Guide to the City of Raleigh, NC (everything you need to know!)

Since first moving to the City of Raleigh in 2004 and starting this website in 2020, we’ve experienced almost everything there is to do in and around the city, and if you’re planning a trip to Raleigh (or even thinking of moving here), this city guide is for you!

Take it from us, Raleigh is a wonderful place to live, and visit. We grew up in Australia but chose to put down roots here which should tell you something, and although it has seen tremendous recent growth it still retains much of its welcoming Southern charm, family-friendly lifestyle, diversity, and college town vibes.

We’ve also recorded a podcast episode helping you get to know Raleigh. You’ll find it at the bottom of the post.

In the below guide I’m outlining everything you need to know about Raleigh, including where it is, how to get here and around, places to eat breakfast, lunch and dinner, the top attractions, best neighborhoods to explore, festivals and events, places to go shopping, cool bars and breweries, where to grab coffee, nature experiences to have, hotels to stay in, the weather, fun day trips, and much more! 

Raleigh City Guide

About Raleigh, NC

Raleigh is the capital city of North Carolina. It is the second largest city after Charlotte and the largest city in the Triangle region that consists of Raleigh – Durham – Chapel Hill. According to the 2019 U.S. Census, the population of Raleigh is 474,069.

Nicknamed the “City of Oaks” for its sheer number of majestic oak trees which line the streets, you’ll immediately be struck by how green Raleigh is with its pine tree forests, wooded neighborhoods, green spaces and parklands. 

Although historic and the capital, it has youthful energy and is far from being just about government. Raleigh has become a vibrant place with lots of cool cafes and bars, a thriving restaurant and brewery scene, world class museums, fun festivals, and diverse cultural activities. 

Raleigh is home to NC State University and along with Durham, Research Triangle Park (RTP) which is well known as one of the greatest technological research parks in the world with more than 200 companies and over 50,000 people.

Over the years Raleigh has evolved to become one of the best places to live, and regularly tops the “best cities to live and work in the US” lists with its diversified job market, family-friendly neighborhoods, and quality of life.

Where is Raleigh located?

One of the many reasons we love living in Raleigh is its central location on the East Coast, about halfway between NYC and Florida, in the northeast central region of North Carolina.

Interstate 40 (I-40) runs past the outskirts of downtown, and Interstate 95 (I-95) is also close by and the main interstate on the East Coast that will take you to Florida or New England.

We are within 30-minutes of Durham, 40-minutes of Chapel Hill, and we can be at Wrightsville Beach and Carolina Beach in two hours. A 4-hour drive west brings us to downtown Asheville and the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Approximate drive times to other prominent destinations nearby include:

• Charlotte: 2.5 hours (167 miles)
• Washington D.C: 4.5 hours (278 miles)
• Savannah, GA: 5 hours (324 miles)
• Atlanta: 6.5 hours (407 miles)
• NYC: 8.5 hours (487 miles)
• Orlando: 8.5 hours (594 miles)
• Nashville: 8.5 hours (539 miles)
• Cincinnati, OH: 9 hours (513 miles)

What County Is Raleigh In?

Most of Raleigh is located within Wake County and was named for Margaret Wake Tryon, the wife of royal governor William Tryon. Wake County has an estimated population of 1,111,761 (2019) and is now the largest county in North Carolina. All up there are 12 municipalities within Wake County:

• Apex
• Cary
• Fuquay-Varina
• Garner
• Holly Springs
• Knightdale
• Morrisville
• Raleigh
• Rolesville
• Wake Forest
• Wendell
• Zebulon

Getting to Raleigh

By Plane

Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU) serves the Triangle region which consists of Raleigh, Durham and Chapel Hill. Located just off of I-40 it is approximately 20-minutes from Downtown Raleigh and roughly halfway between Raleigh and Durham.

RDU airport consists of two terminals and typically operates more than 400 daily flights with 50+ non-stop destinations. 

Getting to Raleigh by flying direct is getting easier, and we love our mid-size airport compared to the chaos of major cities. Typically, checking-in and getting through security is relatively smooth and, and RDU consistently ranks among one of the most efficient airports in the US.

Some of the 50+ domestic non-stop flights to Raleigh include:

• Chicago
• Boston
• New York City
• Washington D.C.
• Dallas
• Charlotte
• Orlando
• Minneapolis
• Salt Lake City
• San Francisco
• Los Angeles

Internationally we can currently fly non-stop to these destinations, with more coming soon:

• London
• Paris 
• Cancun
• Toronto
• Montreal
• Freeport Bahamas
• Reykjavik, Iceland
• San Juan
• Frankfurt (starts June 2024)
• Mexico City (starts July 2024)

There are several options for getting from RDU into downtown Raleigh including hotel shuttles, taxis, Uber, Lift, and of course rental cars.

