Garner, North Carolina is fast becoming another popular place to reside in Wake County. It’s only a 10-minute drive to Raleigh and is considered a southern suburb of the city. Overall, the region has consistently been ranked as one of the best places to live. It’s a tranquil community where you can work, play, and raise a family. Garner offers southern charm and so much more. As its town slogan says, Garner is a “great place to be.”
The 2011 American Idol champion, Scotty McCreery hails from Garner. He describes the town in his song, “Water Tower Town.” The lyrics portray Garner as a place where “Friday night football is king, sweet tea goes good with anything… you can see who loves you from miles around, in a water tower town.”
Read on for some of the top reasons to move to Garner, NC.
Moving to Garner is super affordable
The cost of living in Garner is 4% lower than the national average, and housing costs are 7% lower when compared to the rest of the country. It’s also less expensive than Raleigh. Homes in Garner can be found for a third of the price of a Raleigh home. Finding a reasonably priced home in the area is easy.
A fantastic location with great schools.
Garner has amazing amenities in town and lots of things to do. It’s also super close to Raleigh, Durham, Cary, and the Raleigh-Durham International Airport. The Atlantic Ocean is just a few hours away, making weekend getaways easy. Its close proximity to Interstate 40 and Highway 70 is a bonus.
Also, Garner is part of the Wake County Public School System, the largest in North Caroline and the 15th largest in the country.
The city of Garner has a hometown vibe (without being too rural)
The town was granted an All America City award in 2013 for its citizen initiatives, innovation and inclusiveness. Garner also received awards for their Parks and Recreation and their Cultural Resources Department, both of which work with community members to plan events throughout the year.
Bordering the Carolina Railroad, Historic Downtown Garner came to be in 1847 and the downtown has revitalized many of the old buildings that existed back then.
“Historic Downtown Garner connects our hometown roots with our future as a growing crossroads of cultural arts, recreation and creative entrepreneurship in the community,” said Mari Howe, Garner’s downtown development manager. “Through private development, public investment and historic preservation, we’re expanding our downtown to become the destination for local flavor and flair in Garner.”
A new $9 million recreation center is coming to downtown soon.
In the historic district, you can enjoy performances at the North Carolina Symphony or see a nationally touring act at the Garner Performing Arts Center.
To delve into Garner’s history, visit the Garner Station Historical museum and learn all about the integral role that the railway systems played in the town’s development.
Businesses are booming in Garner, NC
The town has exploded with growth and new businesses are setting up shop in the area constantly. In fact, it’s the 13th fastest-growing municipality in the state. Amazon’s new distribution center recently brought 1,500 jobs to the area, greatly contributing to its growth. Garner offers a great environment for large and small businesses, with a budding tech industry and a cluster of independent businesses in its downtown.
Enjoy tons of public greenspace, outdoor activities and pleasant weather
The town manages 350 acres of parkland and includes 12 playgrounds, 14 athletic fields, a boathouse and more. The local parks and trails are connected to neighborhoods and great schools.
Garner has plenty of things to do outside and its comfortable climate makes it the perfect place to do so. The area has four distinct seasons and year-round moderate temperatures.
A local favorite in Garner is White Deer Park, an award-winning 96-acre park. It’s Located next to Lake Benson and includes trails, playgrounds, a wildflower meadow, and a nature center. During the Summer months, you can enjoy boating and fishing on Lake Benson.
If you’re planning a move to Garner but don’t know where to start, start here for a free quote. Planning a long-distance move? We provide cross country moving services.
At Colonial Van Lines, we can help with just about every aspect of moving and aim to make the transition to your new hometown as stress-free as possible.