Garner

LIVING IN GARNER, NORTH CAROLINA

Garner is a very rapidly growing large town in Wake County. At only 6-miles south of the Raleigh downtown, Garner is almost in the shadows of the state capitol's skyline. In 1980, the population of Garner was a sleepy 15,000. However, by 2010, Garner had almost doubled to 26,000. With increased the population and residential growth, Garner has burgeoned in business and service establishments, both within the corporation limits and the extraterritorial jurisdiction of the town.

Farming was the chief source of income for the early settlers of Garner and nearby

areas, with cotton the principal crop. Before the turn of the century, some small businesses were beginning to be developed. The first business in Garner is said to have been a wood shop owned by Henry Fort. Fort was said to have been a fine cabinetmaker and carpenter, making wardrobes, bureaus, and other pieces of wood furniture still being used by some Garner residents today.

There are several legends as to how Garner got its name. One story has it that Thomas Bingham named the town. Bingham is said to have combined a general store with handling the mail. Since Webster's defines “garner" as a "granary," hence figuratively a "store", Bingham named the town "Garner."

An early town father named Parker Rand believed that Garner was named for a family that lived in the area and later moved to Texas. Others believe Henry Fort, a black cabinetmaker and carpenter who owned some land along the railroad after the Civil War, named the town.

Today, Garner is the place to find all the opportunities that go along with economic growth and all the benefits of city living in a less taxing, more gracious living and business environment.

Garner has a small-town heritage, the kind where neighbors meet at their mailboxes and talk over local issues - where everyone turns out for the Friday night high school football games or the annual Independence Day Festival.

So here you are. You have made your choice to move to North Carolina, specifically to the Greater Research Triangle area. Good choice! Many people have decided that living here will provide the very best lifestyle available, including buying a home in Garner, landing the best employment and even finding the best schools and/or or higher education. Thousands of people have made the decision to relocate to the Research Triangle, just like you. A newcomer will find why the Greater Research Triangle has ranked as one of the best regions in North Carolina to live or work, to buy the best real estate, to start a business, to raise a family, or even to retire.

THINGS TO SEE AND DO IN GARNER

Exploring life in Garner is a good decision, and here are fun things to know:

*Downtown Historic District -The Garner Revitalization Association has spearheaded the renovation and planned renovation of the many historic Garner landmarks, preserving the small town atmosphere that marked Garner.

*Lake Benson Park - is located at 921 Buffaloe Road. This spacious park includes a walking trail (1.8 miles), and accommodates a variety of activities from family gatherings at the four picnic shelters to Town wide special events a restroom facility is located adjacent to shelter #1. In warm weather, fishing and boat rentals are also available at the Lake Benson Boat House (975 Buffaloe Road-662-5703), which is open from sunrise to thirty minutes prior to sunset on Thursdays through Sundays.

GARNER'S GOOD LIFE

It has become almost routine for Garner to be praised as a wonderful place to live. Residents' testimonials, articles and various organizations bestow glowing reviews and accolades about living here. With these superlatives publicized for so long, the Research Triangle area's fame as a great place to live has been a magnet attracting people, like you, to explore and relocate.

This sense of the Garner good life is expressed on the website of the Town of Garner:

"Garner is a growing community of over 26,000 residents. Located at the intersection of U.S. 70 andI-40, Garner is approximately 8 miles south of Raleigh, NC’s capital city. Garner residents know that they are closer to downtown Raleigh than actual Raleigh residents who live on the outskirts of the city, but not so close as to intrude on the small-town atmosphere that makes Garner special. This diverse community has many amenities to offer its residents. With over 350 acres of parkland, a thriving business economy, safe and beautiful neighborhoods, quality schools, great community events, shopping and local entertainment venues, Garner has something for everyone to enjoy.

"But what really makes Garner great? It’s the people and the sense of community that joins us together and creates a place where all people feel welcome. Garner is known for its neighborliness and for the spirit of cooperation that the citizens and community show each other. People in Garner are friendly and quite willing and ready to help their neighbor. It doesn’t take a newcomer long to find activities that will engage their particular interest and help them meet great, interesting and caring people.

Garner’s residents and business owners couldn’t agree more with the Town’s motto and would like to invite you to come see why Garner is ... “A Great Place to Be!”

GARNER'S NEIGHBORS

Garner is one of 32 sister communities in the Greater Research Triangle region:

Angier

Apex

Benson

Butner

Carrboro

Cary

Chapel Hill

Clayton

Creedmoor

Durham

Franklinton

Fuquay-Varina

Garner

Henderson

Hillsborough

Holly Springs

Knightdale

Louisburg

Mebane

Morrisville

Oxford

Pittsboro

Raleigh

Rolesville

Roxboro

Selma

Siler City

Smithfield

Wake Forest

Wendell

Youngsville

Zebulon

WHY MOVE TO GARNER?

