Garner

Just 10 years ago, White Oak was mostly fields. Now it’s a sprawling area with several subdivisions and a commercial hub. “A developer bought a bunch of land off of Interstate 40 and developed a huge shopping center called White Oak,” says Julie Toy, a lifelong North Carolina resident and Realtor with Coldwell Banker Advantage. “Now, people refer to that general area as White Oak.” With that level of growth comes new homes that maintain a country feel while remaining 9 to 20 miles south of Downtown Raleigh. White Oak offers plenty of parks and recreational opportunities, as well as proximity to major employers, including an Amazon Distribution Center. At White Oak’s retail core, residents can make a quick grocery trip at Target, or stay a while and enjoy at meal Alpaca Peruvian Charcoal Chicken. The local chain pairs their signature rotisserie chicken with yuca fries and other Latin-inspired side dishes. There are also plenty of well-known chain options like Chili's and TGI Fridays. After lunch, it's easy to catch a matinee movie at Regal White Oak. Bass Pro Shops has an aquarium and an archery range, in addition to its usual outdoorsy items. Additionally, this section of the neighborhood is a center for health care, with many dentists, doctors and an urgent care facility. Though some older homes are scattered about, White Oak mainly comprises new home construction that varies in size and style with a price range starting at $220,000 for a two-bedroom home in need of renovations. "This is a good area for first-time buyers and investors," says Heartstring Realty Realtor Carrie Guerreiro, who has sold five homes in the area. "It's the right price point." The further from the mall, the more likely it is to find country estates priced in the low to mid millions. However, it is possible to get a new or renovated ranch-style, Craftsman or Cape Cod in the $300,000s. A three-bedroom townhome in the Renaissance at White Oak subdivision will go for the low to mid $300,000s. Centennial Park is a sprawling 10-acre space that features a play area, soccer fields, walking trails and picnic shelters. The largest nearby green space is the 20-acre Garner Recreational Park, which has two lighted baseball fields, a playground, a picnic shelter and over 2 miles of hiking trails. It's also home to North Garner Dog Park, an off-leash space for both big and small pets. A noteworthy attraction in the area is Juniper Level Botanic Garden, a not-for-profit, 28-acre educational, research and display garden. Open eight weekends of the year, the Botanic Garden is filled with more than 27,000 types of native, exotic and rare plants. Though all within the Wake County Public School System, school zones vary greatly in White Oak. Prospective residents should check which schools are assigned to their address. One possible pipeline starts with Bryan Road Elementary, which receives an A-minus grade from Niche. East Garner Middle School is a magnet school with a Niche score of B-minus. Magnet schools also accept students from outside the school zone; admission may depend on grades, test scores, portfolios and/or auditions. Meanwhile, South Garner High, which graduated its first class in 2021, scores a C-plus. Downtown Raleigh is anywhere from 9 to 20 miles north of various points in White Oak, but rush hour traffic can extend commute times. Raleigh-Durham International Airport and Research Triangle Park, a hub of tech sector employers, are both within a 30-mile drive via I-40 West. Most residents rely on their cars to commute, but there is a park and ride at the shopping center for those interested in public transportation. "Interstates 40 and 95 run through here, making it very convenient for people traveling to Raleigh or the other way to Durham or Chapel Hill," says Adaze Realty Realtor Simon Camara, who lives nearby and lists in this neighborhood.

Cloverdale is a small but quaint neighborhood near Garner, North Carolina. It's a cozy residence on the north side of town, full of lush greenery and conveniently located near Garner's amenities. The market in Cloverdale is on the more affordable side, with homes in the $200,000s to the $400,000s. The average price is in the $300,000s, and homes typically sell on the market after 32 days, compared to the national average of 36 days. These include mostly brick, single-family homes that sit on slightly bigger lots with thickets of trees that shadow the roads. This gives the area an abundance of green with a more rural atmosphere. Southerland Road runs through the neighborhood to connect everything together and allow a quick commute in and out. It's situated between Interstate 40 and Highway 70, so it's easy to travel to other parts of the state. North Carolina State University is 10 minutes away, making it an attractive choice for higher education staff and students. The Wake County Public Schools district oversees many of Cloverdale's nearest public schools. For older students, North Garner Middle School offers clubs like chess and yearbook, and Garner High School prides itself on its status as an International Baccalaureate school. Creech Road Elementary School sits next door to its very own park, with 17 acres of walking trails, a baseball field and a picnic shelter, so students have a nearby spot to visit and play after school. The elementary school doesn't have the only unique green space in the area. Biltmore Hills Park provides 39 acres of walking trails, a playground, a tennis court, and a basketball court. Explore nearby wildlife at the university-owned Carl Alwin Schenck Memorial Forest, or take your furry friend for off-leash fun at North Garner Dog Park. Greenbrier Park is closer to nearby shopping hubs with a picnic shelter that seats up to 20 people. Speaking of shopping, take a drive down Fayetteville Road to find supply stores, popular chain restaurants, repair shops and well-known retailers like Lowe's and Walmart Supercenter. When it's time for a pit stop, head south down West Garner Street to Angie's Restaurant for some Southern breakfast grub, or head southwest on McCormick Street to Locked and Loaded Bar & Grill for some rollicking pub grub. Drive 2 miles south on Garner Road to Forest Hills Shopping Center for more shopping and dining options in the city's more urban complexes. Wind down the day at the Regal White Oak movie theater with a blockbuster and buttery popcorn. If you want to get to know the locals, visit one of Garner's many social events and attractions. Enjoy holiday gatherings from the Halloween Trick-or-Treat trails to the annual Groundhog Day celebration. Drive southeast to the historic district to catch a show at the Garner Performing Arts, grab a bite at the food truck rodeos or shop at the Garner Night Market for food, music and art. Cloverdale is a conveniently located and pleasantly green community close to all the amenities Garner has to provide.