Wake County
Apex
The peak of good living — and they mean it.
Downtown Apex · Photo: Pithon314 (CC0)
The feel
What it's like to live here
- Brick-lined historic downtown on Salem Street with the 1867 train depot, local coffee, breweries, and boutiques.
- Festivals that feel like the whole town showed up — PeakFest, Christmas parade, and Friday night concerts.
- Newer master-planned neighborhoods with pools, greenways, and big trees, plus older homes near downtown.
- Family-first and very walkable in pockets — strollers, dogs, and porch waves are the norm.
Where it sits
Location & highways
Sits between
Nearby highways
Drive times
How far is everything?
~25 min
RDU Airport
~20 min
RTP
~25 min
Downtown Raleigh
~15 min
Downtown Cary
~35 min
Durham / Duke
~15 min
WakeMed Cary Hospital
~15 min
Jordan Lake
5–15 min
Schools (most zones)
~5–10 min
Gyms & YMCA
~2 hr 15 min
Wrightsville Beach
~3 hr 45 min
Asheville / mountains
Approximate, outside rush hour.
Schools
Schools in & around Apex
public
- Apex High
- Apex Friendship High
- Middle Creek High
- Apex Middle
- Apex Friendship Middle
- Lufkin Road Middle
- Salem Middle
- Apex Elementary
- Baucom Elementary
- Olive Chapel Elementary
- Scotts Ridge Elementary
- Turner Creek Elementary
- Laurel Park Elementary
- Salem Elementary
- White Oak Elementary
- Apex Friendship Elementary
School assignments change — always confirm your address with the WCPSS address lookup. See my School Choices guide.
Apex pairs a genuinely historic downtown with some of the most sought-after schools in the Triangle. Inventory moves fast here, so buyers should come pre-approved and ready.
What locals love
Historic Salem Street
Local coffee, boutiques, and the Apex Union Depot for events.
Jordan Lake access
Twenty minutes to boat ramps, beaches, and hiking.
Pleasant Park
A massive multi-sport complex that anchors youth athletics in the area.
Who it's great for
Buyers who want walkable charm plus strong long-term resale.
