Raleigh NC Homes & Real Estate

Everything you need to know about living & working in the City Of Oaks.

Homes For Sale in Raleigh |  Living in Raleigh

What's It Like In Raleigh, NC?

As the state capital, Raleigh offers everything one would expect to find… museums, theaters, shopping, dining, and plenty of activities.

What makes Raleigh stand out? Raleigh blends southern charm with modern excitement. Raleigh is a renowned research and tech hub, but people aren’t too busy to be friendly and helpful.

Raleigh is known as the City Of Oaks, thanks to its many oak trees. Residents and visitors alike love the towering oaks that line many streets and provide cooling shade in the summer.

Together with Durham and Chapel Hill, Raleigh is a part of the Research Triangle - a high-tech research and development center located in Durham County in between the three cities and their respective universities.

Raleigh is made up of communities that offer something for everyone. Want a posh condo in the city? You’ll like downtown Raleigh. Want a beautiful estate home in an equestrian community? Check out North Raleigh. Searching for a home in an up-and-coming community? Hurry and look in Midtown.

You'll Probably Love Raleigh If You're Looking For...

• Plenty of housing options: Raleigh offers everything from traditional single family homes to posh modern townhomes to luxury equestrian estates.
• Excellent schools and universities: Parents will find a plethora of schooling options including Wake County public schools, charter schools, and private schools. The area is well known for its higher learning, and Raleigh has 11 traditional colleges and universities.
• Access to healthcare: As the state capital, Raleigh is home to High Performing hospitals and many healthcare facilities.
• Great shopping: From malls to specialty boutiques, Raleigh has whatever you’re looking for.
• Fantastic restaurants & breweries: Whether you’re looking for a world-class dinner, delivery, or craft beer, you can find what you crave in Raleigh.
• Things to do: From live music to festivals, there’s always plenty to do in Raleigh.
• Connectivity: Raleigh regularly tops the list for places with the best broadband and WiFi access, including fiber. WiFi is even provided for free in Downtown Raleigh!
• Work/Life Balance: You can live and work well in Raleigh. Employment opportunities abound, as do parks and recreation options.

Where is Raleigh, North Carolina?

Raleigh is an integral part of our region, the Research Triangle area. It is both the county seat for Wake County and our state’s capital. Raleigh is neighbored by the communities of: Durham, Cary, Garner, Wake Forest, Rolesville, and Knightdale.

Raleigh is located in the Piedmont region of NC, and it is only a couple of hours car ride from both mountains and beaches.

Top Tips For Raleigh NC Real Estate

As noted above, Raleigh offers a wide variety of housing options. From new $1M+ downtown condos to reasonably priced single-family homes, Raleigh has something for all needs and budgets.

If you’re looking for an attractive condo in the Raleigh area, a few of our top-rated buildings/complexes include Gardens on Glenwood, Palladium Plaza, Founders Row, Caraleigh Mills, and Brier Creek.

On the other hand, if a posh single-family home with ample living space and plenty of room to grow is your idea of the perfect place to call home, try searching the area’s premier subdivisions, which include communities like Lake Boone, Linville, Faircroft, Country Club Hills, Greywalls, and Bay Leaf Farm.

For more information on Raleigh, NC homes for sale, or to schedule a private showing for an active home listing, give Brandon Duncan with Duncan Prime Realty a call at (919) 808-2001 and make an appointment today!

Your Raleigh School Guide

Raleigh offers a variety of school choices. The public schools are managed by the Wake County School System, which offers an impressive number of services and programs such as STEM Schools and Career Academics.

Families may also choose to take advantage of the highly rated public charter schools in the area, such as Raleigh Charter High School, which is consistently rated as one of the best high schools in the state.

There are also plenty of private schools to choose from including Ravenscroft, one of the area’s best known private schools.

Of course, we can’t talk about Raleigh schools and not mention higher education. Raleigh is home to 11 colleges and universities, plus a variety of for-profit institutions of higher learning and satellite campuses.

Area residents also benefit from educational programs at Wake County libraries. There are about 10 libraries across Raleigh offerring activities and programs for all ages.

Getting Around Raleigh NC

Travelling around Raleigh is relatively easy for a city. Raleigh is connected by I-440/I-40, which forms the Beltline (a loop around the city). The outer parts of Raleigh are also connected by I-540, a partial outer loop connecting Knightdale, North Raleigh, RTP, Morrisville, and Apex.

One of the newest and best improvements to Raleigh’s highway system is the Knightdale Bypass. This makes for fast travel in east Raleigh and the eastern suburb of Knightdale.

