Welcome To Raleigh, North Carolina!
Where is Raleigh?
The city of Raleigh is Capitol of North Carolina and is located in the central of the State of North Carolina. Known as the “City of Oaks” because of its many tree-lined downtown streets, Raleigh has been the capital of North Carolina since 1792. It's the second largest city in the state, with a diverse population of over 400,000 people. The city was named after Sir Walter Raleigh, who sponsored the first English settlement in North America in the 1500s. Nowadays, Raleigh is the seat of Wake County and has earned a reputation for job growth and high quality of living.
What Makes Up the Parts of Raleigh?
Raleigh, itself is divided into six geographic areas and surrounded by more than a dozen suburbs.
Downtown and Inside-the-Beltline
Downtown Raleigh is home to historic buildings, the restored City Market, the Fayetteville Street business district, state capitol, convention center, and schools. The area is split into five smaller districts: Warehouse, Fayetteville Street, Moore Square, Glenwood South, and Capital District. Inside the beltline refers to being south of I-440, and includes neighborhoods built prior to World War II and new construction today. Downtown Raleigh has gone through a huge revitalization of the last Ten years and has become a hub for Award Winning Restaurants, Live Music, Craft Beer Gardens, Nightlife and growing residential living spaces!
Midtown
Midtown is a residential and commercial area north of the beltline and is part of North Raleigh. Its features are the North Hills and Crabtree Valley shopping centers, North Hills Park, and part of the Raleigh Greenway System. This is a fast growing and highly desirable area to Live, Work and Play!
North
A diverse and fast-growing suburban area is found in the northern area of Raleigh. It's a mix of established neighborhoods, newly built subdivisions, and large shopping areas.
South
The south side of the city is the least dense and developed of all the areas. Much of the south lies within the Swift Creek watershed district, so regulations limit housing construction. To the southeast you'll find the Coastal Credit Union Music Park, a major outdoor concert venue.
East
Most of east Raleigh's neighborhoods lay along main roads such as U.S. Route 1, a.k.a. Capital Boulevard. These developments are bordered to the east by the town of Knightdale.
West
The west of the city is home to North Carolina State University, Rex Hospital, PNC Arena, and the North Carolina State Fairgrounds. It's bordered to the west by the suburb of Cary.
The Burbs
The primary suburbs are Cary, Morrisville, Garner, Clayton, Wake Forest, Apex, Holly Springs, Fuquay-Varina, Knightdale, Wendell, Zebulon, and Rolesville. A lot of people live in these areas and commute to Raleigh for school and work.
Who Lives in Raleigh?
The people who call this area home are young, diverse, and educated. There's a strong sense of community. Starting a friendly conversation with a stranger is perfectly normal here, as Raleigh has its fair share of the well-known Southern charm.
With good jobs, excellent schools, and low crime rates, the Raleigh area is a desirable place to put down roots and raise a family. The outer part of the city and suburbs are rapidly growing and offer countless amenities, while the inner city is still just a short drive away. There's a more youthful vibe to the city center, due to its many colleges and universities. Downtown Raleigh is a revitalized hub of arts, music, culture, artisaTn breweries, restaurants, museums, and more.
Raleigh is an active place, with many runners, bikers, hikers, and outdoor enthusiasts. Cultivating green spaces in the city for all to enjoy is important to residents. Centrally located in North Carolina, Raleigh is only three hours to the stunning Blue Ridge Mountains and just two hours to the Atlantic Ocean and warm, beautiful beaches.
What's the Real Estate Market Like in Raleigh?
There are Currently 2,398 Homes For Sale in Wake County. The Median Sales Price is $290,000 with only an average of 23 days on market.
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What about Jobs in the Raleigh Area?
"#1 Best City for Job Opportunities in 2020"-Glassdoor
Raleigh is a top spot for job-seekers and tech professionals in the U.S., nationally recognized as a leading urban center, and one of the best cities for young professionals. Unemployment rates here are lower than the national average. The plethora of educational opportunities are one reason why there are a lot of jobs. Researchers, professors, staff, and more are drawn to these institutions for work. Many local schools foster partnerships with area businesses so that upon graduation students can provide talent to major industry players.
In addition to education, some other industries at work in the Triangle are information technology, healthcare, research, and engineering. Top employers include IBM, Cisco Systems, BASF Corporation, GlaxoSmithKline, SAS Institute, Biogen Idec, Lenovo, and WakeMed Health and Hospital. Many people work at Research Triangle Park, whether it's for an established industry leader or a hot new start-up company.
