If your ideal Saturday starts on the first tee, includes a poolside afternoon, and ends with dinner you did not have to cook, living near Prestonwood Country Club can feel like a perfect fit. You want convenience, community, and a home setting that supports both work and play. This guide gives you an honest look at daily life around Prestonwood in Cary, from golf and racquets to housing choices, commute times, and nearby parks. You will also find practical tips for memberships, HOAs, and how to choose the right home. Let’s dive in.
Life centered on Prestonwood Country Club
Golf rhythm and practice culture
With 54 holes across three 18‑hole courses, golf is the heartbeat of the Preston area. Expect a steady flow of morning and afternoon tee times on weekdays, plus weekend association play and seasonal tournaments that keep the calendar full. The club’s program highlights an indoor learning center, PGA‑staff instruction, and technology such as TrackMan and SAM PuttLab to help you refine your game, along with junior golf and family tees for all ages. The campus also hosts the PGA Tour Champions SAS Championship each October, which brings energy, spectators, and a showcase moment for the neighborhood. Learn more on the club’s golf programs and courses page.
Racquets, aquatics, and summer routines
If you split your time between the court and the pool, you will appreciate the racquets complex that runs clinics, league play, and junior programs. Courts see the most activity during evenings and weekends, so it is easy to plug into a social or competitive schedule. In warm months, the aquatics complex and resort‑style pool — including a waterslide and kid‑friendly programming — often shape family weekends and relaxed afternoons. Explore the club’s amenities overview to see what is typically available.
Fitness, dining, and a full social calendar
Beyond golf and racquets, the club functions as a neighborhood social center. You will find a sizable fitness facility with group classes and year‑round programming, plus multiple dining venues that support everything from quick lunches to formal evenings. The member calendar often includes book clubs, cooking classes, holiday events, and activities for a range of ages. Corporate teams also rent club spaces for meetings and client gatherings, which adds to the area’s professional networking opportunities. Membership categories and details are listed on the Prestonwood membership page.
Event weeks and neighborhood pace
During the SAS Championship and other large events, you will notice more visitors, volunteers, and temporary traffic around the club and nearby restaurants. It is a fun time to experience Prestonwood’s highest public profile and see the courses in tournament condition. Day to day, the vibe feels like a well‑run sports campus paired with a friendly, resort‑style neighborhood.
Neighborhood feel in Preston, Cary
Master‑planned setting and community character
Preston is a large, established master‑planned neighborhood anchored by the club. Streets are mature, with walking trails and ponds that encourage morning jogs and evening strolls. You will see a mix of golf villas, townhomes, condos, single‑family homes on larger lots, and custom estates, which creates real variety in size and style. The developer presents the area as a traditional, resort‑inspired community that blends on‑course and off‑course living; see the overview from Preston Development.
On‑course vs off‑course living
Homes with direct golf frontage and fairway views typically command a premium. If you love watching play or hosting friends with a view, on‑course addresses are compelling. Off‑course streets can offer more privacy or a quieter setting, yet you are still only a few minutes from the clubhouse. When you tour, pay attention to lot position near tees, fairways, and greens, and consider how tournament weeks and early‑morning play align with your routine.
Housing options and pricing
Inventory in Preston ranges from smaller condos and villas to high‑end estates, which means prices vary widely by square footage, lot size, and whether a home sits on the course. Neighborhood snapshots suggest that Preston’s median list and sale prices often trend well above the Cary city median, while estate homes frequently close in the seven‑figure range. At the same time, smaller homes and off‑course options can sit in lower bands, so Preston is not a single price tier.
Because neighborhood medians shift with season and inventory, the best approach is to review current listings and closed comps for your specific subsection. A local agent can help you track on‑course premiums, recent renovations, and micro‑location factors that move value. If you are planning to sell, a tailored pricing strategy and standout presentation are essential to capture Preston’s buyer demand.
Membership basics to know
- You do not have to own a home in Preston to join Prestonwood Country Club, and you can live in Preston without joining the club. Membership is handled directly by the club. Confirmation appears on the club’s about page.
- Membership categories listed publicly include Full Golf, Tennis, Social, and Dining, which align access with your lifestyle. Explore options on the membership page.
- Initiation and monthly dues are not posted on the public site. Contact the membership office for current pricing and any transfer policies. If a home listing mentions a transferable membership or initiation credit, verify details directly with the club.
Everyday conveniences nearby
Shopping and dining hubs
Your daily errands are straightforward with several retail nodes a short drive away. Park West Village in nearby Morrisville and Waverly Place in Cary both offer a mix of restaurants, grocery stores, and lifestyle retail that work well for weekly shopping, brunch, or a relaxed evening out. Smaller centers like Stone Creek Village and Preston Corners make quick coffee runs and last‑minute pickups easy.
