Located just 30 miles from downtown Raleigh and part of the larger metropolitan area, living in Selma NC offers small-town charm with big-city benefits and attractive housing options. You’ll love the relaxed pace of life, quaint shops, down-home restaurants, and lively events – all just a hop and a skip (or train ride) from the excitement, energy, and opportunities of Raleigh, are just a few of the reasons to move to Selma NC.
Top 6 Reasons to Move to Selma, NC
1) Easy Commute to Raleigh
If your career has taken you to the Raleigh area, Selma, NC is the perfect location to call home base. Just 30 miles from downtown, it’s an easy commute on US-70 for the times you need to go into the office. And with the completion of I-540 — the outer loop around the Triangle that’s currently under construction — getting into and out of Raleigh will be faster and easier.
By far the quickest way today to get from Selma to Raleigh is on the Amtrak Carolinian, the daily passenger train that runs between Charlotte, NC and New York City. While the departure times may not work for your weekday commute, it’s perfect for getting into town on the weekends if you don’t want to drive. The trip from Raleigh to Selma takes about 33 minutes and costs just $8.50 on the weekend, while the trip in reverse takes about 44 minutes.
2) Low Cost of Living when you move to Selma NC
Besides location, the other major draw to Selma is the reasonable cost of living. In fact, it costs 26% less to live in Selma than it does to live in Raleigh, and that is primarily driven by the affordable housing in the area. Things are changing, though. As more people discover Selma and the population grows, housing prices are ticking up. In the last year alone, the cost of a home in Selma has increased by 22.7%. If you are considering buying a home, now is the time!
3) Nostalgic, Small Town Feel
Selma is still a small town, and with its size comes all the nostalgia and charm you’d expect. The historic business district, called Uptown Selma, is renowned for its antique stores. Hunting for treasure can easily become a fun pastime, especially if you keep a lookout for unique furniture that can be refinished for your home. In fact, Selma has the largest concentration of antique stores along the I-95 corridor in North Carolina. (Or, if your taste is a bit more trendy, head two miles up the highway to the Carolina Premium Outlets, where you’ll find nearly 80 storefronts from the biggest names in retail.)
Once you’ve had your fill of retail therapy, head to one of the many local restaurants in Uptown Selma. With options like Robbin’s Nest, Uncle Bill’s Sub and Sandwich Shop, and Coffee on Raiford, you’ll leave with your stomach and shopping bags full, and a great morning behind you.
4) Lots of Activities
Even though it’s small, Selma is definitely on the map when it comes to things to do! A local favorite for the past 20+ years, The Rudy Theatre offers live music, theatrical performances, and variety shows that will keep you laughing and entertained for hours. There are also lots of festivals and outdoor events in larger Johnston County, including the kitschy and ever-popular 301 Endless Yard Sale, which was inspired by HGTV’s “Flea Market Flip;” the Clayton Harvest Festival, a five-day event that incorporates carnival rides, games, a BBQ competition, and a Latin American festival; and The Shindig, a one-day Americana music festival that features nationally-known bands, craft beer, food trucks, and local vendors.
5) Growing Population
Selma has been a hidden jewel of North Carolina, but more people are discovering it (and moving here) every year. The population today stands at about 7,461, and that’s a 23% increase since the last census. Even more impressive is the whopping 46% projected future job growth for Selma — even more than the national average. That’s because the town is intentionally pro-business, and with its close proximity to The Triangle, low operation costs for corporations, and the productive (and growing) workforce, more and more companies will continue to invest in the area.
6) Brand New Housing
If the relaxed pace, small-town feel, and big-city conveniences of Selma, NC are calling your name, check out the brand new housing options from New Home Inc. Woodberry Forest is a new townhome community and Cross Creek offers new single-family homes. Both communities are located two miles from US-70 and I-95 so getting to Raleigh or the neighboring towns of Clayton, Garner, Fuquay-Varina, and Smithfield is quick and easy. Woodberry Forest and Cross Creek are also less than 15 minutes from the new Amazon Distribution Center in Smithfield.
New Home Construction in Selma
These homes are designed to give you everything you want in brand new construction — the benefits of a great location, modern, energy-efficient, and high-quality construction — all at an incredible value. Join the VIP List for either Woodberry Forest or Cross Creek (or both!) and be the first to know when Selma’s newest homes are ready!
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