The GoTriangle Route 100 bus provides public bus service from RDU to its Regional Transit Center then to GoRaleigh Station downtown.

Read our complete guide to RDU Airport and our post on some of our favorite direct flights from Raleigh. And if you need a hotel near the airport, here are 10 top hotels near Raleigh Airport.

By Car

Getting to Raleigh by car is generally hassle free. Interstate 40 (I-40) that runs from Wilmington on the east coast all the way west to California runs past downtown Raleigh and connects with Raleigh’s beltline. I-440. 

If you do drive to Raleigh, Interstate 440 (I-440) is also known as the Raleigh Beltline encircles downtown Raleigh with numerous exits to all parts of the city. It travels in both directions, clockwise and anti-clockwise (or east/west).

The other major interstate, I-95, that runs north to south from New York to Florida can be reached within 30-minutes of downtown. There’s also I-85 that runs north-east into Virgina, and south-west to Charlotte that can be reached within 30-minutes.

Street parking is marked. If it’s a blue sign you have to pay between 8am to 5pm, Monday – Friday. On the weekends and after 5pm street parking is free.

Green signs have limited time e.g. “1 hour parking” or “2 hour parking” but can also say “permit required” – read the times carefully.

Pay attention to signs and what they mean. Keep in mind that numbered parking spots typically mean a payment is required in the designated time period. Parking options for downtown Raleigh include street parking, parking lots and parking decks. See parking map here.

By Train

Raleigh Union Station (RUS) in the city’s downtown Warehouse District area serves as the Amtrak passenger station  with the capacity to serve more than 160,000 travelers per year.

It was built not just to accommodate current demand, but in the future will serve passenger rail, commuter rail, buses, taxis, bicycles and other forms of transportation.

• The Carolinian service from New York City to Charlotte that stops in Raleigh and Cary, once per day northbound and southbound. 
• The Piedmont service operates between Raleigh and Charlotte 3 times per day in both directions.
• Amtrak’s Silver Star service runs between NYC and Miami and stops in Raleigh and Cary.

By Bus

Getting to Raleigh by bus is possible via the Greyhound bus service. Address: 2210 Capital Blvd, Raleigh, NC 27604. The only other bus option would be from Durham with Megabus. Address: 515 West Pettigrew Street, Durham, NC.

Public Transport in Raleigh

Raleigh unfortunately doesn’t have a great public transport system and is predominantly a driving city. You won’t find a train system here like in NYC or Chicago.

But there is a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project currently under construction that will eventually be rolled out along four key corridors in Wake County.

The GoRaleigh bus service currently serves local and regional buses and is headquartered downtown at the GoRaleigh bus station in Moore Square (214 S Blount St, Raleigh, NC 27601). For fares and passes info go here. 

The Wolfline bus service, NC State University’s bus service not only serves the students but also the general public fare-free (no student ID required). Wolfline buses operate every day and classes are in session. 

Bike-Share: if you want to explore Raleigh on two-wheels, Cardinal Bike Share is the local bike-share system in town comprising of 300 bikes across 30 stations. See all pricing and memberships here.

When to Visit Raleigh

There’s no right or wrong time to visit Raleigh, and it basically depends upon the purpose of your visit and your tolerance for weather. Besides January and February which are the slowest months, there is something going on all year. 

Like much of the Southeast, Raleigh has a humid subtropical climate, and all four seasons.

Winters are generally cool, with a January daily mean temperature of 41F, and receives an average of 6 inches of snow in winter. Freezing rain and sleet also occur most winters, and occasionally the area experiences a major damaging ice storm. 

Raleigh receives an average annual rainfall of 43.34 inches. April is the driest month, with an average of 2.92 inches (74.2 mm) of precipitation. 

July is the wettest month, owing to generally frequent, sometimes heavy, showers and thunderstorms.

Summers are hot and humid, with a normal July daily mean temperature of 80F. There are 48 days per year with highs at or above 90F. 

Fall is similar to spring overall but has fewer days of rainfall, but greater potential for extremely heavy rainfall in a one/two day period, owing to occasional threat from tropical weather systems (hurricanes and tropical storms) packing torrential rainfall.