Parks and outdoor spaces
If you like to balance club life with public parks, you will find several options close by. Fred G. Bond Metro Park features trails and a lake for paddling and picnics, and it is one of Cary’s largest municipal parks. You can confirm amenities and location through the town’s Bond Park page. Hemlock Bluffs Nature Preserve adds scenic trails and a small nature center, and Lake Crabtree County Park offers lakeside paths and water access.
Healthcare access
WakeMed Cary Hospital provides local hospital and urgent care services, along with many outpatient specialties in the surrounding medical district. You can view details and directions on WakeMed Cary Hospital’s page.
Commute and connectivity
Preston sits in western Cary with quick access to NC‑55, I‑540, Cary Parkway, and Davis Drive. Typical local estimates place Research Triangle Park and Raleigh‑Durham International Airport within about 10 to 25 minutes, and downtown Raleigh or Durham within roughly 20 to 30 minutes depending on traffic. The club’s site also highlights the area’s convenient location for regional travel on its golf page. Always test real‑time directions from the exact address you are considering.
Walkability notes
Walkability within Preston varies by street, and most day‑to‑day errands are car‑dependent. Transit options are limited inside the neighborhood, though connected greenways provide non‑car routes for recreation. For context, see a representative Walk Score snapshot for the area, then weigh how that aligns with your lifestyle.
Who Preston fits best
- Dedicated golfers and multi‑sport households who want frequent access to golf, tennis, pool time, and a structured club calendar. The breadth of facilities listed on the club’s site supports year‑round play.
- Corporate relocations and RTP professionals who value upscale suburban living with short drives to employment hubs and RDU.
- Lifestyle buyers seeking a suburban resort feel with organized social events, dining options, and a steady community rhythm.
Tradeoffs to weigh
- Price and variety. On‑course and estate homes command premiums, while villas, condos, and off‑course options can offer savings. Preston contains multiple price bands under one name.
- Car dependency. Retail and dining are close, yet most errands require a short drive. Walkability is mixed inside the neighborhood.
- Membership costs and process. Fees are not posted publicly, so plan to contact the club for current initiation and dues, as well as any waitlists or transfer rules.
How to choose the right home near Prestonwood
Use this quick checklist to focus your search:
- Clarify on‑course vs off‑course priorities. Decide how important golf frontage, views, and outdoor living facing the course are to you.
- Note lot position along the hole. Proximity to tees, fairways, or greens can affect privacy and activity levels during peak play.
- Review HOA details by subsection. Preston includes multiple HOAs and POAs, each with its own dues, covenants, and Architectural Review Board rules. Confirm any assessments, exterior guidelines, and deeded privileges in the listing packet.
- Confirm club membership status. Ask the membership office about current categories, pricing, and timelines. If a listing advertises a membership benefit, verify directly with the club.
- Tour during peak windows. Visit on a weekend morning, late afternoon, and during a club event week if possible to gauge traffic and noise.
- Test your commute. Drive to your workplace and RDU at typical times to confirm travel expectations.
- Check school assignments by address. Boundaries can change, so use the Wake County lookup tool for current information through the WCPSS assignment search.
Ready to explore Preston?
Whether you are upsizing to an on‑course home or downsizing to a lock‑and‑leave villa, thoughtful guidance and polished presentation make all the difference. For buyers, that means on‑the‑ground insight into micro‑locations and amenities. For sellers, it means premium marketing that highlights golf views, outdoor living, and club‑adjacent convenience.
If you are considering a move near Prestonwood Country Club, let’s talk strategy. Connect with Karen Coe to browse homes, request your custom market update, or start your home valuation.
FAQs
Do you need to live in Preston to join Prestonwood Country Club?
- No, the club notes that homeownership in Preston is not required for membership, and membership is handled directly by the club on its about page.
What membership categories are available at Prestonwood?
- The club lists Full Golf, Tennis, Social, and Dining categories on its membership page, which outline access and privileges.
How much are Prestonwood membership fees right now?
- Initiation and dues are not posted publicly, so you need to contact the membership office for current pricing and any waitlists or transfer policies.
What kinds of homes are near Prestonwood in Cary?
- Expect a range from golf villas and condos to single‑family homes and custom estates within the larger Preston master‑planned community, summarized by Preston Development.
Is Preston walkable or mostly car‑dependent?
- Walkability varies by street, but most errands typically require a car, and a representative Walk Score snapshot shows mixed walk and transit options.
How long is the drive to RTP, RDU, and downtown Raleigh or Durham?
- Many residents describe drives of roughly 10 to 25 minutes to RTP and RDU, and about 20 to 30 minutes to downtown Raleigh or Durham depending on traffic, with the club also noting convenient regional access on its golf page.
Which public schools serve the Preston area?
- Assignments vary by exact address and can change over time, so confirm current boundaries using the WCPSS address lookup tool.