Raleigh is considered “car dependant,” however there are options for public transportation and there are communities friendly to walking and biking. Raleigh’s 5 most walkable neighborhoods are Central Raleigh, Hillsborough, Mordecai, Five Points, and North Central. ITB (Inside The Beltline) neighborhoods are some of the most walk/bike friendly in Raleigh.

Plus, there are neighborhoods that connect to Raleigh’s extensive Capital Area Greenway Trail System, which connects communities and offers safe walking and biking opportunities throughout Raleigh.

Public transportation is also available with GoRaleigh, which provides bus service throughout Raleigh. If you're in Downtown Raleigh, hop on the the R-LINE, a free bus service, or even grab a rickshaw!

Raleigh also has an Amtrak station, which is one of the busiest in the Southern U.S.

Plus, Raleigh-Durham International Airport offers the opportunity to go anywhere in the world!

Working In Raleigh

From research to IT to government, Raleigh’s employment opportunities are nearly limitless. The top five employers in Raleigh are:

• State of North Carolina
• Wake County Public School System
• Red Hat
• North Carolina State University
• WakeMed

In fact, many of Raleigh’s accolades are business related including:

• #2 Hottest Spot for Tech Jobs - Forbes - September 2016
• #3 Best Place for Business and Career - Forbes - October 2016
• #3 Best City for Jobs this Fall - Forbes - September 2016

With so many resources available, Raleigh is a great place to start a business. In 2016 MoneyRates named Raleigh as the number two best city for young entrepreneurs, and Business Facilities named it as a top tech startup city.

Raleigh Parks & Rec

Raleigh residents love the excellent parks, greenways, pools, and programs provided by the Raleigh Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources department.

“Together we connect and enrich our community through exceptional experiences.” ~ Raleigh Parks & Rec

The Raleigh Parks department operates over 200 parks! These include art centers, athletics, amusements, aquatics, community centers, dog parks, green spaces, historic homes, lakes, nature preserves, and, of course, playgrounds.

Residents also enjoy a huge selection of programs for all ages throughout the year.

Plus, there are two state parks in Raleigh, the Falls Lake Recreation Area and William B. Umstead State Park.

Don’t Miss These Raleigh Attractions

Like most college towns, Raleigh is loaded with cultural, educational, and historical destinations that attract thousands of visitors each and every year.

The Progress Energy Center for the Performing Arts is situated in the heart of downtown Raleigh, which features three theatre venues and is also home to the famed North Carolina Symphony.

With SO much to do, it’s hard to pick only a few attractions, but these four places regularly top the lists of “Musts” in Raleigh, NC:

North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences

The science museum regularly tops lists for best things to do in Raleigh. In fact, it won the top spot for Best NC Tourist Attraction of 2015.  There’s so much to see and do here! You can easily spend a whole day at the science museum, and still not discover everything. There’s over 25 permanent exhibits, a movie theater, and fantastic special exhibits. Best of all, it’s FREE!
Location: 11 W. Jones St. Raleigh NC 27601
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Pullen Park

Founded in 1887, Pullen Park is NC’s first public park and is a perennial favorite. It features a historic carousel, kids’ boats, pedal boats, a train, playgrounds, aquatics, a cafe, and so much more. Entrance is free, and ride tickets are inexpensive.
Location: 520 Ashe Ave. Raleigh NC 27606
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North Carolina Museum of Art

One of the South’s premier visual art centers and an award winning museum, the NC Museum of Art offer indoor galleries, an outdoor art park, trails, store, restaurant, and more. Permanent exhibits include contemporary art, ancient Egyptian artifacts, European Old World paintings, and sculptures.
Location: 2110 Blue Ridge Rd Raleigh NC 27607
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Marbles Kids Museum

For children 10 and under, the Marbles Kids Museum is a world full of discovery. Kids will love the hands on learning play! Marbles offers many exhibits, an IMAX Theater, and camps. Kids can easily enjoy a full day of fun at Marbles.
Location: 201 East Hargett St. Raleigh NC 27601
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If you’re looking for something a bit more upbeat, the NHL’s Carolina Hurricanes based in Raleigh, while the restaurant and nightlife scene is among the best in the state.

Raleigh’s Best Restaurants

Whatever your budget, location, or craving may be, there are a lot of truly great restaurants and food trucks in Raleigh to choose from. These three restaurants consistently make the top of “Best Raleigh Restaurants” lists.

