Raleigh-Durham · Head-to-Head

Carolina Arbors vs Del Webb Carolina Gardens

The most common Triangle comparison — Durham location vs Wake County savings. Here's the full side-by-side with the county tax gap included.

Location

CAROLINA ARBORS

Durham / Brier Creek

CAROLINA GARDENS

Fuquay-Varina

County

CAROLINA ARBORS

Durham County

CAROLINA GARDENS

Wake County

Property Tax Rate

CAROLINA ARBORS

~1.04%

CAROLINA GARDENS

~0.90%

HOA Fee

CAROLINA ARBORS

~$285/mo

CAROLINA GARDENS

~$233/mo

Est. Monthly Savings at Gardens

CAROLINA ARBORS

—

CAROLINA GARDENS

~$120–$170/mo all-in (HOA + tax difference)

Home Price Range

CAROLINA ARBORS

$300K–$600K

CAROLINA GARDENS

$375K–$885K

Community Size

CAROLINA ARBORS

1,300 homes

CAROLINA GARDENS

800 homes

Clubhouse

CAROLINA ARBORS

37,000 sq ft

CAROLINA GARDENS

20,000 sq ft

New Construction

CAROLINA ARBORS

Mostly resale

CAROLINA GARDENS

Still selling new construction

To RDU Airport

CAROLINA ARBORS

15 min

CAROLINA GARDENS

30 min

To Duke Hospital

CAROLINA ARBORS

15 min

CAROLINA GARDENS

35 min

Optional Basements

CAROLINA ARBORS

No

CAROLINA GARDENS

Yes (select plans)

Social Scale

CAROLINA ARBORS

100+ clubs, large social machine

CAROLINA GARDENS

Building — smaller but growing

The Honest Verdict

Choose Carolina Arbors if...

✓15 min to RDU matters to you — frequent fliers feel the difference
✓Duke Hospital proximity is a medical priority for your situation
✓You want the largest established social scene — 100+ clubs, 1,300 neighbors
✓Your budget is $300K–$400K (resale) — Arbors has more accessible entry points

Choose Carolina Gardens if...

✓Saving $120–$170/month in combined HOA + property tax matters to you (it adds up to $1,500–$2,000/year)
✓You want new construction — Gardens is still selling, Arbors is mostly resale
✓The optional basement feature is important (unique in Triangle 55+)
✓You fly infrequently and the 30-min RDU drive isn't a daily consideration

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