Relocating to Raleigh NC and Living In Raleigh NC

Living in Raleigh

‘Raleigh is first and foremost a family town.’
 —Jane Albright, N.C. State University.

Raleigh - Capital city flourishes as political, cultural, industrial, trade center

By MELISSA STANZ

Smart. Vibrant. Friendly. Booming. Politically savvy. People have used all these words to describe Raleigh, and they all apply.

North Carolina’s state capital, named after explorer Sir Walter Raleigh, was incorporated as a capital city in 1792. It’s one of the few cities in the U.S. that was actually planned and designed before being built.
That foresight and planning continue today. Raleigh was ranked fourth on Money magazine’s 2006 list of “Best Big Cities.” It’s a booming, friendly city, and a political, cultural, industrial, and trade center.

The Raleigh-Durham airport is an international travel hub. Raleigh’s position as a cornerstone in North Carolina’s Research Triangle area draws thousands of businesses to the city, and with a population of more than 353,000, it’s one of the fastest-growing cities in the nation.
Although it is a big city, it retains a small-town friendliness. Mixed-use buildings are becoming more common, especially in the up-and-coming downtown Warehouse District, and more and more people are living in elegant condos downtown.

It’s a walkable city with more than 150 parks and lakes and 50 miles of greenway trails. Many lovely parks feature old oak trees, reminding people of the city’s nickname, City of Oaks.
Downtown is dotted with trendy restaurants, art galleries, and unique shops. Alive After Five performances feature free music on Fayetteville Street on Thursdays after work during the summer. On First Fridays, art galleries and restaurants stay open late in the City Market area, encouraging people to get out and walk around.

Raleigh NC and Quality of life

Centrally located in the state, about three hours from the mountains and two hours from the beach, people are drawn to the area for many reasons. The temperate weather allows yearround outdoor activities. The colleges and universities attract people from around the world, and the resulting diversity enhances everyone’s life.

Cara McLeod, marketing coordinator for the Raleigh Parks and Recreation Department, has lived here since the third grade.
“There’s always something to do in our Capital City,” she said. “We have an amazing number of resources, great outdoor activities, wonderful college sports, museums, shopping, and more.”

Jane Albright, a communications professional with N.C. State University, said, “Raleigh is first and foremost a family town. A $970 million school bond to upgrade schools and build new ones passed last November. We also have at least six universities here, and the Wake County Public School System is consistently rated one of the best.”

She added, “A lot of smart people also live here. One reason for that is Research Triangle Park.” In fact, Raleigh is tied with San Francisco as the No. 2 “Smartest City in the Country, according to CNNMoney.com. It ranks second for holders of bachelor’s degrees and seventh for advanced degrees. Almost 17 percent of residents hold an advanced degree.

As the power center of state government and Wake County’s seat, Raleigh is home to thousands of elected and appointed officials in government buildings throughout the city. The political climate also attracts all the associations, businesses, and lobbyists that go with politics.

Business and jobs in Raleigh

A political power center, Raleigh is also a major business center in the state. Progress Energy is headquartered here, and IBM, WakeMed, and many colleges and universities attract hundreds of other businesses. Nearby Research Triangle Park is home to pharmaceutical and high-tech companies who find fertile ground for excellent employees due to the quality of education in the area.

In the past few months, several companies have announced plans to relocate headquarters downtown. Ground has been broken for what will be Raleigh’s tallest building, the RBC Centura headquarters. This elegant new building will include businesses below the 23rd floor, and more than 100 luxury condos on higher floors.

The downtown Warehouse District is gaining popularity as a great walkabout area, combining old and new and providing a sense of historic authenticity. Condos, dance clubs, and restaurants are springing up. This area will also be the location of the new Contemporary Art Museum. The recent reopening of Fayetteville Street to auto traffic, with its shops and restaurants in the heart of downtown, is also attracting new business.

