charismatic and humble in the midst of constant admiration and applause. Locals are proud of their stomping grounds, and newcomers are wide-eyed at the options these cities have to offer. So, how are these newbies settling in? Two recent transplants opened up about their experience in planting roots in the Triangle area.
The Reyes Tribe
Settling in with Triangle Newcomers // STORY BY jackie boeheim // PHOTOS BY MATT WILLIAMS PHOTOGRAPHY In 2015, Money Magazine named Apex the No. 1 place to live in the United States. And it’s no secret that Cary has also topped many of these lists over the years. The towns are welcoming, charming, and thriving with each season that passes. The Research Triangle Park is home to hundreds of companies, thus providing steady jobs for residents. School systems from preschools to universities are competitive and skilled in guiding children with the highest quality education. These perks alone drive folks from all over the country to find a new home in our booming towns. The towns from Cary to Fuquay-Varina remain 50 | caryliving.com
You can hear the sounds of love and laughter before even stepping foot into their home. Once inside, children from the ages of two to six are carrying on in a playful state. Toys are strewn across the floor and a mixture of glitter and sand sprinkle the couch. Mom and dad are happy, gleeful even, at the benevolent chaos that surrounds them. They seem settled and established, yet have only called this community “home” for a little over a year. In the spring of 2015, Gabriel Reyes and Jaclyn DiRenzo Reyes relocated from Saint Kitts (an island in the Caribbean Sea) to Cary. They packed up their belongings, and along with their children, Viviana (6), Rocco (5), and Valencia (2), they made the big move. Gabriel attended a veterinary medicine school in St. Kitts and had to complete his clinical year at a US School. He chose NC State, and couldn’t be more pleased with the area. “After much research on Raleigh and the surrounding areas, we decided that Cary offered the best school system for our children,” Gabriel states. Moving from a small island of about 55,000 people to a metropolis of around 150,000 people was a big change for the family. The island of St. Kitts is a tightknit community where everyone knows your name. Cary and the surrounding areas, having to accommodate a large amount of transplants, is ever growing. But with that comes an influx of amenities. Especially for stay-athome moms, like Jaclyn. “There are so many beautiful parks here!” Jaclyn points out. “It’s been so refreshing here in Cary to have access to a park every few miles.” St. Kitts has just one park for the entire island, making the large amount of green spaces here in Cary a safe haven for the family. Facebook groups like No Excuse Moms, Cary/Apex Moms and Moms of the Triangle were vital in Jaclyn learning about the area and finding friends for her and the kids. “Gabriel was absorbed by clinics and working crazy hours, he was never home,” Jaclyn explains. “I was grateful that so many Facebook groups existed; it’s where I found a wealth of information.” Those recommendations included a private singing teacher and athletic options for the kids. The family has also made Science Safari on Kildaire Farm Road a favorite stop for educational toys and classes. Through word of mouth, the couple found Heartwood Montessori School in Downtown Cary for their children. Fellow Heartwood parents were essential in sharing information about the town. The couple learned about restaurants like Lucky 32 Southern Kitchen and City Barbeque, both introducing the two to Southern cuisine. It seems as though Cary hasn’t lost its personal touch. The Reyes were blown away when a greeter from Cary Welcome came to their door to gift them with a welcome basket. “I was blown away by this, it was really nice to have her stop by and drop off some key information about stores and things to do in the area,” Jaclyn explains. While most information can be found online, Cary and the surrounding areas are bursting with down-to-earth people willing to offer a helping hand. “There are so many