Personally, I love the Fall season. The high humidity of summer has dropped, the temperatures are still pleasant for outdoor activities and dining, the colors are popping, and college football and basketball is coming back! Spring is a great time also with lots of festivals and events. 

Below are links to our guides on what to do in Raleigh during each season:

• Spring guide to Raleigh
• 35 things to do in summer
• 25 things to do in the Fall
• Top Christmas events in Raleigh

Coffee in Raleigh

As coffee snobs from Australia, coffee always comes first for us no matter where we are in the world. If you’re looking for great local coffee shops to get your fix, catch up with friends, or get some work done, here are 14 top coffee shops in Raleigh the locals love.

Breakfast in Raleigh

If you want to know where to eat the best breakfast in Raleigh, what local restaurants we personally love to frequent for a hearty or light meal to start our day including a few great local coffee shops, check out our guide on 13 best places to eat breakfast in Raleigh.

Brunch in Raleigh

Brunch has become a fairly recent fun cultural event and we’ve been eating our way around the city to find the best brunch spots, and have fully embraced the challenge. Check out our list of 15 places to eat brunch in Raleigh.

Lunch in Raleigh

Whether you desire something casual or a little bit fancy, and you are looking for Southern American, burgers, barbecue, cafes, Italian, Asian, Mexican or vegetarian for lunch, we’ve got you covered. See our list of 40+ spots to eat lunch in Raleigh. 

Dinner in Raleigh

While we haven’t eaten close to everywhere, yet, we do have a list of our favorite downtown Raleigh restaurants, these are the places we take visiting friends from out of town and the places we’re happy to recommend to you. Consider these 23 downtown Raleigh restaurants. 

For those with dietary concerns to consider, take a look at our list of 20 vegan & vegetarian restaurants, and also our list of 28 gluten free restaurants. We also have a list of our favorite Asian restaurants and Mexican restaurants. 

Cocktail Bars in Raleigh

Raleigh has a growing list of cool cocktail bars. We are still working our way through them all, but there are a select few of our favorites we like to frequent for their outstanding cocktails and vibes, either on a date night or drinks with friends. Check out 11 popular cocktail bars in Raleigh. 

Breweries in Raleigh

I’ve tasted craft brews in some of the top beer cities across America including Portland, San Diego, Denver and Asheville, and some of my favorite beers can be had right here in Raleigh. With over 20 local Raleigh breweries, the craft beer scene is unlike any other in the Southeast. 

Farmers Markets in Raleigh

We love to visit a farmers’ market wherever we travel, and I’m guessing you do too! It’s a chance to meet with local farmers and purchase some of the freshest produce and a chance to give back to the community and connect with the local arts scene. Here are 11 top farmers markets in Raleigh.

What Food Is Raleigh Known For?

The Raleigh restaurant scene has thrived in recent years with innovative chefs adding to the exciting mix of traditional southern food and global flavors, it’s not just fried chicken and biscuits on offer.

With that being said, if you love to try local, here are the classic Raleigh food experiences to try:

• Barbecue – NC is a bbq state, and in the Raleigh area the focus is on Eastern style where they slow cook the whole hog over hot coals, then pull the meat and dress it with vinegar base sauce. Read more: Best places to eat bbq in Raleigh.
• Grits – corn-based dish that is best associated with Southern breakfasts. 
• Biscuits – Southern comfort food and the bread of the South. 
• Hush Puppies – another Southern specialty, and common with bbq or seafood. 
• Fried chicken – they’re always frying things in the South, and Southern-fried chicken is a locals favorite. 
• Country Ham – a classic, Southern tradition that is aged, smoked, dried and cured to perfection. 
• Collard Greens – don’t forget to eat your greens as they say. 
• Mac & Cheese – popular side with a barbecue dinner or as a full entrée. 
• Fried Green Tomatoes – trendy Southern side dish featuring unripe tomatoes washed in egg and buttermilk, coated in cornmeal and fried. 
• Sweet Potato Pie – fun fact, NC is the leading producer of sweet potatoes in the country!  

Attractions in Raleigh

Raleigh doesn’t have the big ticket attractions like some cities, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t interesting and fun Raleigh attractions to keep locals and visitors entertained – and many of them are FREE.

Raleigh is well known for its quality and quantity of museums and has often been referred to as the “Smithsonian of the South”. The NC Museum of Natural Sciences is the Southeast’s largest natural history museum, and the NC Museum of Art is home to more than a dozen beautiful indoor gallery spaces and a fantastic 164-acre park and trail system featuring commissioned works of art.