More than $2 billion will be invested over the next two to three years to continue to assure Raleigh as a great business center, including a new downtown convention center with 500,000 total square feet of space, an exhibition hall, a grand ballroom, and a 400-room four-star Marriott City Center.

Education in Raleigh

Education choices in Raleigh range from formal college and university training to continuing education and strong public school systems.The city is home to six major institutions of higher learning, five of which date back to the 19th century: N.C. State University (1887); Peace College (1857); Shaw University (1865); Saint Augustine's College (1868); Meredith College (1891); and Wake Technical Community College. These institutions attract tens of thousands of smart young people, faculty, and staff with international reputations.

In 2005, Expansion Management Magazine rated the Raleigh public school system as second best in the country.

Neighborhoods, Real Estate and Homes in Raleigh NC

Want to live in the city? Condos and townhomes in the heart of Raleigh are a great way to embrace the urban lifestyle. With careful planning, they can be found starting at about $150,000.

But there are also wonderful historic neighborhoods in the city with homes that date to the 1850s. Some of these include Boylan Heights, Glenwood/Brooklyn, Oakwood, Cameron Park, and Mordecai. Many homes in the areas are on the National Register of Historic Homes.
Sidewalks and wonderful old trees line the streets, making these neighborhoods a great place to walk. Many avid gardeners have created beautiful gardens, and the people work together in a great community spirit.

A popular home buyer’s market is North Raleigh, with its excellent public schools and proximity to great amenities. Wakefield Plantation is one such development, just a short drive from Research Triangle Park, Raleigh-Durham International Airport, downtown Raleigh, Wake Forest, and Falls Lake. The development includes several distinct neighborhoods with housing options ranging from single-family homes to townhomes, villas, and custom estates. Wakefield includes a Tournament Players Country Club and an 18-hole championship golf course with pool, tennis, and fine dining. Wakefield Elementary, Middle and High School share a campus within the Plantation.

Raleigh NC Culture and leisure

Raleigh takes culture seriously, and the city boasts a number of wonderful libraries, museums, visual and performing arts centers, and public art projects. The N.C. Museum of Art, N.C. Museum of History, and N.C. Museum of Natural Sciences are all first-class facilities. The Raleigh City Museum details the city’s colorful history, and the African-American Cultural Complex includes an exposition of contributions made by African-Americans in the U.S.

A five-story-high movie screen provides a high-tech experience at the IMAX Theatre at Exploris.

Downtown Raleigh is also full of funky, creative art studios. Additionally, ArtSpace, near City Market, is home to 100 artists and 28 artists’ studios.

Performing arts include the North Carolina Symphony, North Carolina Theatre,

Broadway productions at Broadway Series South, and the Carolina Ballet. An arts complex includes the Raleigh Memorial Auditorium, A. J. Fletcher Opera Theater, and Meymandi Concert Hall. Smaller venues provide frequent performances throughout the year.

Parks, greenways, and lakes dot the area. Nearly 50 miles of greenway trails make walking and biking a pleasure; the recently opened Reedy Creek Trail near the Art Museum also meanders through Meredith College. Pullen Park in downtown Raleigh includes a charming 1911 carousel, a train ride, kiddie boat ride, and pedal boats. Umstead Park west of Raleigh offers cabins, walking paths, and more. The JC Raulston Arboretum at N.C. State University is a delight to visit, with more than 6,000 varieties of plants from around the world.

The N.C. State Fairgrounds is another local wonder. The State Fair takes place each October, drawing hundreds of thousands for its smorgasbord of food, events, art, and performances. But the Fairgrounds remain open all year and are the site of flea markets, craft shows, antique, car, and hobby shows. Dorton Arena, the centerpiece of the Fairgrounds, is an architectural jewel.

Nearby is the RBC Center, home of the 2006 Stanley Cup champions, the Carolina Hurricanes of the National Hockey League. A winter/spring slate of games remains on tap, hopefully through the June playoffs. The RBC Center is also home to the Wolfpack men’s basketball team of N.C. State.