The Vibe: A Laid Back Atmosphere With Something For Everyone

Raleigh is a modern city that’s known for being filled with Southern charm and hospitality. A lot of the residents have family roots buried deep in North Carolina, while many others are transplants that have come to town thanks to the huge growth that Raleigh has experienced in the past decade. Thanks to tons of companies opening up shop in the area and a local economy worthy of stealing Raleigh the top spot on Forbes’ 2015 list of the “best places for businesses and careers.” Raleigh is a pretty awesome place to call home, it’s got top-notch sports, plenty of greenspace, and some of the most diverse cuisine you’ll find in the state.

Local Flavor: There’s Always Something Going On In Raleigh

With its great weather and a vibrant local community, which loves to stay active, Raleigh has tons of awesome annual events taking place throughout the year. A few of the favorites in this town include April’s World Beer Festival, Artsplosure in May, and the World Bluegrass Festival in September. The list doesn’t just stop there though, as there are constantly happenings around town highlighting the local culture, cuisine, and music that makes Raleigh so unique.

Cuisine: Comfort Food At Its Finest

A lot of the cuisine in Raleigh finds its inspiration in traditional Southern cooking, with a few of the North Carolinian classics that you’ll find served up all around the city being BBQ pork sandwiches, fried chicken, biscuits, fried okra, and plenty of cobbler. There’s also been a recent push to bring new age American food to the streets, featuring updated and creative twists on old, beloved classics, resulting in a great eclectic mix of new dining destinations popping up all around town. Another notable cuisine scene that’s worth mentioning is the great craft beer you’ll find in Raleigh at places like Big Boss Brewing Company and Trophy Brewing Company, along with many others.

Nightlife: A Big City Party With A Small Town Feel

Filled with swanky clubs, low-key dive bars, and themed pubs, the nightlife in Raleigh attracts a very diverse crowd, including a mix of NC state college students, young professionals new to the City of Oaks, and locals that have been partying in Raleigh for years. While there are bars spread around the entire city, the most action is usually going on in the downtown area in places like Glenwood South and the Fayetteville St. District, known for being home to the City Plaza and a great collection of restaurants, bars, and boutiques, along with regular events throughout the year.

Weather: It’s Hard To Complain In Raleigh

Summer temperatures in Raleigh average a perfect 77 degrees and winter months dropping down to a totally tolerable average of 46, making this one place that’s got weather worth bragging about. The locals here get to experience all four seasons throughout the year, with no single season being too crazy minus a little humidity in the summer and an occasional ice storm in the winter.

Safety & Crime: Have No Fear In Raleigh

Right at the North Carolina average, the crime rate in Raleigh is 3,455 reported criminal acts per 100,000 residents. This is slightly more than the national average of 3,099, but an inflated number is typical in larger cities. With all things considered, Raleigh is a pretty safe place to be, especially when you take into account that the local crime rate has been dropping at a consistent 6 percent annually over the years.

Commute: Getting Around This City Is A Breeze

The average commute time in Raleigh is only 21 minutes per trip, the amount of time people spend in the car going to work is actually 8 percent less than the typical North Carolinian. Raleigh is also noteworthy for being an easy place to get around without a car, home to the Capital Area Transit with 33 bus routes, as well as some of the most bike friendly streets in the country.

Cost of Living: For A Big City, Raleigh Is Cheap

Despite being regularly recognized as one of the best places to live in the country, Raleigh has managed to stay away from getting too expensive. On a cost of living index, Raleigh scores a 103. That might sound a little high, but when you consider that cities of a comparable size like Miami and Oakland score 111 and 146, respectively, living in Raleigh is a steal. The main reason that Raleigh is more expensive is that the housing market is a little pricier than you might find elsewhere, with the median home value in Raleigh hovering around $208,000, slightly more than the $181,000 average you’ll find nationwide. Things like health care, transportation, and utilities are actually cheaper in Raleigh than in most parts of the country and the incomes here are above average.

Outdoor Recreation: This Park System Is On Point

Home to over 150 parks covering 8,100 acres, Raleigh has 78 miles of greenway trails, over 100 tennis courts, five public lakes, and eight public pools, making it’s hard to stay inside for long in this city. One of the most popular parks in the area is Pullen Park, complete with pedal boats, a train, and a picturesque carousel.

Local Sports: It’s Easy To Get Your Stadium Dog Fix

While Raleigh is only home to one major league professional team, the Carolina Hurricanes hockey squad, they’re also home to the NC State Wolfpack and their well-known collegiate athletic program. Plus, with minor league baseball and soccer teams frequently playing games in the Raleigh area, finding cheap tickets and special deal nights in this town is a cinch.
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