Find one city in the country that tops as many lists as Raleigh, North Carolina. Go ahead, we’ll wait. Frequently listed as the best city to move to, Raleigh certainly has a lot to offer.

Okay, but that’s all on paper, right? What does Raleigh really have to offer that would improve my life so much?

Well, we’re glad you asked. Let’s talk about some of the most important tips and information before moving to Raleigh NC!

1. Job Opportunities Are Plentiful

Believe it or not, Raleigh is one of the best cities in the country to find work. Raleigh frequently tops lists for being the best city for job-seekers, year after year.

While there are many options to choose from, healthcare and education are both booming industries in Raleigh. If you work in either industry, think of Raleigh as a more affordable Boston with more job opportunities and less brutal winters.

Other than that, Raleigh is also the capital city of Charlotte, meaning that there are plenty of state government jobs available all the time that come with pensions and great benefits!

If you’re not in those fields, don’t worry. The rest of the economy is filled with construction, finance/insurance, and manufacturing. If you’re in any related fields or looking for a career change, Raleigh likely has some available.

2. Cost Of Living Is Reasonable

Currently, with the array of available jobs, the average salary in Raleigh is over $59,000, which is higher than the national average.

However, the overall cost of living is almost identical to the average in the United States, making Raleigh an affordable place to live.

Transportation and healthcare tend to be on the lower side compared both to the NC average and the national average, while utilities and groceries are comparable to the national average.

Although, you should expect to pay a little more than the national average on housing, especially if you plan to buy a home. Coming from other coastal areas, it isn’t bad, but the average home price in Raleigh is around $375,000.

The average rent in Raleigh is currently $1,510 per month. However, if you’re buying a home in Raleigh, there are ways to save on housing.

One of the biggest moving tips we can offer is to choose the right real estate agency in Raleigh. If you do, then with the high salaries offered in the area, you could potentially find the home of your dreams!

3. The Demographics

Raleigh has a bustling community of transplants, and it’s one of the highest proportions in the country. Due to the wide array of jobs in the city, the population has become increasingly younger in recent years.

For this reason, expect to meet plenty of young professionals in Raleigh. If you’re in your 20s or 30s, you should have no problem making friends in the city.

Because so many young professionals are moving into the city, it’s brought many new features in, including a lively nightlife, which has put Raleigh at the top of many lists of best cities to live in.

4. There’s Great Food

All throughout the city, you’ll find every type of cuisine you could hunger for. Seafood, Italian, Latin, Asian, gourmet, and street food is abundant wherever you go, and it’s all top-notch.

Believe it or not, for such a medium-sized city, Raleigh has 1,200 restaurants within the city itself and plenty more along the outskirts.

5. Beer Is Big Here

If you’re looking to wash down your fine cuisine with a craft brew, then you’ve come to the right place. Raleigh has an increasingly large craft beer scene thanks to its younger population.

Currently, there are more than 30 breweries around Raleigh, and that number is only expected to rise in the coming years. If you’re a beer lover, then consider Raleigh your new home!

6. Do You Love Music?

If so, Raleigh has a great music scene that’s only getting better. When we think of music in the South, our minds typically go to Tennessee, but that’s changing!

Raleigh has several live bands playing every week, even now with the Covid-19 pandemic, at the RedHat or Walnut Creek Amphitheater. See for yourself!

7. It Isn’t Overcrowded

People go to New York or Los Angeles thinking about the nightlife, recreation, and opportunities in the area. However, once they arrive there, they quickly learn how much of their time is spent waiting. They wait for Ubers, traffic, and for people to move out of their way when they’re walking.

Well, Raleigh offers excellent nightlife, plenty of opportunities, and barely a fraction of the crowds.

At times, it will feel like a big city, as Raleigh has a semi-modest skyline and a bustling downtown area. However, it will never feel as crowded as some of the largest cities in the country.

8. The Weather Is Great

If you’re looking to escape the frigid winters up north but you don’t want to completely lose the snow, then Raleigh is perfect for you. Yes, summers get hot, but winters are never as cold as the northeast or midwest.

The coldest lows, on average, go down to the low 30s during January and February, while highs usually remain above 50 and occasionally dip below. The year-round weather is relatively warm without being overwhelming, unlike Florida.

Generally, during the winter, Raleigh will experience a few inches of snow, which is enough to fill that void for most people. Then, we blink, it’s gone, and we return to warm weather for the rest of the year.

Also, Raleigh has about an average rainfall and slightly more sunny days than average the US average.

9. Schools Are Great

No, North Carolina isn’t always known for its schools like Massachusetts or New Jersey, but Raleigh has some of the best schools in the country, often topping the list for cities.

As we mentioned, Raleigh is a list-topping city on a truly surprising amount of topics. If you’re a parent, or if you’d like to be one, this is something to consider, especially if you’re moving to the NC area!

10. You Won’t Miss Out On Nature

If you move to New York City or plenty of other metropolitan areas around the country, you will miss out on the natural beauty we humans long for. Well, in Raleigh, it isn’t far away.

Unlike many cities on the east coast, Raleigh doesn’t have an enormous and sprawled metro area. Because of this, you’re only a short drive away from crowded civilization.

If you want to enjoy the beach or the mountains, you’ll only have to drive for around two hours each way, which is perfect for frequent weekend trips!

Also, if you just want to explore some more rural towns, go fishing on a lake, or just go for a walk in the woods, you’re only a short drive away. Of course, that’s not even mentioning the many parks offered within the city!

11. There’s A Lot Within Reach

At face value, Raleigh has everything you need. Almost any shop, park, service, or food you want, you will find it here.

However, if you want to travel to another city, town, or even state, Raleigh is conveniently located, especially by Southern standards. Charlotte, Durham, Greensboro, the Outer Banks, Virginia, and South Carolina are only a couple of hours away by car.

12. Transportation

Being “within reach” brings us to our next point. The US certainly isn’t known for its public transportation, but it’s actually quite reliable in the city.

In Raleigh, owning a car is a great idea, but it isn’t entirely necessary. You will find rideshares, public transportation, biking, and even walking will get you where you need to go for a reasonable price.

13. The Arts

Raleigh is packed with diversity, history, culture, and more that bring the arts to life. Here, you will find music, art museums, performance art, and one of the best kid’s museums in the country.

14. Sports

Lastly, while Raleigh doesn’t have any major league teams, they are still big on sports, especially college sports! Also, if you’re particularly a basketball lover, the young transplants quickly learn to love UNC-Chapel Hill, Duke, or NC State University.

Enjoy Moving to Raleigh

Now that you know why moving to Raleigh is so popular, consider making a trip over or moving here to see it for yourself! If you do, make sure that you look for the best options for housing and start applying for jobs right away!

From there, enjoy your new home and keep reading our blog for our latest tips!

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