
If you're looking to buy a home in Raleigh, Cary, or Apex, North Carolina, but aren’t thrilled with the fact that these days in most newer construction homes you can practically reach out a window and borrow sugar from your neighbors,
you may want to consider looking in New Hill, North Carolina.
A Hidden gem of the Raleigh area, New Hill offers a combination of nature and tranquility, along with some larger lot sizes and convenient proximity to city amenities. About 20 miles Southwest of Raleigh, and only 6 miles South of Downtown Apex, New Hill is an unincorporated community with a population of 6,274 as of the last census.
When I moved to Apex, NC in 2007, the population was about 31,000. Today, we are at 72,225 residents and are growing by the day. Apex was voted one of the best places to live in the country by Money Magazine

and Raleigh was recently voted one of the best places to live on the East Coast by Travel & Leisure Magazine. It’s no wonder so many people are choosing to move here. But with that growth, comes housing needs. Land is finite, and it seems like new neighborhoods are popping up every day on every available piece of land. Builders, aiming for the most profit, try to maximize how many homes they can fit on a tract of land, so the lots seem to be getting smaller and smaller. If you want to be close to Apex, and want the access to the Downtown areas and shopping, but not be in it, New Hill, NC might be an option worth considering.
Location and Accessibility

As I mentioned, New Hill is just 20 miles southwest of downtown Raleigh and close to Apex, Holly Springs, and Cary. With easy access to major highways like US-1 and NC-540, New Hill residents enjoy a short commute to the Triangle’s major hubs, shopping, and entertainment. It’s the best of both worlds; that perfect balance of a rural feel without being disconnected.
As of today, there is no real town center, or many amenities in New Hill, if that is something important to you. Now, if you’re thinking, 'What about restaurants and stores?
Do they have those in New Hill?’ Nope. Not Really. But they're not far away. New Hill is all about that peaceful vibe, but you’re never far from anything you might need. Just hop over to Apex, Cary, or Holly Springs, and you’ve got groceries, shopping, dining, and all the amenities. As the area grows, that will likely change.
One other thing to mention is that due to its more rural nature, New Hill is also not an extremely walkable area. There are greenways, and nature trails that you can drive to, but there are not lots of sidewalks connecting individual neighborhoods.
Check out my YouTube Video on New Hill
Peaceful Living Amidst Nature
One of the best parts of living in New Hill is its natural beauty.
If you’re someone who loves outdoor activities or just appreciates a serene environment, you’ll feel right at home here. Both Harris Lake and Jordan Lake are practically in your backyard, offering over 50,000 acres for fishing, boating, hiking, and camping. Imagine starting your mornings with a walk by the lake or a picnic on weekends. If you’re into nature walks, the American Tobacco Trail is nearby, providing miles of scenic walking and biking paths.

One thing to note, which may bother some people, and not others, is that the Shearon Harris Nuclear Power Plant is located in New Hill. The water from Harris Lake is used as both the source and the cooling for the Plant. While some people may find it discomforting to live within a few miles of a Nuclear Power Plant, about 1/3 of all Americans live within a 50 mile radius of a nuclear power plant and don’t even know it. The reason for this is that plants are often located outside of the countries’ most populous areas.

Nuclear Power Plants, including Shearon Harris, have very rigid safety standards. Tone Alert radios are given to new homeowners within a 5 mile radius of the plant as a part of the Emergency Preparedness Program. And four times a year on a Wednesday morning, there are set siren test dates lasting anywhere from 5 seconds to 3 minutes to make sure each siren works properly. I wanted to give you this heads up because the sirens are, by necessity, very loud.
Housing Options
New Hill offers a variety of housing options, from new single-family homes in quiet neighborhoods to luxury, custom-built homes on larger lots. Many homes here have sizable yards, giving you the space and privacy that’s harder to find in city neighborhoods. Resale homes that pop up are often on multiple acres of land. Some new construction communities in New Hill include the gated, luxury community of Bartley Point at Harris Lake Bartley Point at Harris Lake – Lakefront Custom Homes in Wake County with many home sites overlooking Harris Lake, the Olive Ridge community Now Selling New Homes in Olive Ridge – The Village Collection New Hill, NC | David Weekley Homes and Now Selling New Homes in Olive Ridge – The Park Collection New Hill, NC | David Weekley Homes , the MI Homes community of The Retreat at Friendship Apex Homes for Sale - Retreat at Friendship - M/I Homes, Jordan Pointe Jordan Pointe | Jim Allen Group, and Holleman Hills South Holleman Hills New Homes in Apex, NC | Ashton Woods.
Here is a link to all available homes in New Hill. jodywhitehurst.kw.com/search/sale?q=new hill nc
Schools
New Hill is a part of Wake County, and all public schools are a part of the Wake County Public School System. Current Zoning puts most New Hill community residents at Scotts Ridge Elementary School, Apex Friendship Middle School, and Apex Friendship High School, but as the population growth in Southern Wake County exceeds the capacity of some of the schools, there is always the possibility that these schools may be “capped”, and children may be sent to an overflow school. Sometimes the overflow schools cap and there is even a secondary overflow school. Here is a link to the Wake County public school site for more information wake county school lookup by address - Search, but the safest bet is not to choose a home based on a specific school that you want your child to attend.
Segment 5: Growth and Future Prospects
Let’s talk about the future. New Hill might feel like a well-kept secret, but just like Apex, and so much of the Greater Raleigh area, New Hill has seen some growth over recent years, which is bringing even more conveniences to the area. If you’re looking to buy, now could be a great time to buy before prices rise further.
So, if you’re looking for a place that offers both peace and community, with easy access to the Triangle’s offerings, New Hill could be the perfect fit for you. Whether you’re ready to buy now or just starting to explore, give me a call, and I’d love to help you find your ideal home in this beautiful area.

Jody Whitehurst, Broker
Keller Williams Legacy
(919) 830-4622
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