Gated communities in Raleigh, NC are not very common. They are far from the historical norm of the city. I often get calls from people relocating to the Triangle from cities where gated communities are the norm, often to prevent property crimes. But in Raleigh, they just haven’t been in demand, probably because crime hasn’t been a big concern throughout the Triangle region. Gated communities are typically more for luxury properties. Privacy is more the concern than crime. The following neighborhoods are some of the most popular gated communities in Raleigh!
Morning Mountain Estates
$2m – $5m
Morning Mountain Estates is a small gated community of 10 lots backing up to the Honeycutt Creek section of Falls Lake. While each home is different, the same exquisite craftsmanship and architecture is apparent in each uniquely designed home. European styling, sweeping verandahs, long tree lined drives with gated entrance ways, and private guest cottages are all features you may see in Morning Mountain Estates.
Most homes have direct access to Falls Lake. The Falls Lake Trail passes behind the community, providing 25 miles of hiking trails within Falls Lake Park as well as connections to additional 27 miles of hiking on the Neuse River Greenway as well as access to the state wide Mountains to the Sea Trail.
- Home Sizes: 4,000 – 10,000 square feet
- Lot Sizes: 2 – 5 acres
- Amenities: access to Falls Lake. Many homes have pools or pool lots. Game rooms, theaters and guest homes are common features.
- HOA Fees: $2,100/year
- Years Built: late 90s – early 2000s
Bay Leaf Farm
$3m – $10m
Bay Leaf Farm is a community of custom built homes with gorgeous design features. Characteristics you may see in this gated community include indoor water features and fountains, geothermal heating systems, multigenerational living, sports courts, batting cages, libraries and theaters.
Bay Leaf Farm is located in the Falls Lake region of North Raleigh. Some homes have lake access. The community feels removed and quiet, but just 10 minutes from the closest Whole Foods and Lafayette Village with lots of shops, restaurants and boutiques.
- Home Sizes: 5,000 – 16,000 square feet
- Lot Sizes: 2 – 4 acres
- Amenities: Vary by property but some have pools, sports courts, batting cages, putting greens, guest houses, theaters and libraries. Wine rooms, sauna, steam showers.
- HOA Fees: $1,800/ year
- Years Built: 2002 – 2015
Linville
$2m – $5m
Linville is a town in the North Carolina Mountains and Linville Gorge is one of the most beautiful wild natural areas in the State. They named this community well. When you drive through, you can almost imagine that you are in the mountains. The community is built atop a handful of small ridges that slope away from the homes, allowing for most of the homes to have walkout basements looking into the trees that fall away behind you.
Unlike Southern Hills Estates nearby, this community is older and mature landscaping and trees can be found around the homes. Located off Old Creedmoor Road, Linville gives you the convenience of proximity to I-540 and the seclusion that you want. We love this community and it easily ranks as one of the very best gated communities in Raleigh, NC.
- Home Sizes: 5,000 – 8,000 square feet
- Lot Sizes: 1 – 6 acres
- Amenities: Pool, clubhouse, tennis courts
- HOA Fees: $223/month
- Years Built: 2004 – 2017
Southern Hills Estates
$2.4m – $3.1m
One of the best parts of Southern Hills Estates is that you get to drive by the Southern Oak Equestrian Center on your way home! Passing the white board fenced pastures as you drive up the hill reminds you that you live in an incredible place. It is situated just north of the 540 loop off Creedmoor Road. Southern Hills is a newer gated development, so with the larger lots and the mature trees confined to the rear of the homes, you feel the expansiveness of this private enclave. The homes tend to be iterations of the modern farmhouse with Tudor aesthetics that has become very popular in Raleigh over the last few years.
- Home Sizes: 5,500 – 8,000 square feet
- Lot Sizes: 1 acre
- Amenities: Road maintenance, storm water maintenance, insurance
- HOA Fees: $1,500/year
- Years Built: 2019 – 2023
Norwood Ridge
$2.4m – $2.7m
A small gated community of Norwood Road just north of I-540, Norwood ridge is a new construction community taking advantage of the typography of this part of Raleigh. With permanent natural space around it (protected creek that feeds into Falls Lake) and enough elevation to create some views, it’s a private enclave with easy access to the amenities of North Raleigh and Falls Lake. You can learn about the different parts of Raleigh here.
- Home Sizes: 3,800 – 5,500 square feet
- Lot Sizes: 1 acre
- Amenities: Street lights, road maintenance
- HOA Fees: $750/quarter
- Years Built: 2022 – 2024
- Builders: Blue Heron, Boat, KJ Construction
Olde Raleigh, gated community near city center
$1.2m – $2.3m
Olde Raleigh is a larger gated community in a fabulous West Raleigh location. Located between Duraleigh and Creedmoor Roads, it provides easy access to Crabtree, Umstead Park, Rex Hospital, and all the amenities of the Blue Ridge Corridor including the NC Art Museum and the PNC Arena. Inside the gates you’ll find several small community lakes as well as a clubhouse, pool, and tennis courts. Lots are smaller as you might expect from its in-the-city location. You can even walk to the grocery store, coffee shop, and local restaurants.
- Home Sizes: 2,800 – 8,000
- Lot Sizes: 1/3 to 1/5 acre
- Amenities: Clubhouse, pool, tennis, stormwater maintenance
- HOA Fees: $227/month
- Years Built: 1990s – early 2000
The Barony
$2m – $5m+
Likewise situated off Creedmoor Road north of I-540 and South of Falls Lake, the Barony boasts a grand entrance and almost half of the homes in this community back to a large private lake. The homes are generally traditional or European styled manor homes, most with walkout basement levels and private pools. There is no community space such as a clubhouse or community amenities.
- Home Sizes: 4,500 – 12,000 square feet
- Lot Sizes: 1 – 3 acres
- Amenities: Street lights, road maintenance, storm water maintenance
- HOA Fees: $2,250/year
- Years Built: 2005 – 2017
Tuscan Lake, small gated community in Raleigh
$1.7m – $2.5m
A small 7 home community right off Norwood Road north of I-540, Tuscan Lake homes are grand manor homes in a variety of architectural styles. Some of the lots are smaller than other gated communities in this area of North Raleigh. Easy access to Brier Creek shopping and RDU International Airport.
- Home Sizes: 5,000 – 9,000 square feet
- Lot Sizes: 3/4 to 2 acres
- Amenities: Road maintenance, maintain common areas
- HOA Fees: $1,800/year
- Years Built: 2007 – 2008
