The 4 Most Luxurious Neighborhoods in Cary, North Carolina

When people think of the peak of living in Cary, North Carolina, four neighborhoods stand above the rest: Prestonwood, MacGregor Downs, Lochmere, and Montvale. These aren't just expensive — they represent four completely different versions of luxury living in the Triangle. Some are old-money golf communities, some are lake-centered suburban retreats, and others are ultra-private estate enclaves hidden inside Cary.

In this post, we do a full deep dive into each one — the architecture, prices and sizes, amenities, commute times, and even schools. Whether you're relocating to Cary or just fascinated by Triangle real estate, these are the neighborhoods everyone talks about. You can also watch the full tour here: The 4 Most Luxurious Neighborhoods in Cary (YouTube).

Why Cary?

Before breaking down the neighborhoods, it helps to understand why Cary became one of the Triangle's premier suburbs. It sits almost perfectly between Downtown Raleigh, Research Triangle Park, Durham, and RDU Airport — a location that became incredibly valuable as tech jobs exploded, RTP expanded, and high-income migration flooded into the region.

Today Cary attracts executives, physicians, engineers, biotech professionals, entrepreneurs, and remote workers relocating from New York, California, D.C., Boston, and beyond. And unlike many newer suburbs, Cary developed around mature landscaping, golf communities, lakes, greenways, and heavily planned residential design. That's why it feels dramatically different from many fast-growth suburban cities — the attention to detail is second to none, and you notice it immediately. Nowhere is that more obvious than Prestonwood.

Prestonwood

Ask Triangle residents to name Cary's most iconic luxury neighborhood, and most will say Prestonwood. Located in western Cary near High House Road, Cary Parkway, and Highway 55, it sits in one of the most strategically located parts of the Triangle: Downtown Raleigh is about 25 minutes away, RTP roughly 15, and RDU often under 15 depending on traffic. That accessibility is a big reason executives love the area.

The real centerpiece is Prestonwood Country Club, a major draw for RTP executives. It's built around 54 holes of golf, tennis facilities, resort-style pools, dining, and an upscale private-club atmosphere — and the homes reflect that prestige.

Most Prestonwood homes were built between the early 1990s and mid-2000s. Architecturally, the neighborhood is dominated by transitional brick estates, Georgian-inspired homes, traditional Southern luxury designs, and large custom golf-course properties. This is classic Cary luxury: sweeping staircases, heavy crown molding, two-story foyers, large bonus rooms, and expansive outdoor entertaining spaces. Homes typically range from 3,500 to over 6,000 square feet on lots from a third of an acre up to over an acre in premium sections. Prices today commonly run from $750,000 to well over $2–3 million for premier golf-course homes.

What makes Prestonwood special is the atmosphere — established, wealthy, private, and extremely polished. Everything is mature: the trees, landscaping, streets, and homes. It feels like old Cary luxury.

Schools commonly assigned here include Weatherstone, Green Hope, and Morrisville Elementary; West Cary, Davis Drive, and Alston Ridge Middle; and Green Hope High School. Note that Weatherstone Elementary is currently capped, with new students attending Briarcliff Elementary. These are all excellent schools and among the highest-rated in the area.

MacGregor Downs

If Prestonwood represents classic Cary luxury, MacGregor Downs represents something even older — arguably Cary's most historic luxury neighborhood. Unlike many upscale communities built during the Triangle boom, MacGregor Downs predates most of modern Cary itself.

Located near Kildaire Farm Road, US-1, and central Cary, it offers incredible central access: roughly 20 minutes to Downtown Raleigh, 20 to RTP, and about 15 to RDU. One honest caveat on location — you rely heavily on US-64 and US-1, which can back up badly at rush hour and significantly inflate those commute times, so check the drive before you buy.

The neighborhood is built around private golf, lakes, rolling terrain, and some of the most mature landscaping anywhere in Cary. Homes began construction as early as the 1960s and continued through later decades, and that age is part of the appeal. Unlike newer master-planned communities, MacGregor Downs feels organic: the roads curve naturally, the lots are irregular and large, and the trees are massive.

Architecturally it's extremely diverse — mid-century influences, traditional brick colonials, Tudor-inspired estates, renovated transitional homes, and custom luxury rebuilds. If you want a truly custom home with character, there's no shortage of unique builds here. Many homes sit on half-acre, three-quarter-acre, or larger lots, and some golf-course properties feature incredible water views.

Values are strong: average home values now exceed $1.1 million (per Zillow), with luxury properties regularly topping $2–4 million. Typical sizes range from 3,000 square feet to over 7,000 in the estate sections. Because homes span multiple decades, there's tremendous variety — some are fully modernized renovations or teardown rebuilds, while others retain classic 1970s and 1980s character, untouched since they were built.

The atmosphere feels quiet, elite, heavily wooded, and deeply residential. MacGregor Downs isn't flashy; it's established, calm, and relaxing without being stuffy. For many longtime Triangle residents, it's still one of Cary's ultimate prestige addresses.

On schools, the vast majority of the neighborhood is assigned to Briarcliff Elementary, East Cary Middle, and Cary High, while the western parts are assigned to Apex Elementary, Middle, and High.

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