Moving to the Research Triangle - Raleigh, Durham & Chapel Hill
The Ultimate Combo of Easy-Going Southern & Urban Hip
This close cluster of up-and-coming cities known as the Research Triangle was established in 1959. The goal of this trio? To profoundly utilize skills of graduates from the area’s top research universities. Since the founding, the area has swelled to offer opportunities in many industries. With its low cost of living, bike baths and influx of young professional, this area is a highly desirable place to call home!
The Research Triangle Neighborhood: Get to Know Raleigh, Durham & Chapel Hill
Cost of Living: With the amount of job opportunity available, housing here is an incredibly price. The median price of a home here? $196,000. Not bad compared to Silicon Valley’s median price that is triple that!
Prices for groceries, transportation and healthcare are somewhat lower than the largest cities in America, but it is the dramatic difference in housing costs that truly makes cost of living ideal.
Schools: The K-12 schools here are highly thought of by its residents. There are a variety of options, including Year Round schools that work great for some families. And although it is important to choose the right school, do not pick an area entirely based on school. This is because district lines are redrawn often to account for growth and changing populations.
If you do not wish to worry about reassigning school lines, you can check out magnet or charter schools. Once a child is in these schools, no boundary changes can risk he or she being moved elsewhere.
For higher education, there are 12 universities and colleges in the Research Triangle area. Some of the nation’s top-ranked universities such as Duke University and North Carolina State University are found here. These top institutions offer incredible research programs and create innovative, job-ready individuals for which the area is named.
Relocating to the Raleigh, Durham & Chapel Hill Area: Good to Know for Movers
Population: This area, with all 3 cities combined, has a population of about 2,037,00 residents. With the growth of universities and job openings, there has been a great influx of younger individuals over the last decade.
Weather:- The Research Triangle area is known for its moderate climate. The average annual temperature is about 59.2 degrees Fahrenheit, with light summers that hover around 70 degrees and moderately cool winters that rarely drop below 40 degrees.
There is a fair amount of rain, however, with nearly two-thirds of the year having sunshine, it has plenty of warmth to offer. And with the rain bringing so much lovely greenery, great places to spend sunny days can include one of the many parks or golf courses.
The Research Triangle's Top Employers & Economy of Raleigh, Durham & Chapel Hill
The Research Triangle Park is home to nearly 200 companies that include well-known names such as Cisco, BASF, Syngenta and Bayer CropScience. Forbes ranked this area as the #1 place for business & careers in 2014, so suffice it to say…the opportunities are great!
You don’t need to worry about jobs dropping, as of 2014 anyhow. The unemployment rate is at 5.2%, a good few percent below the national average, and job openings continue to increase.
Top Attractions of the Research Triangle
- The highly ranked Duke University offers a wide variety of events to the public, including thrilling sports events like football and basketball. Grab your Blue Devils jersey and get ready to cheer!
- Raleigh Times Bar - This establishment gained national recognition when Barack Obama arrived the day of the state’s Democratic primary. He went to try the good grub and beverages offered at this restored century-old building that was once home to the Raleigh Times newspaper.
- Ready to rock out? Many famous artists such as Nirvana and Pearl Jam have played at Durham’s “Cat’s Cradle” venue. Be on the lookout for tickets to concerts featuring your favorite band!
Fun Facts about Raleigh, Durham & Chapel Hill
- The term “Triangle” in “Research Triangle” was originally referencing the 3 major universities in the area: Duke University, North Carolina Central University and the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill. It now describes the metropolitan area and the cities housed there.
- The University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill is one that has earned respect; it is the oldest State University in the entire country!
- Raleigh is often called the “City of Oaks” due to its beautiful forests.