Raleigh
A Neighborhood for All Tastes
One of the best parts about Raleigh is that it's a city with a small-town feel. Raleigh is a city where people know your face and that's all they need to know. It's often you will run into someone you met, recognize their face and embrace them in a warm greeting without even knowing one another's names. A feeling of comfortability and familiarity in Raleigh comes from that small-town feel. You may not recognize it at first, give it six months though and you'll know exactly what I'm talking about.
Raleigh by the Numbers
Getting Around (From Downtown Raleigh)
Raleigh Durham Int'l Airport: 14 miles, about 21 minutes
Research Triangle Park: 16 miles, about 26 minutes
The Mountains: 188 miles, about 3 hours
The Beach: 144 miles, about 2.20 hours
Demographics
Population: 482,504
County: Wake
Number of Parks: 200+
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Putting Education First
Raleigh is ranked as the second most educated city in America by Forbes, and its neighbor Durham is third. With universities like North Carolina State University, Meredith College, Peace University, Duke University, and the University of North Carolina all within a short distance of Raleigh, it only makes sense that the area places a high priority on the quality of education. Wake County Public School System (WCPSS) is the 14th largest school district in the country, comparable to LAUSD or Chicago Public Schools. Rather than separate township-based school systems we have one large countywide system. With a district that size comes a variety of school options. The Raleigh area offers magnet, charter, and private schools, and even different calendar options like year-round schools. If you are looking to learn more about school performance visit the NC School Report Cards for up-to-date school data. Need more help understanding all these options? Libby Taylor founded SchoolUp Wake, a K-12 school selection firm, to help you find education resources and information about what school best fits your kids.
From Museums to Music
Whether you’re an art aficionado, history buff or traveling with little ones, Raleigh has a museum for you. Explore more than 5,000 years of art history at the North Carolina Museum of Art, which boasts the largest museum art park in the USA. The Contemporary Art Musem (CAM) doesn’t have a permanent collection, which means art lovers will always find new exhibits. At the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, learn all about native flora and fauna – and attend an event inside a three-story-tall replica globe! Or, learn all about state history at the North Carolina Museum of History. Best of all? All four facilities are free. After dark, the city’s music scene comes to life. Check out hot spots including a speakeasy-style jazz club at C. Grace, indie rock at Neptune’s and Kings, or national acts at Red Hat Amphitheater.
A Foodie Paradise
You won’t go hungry (or thirsty) in Raleigh. Start at Brewery Bhavana, where you’ll not only find a Belgium-inspired brewery, but also a dim sum restaurant, community library, bookstore and flower shop all in one. Traveling with picky eaters or just can’t decide what to eat? Head to Morgan Street Food Hall or Transfer Co. Food Hall, where you can please every palate with eclectic food choices ranging from tacos and fresh seafood to bagels and gourmet ice cream. When happy hour hits, pick from more than 350 beers on draft at Raleigh Beer Garden, claiming the largest draft selection in the world. International restaurant favorites include Garland (try the Cauliflower 65 with turmeric-yogurt sauce) and Laotian fare at Bida Manda (the crispy pork belly soup is outstanding).
Enjoy the Outdoors
With mild winters and warm summers, Raleigh invites outdoor recreation all year. Pedal, jog or walk along boardwalks, paths and bridges spotting historical sites and scenic wetlands on the 44-kilometer Neuse River Greenway Trail. It’s on a segment of the 1,900-kilometer Mountains-to-Sea Trail that traverses the length of North Carolina, and part of greater Raleigh’s nearly 300 kilometers of greenways. Hike through forests and nature trails at the popular William B. Umstead State Park or paddle the Neuse River Canoe Trail. Robertson Millpond Preserve offers a one-of-a-kind kayaking adventure through the only bald cypress blackwater swamp in the area.
Falls Lake
Open year-round, Falls Lake State Recreation Area is a treasure trove of beaches, camping areas, and biking trails. This 12,000-acre lake with 26,000 acres of surrounding woodlands has six different recreation areas with boating, swimming, fishing, and other fun water activities. If you are a land lover, the woodlands have walking, hiking, and mountain bike trails. Or check out the scenic hiking and camping along the Mountains to Sea Trail. The Recreation area has over 300 campsites with various amenities like primitive tent camping, group camps, and RV hookups. If you are looking for a home close to fun activities for you and your family, check out our listings in the Raleigh area
Research Triangle Park
Research Triangle Park (RTP) is the leading and largest high technology research and science park in North America. Founded in 1959, this 7,000-acre namesake for the entire Triangle region is two miles wide and eight miles long. Research Triangle Park is based in Durham with an extension now spilling into Wake County toward Cary and Morrisville.
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