What Is All The Hype About Raleigh??? (Durham, Chapel Hill: best cities, low crime)

[SiddharthaGautama]

It seems that Raleigh is turning up more and more in lists as one of the best cities to move to. Also that its a great place for a young person starting a career. I've never been to Raleigh before so can I get some advice as to what locals or visitors think of the city? Is it a good place for young people, whats the job market like, what outdoor activities are there?

[Grizzmeister]

The Raleigh area has become a hub for industries that show huge potential in the future. I’m sure this is do to the progressive mindset from the major universities here. For example, the developer of such big name video games as Unreal and Gears of War is headquartered just outside of Raleigh. Just do a Google search on Epic Games if you’d like to know more.

Raleigh North Carolina has become so prolific amongst my peers that we often refer to the area as Raleighwood.

[LeavingMA]

I've visited many times and will be there soon again. In my opinion the city is a good combination of city-life, suburbs, good climate (especially when coming from MA), nice people, good location being close to mountains and the beach, and affordable. It just offers a lot in the whole scope of things.

When I look at other cities they usually offer many things, but also have drastic negatives also that affect them.

[odd1]

I've lived in several different states (LA, GA, KY), and am well-traveled over the entire united states, with family living in AK, MD, MI and others. I've lived in Raleigh 10 years and am happier here than I've ever been anywhere else. You get a lot of bang for your buck as far as "big city" offerings are concerned, health care, professional sports, the climate is wonderful, the cost of living is reasonable ... what's not to like??? And for those who like the south but don't like the "bible belt," Raleigh offers a nice metropolitan option, with lots of diversity. Raleigh isn't showing up on those lists by accident.

[odd1]

I forgot to mention a low crime rate! Having friends who live in West Palm, Florida, that's nothing to sneeze at!!

[rnc2mbfl]

As a side note, Raleigh has been showing up on all sort of "best lists" for about 15 years now. However, there seems to be more visibility to them these days.

[MikeJaquish]

Originally Posted by rnc2mbfl

As a side note, Raleigh has been showing up on all sort of "best lists" for about 15 years now. However, there seems to be more visibility to them these days.

Absolutely right.
It was part of the research that prompted us to make the move 10 years ago.
In 1997, Places Rated Almanac had Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill rated #32 out of 351 metropolitan areas.

Lists have since become big business.
People like the simplicity of putting things into lists and support advertisers who support list builders.
So we have ever more lists.
Some are heavily researched and some are pure fluff.

We get continued hype because we have so many positives and also because "success breeds success."

[RDSLOTS]

My mantra, there -- life is good.

The whole state seems to have quite a bit to offer. Great universities, good job futures, reasonable housing, good cost-of-living, nice climate, mix of peoples from all over the US and the world.

Is it perfect? Of course not. Are we all wearing rose-colored glasses here? Don't think so -- the lenses are scratched, at the very least.

My concern now is that with all of the 'come-East' hype, it'll somehow be ruined.

[rcarrillo]

Originally Posted by MikeJaquish

Absolutely right.
It was part of the research that prompted us to make the move 10 years ago.
In 1997, Places Rated Almanac had Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill rated #32 out of 351 metropolitan areas.

Yep, one of the reasons I moved here in 1999 as well. I had the choice of schools at Irvine and Riverside in CA (which were too $ in 1999, before the boom) and Salt Lake City.

I was 20 at the time, and 8.5 years later and I think it was a great decision.

Raleigh had a lot of pros and not many cons. It did not have 1 GREAT thing that jumped at me, but lots of very good things. Cost of living, people, temperature, lifestyle, school system, low traffic, mid-size city, shopping, restaurants, culture, outdoor activities. It has a little for everyone.