Raleigh is the capital of North Carolina and the county seat of Wake County. Raleigh is known as the "City of Oaks" for its many oak trees, though pine trees are the dominant species.
Welcome to Raleigh, NC, one of America's best places to live, work and raise a family. Our clean air, rolling green hills and sunny climate have made us world famous as a center for the good life. And our vibrant recreational and cultural scene offers activities for every taste and budget. We are a diverse area of big city amenities and small town ease of living. Business owners and employees enjoy not only the good life but a thriving business climate. Our top-rated schools, motivated workforce and affordable cost of living make Raleigh home to some of the most successful and productive companies in the country.
Raleigh's natural beauty is only one of its many drawing cards. The North Carolina State Capitalis home to premier cultural centers, including the North Carolina Museum of Art, the North Carolina Symphony, North Carolina Theater, and a host of othermuseums and performing arts companies.
Raleigh…Where you'll find trendy restaurants on tree-lined streets, cutting-edge culture with Southern charm, and bustling nightspots. It's hip, without the hassle.
Whether you're in the mood for a canoeing or sailing excursion, taking a nature hike through the woods, or playing a round of golf in the summer sun, the Greater Raleigh area is the perfect place to spend time outdoors.
It wouldn't be City Life without a rich arts community, and Raleigh is bursting at the seams with the largest variety of live theatre to visual arts displayed in galleries and collections throughout the area. Also home to the best collection of museums in North Carolina (and perhaps the Southeast), to dance by the nationally-acclaimed Carolina Ballet, to America's next great orchestra (North Carolina Symphony) and to the region's top professional theatre (North Carolina Theatre) .
Hiking, biking, and fishing are popular activities in the metro area as well. Raleigh has been called the "park with a city in it" thanks to its award-winning parks, greenways system, and open space spread throughout the city and Wake County.
When you talk about Raleigh restaurants, you've got to start with some Carolina favorites. Sweet tea, mouth-watering barbecue, home-style vegetables, all brought to you with warm Southern service with Raleigh dining. Yet we're getting more and more famous for our big-city eateries, too. Italian bistros, Pan-Asian delights, Mediterranean wonders and spicy, irresistible Jamaican dishes. Those are just the first course of what our 500-plus Raleigh, NC restaurants have to offer.
There is no better place to live and work than Raleigh, and the friendly people of this Southern town with an international touch, will welcome you with open arms.
Housing Cost
Raleigh offers a variety of housing options ranging fromcentercitycondos, penthouses, warehouses, and neighborhood bungalows. Whatever your taste or style Raleigh offers a wise selection of comfortable settlings. Many of the housing facilities are located in the densely populated neighborhoods, the comfortable and quiet suburban atmosphere, or in the rolling terrain of the exurban area. Housing is affordable in Raleigh with the median home sale price averaging around $230,000. Raleigh offers the broadest municipal services at the lowest tax rate of any major North Carolina city, and excellent public and private schools. The downtown area has trendy restaurants, shops, and new entertainment venues. It also provides its residents and visitors with performing art centers and museums. Raleighis home to many colleges and universities such as Peace College and Meredith College.
Demographics
Estimated Population in July 2010: 403,892. Raleigh covers 114.6 square miles. It sits at an elevation of 350 feet above sea level.
Area code: 919
Climate
Raleigh, NC climate is warm during summer when temperatures tend to be in the 70's and cold during winter when temperatures tend to be in the 40's.
The warmest month of the year is July with an average maximum temperature of 88.90 degrees Fahrenheit, while the coldest month of the year is January with an average minimum temperature of 32.00 degrees Fahrenheit.
Temperature variations between night and day tend to be fairly limited during summer with a difference that can reach 19 degrees Fahrenheit, and moderate during winter with an average difference of 21 degrees Fahrenheit.
The annual average precipitation at Raleigh is 46.55 Inches. Rainfall in is fairly evenly distributed throughout the year. The wettest month of the year is July with an average rainfall of 4.48 Inches.
Information provided by idcide.com and city data.com