Raleigh is always voted the best place to live in America, and the reason why is ridiculously obvious. Between the great food, the cheap cost of living, and the endless things to do, it's a no brainer. Besides, ask anyone here, there's no better living than southern living.
North Carolina wouldn’t be complete without the Carolina dog. This version of America’s favorite snack is topped with mustard, chili, onions, and slaw. You really can’t go wrong with that combo. And if you disagree, that's cool we'll have yours. Is anyone else suddenly very hungry?
It’s not Carolina tea unless it gives you a sugar rush. Whenever you order tea in Raleigh, expect it to be sweet tea, if you ask for anything else, expect some side-eye. Nothing tastes quite as good as a tall, ice-cold glass of sweet tea while you’re watching the sunset from your front porch.
Throughout the state of North Carolina, a civil war rages between those that prefer their pork barbecue Lexington style versus Eastern style. Lexington style is topped with a sauce of vinegar, ketchup, pepper, and other spices, while Eastern style is flavored with a vinegar and pepper base. While some people will insist they like both, deep down, they’ll still have a favorite and its Eastern-style obviously. What you, disagree? Well you can tell me all about why ketchup makes it better, while I enjoy some good old Eastern-style BBQ pork. (I warned you we are snobs about our BBQ.)
Unlike the western half of the state, Raleigh isn’t stuck wearing shades of sold old blue. Despite North Carolina being home to one of the most intense rivalries nationwide, Duke and University of North Carolina, locals here tend to cheer for the hometown hero, the North Carolina State University Wolfpack. And when they lose, well, let's just say you haven't really heard a wolf pack howling before.
While most of the country is more likely to associate the Carolinas with moonshine rather than craft beer, anyone from Raleigh knows that their local brewers are the best in the nation. Breweries like Trophy, Big Boss, Lone Rider, and Crank Arm are sure to fill the needs of an increasing population. For a really cool experience, swing by Boylan Bridge Brewpub for one of the best views of the city and some of the best brews around.
Just because it’s warm doesn’t mean there aren’t ice hockey fans in Raleigh! The Carolina Hurricanes are a big deal in here, especially after winning the Stanley Cup in 2006! Let's go Caines!
Nothing puts a smile on Raleighite's face faster than a bottle of Cheerwine... I mean, it's in the name. This highly carbonated and oh-so tasty cherry flavored soft drink is a staple in this part of the country and it isn’t really available anywhere else. To that Raleighites say, "Poor, everywhere else." While saying Cheerwine is a good enough reason to move to Raleigh all on its own may be a bit of an exaggeration—its only barely so.
When it comes to ranking cities by the people that work there, Raleigh seems to always be on top. Taking job growth, a highly educated population, low unemployment, and the cost of doing business into account, Forbes concluded that there is no better place in the country to get a jump start on your career. So in other words, need a great job? Raleigh has got you covered, and then some.
When you live in a place as beautiful as Raleigh, it’s never too hard to convince yourself to get outside and get moving. Raleigh is home to the Neuse river trail, a 33 mile long scenic path that runs from the Falls Lake Dam to the town of Clayton, friendly to both cyclists and pedestrians. So while sitting on the porch drinking sweet tea is a great way to end the day, it's even better after a day of taking advantage of all the amazing nature and outdoor activities that Raleigh has in spades.
Another thing that makes Raleigh a great place to be is it’s orientation towards family life. A recent study by Forbes agrees. But Raleighites don't need a magazine to tell them what they already know. This is city is a kids paradise, full of parks and a great school system (for starters, just check out the Marbles Kid’s Museum!) Plus the focus on traditional values and tons of great job opportunities means this city is a place where families flourish.
This state fair here really is the best, and everyone knows it which is why ever year over 1,000,000 people attend! Plus, the North Carolina State Fair is a great way to get your feet wet with some North Carolinian Culture. Complete with hands-on agricultural exhibits, deep fried foods, and thrill rides, the state fair is a must for anyone new to the Raleigh area.
