like to go church, eat at chain resturants, shop in malls, and dodge the SUV's driven by SAHMs hopped up on $10 lattes and nail polish fumes. We moved here looking for a quiet community. We feel like outsiders though. We're young, liberal, laid-back ex-non-profit employees from DC. What were we thinking?! Oh well, we can always travel and maybe one day...move!

[Country Boy]

What you need is a good old fashioned country ass whipping. Would be happy to oblige.

Relocated Yankee wrote:

HAHA you loser, I am a yankee that just moved to cary and I love it!!!!! I am sorry that we are harder workers and do a better job than you but that is life, deal with it!! I like how you just bitch instead of trying to better your own life. We are young professionals that love getting paid higher wages and having half the cost of living. Cry me a river you hick!!!!!!! By the way I got a bunch of friends moving down here in a month so why dont you move your pickup truck and dog out west and you can write sad country songs while we rake in the dough and build an awesome houses in your town. Your a douche.

[Country Boy]

What you need is a good old fashioned country ass kicking. I'd be happy to oblige.

[jean]

I hate cary wrote:

Been born and raised in NC all my life. I grew up on the Raleigh/cary border and I went to the Cary schools.All I've got to say is you notherners are ruinning everything.Theres been so much change in Cary over the past 10 years it is'nt funny, stores that have been in the same location for as long as I can remember,(25 years) have been destroyed to make room for a freakin' strip mall or subdivision.That really,really sickens me.Cary has destroyed the Carpenter community off of HWY55 thats where my grandmother lived. She moved out there on Greenlevel to Durham RD back in '86 just when I was 4 years old. That was my home away from home when when my folks got to fightin real bad I'd go out there to stay.I was able to do all the stuff out there that I was'nt allowed to back home.1st and only time I wrecked one of my cars was out there.Did ALOT of Target practacing out there even did some drinking with my grandma.I've got so many memories that have been destroyed,because unfourtonally,my grandma rented that house.Well she got put in a nursing home in Dec. of '05 and my mom & uncle are now homeless because they got evicted because the land was sold and the house was going to be torn down to build a sub-division.There now homeless and grannys still in the nursing home.Thanks Cary, for destroying my childhood memories so you northerners can have a new subdivision.I wish all this building would stop.BTW: I enjoy driving my 1987 model car around town(Even though I reside in another county I still drive through cary to see my other grandma)just to anger you northerners driving your brand new cars.You know the newer cars are made of plastic not out of metal like mine(metal=safer car)People in Cary have no heart don't care about who made has lived on that land before there subdivision was built.Screw Cary!!

While I know many "yankees" would be insulted by you comments,I honestly don't blame how you feel. My husband and I just relocated from NY. When I saw how many Northerners were here, I was surprised. To be honest, if a bunch of outsiders had moved into my area on LI and the influx caused traffic congestion, cutting down massive amunts of trees etc. I'd be upset too.
But, I want you to know, while I know it's upsetting for the people that have lived here all their lives to see so many changes, we former Northerners aren't purposely trying to hurt you. We are coming because we are sick of paying $10,000 taxes, the cold weather and the fast pace. We are looking for a better life for our families and I have to say, so far, everyone, former Northerners and native North Carolinians have been very welcoming.

[yankee1]

Relocated Yankee wrote:

HAHA you loser, I am a yankee that just moved to cary and I love it!!!!! I am sorry that we are harder workers and do a better job than you but that is life, deal with it!! I like how you just bitch instead of trying to better your own life. We are young professionals that love getting paid higher wages and having half the cost of living. Cry me a river you hick!!!!!!! By the way I got a bunch of friends moving down here in a month so why dont you move your pickup truck and dog out west and you can write sad country songs while we rake in the dough and build an awesome houses in your town. Your a douche.

I am a transplanted yankee from 1979, and let me tell you my northern friend, you are the "douche" (excellent use of your "young professional" education). Cary used to be a fantastic town with a lot to offer, but over the years and with unfettered growth, it has changed dramatically, and not for the better. Housing prices are ludicrous, the family dymnamic of allowing your kids to run EVERYWHERE without discipline is the rule, not the exception, taxes are ridiculous and crime has risen. The lesson? Growth is a necessary and good thing, unplanned growth is the downfall of a once great community. I'll be interested to see how much you still love it when more and more people move in and change what YOU currently love about the town. If you don't think it will happen, then you are not as intelligent as you believe yourself to be. Those of us who have been here through the long haul...yes, we too are young professionals, college educated, and articulate, and we don't like the sense of entitlement that some of you transplants bring with you. But rest assured, that will change, as Cary does and you will become just as disgruntled as the rest. Good luck to you.