Garner and her neighboring communities share several common benefits. The first great reason to live in the Greater Research Triangle is a wonderful climate. Spring and summer are filled with a bouquet of blossoms that flood the visual and olfactory senses. Parks and beautiful homes treat citizens and visitors alike with colors as if from the palette of a great landscape painter. The fall blazes with glorious colors so awesome that it almost takes your breath away. The winters are mild, and every now and then, the students get a day off for a light snow. It rarely gets below freezing. How could anyone not like the weather and climate in Garner, North Carolina?

The second reason to live in Garner is that it is a great place to buy a home. Garner real estate is affordable. Newcomers can choose between well-established homes for sale or new homes in outstanding new home communities. You can choose a lot and build a custom home. Simply select a homebuilder from the many in Greater Research Triangle. A qualified REALTOR®, real estate agent, mortgage broker or loan officer can assist in the home purchase process and can guide you through the process of finding and buying real estate in Garner.

Schools are another reason Greater Research Triangle is a wonderful place to live. Oh yeah - families especially love the schools in Garner. In fact, some of the best schools in Greater Research Triangle are found in Garner. The Wake County Public School System, frequently cited for several outstanding programs, services Garner. Garner schools are considered safe places for students. But there are not only excellent public schools

EDUCATION IN GARNER

PUBLIC SCHOOLS

To better help you select the best schools in Garner, North Carolina, read what the Wake County Public School System says on its website:

"WCPSS is North Carolina's largest school district. In recent years, Wake County's school population has grown by thousands of new students each year. As a result, WCPSS is constantly opening new schools and it has had a direct impact on where many children attend school. In the past, student assignment was a yearly decision aimed at filling new schools, reducing crowding at existing schools, minimizing bus rides and promoting diversity goals. This year for the first time, the Board of Education approved a three-year assignment plan for 2009-2012. By using better technology to predict growth and information from our school construction program, this new plan will provide families with more advanced notice of school assignments for their students.

"WCPSS offers a wide variety of magnet school programs offering innovative approaches to learning (Creative Arts and Sciences, Gifted and Talented, Active Learning & Technology, International Baccalaureate, Leadership, Montessori, Museums, and Year-Round programs, for example). Entry into these programs is by lottery. You should familiarize yourself with the available programs to determine if there's one particularly suited to your child."

Wake County Public School System

LIST OF PUBLIC SCHOOLS WITH A GARNER ADDRESS

Elementary Schools in Garner:

Aversboro Elementary School

Creech Road Elementary School

East Garner Elementary School

Rand Road Elementary School

Vandora Springs Elementary School

West View Elementary School

Middle Schools in Garner:

East Garner Middle School

North Garner Middle School

High Schools in Garner:

Garner High School

CHARTER SCHOOLS IN NORTH CAROLINA

North Carolina charter schools are independent public schools that exist to offer Garner students, parents and educators choices in teaching, learning methods and environments. An emphasis is placed on innovation and accountability with improved student achievement the common goal.

There are now nearly 5,000 public charter schools in 39 states and the District of Columbia, educating more than 1.6 million public charter school students. North Carolina public charter schools are intended to improve North Carolina's traditional public school system.

Any Garner charter school, while independently operated, must meet four requirements, like any other North Carolina public school:

*Tuition-free and open to every student who wishes to enroll; *Non-sectarian, and do not discriminate on any basis;

*Publicly funded by local, state and federal tax dollars like other public schools; *Held accountable to state and federal academic standards.

LIST OF CHARTER SCHOOLS IN GARNER:

There are no charter schools with a Garner address

PRIVATE SCHOOLS WITH A GARNER ADDRESS

Private schools, also known as independent schools or non-state schools, are not administered by Garner, North Carolina, or the Federal government; thus, they retain the right to select their students and are funded in whole or in part by charging their students tuition, rather than relying on public funding. Garner students can get a scholarship into a private school, which makes the cost cheaper, depending on a talent the student may have, such as a sport scholarship, art scholarship, academic scholarship.

List of Private Schools in Garner:

Lord of Life Preschool & Kindergarten, grades PK-1

COLLEGES & UNIVERSITIES IN AND NEAR GARNER

Higher education in the Greater Research Triangle region is another great reason to live in Garner, North Carolina. The local colleges and universities contribute more than just classrooms, by also bringing the best in sports and cultural offerings to the Research Triangle communities at large. If your life calls for upper level learning, choose from the following list of universities, colleges and community colleges:

Duke University

Garner Technical Community College

Johnston Community College

Louisburg College

Meredith College

North Carolina Central University

North Carolina State University

Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary

St. Augustine’s College

Shaw University

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Vance-Granville Community College

Wake Technical Community College

William Peace College

So, whether you are researching the Greater Research Triangle region and getting a feel for living here, or if you are learning about your education options, or if you have definitely decided to purchase a home in Garner, even if only from across town- congratulations, and...

Welcome HERE to Garner, North Carolina