Several Reasons to Move to Raleigh

The people you will meet in Raleigh

One reason Raleigh appeals so strongly is its residents. Move here and you will meet some of the friendliest, most welcoming people in the world. Raleigh has everything needed to be happy: good jobs, great weather and, unlike most cities, affordability. Apex, a Raleigh suburb, has been named the best place to live in the United States. The city has it all for happiness: good work, great weather and, unlike most cities, accessibility.

If you are moving from the northern states (New York, Massachusetts, Connecticut, New Jersey), you will immediately notice how friendly the locals are. Moving from New York, we promptly noted the beauty and charm of Raleigh. You realize you have become happier because you are surrounded by happy people. Whatever you like in your downtime - mountains, forests, lakes or the ocean - Raleigh has it within reach.

Raleigh is the best place to work

If you are moving to Raleigh, you will find a job far more easily than almost anywhere else. In 2015 the Glassdoor website ranked Raleigh, North Carolina among the best cities for jobs!

Among more than 24,000 openings, you will certainly find something that suits you. The ratio of the average base salary to the median home price is one of the best in the country. Raleigh, North Carolina, ranks first in “job satisfaction.”

Research Triangle Park (RTP) is one of the main reasons Raleigh is a great place to work. Some executives move to Raleigh specifically to work at RTP, where many larger companies have headquarters. Beyond RTP, the county also hosts major employers in tech, pharma and finance.

To this day Apex is recognized as a great place to live, and Raleigh as a great city for finding a job. What more could you want for a move?

Affordable housing prices in Raleigh

Home prices in Raleigh are among the most affordable in the country. Whether you are looking in downtown Raleigh, North Raleigh or the suburbs, you will find fairly priced homes that meet criteria like quality of life and affordability. Raleigh real estate remains attractively priced compared to other major metro areas.

Buying in Cary, Apex, Holly Springs or North Raleigh gives you all the benefits of being close to the city at a very low price. Cary has many people who moved there from the northeast. Transplants from New York and New England are certainly happy with the weather.

The weather in Raleigh: a reason to move

In my opinion, Raleigh’s weather is simply ideal, and it is a great reason to move. We see all four seasons (yes, it even snows here sometimes!). The city sits just a couple of hours from the mountains, so there is always a chance to go skiing or snowboarding. Winters are mild, though July–August can be hot and humid. Spring and fall are genuinely beautiful - long stretches of perfect outdoor weather.

Education is among the best in the country

Raleigh ranks second in America for school quality according to Forbes, and its neighbor Durham ranks third. Universities like NC State, Duke and the University of North Carolina, all just minutes from Raleigh, show how strong the region’s education ecosystem is.

GreatSchools.org is an excellent resource for school ratings in the Raleigh area. In 2010, GreatSchools ranked Raleigh the #1 city in the United States for school quality. Raleigh earns more recognition every year!

Recreation

Sandy beaches and warm ocean - a great reason to move to Raleigh. A short two-hour drive and your feet are in the sand.

Wrightsville Beach, Carolina Beach and the Outer Banks are some of the favorite retreats for Raleigh residents. Perfect for a day trip or a weekend getaway for anyone who loves the beach.

And Raleigh is not just two hours from the beaches - it is also two hours from great mountain resorts if you love skiing and snowboarding! Sugar, Ski Beech, Winterplace and Snowshoe suit both weekend trips and weeklong mountain vacations.

The lakes around Raleigh deserve their own chapter. You can always get out of town for a picnic, a swim, fishing or boating. Pine trees line the shores, giving our area an unforgettable feel.

The Russian-speaking community of the Triangle

By unofficial estimates, the Raleigh, Durham and Chapel Hill area counts around 5,000 Russian-speaking residents. This is far from Brighton Beach, and knowing English will certainly be necessary. The community is small but very friendly. You can always find company for your interests. Over time, Russian services - stores, salons, events - have grown steadily across the Triangle.

First-class food in Raleigh

Raleigh is one of the ten “tastiest” cities in the South according to Southern Living magazine. Food lovers will appreciate Raleigh’s cuisine. If you are moving to Raleigh, you must go downtown in the evening - to Bida Manda (I recommend the pork soup) or to “Artisan cuisine” if you are vegetarian.

With more than 1,200 restaurants around Raleigh, you can always try something new. What sets Raleigh restaurants apart from many around the world is the service. It is more than just good food; it is an experience you have to live!

Raleigh is a great place for anyone who loves eating well. Its neighbor Durham also has a number of quite good restaurants!

While food in Raleigh is among the best in the country, the price of craft beer may well be the best in the country!

Craft brewing is an art form in Raleigh

Raleigh, with its 366 taps and the Raleigh Beer Garden, the largest beer garden in the world, has even surpassed Munich itself! That is right: the city of Raleigh is home to the world’s largest beer garden. This is more than a city with a few great breweries. In Raleigh you can spend an entire evening tasting locally brewed styles without leaving one block.

Art in Raleigh

Art galleries in Raleigh are among the city’s main attractions. For a time, art was the city’s biggest draw. It influenced other areas, including music, craft beer, fine dining and even the design of some spaces in the city.

The North Carolina Museum of Art is one of the main destinations for art lovers in Raleigh. Its history dates to 1947, when the North Carolina General Assembly spent $1 million on artworks, becoming the first state in the nation to do so with public funds.

Live music everywhere!

If you love music, Raleigh is a great place to move. Raleigh hosts several live concerts a week. Bands play at the Red Hat Amphitheater or at Walnut Creek. On days and nights without a big show, live music is always playing somewhere downtown. If you love concerts, live music in Raleigh will never let you down.

Nightlife

After moving to the Raleigh area, you will find plenty of nighttime entertainment. Raleigh has focused on entertainment, especially over the last decade, with the rejuvenation of Fayetteville Street, Moore Square, Glenwood South and other districts around the center. Through music and craft beer, Raleigh draws crowds downtown on many evenings.

Sports in Raleigh

The Carolina Hurricanes are Raleigh’s only professional hockey team. College sports are hugely popular here, especially basketball. Anyone who follows college hoops knows the rivalry between the Duke Blue Devils and the University of North Carolina Tar Heels, played out just minutes apart.

Moving to Raleigh without a job lined up

The question many people ask me before deciding to move: what is it like to move to Raleigh without a job? The answer is that everyone’s experience differs. Everyone I know who moved here without work found a job within their first 90 days.

Many people who move to Raleigh do so without a job and find one after arriving. There are plenty of great firms and openings. Raleigh’s unemployment rate typically hovers around 4%, quite low compared with other cities. It is no coincidence that Raleigh keeps ranking among the best cities to start fresh.