[rick]

i moved here from Baltimore 4 years ago, the traffic is not that bad. Trust me. your not sitting in a four lane parking lot. Only thing is people can"t drive, no common sense. As you tell from the comment the "natives" don't like us here, but they would only say that on a computer never on the street. No balls.

[Tracy Santrock]

All of the roads here have been completed - HWY 55, Davis is almost widened,the I-540 5 mile stretch is complete with the Southern route to follow. There are currently no toll roads which is quite a change from the Northeast. Don't complain - we have a great life here.

[John]

Dear Cary neighbors, this posting is just a greeting & to let you all know how much we appreciate reading news, opinions, and editorials about Cary online. Our family is currently in Okinawa Japan (USAF) and planning our retirement, choosing Cary because some prior experience with the area & church connections. A few months ago we purchased a lovely older home in a quiet SW Cary neighborhood, rented it out, and intend relocating next fall to raise our young children for many years to come. What’s my point? None really, we just wanted you to know that new comers are not necessarily bad, as long as they want to fit into the community, rather than forcing the community to adjust to them. Keep up the spirited debate, passion by all side’s shows that people truly care & regardless of the outcome(s) the community benefits from the process.

BTW I wouldn’t describe myself as young, old, Yankee, Southern, or any other label, just a hard working guy that after 25 years of globe trotting has chosen Cary as the best place to grow roots & raise his family. You’ll know me when you see me, I’ll be the smiling guy in the pickup next to you while we wait in traffic together.

John & Sunny
Okinawa Japan

[NYER]

No wonder they hate us NYer, Cant you have a little compasion for the poor guy? Not all Nyers are heartless

Meredith wrote:

Stepford meets Hee Haw!! Very true, but mix in a little Desparate Housewives.
Cary is great if you like to go church, eat at chain resturants, shop in malls, and dodge the SUV's driven by SAHMs hopped up on $10 lattes and nail polish fumes. We moved here looking for a quiet community. We feel like outsiders though. We're young, liberal, laid-back ex-non-profit employees from DC. What were we thinking?! Oh well, we can always travel and maybe one day...move!

[New Cary resident]

Yes, all of the triangle has unfettered growth and there are problems with that, but just to add my voice, I just moved into a townhouse here (closer to Morrisville) and I love it. I have a grocery store, gas station, and great restaurants (many of my favorite NOT chains) within walking distance, or v. short drive, which to me saves me gas and time.
Just to respond to some of the things in other posts, being young and single, I am 20 minutes from Durham, Raleigh, and Chapel Hill all of which have plenty of night life, so I do not see that to be a problem with living in Cary itself. Even when I lived in an apartment 5 min from downtown Raleigh, I still had to get myself home. Of course public transport would be great so we all wouldn't have to drive home from our night out, but your not going to get good public transport in any smaller city in America (there are taxis).
Biking is increasingly easier as Cary becomes more and more bike friendly and the town intends to connect all the greenways, and I have actually seen the expansion of these networks, and ride my bike on them constantly (most of them are v. beautiful). But I agree with the sentiment that riding on the roads can be dangerous as cars don't really respect your right to be there. But I ride on the sidewalk or greenway if I can.
I do agree with people being insular, which has been disappointing for me. Everyone is friendly if you actually speak with them, but they are all busy running their own lives and it is harder to make true connections with them, so I agree Cary can be a bit isolating.
And I do regret that Cary and any small town near the triangle (have you seen fuquay varina lately?) is toast, and what they once were, they are no longer. But this is happening all over the place, not just in Cary,(expanding suburbs of DC anyone?) I believe a lot of the blame on how this all goes down is on the policy makers, town, county, and state.
Ok, enough of the novel...thanks for listening

[NetNetty]

yankee1 wrote:

<quoted text>
Housing prices are ludicrous....taxes are ridiculous and crime has risen.

No you are the douche. Seriously, you havent been many places in the US. High Taxes aand House Prices. Where are you from? A shack in the woods. NC and specifically Cary is much cheaper than most larger cities.$150/sq ft for semi custom homes is cheap. Look at AZ, FL or CA if you wan tto see lifeless identical looking houses. WTF do you think so many people are moving here??? Because its cheaper.