An innovative campus of hundreds of companies and thousands of people, Research Triangle Park welcomes workers to join their community. Creative work spaces are available for anyone or any sized group that needs to use them. Conference rooms, work spaces, and free Wi-Fi are available daily in Frontier Building 800. It's a great opportunity for freelancers and teams who haven't yet acquired their own offices.
Things to Do In Raleigh?
Everyone needs some downtime in their lives, and with so much to do and see in Raleigh, it's hard to know where to start. When you live here, you'll become a part of a vibrant city lifestyle that offers entertainment, culture, sports, history, nature, and so much more.
Parks and Recreation
Raleigh is known for its green spaces. It's often called a city in a park, and with over 10,000 acres of dedicated parkland it completely deserves that description. Ranging from natural parks and greenways to lakes and amusements, there's a space for everyone to enjoy the outdoors.
William B. Umstead State Park is North Carolina's most-visited state park of more than 5,000 acres of forest, trails, and lakes. There's 22 miles of dedicated hiking trails, and 13 miles of multi-use trails with rolling hills for activities like horseback riding, jogging, or biking.
Falls Lake State Recreation Area is a collection of seven access areas around the shore of an undeveloped reservoir. It's one of the largest recreational facilities in the state, with access to a network of 14 miles of mountain biking trails and a separate lake for kayaks, canoes, and stand-up paddle boards. For swimming areas with sandy beaches, access the reservoir at Beaverdam or Sandling Beach. Picnic sites with outdoor grills and tables are available for gatherings.
The first public park established in North Carolina, Pullen Park is also the fifth oldest amusement park in the country. Pullen sits between downtown Raleigh and the main campus of NC State. With its many activities, it's a large draw for families. You can spin around on a historic carousel, ride a miniature train through the park, or cruise around Lake Howell in a paddle boat. Other features include tennis courts, ball fields, arts center, and performing arts theater.
Family Fun
Families in Raleigh enjoy a lot of outdoor fun when the weather is nice, but when it's too hot or cold, they often head to popular indoor attractions. Marbles Kids Museum is a great example of where kids can learn while they play. Marbles is full of hands-on exhibits, with an IMAX theater that's sure to please.
Educational fun is also found at the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, the Southeast's largest natural history museum. Self-guided tours are available on four floors of exhibits, which includes a nature exploration center, live animals, nature research center, and cafe. Heading south out of downtown, you'll come across the North Carolina Railroad Museum. Kids of all ages learn about antique railroad equipment and then take an exciting ride on a real train.
Families who love competition will be glad to know that there is almost always a game to watch in Raleigh. NHL's Carolina Hurricanes, or the 'Canes as the locals say, are Raleigh's professional hockey team. They play home games at the PNC Arena from September to April. NC State's men's basketball team also plays home games at this arena, while the Wolfpack's football team is close by at Carter-Finely Stadium. With several colleges and universities, there are a lot of opportunities for fans to gather for tailgating and sporting events.
For a family-friendly night out, go cheer on Raleigh's single-A team, the Carolina Mudcats at Five County Stadium. They are an affiliate of Major League Baseball's Milwaukee Brewers and play a season from April to September. Sure to be a hit are the post-game fireworks that are set off after every Friday night home game.
Arts and Music
Another nickname for Raleigh is the Smithsonian of the South. Creative artists and innovators provide an endless supply of live performing arts and visual art galleries. Must-see art museums include CAM Raleigh and North Carolina Museum of Art. The Ann and Jim Goodnight Museum Park at the NC Museum of Art is fantastic. The park connects art, nature, and people, featuring larger-than-life art installations and colorful gardens.
A non-profit professional theater group, The North Carolina Theatre is Raleigh's connection to Broadway. They offer six shows each season, downtown at the Duke Energy Center for Performing Arts. The Carolina Ballet, North Carolina Opera, and North Carolina Symphony are all professional, top-rated venues worth attending. They feature the best of regional artists and performers, plus bring in acts from around the world.
As for music in Raleigh, there's just so much of it! This city has the most live music in all of North Carolina. The most venues, bands, and genres are all found here. The locals are smart, passionate music fans who have worked together to create an energizing live music scene. Every day of the year, you'll find a performance. All kinds of musicians play in over 80 venues around the area, including everything from a big arena to a mom-and-pop playhouse.
Out on the Town
The nightlife of Raleigh is bustling. With five walkable entertainment districts, you've got the art scene, live music, sports, and theatrical performances. Then there are comedy clubs, movie theaters, breweries, and restaurants. Cafes and bars around university campuses are frequented by both students and residents. So, whether you're catching a live outdoor show or sipping cocktails in a swanky, yet cozy lounge, an exciting night out awaits those are looking for it.