Umstead State Park is just 15-minutes’ drive from downtown Raleigh and a place of nature and wilderness exploration. Whether you’re interested in hiking, biking, fishing, or picnicking, this park has something for everyone.

For more information on the top attractions in Raleigh, read these related articles:

• Top 25 Raleigh Attractions
• 8 fantastic museums in Raleigh

Top Things to Do in Raleigh

A top feature of Raleigh is the vast 100+ mile Capital Greenway Trail system. We love our walks and bike rides, and in Raleigh there is a trail for everyone in all seasons whether you prefer to peddle a bike, hike in the woods, or stroll around a lake. Here are 25 trails we love. 

Another great way to get a real feel for the city of Raleigh is enjoying all the wonderful parks and all the recreational activities they have to offer. And no matter where you are in the city, there is a lake nearby where you can enjoy watersports such as stand-up paddle boarding in Raleigh, boating, fishing, camping, and nature trails.

Looking for family-friendly things to do with kids in Raleigh, Pullen Park is one of the most fun things to do with younger kids, as is Marbles Kids Museum near Moore Square.

For a long list of suggestions, see our full guide to Raleigh with kids, and our complete guide to 90+ things to do in Raleigh. 

Festivals & Events in Raleigh

Festivals & Events are a big draw to the city, whether it’s the arts, music, food, beer, and diverse cultures. Some of the biggest annual events are the Dreamville Music Fest, the Brewgaloo Beer Festival, and the NC State Fair. 

Including the surrounding towns near Raleigh, we can barely keep up with attending all the events each year. See our full list of 52 top festivals in Raleigh post for more information. 

Shopping in Raleigh

If you like the idea of shopping local and supporting small retailers, downtown Raleigh is home to some terrific local shops. 

North Hills has become one of North Carolina’s most upscale shopping districts with 130+ local shops and high-end boutiques, plus restaurants, bars, salons and spas, cinemas, a bowling alley, Farmers’ Market, indie bookstore, outdoor concerts, apartment living, and premier hotels.

When it opened in 1949, The Village District became the first shopping center between Washington D.C. and Atlanta. This neighborhood destination quickly became a Raleigh tradition for shoppers and those looking for local restaurants, bars and entertainment!

Crabtree Valley Mall is one of the largest malls in the Southeast, with nearly 200 stores, dozens of restaurants, and three anchors – Belk, Belk Men’s Store, and Macy’s.

Lafayette Village is a European-style village in North Raleigh and offers locally owned gourmet restaurants and upscale shopping plus recurring events from live music to artist exhibits.

Triangle Town Center one-stop destination for shopping featuring 5 anchors including the state’s only Saks Fifth Avenue plus 100+ shops like Express, Vans, Loft, Torrid, rue21 and more.

Best Neighborhoods in Raleigh

To give some perspective of the layout of Raleigh, it is classified into seven different areas, and each with their own personalities and offerings:

• Downtown Raleigh
• West Raleigh
• East Raleigh
• South Raleigh
• Midtown Raleigh
• North Raleigh
• RDU/Brier Creek

Most of my favorite Raleigh neighborhoods are inside the beltline, with some great neighboring towns a short drive away!

Historic Oakwood

Historic Oakwood is one of my favorite neighborhoods to explore. It rose after the Civil War, dates to the 1800’s, and is home to magnificent oak trees, Grand Victorians and modest bungalows. Check out this Free walking tour and don’t miss the magnificent Oakwood Cemetery.

North Person Street

North Person Street borders Historic Oakwood and is my favorite street in Raleigh. Located here are some of my favorite local restaurants, bars and breweries, a bakery, an independent bookstore, ice cream shop, and boutique shopping all within a few hundred feet. Read our full guide to Nth Person Street.

Historic Boylan Heights

Historic Boylan Heights is one of the premier neighborhoods in Raleigh on the immediate edge of downtown. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1985. We love to walk or drive through this neighborhood, check out the homes, grab a coffee at Rebus Works, some baked goods at Boulted Bread. Read our guide to Boylan Heights.

Downtown Cary

15-minutes’ drive from downtown Raleigh brings you to the charming downtown Cary, one of the fastest growing towns in the South and home to some of the best places to eat and drink in the Triangle and an awesome new park right in town. Read our guide to downtown Cary. 

