A vibrant state capital, Raleigh is known for both its old-style Southern hospitality and its modern, cutting-edge technology.
Raleigh is one leg of the “Research Triangle” (the other two being Durham and Chapel Hill) and is home to some of the best research universities in the country. Multiple top technology companies make their home here.
Almost half a million people currently call the city home, and it’s one of the fastest-growing cities in the U.S. In addition to politics and technology, the city has plenty of arts and culture to offer. Multiple professional performing arts programs are in the city, including the Carolina Ballet and the North Carolina Symphony.
The city has over a dozen museums, including the African American Cultural Complex, the North Carolina Museum of Natural Science and the J.C. Raulston Arboretum. The North Carolina Museum of Art is large enough to have hosted touring exhibitions featuring Monet and Rodin.
Sports fans aren’t forgotten in Raleigh, either. The city is home to multiple professional and collegiate sports teams. You’ll never run out of events to attend.
Raleigh’s climate is fairly mild but is humid in the summer. The city has plenty of parks and outdoor recreation opportunities and is also within easy reach of several state parks. It’s approximately three hours from Raleigh to some of the best beaches in the Southeast.
Where to live in Raleigh, NC
There’s something for everyone in this small Southern city. If you’re trying to decide where to live in Raleigh, NC, this quiz will help you pick the perfect neighborhood.
Who’s coming with you?
Which one neighborhood characteristic can you not live without?
What’s your idea of quality downtime?
Which of these best describes your current life stage?
Your personal style could be best described as:
Which of the following is most important to you in choosing an apartment?
North Raleigh
This neighborhood comprises a large swath of the city and is popular with families and older professionals. It contains multiple residential areas but is also home to several shopping complexes. This area also has a large number of the best restaurants in the city. Families will have plenty to do. Two trampoline parks, several adventure parks and other activities, such as mini-golf and roller skating, are in abundance in North Raleigh. Outdoor recreation activities include the Durant Nature Preserve and Shelly Lake Park. The schools have high ratings. Crime is low and the neighborhood is bike-friendly. Parts of it are walkable, but most of North Raleigh requires a car. There are some cultural options, but nightlife isn’t a big feature of this area.
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Downtown Raleigh
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West Raleigh
This college-centered neighborhood is home to North Carolina State University, but there’s more to it than the university. Lake Johnson Park has cycling trails and kayaking. Pullen Park has a popular amusement center. The North Carolina Museum of Art is here. Having the school as the center point of the neighborhood means that it has plenty of affordable restaurants and enough sports bars for even the most dedicated fan. Other types of nightlife are sparse, however. You’ll need to go elsewhere to really paint the city. Most people in West Raleigh are college-age or young professionals. The majority of the residents are between 19 and 44. There are few older professionals, few children and even fewer seniors. Only 6 percent of the population is over 65.
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Southwest Raleigh
This neighborhood is within easy reach of North Carolina State University and is popular with students and young families. The schools have good ratings. There are many restaurants and shopping options. It’s easy to get anywhere in Raleigh from here. It’s a car-dependent neighborhood, however, so don’t plan on using public transportation to get around. Parks are abundant in this neighborhood, the streets are well-lit and there are plenty of sidewalks, which together make it popular for dog owners. Hemlock Bluffs Nature Preserve and the Neuse River Trail are both a short drive away. If you’re looking for where to live in Raleigh that combines access to culture with affordability and outdoor recreation options, it’s hard to do better than Southwest Raleigh.
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Tryon Place
Nature lovers adore Tryon Place. There are many outdoor recreation opportunities both in and near this neighborhood. Residents love to walk their dogs in the parks and on the nature trails. Both are also popular with fitness enthusiasts. This neighborhood is popular with families, too. A full 25 percent of the residents are children. The schools have great ratings. Some older professionals and senior citizens also live in Tryon Place. You’ll find a mix of restaurants, coffee shops and cafés here. The shopping options are decent. There’s outdoor entertainment available in the local parks during most of the year. Tryon Place is car-dependent. The neighborhood isn’t walkable but does have sidewalks. It’s friendly to cyclists but public transportation doesn’t run out here.
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Crabtree
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Cary
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Garner
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Source: rent.com