North Carolina Real Estate & Relocation Guide

Raleigh, North Carolina

Population: 357,000

Located in Wake County

Raleigh, the "City of Oaks" and North Carolina’s capital, has the vitality and energy of a major metropolitan area, with the friendliness and charm of a southern town. It is one of North Carolina's most livable cities in one of the state's most livable regions. Raleigh is the largest city in the area known as Research Triangle Park, which is world-renowned for work in biotechnology, telecommunications and computer hardware/software. Raleigh has one of the finest research universities in the country, and is adjacent to two more. The unemployment rate has remained low in recent years. Raleigh continues to be considered a top place to live, work, and play not only by its residents, but also by national magazines and organizations.

Raleigh has a diverse economy that has helped it weather the current economic downturn better than many other cities. Thousands of our residents are employed in the Research Triangle Park. Other major employers in Raleigh are the State of North Carolina, Wake County Public Schools, WakeMed Health & Hospitals, and Progress Energy. A new 500,000-square-foot convention center, opened in 2008, is drawing new attention to Raleigh. And Raleigh is a center for commercial shipping. Raleigh boasts a skilled, educated, enthusiastic, and growing workforce. The economy is thriving and the unemployment rate consistently registers below the national average.

The area known as "Greater Raleigh" is actually Wake County, comprising Raleigh and 11 other towns. Raleigh itself is a city of neighborhoods, each with a distinctive character. The nationally designated Bloomsbury Historic District is wonderful mix of large two-story homes and beautiful bungalows built during the 1920s, with a few newer homes, all within walking distance of shops, restaurants and services. Historic Oakwood is a neighborhood of several 19th-century Victorian homes listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Cameron Village neighborhood features condos and ranch style homes from the early 1950's, while Glenwood South is an area of attractive older homes and upscale condos attracting young professionals. And there are plenty of new homes, town homes, condos and apartments in newer neighborhoods including Skycrest Village. Raleigh homes have held their value, even in this economic downturn, and whatever your dream home, you'll find it here.

The Wake County Public School System is one of the finest in the country, and its schools are consistently represented on lists of America's Top 100 high schools. One reason for this quality is that more than 300 of our teachers have earned certification from the National Board of Professional Standards. The District continues to grow, and has just opened three new elementary schools to accommodate families relocating to our area. With 31 magnet schools and 49 year-round schools in the Wake County Public School System, and several high-quality private schools, the area has the right program for every student. And Raleigh is home to many institutions of higher education, including North Carolina State University, Meredith College, Peace College, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, Saint Augustine's College, Shaw University, and Wake Technical Community College.

When Raleigh's founders called Raleigh the "City of Oaks," they made a commitment to preserve the natural beauty of the woods and grassy parks. Today, Raleigh has more than 150 parks on 4,300 acres of parkland and almost 1,400 acres of water, connected by a nationally acclaimed greenway system for walking, jogging and hiking. Greater Raleigh's hardwood and mixed conifer forests are home to a wood ducks, white tailed deer, Canadian geese, and wild turkeys. With summer temperatures ranging from the mid 60's to the mid 80's, fall averages in the 70's, and winters fro the high 20s to the mid 50s, it's no wonder we spend a lot of time outdoors taking advantage of the many recreational opportunities Raleigh has to offer.

Raleigh is also known for its lively art scene. From theater companies to the N.C. Symphony and the Opera Company of North Carolina, to the Carolina Ballet, there is always a performance to attend, whether a revival or cutting-edge new work. Venues range from the Progress Energy Center for the Performing Arts, with several facilities including a state-of-the-art symphonic music hall, to theater in the park. Raleigh is also home to the recently expanded North Carolina Museum of Art, the N.C. Museum of History, and the N.C. Museum of Natural Sciences, which will complete a $100 million Green Square Project in 2009. North Carolina's only IMAX theater is part of our Marbles Kids Museum.

There is no better place to live and work than Raleigh. And the friendly people of this Southern town with an international touch will welcome you with open arms.