February 23, 2026
Time spent in North Carolina is memorable. Big cities, small towns, mountains, rivers, lakes, and ocean. Simple pleasures, modern conveniences. It’s all here. There’s something harmonious about living well and simply, at the same time. That’s the definition of the Cattail lifestyle, luxury lakeside homes in Clayton, NC.
A water view is proven to boost your mood. A walk along a beach, paddling along a river, or catching the sunset over the watery horizon will elevate your mental wellness. Known as the “Blue Mind Theory”, scientific studies show that being close to the water reduces stress and anxiety, sharpens focus, increases creative thinking, and even improves the quality of your sleep. If you’ve ever experienced a runner’s high, you know that the body responds physiologically to emotions. Feel-good hormones—like dopamine and serotonin—are released when you’re near water.
You can enjoy a long soak in the tub to feel good or visit the shore, but isn’t your wellness worth the investment of a lakeside home, where you can reap the benefits of having a Blue Mind every day?
When you’re thinking about lakeside living, North Carolina is the right destination. You’ll find rivers and lakes throughout the state—22 natural lakes and hundreds more man-made, plus 50,000 miles of rivers running through the state. If you love a view of the water—because it renews your spirit—along with the ability to indulge your water sport passion, you have plenty of choices for living by the water.
Look at what used to be the best-kept secret among Raleigh suburbs. Clayton, NC, is a growing Raleigh suburb, 14 miles southeast of the North Carolina capital. Although the population has doubled in the past 15 years—to 37,000 people—it maintains the small town vibe. It’s a welcoming place that also offers the waterfront experience.
The Neuse River flows through Clayton. The name means “River of Peace”, and it travels 250 miles through North Carolina, from the Piedmont at the northern border to the Pimlico Sound, which is separated from the Atlantic Ocean by the Outer Banks. Living Clayton, you can live by the Neuse River or just visit whenever you want. Within the town’s 17 square miles, you’re never far from the Neuse.
But there’s more waterfront in Clayton than the beautiful River of Peace. Take a short drive north of Downtown Clayton and you’ll arrive at Cattail Lake. The 80-acre lake was created almost a century ago and has remained as a peaceful refuge. For almost half of that time, the land surrounding the lake has been the property of the Thompson family. Three generations of them have enjoyed family gatherings at the millhouse and fished in the lake, keeping the natural surroundings otherwise untouched..
The third generation of the legacy is now sharing Cattail Lake with other families. Rob Bailey, grandson of the original owner, AZ Thompson, acquired the 575 acres from the family trust in 2023. As a child, he spent many days with his grandfather at the lake. Rob wants more people to discover the wonder of Cattail Lake, so he and his business partner in R&R Development are creating Cattail, a lakeside community of beautiful new homes.
Rob promised the family that the new community would respect his grandfather’s stewardship for the land. The first step in the development was to fully restore both the millhouse and the Cattail Lake Dam, both of which had been in decline for many years. R&R Development invested more than $850,000 to replace the dam’s floodgates, update the flood control systems, and reinforce the concrete.
As they worked on this critical restoration, Rob and his business partner, Rich Van Tassel, mapped out the master plan for the community. With 575 acres, they could easily fill the property with homes. Instead, Cattail would be master-planned to focus on quality over quantity. When completed, only 296 homes will comprise the lakefront neighborhood. The spacious lots are sized from 0.75 acre to more than two acres. And a substantial amount of land will be maintained as greenways and wooded areas. Rob’s dedication to his family legacy—particularly, his grandfather’s—is his first priority.
The concept that drives Cattail is to present the natural beauty of the wooded land and lake. Go back to the simple joy of taking in a landscape that calms you and the comforting sounds that remind you you’re close to nature. These feelings represent the foundation of this new community.
The Cattail lifestyle begins with luxury lakeside homes in Clayton, NC, each one unique, but there’s much more. The residents will have amenities that provide them with resort-style benefits, while also respecting the natural beauty that the Thompson family cherished for so long.
Cattail’s outdoor pool is situated to overlook the lake, extending the view from the pool area across the water—the ideal place to discover the benefits of the Blue Mind Theory!
While you’re sitting by the pool, you’ll have the comfort of cabanas for shade. Or get together with family and friends under the pergola, with a 180-degree lake view or by the firepits and fireplaces. This area is designed as a space for people to socialize.
Next, picture the value of a community lawn. Even though you’ll have your own spacious outdoor space at home, you can use the area near the pool for more activities. Lawn games, parties, events, meetings, yoga or tai chi, or just bringing kids together for a play date—the community lawn gives you a central gathering place.
Day or night, these outdoor common areas reflect the tranquility that is part of Cattail’s design, and the objective of fostering a close knit community among the residents. Take the chill off a fall or winter evening while you toast s’mores and swap stories with neighbors, who are becoming friends. Invite them to a cookout using the community grills, and set up a feast in the large pergola.
