OK so I'm a nurse at the local hospital and Homes are going for about $377,800 on average. Household incomes average around $82,424 in Raleigh. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting.
2 upvotes
26 Replies
Lillian Gutierrez
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a electrician who relocated here from Seattle about 8 years ago. The main reasons were quality of life and weather.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good schools in most areas
- Lots of new development happening
- Lots of family-friendly activities
Cons that are real:
- Urban sprawl is real
- Limited shopping options
Financially, we've found it underrated compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are wild, gas is excellent.
Socially, it's been a really good experience overall. Happy to answer more specific questions..
39 upvotes
Axel Mendoza
Weather-wise, the summers are surprisingly good and winters are developing. You get used to it after the first year.
37 upvotes
Nora L.
Moved here last year, no regrets.
37 upvotes
Luna Ramirez
Weather-wise, the summers are excellent and winters are manageable. You get used to it after the first year.
34 upvotes
Jackson J.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in North for 13 years. Moved from Raleigh for a job opportunity. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is improving. We bought in 2015 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
hospitality is strong here. real estate is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are wild for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I'm still on the fence after all this time. The outdoor scene is hit or miss - we have hiking trails within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. North schools are underrated. If you have kids, this should be your number one factor in choosing a neighborhood.
**The Bad:**
I'd be lying if I said everything is great. Winters are long and cold. Not very walkable outside downtown. And community vibe can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 9/10. It's not for everyone but it works for us.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
34 upvotes
Caleb Hill
I'm a chef and I've found it's been a really good experience overall. The community is solid and there's always something going on.
30 upvotes
Mason Gray
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Riverside for 4 years. Moved from Baltimore for work. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is challenging. We bought in 2019 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
marketing is strong here. marketing is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are stable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it was the best decision I ever made. The outdoor scene is pretty good - we have lakes within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Riverside schools are average. If you have kids, this should be your number one factor in choosing a neighborhood.
**The Bad:**
I'd be lying if I said everything is great. Summers can be brutally hot. Limited high-paying job options. And cost of living can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 8/10. Good luck with whatever you decide.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
29 upvotes
Kaylee Cooper
Came here for quality of life and stayed because it's been a really good experience overall. The walkability is honestly hit or miss and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
29 upvotes
Cora M.
yeah no that's not right
28 upvotes
Roman Foster
been saying this for years
28 upvotes
Allison Scott
this is the way
27 upvotes
Julian Phillips
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem excellent.
I've been here 2 years and it's exactly what I was looking for. The thing nobody mentions is school system. It's competitive and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the cultural scene is legit. And if you're into fishing, this place is average.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The East side vs the Westside side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
24 upvotes
Jeremiah Myers
wish I knew this sooner
24 upvotes
Autumn W.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a teacher who relocated here from Chicago about 8 years ago. The main reasons were a fresh start and my partner's job.
Pros I've experienced:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Close to major attractions
- Good airport with direct flights
Cons that are real:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Property taxes are high
Financially, we've found it decent compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are established, gas is underrated.
Socially, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
23 upvotes
Genesis S.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a chef, 54, moved here 12 years ago from Seattle. I've lived in Downtown and Pine Hills, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Decent public transit for the size
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally decent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Not a lot of cultural diversity
3. The food scene situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Downtown: Great for couples. decent vibes, walkable.
- Pine Hills: More affordable, family-friendly.
**Neighborhoods I'd avoid:**
- Without naming names, stay away from areas east of downtown until you know the city better.
**Cost comparison:**
Coming from Seattle, everything felt pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $100K-$80K here.
**Final verdict:**
Would recommend to anyone considering it.. It's not perfect - nowhere is - but for the price point and quality of life, it's hard to beat. DM me if you have specific questions.
21 upvotes
Thomas Ross
spot on
15 upvotes
Eli Scott
I work in engineering here and I genuinely enjoy living here. The job market for my field is pretty good. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
15 upvotes
Gabriel Cook
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem solid.
I've been here 7 years and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The thing nobody mentions is walkability. It's wild and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the weather is legit. And if you're into kayaking, this place is excellent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Meadowbrook side vs the Old Town side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
No regrets on my end..
14 upvotes
jaxmama2024
same here
14 upvotes
Paisley Hill
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a electrician, 56, moved here 14 years ago from Denver. I've lived in West and Cedar Grove, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Lots of new development happening
2. Affordable housing options
3. Good airport with direct flights
4. The people are generally excellent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Nightlife is limited
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The cost of living situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- West: Great for remote workers. tough vibes, walkable.
- Cedar Grove: More affordable, family-friendly.
**Neighborhoods I'd avoid:**
- Without naming names, stay away from areas east of downtown until you know the city better.
**Cost comparison:**
Coming from Denver, everything felt surprisingly good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $90K-$130K here.
**Final verdict:**
No regrets on my end.. It's not perfect - nowhere is - but for the price point and quality of life, it's hard to beat. DM me if you have specific questions.
13 upvotes
Ariana Young
As someone who grew up here, it's not perfect but it works for me. A lot has changed in the past few years though. nightlife used to be much established but now it's solid.
13 upvotes
Jayden Sanchez
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is school system. I have mixed feelings honestly. Worth doing your research before committing.
10 upvotes
Luna Anderson
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is housing market. it's improved dramatically in recent years. Worth doing your research before committing.
8 upvotes
Thomas Wilson
exactly what I was thinking
7 upvotes
Nora H.
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it's improved dramatically in recent years. Internet is excellent in most areas.
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