Fuquay-Varina - a place for all ages

Whether you're a millennial, a Gen X-er, a baby boomer or something in between, Fuquay-Varina is a place for all ages.

Its small town feel accompanied by the amenities of a thriving suburban community make it the perfect place to build a career or a business, raise a family or retire. While the population has nearly tripled in the past 30 years, the growth has been thoughtful and strategic, with a focus on recreation, business and considerate economic development.

"Fuquay-Varina has a little bit of that small town feeling that a lot of us grew up with and moved away from. You can come to Fuquay-Varina and still get that feeling but have the luxury of being in an area that has a thriving economy," said resident and local realtor Krista Ashbure.

Ashbure noted that many of her real estate clients are drawn to Fuquay-Varina's vibe and culture.

"Sometimes we'll have people reach out to us, and maybe they're initially starting to look in other nearby cities, but when they see the housing prices and what they can get in Fuquay-Varina if they just drive 10 minutes further, they're happy to come once they've made the trip," she continued.

Career-minded professionals and the young adult population, in particular, appreciate Fuquay-Varina's proximity to downtown Raleigh and Research Triangle Park, along with its growing scene of community festivals, events, restaurants and shopping.

A quick glance at the downtown Fuquay-Varina community calendar reveals a variety of activities for all interests. In the spring and fall, the Follow Me to Fuquay-Varina is a popular downtown concert series held in Centennial Square, featuring great bands such as Liquid Pleasure and Band of Oz.

There's also a local brewery scene, unique restaurants and local coffee, all bringing a hip, younger vibe to complement the town's nostalgic community atmosphere. From locally-owned Aviator Brewing to Mason Jar Tavern, it's easy to find a great place to enjoy a meal or meet up with friends.

"I chose to live in Fuquay-Varina because this town has so much to offer," explained 34-year-old Elizabeth Edwards. Edwards is a young professional who spends time supporting the Fuquay-Varina Arts Center, is involved with the Fuquay-Varina Junior Woman's Club, and frequents local restaurants and parks.

"When searching for our first home nearly 10 years ago as newlyweds, I wanted to find a community with a small town feel where we could raise a family," she said. "Today, we're a family of three, and we take advantage of the many festivals and events here throughout the year. We often walk to the nearby concert series to enjoy music, food trucks and kids activities downtown."

For families like the Edwards with younger kids, the town holds family-friendly events year-round, including the annual summer ice cream social, Candy Hop for Easter, Trick or Treat activities and much more. Those with older children appreciate the convenience of everything in town being relatively adjacent, which helps when trying to balance school, busy schedules, and activities.

"I can get everywhere I need to go in less than 10 minutes, which is so helpful since we're a busy family with two kids who need to get around from here to there," explained Katyna Bunn, a resident of more than 35 years. Bunn values the sense of community in Fuquay-Varina above all else. "I love that people want to know and support each other here."

Resident and retiree Jackie McMahon is a Fuquay-Varina transplant who moved to town from Houston, Texas, with her husband to be closer to her children on the east coast. Their house in Texas sold before they even had an opportunity to buy a new one. Panicked, they took their realtor up on an offer to visit a place called Fuquay-Varina.

"We drove in and turned into a subdivision, and there was this house on the corner for sale. We looked at it twice that day and bought it," McMahon said.

The hasty decision was atypical of McMahon, who generally lets research inform her choices, but she said the leap of faith turned out to work in their favor. A couple of months after their move, McMahon's husband told her how much he loved Fuquay-Varina.

"We love the location. We're close to the ocean, we're close to the mountains, we're five hours from our kids," she said. "The community — it's just building, building, building, building. They're bringing all of these new things."

Like McMahon, Bunn believes the growth Fuquay-Varina has been experiencing has been positive.

"Fuquay-Varina isn't the same place I grew up, but it still feels like home. I am so excited about the new Arts Center and the new library, and I can't wait to see what is next for the town," she said. :In 10 years, I foresee more sidewalks, bike lanes and public transportation, and am keeping my fingers crossed for a regional park."

Speaking of parks, residents of all ages can often be seen enjoying the more than 430 acres of parks located throughout the community. Featuring walking trails, tennis courts, access to the greenway and much more, Fuquay-Varina's parks are a perfect way to experience the great outdoors.

When it comes to programming, there is a wide variety of programs offered by the Town's Parks, Recreation & Cultural Resources division to keep you busy. From adult athletic teams ranging from basketball, volleyball and soccer, to recreational classes such as yoga, belly dancing, tai-chi or line dancing, staying active is fun and convenient at the nearby Community Center.

If arts are more your scene, choose from classes on beading and crafting, acrylic painting or jewelry-making.

Additionally, active adults can participate in a variety of day trips coordinated by the town – whether you're up for a trip to the Carolina Tiger Rescue center, Lavender Oaks Farm or a local museum, it's as easy as registering and showing up.

Regardless of your age, interests or lifestyle, Fuquay-Varina provides a unique sense of community, a plethora of options for recreation and fun, and a thoughtful, growth-minded leadership team that is planning for future growth and expansion.