Raleigh is where city energy meets southern hospitality. It's a contributing factor to the growing brewery and restaurant scene. More than 25 craft brewers have started their business in the area. They are a passionate group eager to share their craft with the public. Many of the breweries offer free tours where you can see how the beer you're drinking is made and learn more about the different beers that are just waiting to be sampled.
The Raleigh Beer Trail has been designed for those wanting to give a variety of breweries a try. First, you need to download a trail passport or pick one up at the Raleigh Visitors Information Center on Fayetteville Street. Then, you check in at local breweries to get your passport stamped. The more stamps you get, the more prizes you'll earn when you turn your passport in.
Another awesome venue to check out is the Raleigh Beer Garden. It has the world's largest beer selection, with more than 350 beers on tap. You'll find the place in the downtown district of Glenwood South. It's great for hanging out, with plenty of outdoor space and a rooftop garden with seating. You can grab a bite to eat here as well, as the Raleigh Beer Garden has a diverse menu of handcrafted pizzas, sandwiches, cheese plates, and more.
The Foodie Scene
What the locals want you to know is that Raleigh is more than just beer and barbecue, though they are fantastic at producing both. A Zagat rated culinary scene has been growing in recent years, as top chefs have been moving in and opening restaurants in this welcoming southern city. Known as one of the "Hottest Food Cities," resident foodies rejoice in all the options that are available for dining in Raleigh. You'll still be able to find traditional southern dishes alongside all the new global flavors that are popping up.
Best Places to Eat
James Beard Award-winning chef, Ashley Christensen, is a leader of the food scene here in Raleigh. City residents love her restaurants and often recommend them as the best places to eat and drink. Christensen is the owner of AC Restaurants. The group includes Poole's, Beasley's Chicken + Honey, Chuck's, Fox Liquor Bar, Death & Taxes, and Bridge Club. Also bringing new ideas to Raleigh is Ireland native Niall Hanley, who owns the Raleigh Beer Garden. Hanley has recently opened the Morgan Street Food Hall, a new lifestyle dining concept featuring local eateries and food retailers.
Other standout dining spots include Crawford and Son, headed by five-time James Beard Award-nominee Scott Crawford, and Herons at the Umstead Hotel and Spa, North Carolina's only five-diamond restaurant. One of the top ten best new restaurants in the U.S. is the Brewery Bhavana. It's a combination of brewery, bookstore, slower shop, and dim sum restaurant found in the Moore Square district. Forbes magazine has also listed it as one of the ten coolest places to eat in the entire world.
Food Trucks
Food Trucks are also a major part of the foodie scene in Raleigh, with almost 100 food trucks about the city on a regular basis. They pop up in front of attractions, venues, and offices. Basically, if there's a hungry crowd about, there's bound to be a food truck somewhere nearby. And it's not just bland fair like a boiled hotdog or cold cuts, food trucks in Raleigh take their cuisine to a whole other level. Raleigh is home to the winner of Food Network's Best Food Truck in America competition. The Pho Nomenal Dumpling truck serves up American classics with Asian flare.
Experience history
Raleigh is dubbed the “Smithsonian of the South” due to its historic attractions, free museums and educational institutions. You’ll soon understand the sense of pride that comes with the culture and heritage of this Southern metropolis.
Here are some great pieces of history in Raleigh that you won’t want to miss:
North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences – As the Southeast’s largest natural history museum, the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences offers four floors of exhibits, live animals, 3D displays and more. Visitors can observe scientists at work in investigative labs, enjoy movies in a three-story theater and check out the gift stores and cafes.
North Carolina Museum of History – The North Carolina Museum of History brings North Carolina’s history to life. Dive into more than 14,000 years of North Carolina history with an award-winning exhibition featuring artifacts, decorative art, sports heroes and more. If you’re not familiar with Raleigh’s history, this is the perfect way to learn everything there is to know about your new home.
North Carolina Museum of Art – Whether you’re looking for a new date night idea or a family friendly outing, the North Carolina Museum of Art is one of the premier visual arts museums in the South. Experience special exhibitions, sculptures, performances and a 164-acre, outdoor Museum park—the largest museum park in the country!
Final Thoughts on Moving to Raleigh
If you live an active lifestyle and love to get out an explore, then Raleigh is the right city for you. With so many opportunities for growth all around, relocating to the City of Oaks may just be the life-changing experience you've been looking for. Call me today to help answer any of your Raleigh Area Relocation questions!