Thinking of moving to Raleigh? Here's what you need to know.

Raleigh, North Carolina, is a well-planned capital city that's connected in many ways to nearby Durham and Chapel Hill. Known for great basketball and music, the city is home to nearly 450,000 people. More than 1,200,000 reside in the metropolitan area. Nicknamed City of Oaks due to its tree-lined downtown streets, Raleigh has a relaxed, Southern vibe.

Who's There?

With its high concentration of universities, including North Carolina State University (N.C.'s largest), Duke University (in Durham) and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, the Raleigh area has its fair share of highly educated residents. Raleigh is home to one of the most prominent high-tech development centers in America, the 7,000-acre Research Triangle Park. Many companies employing nearly 60,000 people are concentrated in the research park, including IBM, Ericsson and Cisco Systems. Other top employers in Raleigh include government agencies, universities and hospitals such as WakeMed Health and Hospitals and Rex Healthcare.

What's Around Raleigh?

Downtown's Five Points is a popular local hub for families. Also downtown, Fayetteville Street tends to draw the lively and cosmopolitan set. Hipsters flock to trendy Glenwood South and the artsy Warehouse District. Historic Boylan Heights is known for its many peaceful front porches, while Cameron Village is a fun, affordable community popular with young professionals. In Lassiter Mill, trees and waterfalls draw families and retirees. While students and downtown residents may not need a car, most locals find four wheels beneficial, since Raleigh's offerings are far-reaching. Many Raleigh commuters use the citywide bus service, GoRaleigh.

What Do You Do In Raleigh?

At the annual Hopscotch Music Festival, show-goers can venue-hop to the many bars and nightclubs that sit in close proximity to one another in downtown Raleigh. The North Carolina Symphony, Carolina Ballet and Walnut Creek Amphitheatre provide more upscale entertainment options. Daytime explorers will enjoy the North Carolina Museum of Art, the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, the North Carolina Museum of History and Pullen Park .

3300 Six Forks Rd #102

2514 Clark Ave

305 Brooks Ave

The Miles

Cortland Glenwood South

The Greens at Centennial Campus

413 Lenoir St

511 Faye

The Holston

Midtown Green

3316 Darien Dr

115 Chamberlain St

1605 Ridge Rd

Stonehenge

1610 Ridge Rd

Cortland Midtown East

Cortland Brier Creek

613 S West St

7824 Hardwick Dr

The Retreat at Lake Johnson Apartments

Cortland Olde Raleigh

Cortland Falls River

Blackwolf Run at Hedingham

505 Westbrook Dr

6109 Gainsborough Dr

8425 Hobhouse Cir

1213 S Person St

Maeve

The Marlowe Lake Boone

Trailwood Crossing Apartments

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