Top 10 Reasons to Move to Raleigh

July 28, 2025

Why I Call Raleigh, NC Home

I have been lucky to call Raleigh home since 1994 and can't imagine a better place to raise my family. My name is Whitney Novitsky and my family has resided in NC for 5 generations!


Raleigh offers the perfect balance of small-town, southern charm with all the bustle and benefits of a metropolitan area. It's a place where people are friendly and welcoming.

Woman seated cross-legged on floor, holding a mug. Smiling, with long hair, wearing jeans and patterned top.

As the State Capitol, Raleigh has thriving industry, robust education offerings, a world class art scene, internationally renowned health care and endless events such as the NC State Fair! There is always something to do! And if you want to escape for a day or weekend, the beautiful NC coast and Blue Ridge Mountains are just a short drive away. We truly have it all!



Different from some cities, many people move to Raleigh and live in one of the outlying towns like Wake Forest, Youngsville, Pittsboro, Apex and Clayton (to name a few). Each town has a unique vibe and food scene.


There is a lot to explore and I'm here every step of the way!


1. Southern Charm

Yes, that old southern charm still exists! Raleigh is a welcoming city offering a unique mix of small-town communities with the diversity and culture of a large metropolis. Raleigh was ranked No.2 best place to live by US News & World Report. It's the kind of place where you can easily strike up a conversation with a stranger and know all your neighbors. The hot 'dog days' of summer are full of backyard BBQs and trips to local lakes and nearby beaches. Each town hosts local street and market events.

2. Close to the Beach & Mountains

Raleigh's close proximity to the coast & mountains puts it at the top of the list for many. A day trip to Wrightsville Beach is just 2 hours & 3 hours drive to the Outer Banks. Looking to hike, apple pick in the fall or ski? Boone, the Blue Ridge and part of Appalachian Mountains are just 3- 3.5 hours away.

3. Cost of Living

Interest has grown in Raleigh due to its rich tech, Pharma and healthcare industry. Raleigh historically has been an undervalued market and is now starting to catch up. The national average cost of living = 100 with Raleigh at 102.3 (compare to Austin, TX - 119). The average single family home with 3 bedrooms is $417,124. This number is higher in Cary and lower in emerging areas like Clayton, Garner and Youngsville.

4. Educational Opportunities

Raleigh is home to 10 Universities and Colleges with 85 in the state! Hello in-state tuition! Additionally, Wake County has a highly ranked public school system.

5. College Sports

Collegiate sports rule in Raleigh with a fierce basketball rivalry between Duke, NC State and UNC-Chapel Hill! The NCAA and ACC tournaments are practically considered holidays in Raleigh. We are also home to the NC professional hockey team, the Carolina Hurricanes, as well as Minor League Baseball teams, Carolina Mudcats and Durham Bulls.

6. World-Class Healthcare

Raleigh/Durham/Chapel Hill is an international center of medical care and research with one of the nation's highest concentrations of physicians and health care professionals. Industry and independent rankings consistently show our health services to be among the very best in the world.

7. Employment

In addition to all the medical care & research, Raleigh and the Research Triangle Park is a hub for tech companies and innovation. Apple is investing more than $1 billion in NC while Google is creating more than 1,000 engineering jobs. Raleigh's population is one of the most well educated in the world with 72.5% over the age of 25 holding a post secondary education and 45.2% with a Bachelor's or Advanced Degree. Learn more at www.raleighchamber.org.

8. Arts & Culture

There is always something to do! Our city offers world-class theaters and museums. We also have experiences that cater to youth like Marbles and the Museum of Life & Science in Durham. Raleigh is home to the NC Symphony, Carolina Ballet and North Carolina Theater.

Check out www.visitraleigh.com to learn more!

9. Food Scene

Raleigh's food scene has exploded over the past few years attracting star chef's like Ashely Christensen who now owns 5 establishments in the area. Raleigh has over 25 breweries and numerous ethnic restaurants like Bida Manda (Loation fare). You can sample a variety of foods downtown at the Morgan Street Food Hall (#morganstreetfoodhall) where local eateries and restaurants are featured!

10. Weather

Moving to Raleigh doesn't mean you have to sacrifice the changing of the seasons! We experience all 4 seasons and outdoor activities resume practically year round. Do we have snow? Occasionally, but it's typically gone within a day or so. The summers are hot and muggy and the winters do get cold, but are short lived. Youth sports play outside year round and you can resume an active outdoor lifestyle. Raleigh's Capital Area Greenway is a greenway trail system that spans over 112 miles throughout much of Wake County. Learn more at raleighnc.gov.

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