Five Points

2-miles north of downtown Raleigh, the Five Points area gets its name from the convergence of five historic neighborhoods at a five-point street intersection. There’s also the small town feel with the epicenter of shops, restaurants, cafes, bars, pharmacies, and convenience stores. The historic Rialto Theater is at the main intersection along Glenwood Avenue and Fairview Road, and the Carolina Country Club is minutes away!

North Hills

Five miles north of Raleigh’s downtown is the North Hills neighborhood, also known as Midtown Raleigh. It has become one of North Carolina’s most upscale locations and home to the popular shopping, dining and eating North Hills District. This is a rapidly expanding area with more development planned, and already home to excellent restaurants, boutique stores, a farmers’ market and live entertainment. 

Apex

25-minute drive Southwest from downtown Raleigh brings you to the cute and historic downtown Apex. Founded in the 1860s, Apex is centered around charming Salem Street filled with colorful buildings, beautifully restored specialty stores and antique shops, and terrific locally owned restaurants, cafes and bars. Read our guide to Apex.

Wake Forest

18 miles northeast of downtown Raleigh, Wake Forest has an historic downtown district that’s home to a charming and unique community of restaurants, shops and art galleries. Take a stroll and grab a bite to eat, do some boutique shopping, check out a gallery, have a drink, or attend an event or festival. Read our guide to Wake Forest.

Looking for a Realtor

Are you looking to buy or sell a home and are in needed of a real estate agent in the Raleigh area? As a Licensed Realtor and referral agent, I can save you the time and stress searching and vetting and connect you to my team of trusted Realtor partners. Read more here or click the button below to fill out the form and get started.

Click to Connect Now

Sports in Raleigh

One thing I love about living in the city of Raleigh is the combination of college and pro sports. Traditionally the Triangle region is ACC Basketball territory with the local NC State Wolfpack, plus the nearby UNC Tar Heels, and Duke Blue Devils all within a 40-minute drive of each other.

As for Pro Sports, in 1997 the National Hockey League’s Hartford Whalers moved to Raleigh as the Carolina Hurricanes, becoming the city’s first and only major league professional sports franchise. 

Women’s soccer is a big deal in NC, and the North Carolina Courage women’s team has had plenty of recent success. And the men’s team, the North Carolina FC is well supported, to. 

Sporting teams in the Raleigh area include:

• Carolina Hurricanes: National Hockey League (NHL)
• NC State University Wolfpack: ACC Conference
• North Carolina FC: United Soccer League
• North Carolina Courage: National Women’s Soccer League
• Carolina Mudcats: Single-A baseball
• Carolina Rollergirls: Women’s Flat Track Derby Association
• Raleigh Flyers: American Ultimate Disc League

Here are some relevant links to some of our articles around enjoying sports in Raleigh:

• 15 sports bars in Raleigh
• Guide to WakeMed Soccer Park
• Guide to Carter-Finley Stadium (NC State Football)
• Guide to Reynolds Coliseum (NC State Women’s basketball)

Itineraries for Raleigh

If you’re looking for detailed sightseeing guides of what to do, where to eat and drink, and where to stay we have personalized itineraries you can follow along with.

Check out our 24 hours in Raleigh guide for first time visitors (or repeat visitors and locals), and our 48 hours in Raleigh guide.  

We also have a 48 hour guide to North Hills, and a 48 hour guide to the Warehouse District, with more itinerary guides coming soon!

Historic Attractions in Raleigh

Like many cities across the USA, we find Raleigh’s history fascinating and even after living here for over 10 years now we are still discovering so much!

• Mordecai Historic Park – the Mordecai Historic House is the oldest residence in Raleigh still on its original foundation, and it’s the birthplace of Andrew Johnson, the 17th President. Step back in time on a historic Mordecai House tour.
• Dorothea Dix Park – the history of Dix Park dates back to four centuries ago when it was the hunting grounds for several Native American tribes. Then in the 1850’s it transferred from private plantation land to state owned for the opening of Dorothea Dix mental health Hospital. And now there’s a 40-year plan to create one of the biggest new urban parks in the USA. You can learn about the past and future on this guided walking tour. 
• North Carolina State Capitol – Built in 1840, the State Capitol building is a National Historic Landmark and one of the best-preserved examples of Greek Revival-style architecture. Tour all three floors of the building, plus the monuments and statues on display outside in the grounds. 
• North Carolina Executive Mansion – has been the official residence of the Governor’s of NC since 1891, and is a beautiful Victorian-style mansion. Franklin D. Roosevelt (F.D.R) once described the mansion as having “the most beautiful governor’s residence interior in America.”