Living by the water has its advantages. Cattail families also have private docks on the lake and a fishing hole at the fully stocked lake. Use the convenient launching places for your boat or board. Start your day with an early-morning paddle, take to the lake near sunset, or spend the day in. on, and by the lake that makes your life here so special.
The master plan for Cattail is designed to maximize the benefits of this location, balancing neighborhood with nature. You can take in the view with a leisurely stroll along the paved paths that wind throughout the community. Ride your bike or golf cart. Wherever you go at Cattail, you’re never far from the lake that’s at the heart of it all.
The development vision of Cattail also extends to the integrity of the homebuilding. In order to ensure quality in design and craftsmanship, only four builders have been selected to build Cattail’s homes: Crosswind Homes, Homes By Dickerson, New Home Inc., and Royalty Homes Inc. Each builder has its own homesites at Cattail, and you can choose from their curated portfolio of home designs. With the custom-built homes, your options let you personalize every detail of your brand new home. Select the floor plan, sit with the builder and designer, and turn your vision of luxury lakeside living into reality!
The first phase of Cattail’s homes is now underway in two enclaves:
With so many lakes and rivers in North Carolina, why should you choose to move to Cattail in Clayton?
When you want to live in an uncrowded, friendly town that’s close to everything you need—including Raleigh—you can’t go wrong with Clayton. From the growing and vibrant downtown district and diverse recreational choices to the affordable cost of living and good schools, Clayton is a treasure for homeowners. And it’s one that has been discovered quite often in the past decade.
As more people are looking to live in the Raleigh suburbs, but want to escape the high costs of urban living, Clayton is an appealing choice.
There’s something comforting about living in a small town, where you see familiar faces everywhere—walking downtown, grabbing coffee, and attending school activities and community events. Clayton is both a friendly and safe place to live. The Clayton Comprehensive Growth Plan is in place to ensure that Clayton keeps up with modern technology, infrastructural needs, and manageable growth that maintains the current climate. So, while Clayton’s population has grown considerably, everyone agrees that it’s essential to hold onto the reasons people are choosing to live here.
Downtown Clayton blends the charm of a small town with the energy of a growing suburb. New and locally owned businesses populate the streets. Instead of national franchises and big box stores, Downtown Clayton is the place to find unique offerings, from a broad variety of eateries and pubs to shops that have everything you need, and lots of things you want! And unlike city streets, parking is free in the downtown district.
If you’re looking for nightlife, you don’t have to go far. There’s even a social district here, so you can wander in and out of the businesses, carrying along your favorite libation.
The arts scene is equally thriving in Clayton. The town supports the arts with exceptional public displays. Walking around Clayton is like browsing a gallery. The Town Square, Horne Square, and The Sculpture Trail feature inspiring sculptures that reflect different styles and themes. The Clayton Center is another gem for art lovers. The Clayton Center’s 600-seat auditorium hosts live performances of music, dance, and theater, and includes an art gallery and classrooms.
Owning a home in the city can be a costly investment. In addition to higher purchase prices, you’ll have limited options if you want a large home, large yard, or both. You should also consider the property taxes. Clayton is located in Johnston County, where the median property tax is $1,128. Raleigh is in Wake County, and the median property tax is $1,793. That’s almost 60% higher than Johnston County! Overall, the cost of living in Clayton is 8% lower than the national average. You can buy a nicer home, more land, and a better lifestyle in Clayton.
Clayton is a small town that’s big on fun! In addition to the Neuse River and Cattail Lake, you can enjoy recreation at the many parks and greenways meticulously maintained by the town. Name your sport and you can likely find a place to play in town: basketball, baseball, softball, soccer, disc golf, volleyball, tennis, racquetball, flag football, pickleball, and even shuffleboard! The Community Center offers fun inside and out. Play on one the many courts outside and head indoors to use the massive fitness center, complete with an indoor walking track and gymnasium. Walk, jog, or ride your bike on the paved trails winding through Clayton, including the River Walk on the Neuse River and Sam’s Branch Greenway.
Clayton also provides recreation for people with disabilities. Harmony Playground is an inclusive, ADA-compliant play area. The activities help children build physical strength, and both cognitive and sensory elements. The playground is designed with ramps to make it easy for both adults and children with disabilities to access the features.
Come and see it for yourself. Explore the benefits of the Cattail lifestyle and the luxury lakeside homes in Clayton, NC. These new homes for sale in Clayton, NC, give you the lakeside experience that is hard to find in the region: a master-planned community of luxury homes, with resort-style amenities, and excellent proximity to everything in the region.
The first phase of construction has begun, so you have the option of buying a move-in ready home, becoming one of the first families of Cattail!
If you prefer to choose your lot and floor plan, you can do that, too. Contact a New Home Specialist to learn more about the lakeside homes for sale at Cattail in Clayton.