If you’re someone who is looking into moving to the great state of North Carolina, you’ve probably read a good bit about the Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill, triangle area. The triangle encompasses many cities and towns. The meaning of the word triangle comes from the three major cities in the area: Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill, forming a triangle on the map. And while other cities such as Cary and Apex have exceeded the population of Chapel Hill, this video will focus on the original three cities that make up the triangle. This area is defined also by the three main universities in the area: Duke in Durham, UNC Chapel Hill in Chapel Hill, and NC State in Raleigh. These three universities, along with several other amazing universities like Shaw, NC Central, and Meredith, really are the backbone of what makes the Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill area so successful, dynamic, and rapidly growing. We will compare these three cities—Durham, Chapel Hill, and Raleigh, but first, let’s talk about the triangle area.
The triangle metro is made up of 14 different counties, 12 colleges and universities, and over 700 companies. The triangle is a hub for business up and down the East Coast due to the ease of travel in and out from Raleigh Durham International Airport, also known as RDU. Job seekers from across the country are likely to find employment in this area because of our diverse corporate culture. The triangle area has exceptionally rated schools, great festivals and events, amazing restaurants, plus quick access to the mountains and the beach, and so much more. Each season is beautiful in this area, with hot and sunny summers, springs full of colorful blooms, and intense fall foliage. There are countless walking paths throughout the area that weave through the woods around parks and even connect the suburbs. You have Jordan Lake, Eno River State Park, and Falls Lake, which are all great areas to enjoy the outdoors by boating, swimming, paddleboarding, and hiking.
Now that we’ve talked a little bit about the triangle as a whole, let’s talk about Raleigh, North Carolina, specifically. Raleigh is the capital of North Carolina and has a population close to 500,000 people. Raleigh is both historic and very fast-growing. In fact, the city has seen massive growth over the past couple of years and is considered one of the fastest-growing cities in all of America. Raleigh is also extremely diverse, which is evident in our restaurant scene. We have everything from Jamaican to Ethiopian to Thai to Indian and everywhere in between. The Wake County school district is also highly rated and very diverse. The student-to-teacher ratio sits at around 15 to 1, and the graduation rate from high school is 90%. Raleigh is also home to NC State, which brings plenty of life to the downtown area. Downtown Raleigh has a lot to offer, from great restaurants to bars, activities, and historic sites.
Durham, North Carolina, is the second-largest city in the triangle. Durham is a bustling city with a rich culture all its own. It’s full of scholars and sports fanatics and offers a mix of innovation and classic Southern charm. Durham also has a blooming job market, low unemployment rates, and plenty of activities to keep everyone busy. It has a relatively low cost of living compared to its neighboring cities, and the Durham unified school district averages a 13 to 1 student-teacher ratio with an 84% graduation rate. