Looking at where to live in the Raleigh, Cary, or Durham area? Unsure of where to start? We’ve got you covered here at UniMovers! This area is large and there are many suburbs, but this article will give a breakdown of all the factors. Take a look at how much rent is in each area and how your demographic fits each area. There is also a brief description of the activities available and the nightlife for each area. With our information, you can determine which city is best for you and your unique lifestyle.
Table of contents
Raleigh, NC
This city is the state capital of North Carolina, and one of the biggest metropolitan cities in the area. There are a plethora of neighborhoods in this city too, so finding where to live in Raleigh NC is key. This section will help you decide if living in this area is right for you.
Rent
Raleigh, being the state capital, has a bit higher rent than the average city in North Carolina. However, its views and inner-city feel can make up for the extra cost of the rent. It is a busy city where you can get a 958 square foot apartment for around $1,500 a month. For reference, the average one-bedroom apartment in 2018 in the United States was 757 square feet, with the size only increasing. Over 50% of the apartments in this area have a price of $1,000-$1,500 a month, making it almost exactly cheaper than half for the U.S. for price per square foot.
Demographic
Raleigh’s population is 467,665 people as of 2020, making this the second-largest city in the state. The median age of its citizens is 33 years old, making it a city geared more towards a younger population. It is home to North Carolina State University, where approximately 36,000 students live in the city to attend school and activities on campus. While there are some families in the area, the area and its activities are more geared toward a middle-aged demographic. If you have younger children and are looking for school district options, be sure to check out our article on the best school districts in Raleigh. The most common occupations in this area are management, sales, business, and finance-related careers, with a little over 32% of the population working in these areas. With all this in mind, the demographic of Raleigh is a young, hard-working population.
Activities
Since this is the second-largest city in the state, there are many activities catered to people of all ages. Some of the best draws of this town are its exciting rolling bluegrass festivals, boutiques, and breweries. In Raleigh, you can discover new bands and dance to your heart’s content! There is always a concert to attend or an outdoor gathering of some sort on the weekend. This city is a creative hub, with museums of art, natural sciences, and history. In addition to the museums, there is a children’s STEAM exhibit for children and the family to enjoy. If you like sports, you can attend an NHL Carolina Hurricanes game at the PNC Arena. And if you still need more ideas, check out our article 8 Fun Things You Will Love And Need To Do In Raleigh, NC. Finally, the important point is that there is always something to do in Raleigh.
Nightlife
With over 100 bars to choose from, the possibilities for your night are endless. If you like breweries, check out Clouds Brewing. Looking for something more upscale? Try the Fox Liquor Bar on S Wilmington Street. The variety of bars, breweries, pubs, and lounges is truly praise-worthy. Their unique demographic also makes Raleigh the most diverse for nightlife. The club scene is always on with all the students and young adults living downtown, so if the nightlife is something you love, Raleigh could be the place for you!
Durham, NC
Durham is located 25 miles northwest of Raleigh, near the center of North Carolina. It is known for its companies in technology and institutions, like Duke University. Looking for where to live in Durham NC? We’ve got you covered. Read more about Durham and its draws in this section.
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Rent
The average rent in Durham is $1,432 for 933 square feet, making it slightly cheaper than Raleigh and less expensive than Cary. There is also a large range of newer apartments or older houses that have been converted into apartments or condos. Many of the citizens live with others, whether it is roommates, significant others, or their family. This rent is also lower than the national average price for an apartment per square foot. And like many college towns, the rent is higher because of the large student population. If you are looking for the same large-city feel but for cheaper rent, Durham could be the area for you.
Demographic
The population in Durham is 292,301 people and it is growing exponentially. With over 60 thousand new inhabitants in the past 10 years, this area is becoming a growing metropolis. This city is known for technology and institutions and has a very educated and smart population, too. Over 50% of the inhabitants have a bachelor’s degree or higher here. In addition to this, 42.3% of those who have a college education have also attained a master’s, doctorate, or professional school degree. Unlike the student population in Raleigh, the students here account for only a small portion with around 15,000 students living on/around campus. On top of this, most students live alone in Durham, making the average household size is 2.36 people per household. This city is not a place where families typically reside, with a majority of the citizens either single or married with no children. The bottom line for Durham is that if you are looking for a place for well-educated people with no children, this could be the best area for you.
