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 .

8119 Perry Creek Rd

2611 Pebble Meadow Ln

2508 Laurel Falls Ln

2611 Ivory Run Way #105

3955 Griffis Glen Dr

210A Gary St

Hamilton Ridge

5621 Quitman Trl

242 Pecan Rd

1705 Fox Hollow Dr

3124 Mackinac Island Ln

1005 Shades Pl

309 S Swain St

128 Idlewild Ave

7007 Woodland Stream Pl

7005 Gentle Pine Pl

3608 Serendipity Dr

3617 Carlow Ct

564 Hodge Rd

562 Hodge Rd

View at Lake Lynn

Mariners Crossing

5905 Suncreek Ct

550 Hodge Rd

548 Hodge Rd

546 Hodge Rd

569 Grove Ave

6116 Spice Ridge Ln

Averelle North Hills

515 Brent Rd