It may not have the famous New York slice or Chicago deep dish, but Raleigh has some pretty awesome pizza places of its own. For starters, Lilly’s Pizza, Mellow Mushroom, and Camos Brothers are guaranteed to make you a believer.
While the rest of the country is munching down on Wendy’s and Subway, North Carolina has fast food chains you’ve never seen before. But the best of the bunch has to be Bojangles or Cook-Out. Good southern food on the go, umm, yes please!
Why pick when you can have both, right? One of the perks of being in the center of North Carolina is that Raleigh residents are close enough to visit both beautiful mountains and pristine shorelines, technically making it possible to go surfing and skiing in the same day. Only two hours from Wilmington’s beaches and less than four to Sugar Mountain skiing, the location can’t be beat. So for Raleighites, weekend vacations are a must.
Everything you love about the South can be found in Raleigh and it's wonderful people. It’s not just a rumor that the Southern states are friendly, a few short days in Raleigh will easily prove that to you. This city is just full of Southern speaking gentlemen and belles, and the number of times you hear “bless your heart” and “y’all” will catch you off guard at first, but soon you’ll be saying them yourself.
Water babies love living in Raleigh! And who can blame them? Just because Raleigh isn’t on the Atlantic Ocean, doesn’t mean there aren’t great opportunities to get your feet wet. For starters, check out Lake Johnson Park’s 150 acres of water, full of opportunities to swim, paddle, and fish.' So jump in, because the water here is more than fine.
For a one-of-a-kind art experience, the Contemporary Art Museum of Raleigh is the place to go. With no permanent exhibits, CAM Raleigh knows how to keep visits exciting, hosting a huge variety of events highlighting some of the best artists around.
Home to both the Carolina Ballet and North Carolina Symphony, there are plenty of entertainment options for Raleigh’s more sophisticated residents. Whether you’re wanting to see the annual performance of the “Nutcracker” or enjoy timeless classical music, your options won’t be limited.
One of the more famous parks in North Carolina, Pullen Park is a great place to spend a sunny Saturday afternoon. Consisting of over 66 acres, this park is complete with rides, paddle boats, and plenty of room to have a picnic. Also nearby, is Umstead State Park, full of biking trails, campgrounds, and lakes.
For years, the Pour House has prided themselves in bringing awesome concerts and awesome beers to the folks of Raleigh. Swing by for one of the best live shows around.
It’s not that Raleighites are bad drivers, they just don’t have much experience driving in the snow. So, there’s a good chance a light flurry could shut the city down.
Raleigh often tops the list of the best places in the country for broadband access and Wi-Fi hotspots, making it one of the most connected cities around. No longer will you have to worry about finding a place to get online to change your fantasy football lineup or your phone suddenly losing connection during an extremely important Google search.
The state’s most popular museum, the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences in Raleigh attracts more than 1,000,000 visitors annually. With many of its exhibits focusing on artifacts from the local region, attractions range from giant dinosaur skeletons to an arthropod zoo, full of spiders, lobsters, and insects.
Home to awesome high capacity venues like the downtown Red Hat Amphitheater, as well as the Walnut Creek Amphitheatre, Raleigh is a great place to see huge acts touring the nation. You can’t go wrong seeing your favorite artists perform under the Carolina night sky at either of these local staples.
Player’s Retreat is a local dive bar that can make everyone feel at home. Located near the NCSU campus, it’s a great hangout for students and locals alike. Not only does the place have good, inexpensive food, it’s always got a great atmosphere during the big games. It’s hard to argue that Raleigh isn’t one of the best places to live in the nation. After all, if it’s not then why’s there so much supporting evidence that says it is? From great cultural experiences to awesome food to amazing scenery, the “City of Oaks” can’t be beat.
What do you love about living in Raleigh? Leave a comment and let us know!