• Historic Oakwood Cemetery – for more than 140 years it has been the final resting place of over 22,000 of the area’s citizens including prominent city, state and national leaders.
• Historic Yates Mill County Park – placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1974. This 174-acre wildlife park features hiking trails, the Historic Yates Mill, and the mill’s 24-acre pond which is fed by Steep Hill Creek. 
• Pope House Museum – the only African-American house museum in NC, the Pope House offers a glimpse into the life of one of Raleigh’s most intriguing citizens, Dr. Manassa Thomas Pope, who was the only African-American man to run for mayor of a Southern capital in the midst of the Jim Crow Era.
• Joel Lane Museum – Wake County’s oldest home (built 1769) and considered the Birthplace of Raleigh. Joel Lane sold 1,000 acres to the state in 1792 to be used as the new state capital. Pre-arranged tours are provided by costumed docents.
• Of course you can learn more about the history of Raleigh and North Carolina at the City of Raleigh Museum, and the NC Museum of History.

Day Trips from Raleigh

Raleigh enjoys a central location and is within an easy drive to so many other great places to visit in North Carolina on a day trip whether you desire a beach break, you’re a foodie, or you’re into history, the arts, or sports. See our article on 15 best day trips from Raleigh.

Major Cities Near Raleigh

If you’re looking to escape Raleigh to another city within an 8 hours’ drive (or short flight), Raleigh’s central east coast hub allows for exploration to some of our favorite destinations that make for the perfect weekend getaway.

We have driven to Washington D.C, Nashville, Savannah, Richmond, Knoxville, Chatanooga, Charlotte, and Atlanta many times. See our article on 18 fantastic cities near Raleigh.

Hotels in Raleigh 

Whether you take a trip to Raleigh for business or pleasure, to save you time and to make sure you’re located in the best area to make the most of your stay, we’ve handpicked hotels for you!

Because we live in Raleigh, we know the best places to stay and we want you to have easy access to all of the attractions, restaurants, bars, and museums or if you’re in town to attend a concert or festival.

Residence Inn downtown Raleigh is one of the best hotels in downtown Raleigh NC if you’re looking for cozy apartment style (all-suite) accommodation.

The Casso, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel, is in a super convenient location to several hotspots in downtown including a short walk to the Warehouse District and Glenwood South.

StateView Hotel is a boutique property located on NC State University’s Centennial campus and just a 3-mile drive from downtown!

The Marriott Raleigh City Center is another of the popular Raleigh Hotels in the heart of the city and adjacent to the Raleigh Convention Center.

If you’re looking for hotels near the airport, check out our list of 10 best hotels near Raleigh Airport. And for the North Hills area consider the Renaissance Hotel, the AC Hotel, or the Hyatt House.

FAQs About Raleigh

Some of the most frequently asked questions we get about Raleigh, North Carolina include: 

How Did Raleigh Get Its Name?

Raleigh was officially named after the English explorer Sir Walter Raleigh who attempted to establish the first English colony on the shores of the new world in the 1580s.

Why Do They Say Y’ALL?

The word y’all is ubiquitous among native Southerners. Y’all is a subject pronoun that addresses two or more people. It’s the contraction of “you” and “all.” And all y’all is the plural of y’all, at least in some areas of the south.

When Was Raleigh Founded?

Raleigh was founded in 1792 but wasn’t always the capital city of NC. When North Carolina was a colony, the capital was in New Bern and Edenton at different times. 

What Is The Tallest Building In Raleigh?

The tallest building in Raleigh is the 32 story PNC Plaza on Fayetteville Street in downtown Raleigh which rises 538 feet and was completed in 2008. It’s also the tallest building in NC outside of Charlotte.

What Is The Cost Of Living In Raleigh NC?

The cost of living has risen in the past 5 years due to low inventory and high demand. More and more people are moving to Raleigh from out of state due to the quality of life and how affordable it is.

On the website Payscale.com, the cost of living in Raleigh is 5% lower than the national average, and 58.7% lower than NYC, and housing is 85.2% lower than NYC! And Realtor.com named Raleigh the most affordable alternative “kindred city” to San Francisco.

Getting to know Raleigh Podcast Episode

For those who may prefer watching a video of us podcasting, we filmed that for you too, which you’ll find on YouTube each week.

In Summary

I hope this guide to the city of Raleigh has answered most of your questions and gave you helpful insights into what makes Raleigh, Raleigh! 

As this city continues to evolve we’ll update this guide, but if you have any questions about Raleigh whether it’s visiting or living here, please leave them in the comments section below!