Everything you need to know about relocating to Raleigh, NC — from choosing a neighborhood and understanding schools to a step-by-step timeline for your move.
The Complete Guide to Relocating to Raleigh NC
If you are thinking about relocating to Raleigh NC, you are joining thousands of families and professionals who make this move every year for jobs, schools, culture, and quality of life.
Why People Move to Raleigh
- Jobs: State government, NC State, WakeMed, Red Hat, Bandwidth, Pendo, RTP
- Culture: Free world-class museums, Glenwood South, NC State athletics, 200+ parks
- Schools: Wake County — Enloe (IB), Broughton, Leesville Road
- Affordability: Dramatic savings vs NY, NJ, CA, DC metro areas
Common Origins
- NY/NJ — #1 source of transplants
- California — remote work + salary arbitrage
- DC/NoVA — escaping high costs and commutes
- Florida — insurance, hurricanes, school quality
Timeline
6 Months Out
- Connect with Edwards Real Estate Group
- Get mortgage pre-approval
- Research neighborhoods and schools
3 Months Out
- Visit Raleigh in person
- Make offers, secure home
- Book movers
1 Month Out
- Set up utilities (Duke Energy, City of Raleigh water, Google Fiber/AT&T)
- Forward mail, transfer insurance
- Register kids for school
Moving Week
- Close on home
- Move in, meet neighbors
Neighborhoods
- North Hills — walkable midtown, condos to single-family
- ITB — historic charm, character homes
- Five Points — walkable village, bungalows
- Brier Creek — near RDU, newer construction
- Wakefield — TPC golf, north Raleigh
- Downtown — urban core, museums, food halls
Schools
Wake County address-based assignments. Enloe (IB), Broughton, Leesville Road, Sanderson. Magnet and year-round options available.
Jobs & Remote Work
State government (largest employer), NC State, WakeMed, RTP. Red Hat, Bandwidth, Pendo downtown. Google Fiber/AT&T Fiber for remote workers.
Getting Settled
- DMV: NC license within 60 days, vehicle inspection
- Utilities: Duke Energy, City of Raleigh, Google Fiber/AT&T
- Healthcare: WakeMed, UNC Rex, Duke Health
Community Life
- Glenwood South dining and nightlife
- NC State football/basketball at PNC Arena
- Carolina Hurricanes (NHL)
- Museums, food halls, Dorothea Dix Park
- 200+ parks and greenway trails
First Year
Months 1-3: Logistics and learning. Months 3-6: Building friendships. By year end: Most say they wish they'd moved sooner.
Contact
Call (919) 307-5575 or visit movemetoraleighnc.com.
