Is South Preston 2 safe?
Cary, North Carolina · safety score updated nightly
Yes — it is one of the safer places in the metro to walk around.
VibeLoco rates South Preston 2 as “Go”.
Gogo's take on South Preston 2
“Go. South Preston is an exceptionally safe, affluent, and master-planned residential enclave in central Cary. Visitors and residents face minimal safety concerns day or night, with violent crime rates ranking among the lowest in the state.”
About the area
South Preston is a quiet, manicured suburban community built around golf fairways, greenways, and residential cul-de-sacs. It is characterized by upscale single-family homes, established tree canopies, and quick access to shopping centers along High House Road and Cary Parkway.
- Affluent Suburban
- Family-Friendly
- Golf Community
- Quiet / Tree-Lined
- Car-Dependent
Walking and biking in South Preston 2
Walk score: 28/100 · Bike score: 45/100
The neighborhood connects directly to the Town of Cary Greenway system, including the Black Creek and White Oak greenway connectors, though dedicated bike-share docking stations are not present.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Violent crime and property crime rates are well below state and national medians
- High median household incomes exceeding $140,000 and strong homeownership rates
- Extensively maintained town greenway connections and clean public parks
- Rapid emergency services response times and active neighborhood community watch
Cons
- Car dependency requires personal vehicle access for most retail and dining errands
- Occasional isolated incidents of unlocked vehicle break-ins typical of affluent suburbs
- Limited street lighting along residential cul-de-sacs at night
- Suburban arterial traffic congestion during peak morning and evening commute hours
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is virtually non-existent within South Preston, with no encampments or panhandling present in the residential interior or adjacent shopping centers.
What South Preston 2 is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Peaceful and active with residents jogging, walking dogs, and school bus traffic on quiet residential streets.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Calm and family-oriented with standard suburban delivery and landscaping activity.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Quiet and comfortable with residents walking the neighborhood and heading to local shopping centers.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Extremely low-activity and peaceful, though quiet streets have limited pedestrian lighting.
Transit, parking and getting around
GoCary provides local bus service along major perimeter corridors like High House Road (Route 4), but internal neighborhood streets lack direct transit. The Cary Amtrak Station in downtown Cary is roughly 5 miles away.
Parking is completely free and abundant in private driveways, residential garages, and neighborhood shopping plazas, with no meters or paid decks.
Things to do in South Preston 2
- Play a round of golf or attend community events at Prestonwood Country Club
- Walk or jog the scenic paved trails of the Black Creek Greenway
- Enjoy casual shopping and open-air dining at the nearby Preston Corners Shopping Center
Local favorites
- Prestonwood Country Club · Country Club & Golf Course · 4.6★ (420)Premier private club featuring 54 championship golf holes, tennis facilities, and upscale dining.
- Annelore's German Bakery · Bakery · 4.8★ (1150)Popular local bakery offering authentic German pastries, pretzels, and artisan breads just minutes away.
- Tangerine Cafe · Pan-Asian Restaurant · 4.4★ (380)Casual strip-mall eatery serving a broad menu of flavorful Thai, Indian, and Chinese dishes.
Scores are safety-driven — recent reported crime and local news plus Census income, poverty, housing, education, household and access data — refreshed nightly. Walk and bike scores are shown separately and do not affect the safety score. A guide, not a guarantee — conditions change street to street.