Raleigh stands as North Carolina’s capital. It’s one of the three cities — along with Durham and Chapel Hill — that form the Research Triangle, thanks to the amount of academic and technology institutions in the region. Raleigh is also known for its gently rolling hills, North Carolina State University, and for being the “City of Oaks” – there are a lot of oak trees here. Established in 1792, it covers 149.6 square miles today, and has a median age of 34 (2022). Its main industries include government, healthcare, and education.

In Raleigh, the homes have been designed in the Folk Victorian or Victorian vernacular style, as well as Craftsman, Queen Anne, and Neoclassical Revival styles. The typical home value is $447,961, up 16.5% over the past year (Zillow, 2022). Annual events enhancing its appeal include the African American Cultural Celebration, the Frosty Beer Festival, the N.C. Wine, Cheese & Chocolate Festival, and World of Bluegrass.

Raleigh is served by interstate highways 40, 87, 40, and 440. I-40 provides access to downtown, where condos and single-family homes stand alongside many amenities. West of downtown is Cameron Village, a walkable area near North Carolina State and outdoor shopping centers. Further south, historic and popular Boylan Heights contains houses in several architectural styles.

Raleigh is a great place to call home. Bankrate has ranked the city as the No. 1 best place to live in North Carolina.