Activities
If you are into nature, Durham is the spot for you. There is a multitude of parks, trails, and hikes to complete and enjoy in this area. One spot, in particular, Rolling Views State Park, has camping, trails, and even an overlook of Falls Lake. This spot is the place to be for active people who love spending time in the sun and doing challenges across the city. There is always a scavenger hunt to be completed or a tour to be taken. Downtown Durham is home to the American Tobacco Campus where you can catch a concert or enjoy one of the many food trucks.
Nightlife
The best part of Durham is that most of its bars and cocktail lounges are located within a one-mile stretch. This means that if you love to bar hop or explore new places, this spot is perfect. Most places have outdoor patios too so you can enjoy the beautiful weather! Kingfisher, one of the cocktail bars, has been dubbed as the one of best cocktail bars in the country. This is just one of the many praises Durham has received for its nightlife and bar scene so it is definitely worth checking out if you move to this area.
Cary, NC
Cary, North Carolina is located just 12 miles from the state capitol. It is a large suburb of Raleigh and is a short 15-minute drive from downtown Raleigh. This city is known for its outdoor experiences and lively business atmosphere. Read more about it below if you’re looking at where to live in Cary NC and see if it’s a good fit for you.
Rent
Most of the spaces for rent in Cary are large and meant for more than just one person. With this in mind, the average rent for a one-bedroom apartment, being 1,007 square feet, is $1,523. However, it is more expensive than Durham, this is still lower than rent in Raleigh. This rent is also lower than the national average price per square foot. Additionally, almost 75% of the occupied units in Cary are owner-occupied. So if you are looking to live in Cary, it might be worth it to buy a house instead of rent.
Demographic
Cary is the smallest city in this article, with a population of 177,002 people. The population has nearly doubled in the past 2 decades, making it another fast-growing suburb. The two largest age groups for individuals living in Cary are 40 and 50-year-olds, showing that this is a popular town for people to settle down. Most of the occupations of the inhabitants are in the professional, scientific, and technical services industry. The median income per household is $104,699, which is over $40,000 more than the national median. Additionally, 61.8% of inhabitants are married and many of those couples have children. According to Niche and many other review websites, Cary is a great place for families and a highly rated suburb for diversity and rich culture.
Activities
As previously mentioned, Cary is known for its sports, outdoor recreation, and businesses. Starting with sports, there are many soccer complexes and outdoor training fields to play on during the day. There are also two pro soccer teams, North Carolina Soccer Club and North Carolina Courage, who compete at WakeMed Soccer Park. This soccer complex is just a 17-minute drive from downtown Raleigh. Around Cary, there are many well-kept parks to go for walks, runs, or take the family to. Their restaurants are also known all over the country by the culinary community. There is a wide variety of cultures being served up here, and if you like Chinese food be sure to check out Taipei 101, which was voted best Chinese food five years in a row.
Nightlife
Nightlife in Cary is tamer than the other cities because of the family-friendly atmosphere. The main type of bar is a brewery or taproom instead of a dance club. If you are looking for something more intense, it might be a good idea to visit the nightlife in Raleigh since it is only a short drive. However, it is common for the breweries to have concerts every weekend. If you are interested in attending one of the concerts, the best place to look for these events is on Eventbrite. There is always a bar crawl to attend or a game night around. For a live concert or craft brew, check out the Cary Pub. If you like a more subdued night out on the town, with live music and craft beer, Cary would be the best place for you.
Conclusion
Each city mentioned has its own unique characteristic and draws. If you are a single or couple without kids, Raleigh or Durham would be the best place for you to live. The main difference is that Raleigh is a lively, bustling capital for fast-paced people whereas Durham is for people who like to slow down and enjoy leisurely activities. Similarly, Cary has many of the laid-back activities that Durham has but is geared for a family audience. If you have a family, you might want to look into the Cary area, since it has been praised for its diversity and culture. If you are moving from out of state, our article about all the secrets you need to know could be helpful. North Carolina is a beautiful place to live, especially in the Raleigh, Durham, and Cary areas. Take your time and do your research about which one is best for you and your future.
I am a Senior at the University of Iowa, studying Psychology and Spanish. I am from Cedar Rapids, IA but I have lived in Iowa City for the past four years. In my free time, I enjoy hiking, drawing, and spending time with my friends.
