Raleigh
Living in Raleigh, NC
Welcome to the City of Oaks.
Raleigh is the state capital, a college town, a museum town and a greenway town all at once. One day it's lunch on Fayetteville Street, the next it's a trail along the Neuse. It manages to be a real city without ever feeling like it's in a hurry.
Why "City of Oaks"?
Raleigh was laid out in 1792 as a planned capital city, and its oak-lined streets earned it the nickname. Look up on almost any older street downtown and you'll see why.
Raleigh is North Carolina's capital and the seat of Wake County, sitting on the eastern side of the Triangle. Cary, Garner, Knightdale, Wake Forest and Morrisville are all next door, with Durham and Chapel Hill farther west.
The city covers a lot of ground, from historic downtown streets to mid-century neighborhoods to newer communities out toward Brier Creek and Wakefield. Where you land changes your commute, your weekend and your price point.
Whether you're buying, selling, renting, or handing us the keys to manage your investment, here's what to know before you call Raleigh home.
The Character
What makes Raleigh, Raleigh.
The capital city
The State Capitol, the Legislative Building and state offices fill downtown, which keeps the center of the city busy all week long.
Home of NC State
NC State's Main Campus and Centennial Campus research district bring a steady flow of students, researchers and game-day energy.
Museums for days
The NC Museum of Natural Sciences and NC Museum of History anchor downtown, and the NC Museum of Art and its park sit in West Raleigh.
Districts with personality
Downtown, Glenwood South, North Hills, Five Points and the Village District each have their own mix of shops, restaurants and homes.
Neighborhoods
Six Raleigh neighborhoods worth knowing.
Raleigh's housing runs from 1880s Victorians to brand-new townhomes. Here's a starting point. Every neighborhood has its own personality, so ask us about the ones that fit how you live.
Historic Oakwood
Historic · DowntownLate 1800s and early 1900s Victorian, Queen Anne and Italianate homes with front porches, mature trees and traditional city lots.
Five Points & Hayes Barton
Established · Inside the BeltlineEarly 20th-century Colonial Revival, Tudor and Craftsman homes, plus renovations and newer builds, with some larger lots in Hayes Barton.
Boylan Heights
Historic · Near Dix ParkCraftsman bungalows and Colonial Revival homes from the early 1900s on a classic street grid just southwest of downtown.
North Hills / Midtown
Mid-century · Mixed-useMid-century ranches and split-levels, newer custom homes, and condos within walking distance of the North Hills shops and restaurants.
Brier Creek
Newer · Near RDU & RTPPlanned communities from the late 1990s on, with detached homes, townhomes and condos close to I-540, the airport and RTP.
Wakefield / North Raleigh
Suburban · NorthLate 20th and early 21st-century neighborhoods with traditional homes, townhomes and custom residences toward Wake Forest.
Getting Around
Inside the Beltline or out.
I-440, the Beltline, circles central Raleigh, and locals use it as a compass. Beyond it, I-540 loops the outer city and connects to the airport and RTP. Your commute depends a lot on which side of those loops you call home.
- I-40
- I-440 (Beltline)
- I-540
- US 1 / Capital Blvd
- US 64
- US 70 / Glenwood Ave
Local bus service runs through GoRaleigh, with regional routes on GoTriangle. Raleigh's first bus rapid transit line, along New Bern Avenue, is under construction.
Approximate drive times without heavy traffic. The Beltline at rush hour is its own conversation.
Out & About
Your weekend, sorted.
Get outside
- Capital Area Greenway, more than 100 miles of trails across the city.
- Dorothea Dix Park, 308 acres at the edge of downtown.
- William B. Umstead State Park for wooded hiking and lakes.
- Pullen Park, home of the carousel and the little train.
- Lake Johnson and Shelley Lake for a loop around the water.
Eat, shop, stroll
- Downtown: Fayetteville Street, Moore Square and the Warehouse District.
- Glenwood South for restaurants and nightlife.
- North Hills in Midtown.
- The Village District near NC State.
- Crabtree Valley Mall and Brier Creek Commons.
Mark the calendar
- North Carolina State Fair every October
- Hopscotch Music Festival downtown
- Artsplosure in the spring
- First Friday gallery nights, every month
Schools
Check the address, not the rumor.
Most of Raleigh is served by the Wake County Public School System. School assignments are set by the exact property address and school year, not the neighborhood name.
A small part of Raleigh sits in Durham County, where a different district may apply. Before you fall in love with a house, look up the address with the district.
Renting & Owning
Own a home in Raleigh? Let it work for you.
State government, NC State, WakeMed, UNC Health Rex and the employers around RTP bring people to Raleigh year after year. Many of them start out renting.
That makes Raleigh a strong place to own a rental, as long as it's managed well. We handle the screening, leasing, maintenance and rent collection, so your home brings in income instead of phone calls.
Local Truth
In Raleigh, "inside the Beltline" is a location, a lifestyle, and occasionally a whole personality. Either way, everyone shows up for the State Fair. Deep-fried everything is a Raleigh tradition.
Questions We Hear
Raleigh, answered.
What's the difference between Downtown Raleigh, Midtown and North Raleigh?
Downtown is the city's core, with historic neighborhoods, state government, museums and most of the restaurants and nightlife. Midtown usually means North Hills and the established neighborhoods around it. North Raleigh is a large area of suburban neighborhoods, shopping corridors and parks stretching toward Wake Forest.
How far is Raleigh from Research Triangle Park and RDU Airport?
Both are northwest of downtown. From the downtown area, RTP is usually about 20 to 30 minutes by car and RDU is about 20 to 25 minutes, mostly by I-40, I-540 or Glenwood Avenue. Traffic and your starting neighborhood make a big difference.
Does Raleigh have historic neighborhoods as well as newer homes?
Yes. Historic Oakwood, Boylan Heights and Five Points have homes dating back to the late 1800s and early 1900s, while Brier Creek, Wakefield and much of North Raleigh offer newer construction.
How do I find out which public schools serve a Raleigh address?
Most of Raleigh is served by the Wake County Public School System. Use the district's official address lookup to see the assigned schools for a specific home and school year.
Is Raleigh a good place to own a rental property?
Raleigh is home to state government, NC State University, two major health systems and quick access to RTP, so people move here year after year, and many of them start out renting. Good management makes the difference. Auralia Residential handles leasing, screening, maintenance and rent collection for owners across Raleigh.
Next Door
Neighbors worth a look.
Love Raleigh but want to compare? These nearby towns are an easy drive away.
Ready to make the City of Oaks home?
Buying, selling, renting or managing, we know Raleigh street by street. Tell us what you're looking for and we'll take it from there.