Bida Manda

At or near the top on every best Raleigh restaurants list, this Laotian restaurant consistently offers excellent food and fantastic customer service. Online reviewers rave about the crispy pork belly, complimentary shrimp crisps, and sticky ribs.
Location: 222 S. Blount St Raleigh NC 27601
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Neomonde

An authentic Mediterranean bakery and deli, Neomonde is a popular choice in Raleigh. Reviewers love their tabouleh, kabobs, and especially the baklava.
Location: 3817 Beryl Rd Raleigh NC 27607
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Guasaca

This Venezuelan favorite offers fresh, flavorful food at reasonable prices. In fact, it’s near the top of Best Cheap Eats in Raleigh lists. Online, people rave about Guasaca’s arepas.
Location: 4025 Lake Boone Trail Raleigh NC 27607
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Raleigh: Then & Now

Named for Sir Walter Raleigh, the city of Raleigh was not always the state capital of North Carolina. The site was chosen to be the capital in 1788. The city’s location was chosen thanks to its central location.

Throughout its history, Raleigh has been a place where people find opportunity. The city’s continued growth and improvement has been recognized by many, and Raleigh boasts a large number of awards and accolades including #1 Best City in the Southeast.

Raleigh NC Stats

• 2nd Largest Community in NC
• One of the fastest growing cities in the U.S.
• Population: 451,066 (2016 estimate)
• Median Age: 32.5
• Median Family Income: 68,732
• Average Commute Time: 23.55 Minutes

A Few Of Raleigh’s Most Recent Accolades

• January 2017: Named in Top 10 Boomtowns of 2016 by SmartAsset
• January 2017: Named in Top 12 Destinations of 2017 by Forbes Travel Guide
• January 2017: Named #22 Most Caring City in America by WalletHub
• November 2016: Named #19 of 26 Hottest Food Cities of 2016 by Zagat
• November 2016: Named #8 Top 2017 Housing Market by Realtor.com
• November 2016: Named #7 U.S. Market to Watch: Overall Real Estate Prospects by ULI
• October 2016: Named #2 Most Popular Metro for Relocating Renters by Zillow
• October 2016: Named #3 Best Place for Business and Career by Forbes
• October 2016: Raleigh-Durham Named #3 Top U.S. Life Science Cluster by JLL Life Science Outlook
• September 2016: Named #19 of Top 50 Running Cities in America by Runner's World
• September 2016: Named #3 Best City for Jobs this Fall by Forbes
• September 2016: Named #9 Best Large Real Estate Market by WalletHub
• September 2016: Named #2 Hottest Spot for Tech Jobs by Forbes
• September 2016: Named #7 Best American Swim City by USA Swimming
• September 2016: Named #1 Best City to Live In in the Southeast by Money Magazine
• August 2016: NC Museum of Art in Raleigh Named #13 of Top 25 Best Museums in America by Business Insider AND World's Top Buildings by Architectual Record
• August 2016: Named #10 City for Lowest Cost of Business by Business Facilities
• August 2016: Named #7 Top Innovation Hub by Business Facilities
• August 2016: Named #4 Top Tech Startup City by Business Facilities
• July 2016: Named #2 Best City for Young Entrepreneurs by MoneyRates
• July 2016: Named #2 Best City for Tech Jobs by Entrepreneur
• July 2016: Wake County Named #1 Digital County by GovTech
• July 2016: Named #6 Big City Where White-Collar Employment is Booming 2016 by Forbes
• July 2016: Named #3 Best Large City to Live in by WalletHub
• July 2016: Named #9 Top 10 Cities Americans are Moving to Right now by Forbes
• July 2016: Named #8 Top Tech Market in North America by CBRE
• July 2016: Named #10 South Atlantic Metro For Sustainability by Site Selection Magazine
• May 2016: One of 11 Amazing Cities You've Never Thought To Live In, But Should by Huffington Post
• May 2016: Named #3 Best Midsize Metro For Job Seekers by American Institute for Job Seekers
• May 2016: Named #7 '18 Hour City' for New Grads to Start Their Careers by Business Insider
• May 2016: Named #4 Best City for Mid-career Professional in 2016 by Forbes
• May 2016: Named #4 City in the U.S. for Fostering Entrepreneurial Growth by 1776
• May 2016: Named #9 Best City for Jobs by Forbes
• May 2016: Named #6 Best City to Start a Career by WalletHub
• April 2016: Named #9 America's Favorite City by Travel & Leisure
• April 2016: Named #7 Top 10 Boom Towns Across America by Realtor.com
• April 2016: Named #5 Top 10 Software Hotspot by Forbes
• April 2016: Named #6 Large Metro for Private-Sector Salary Growth by U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics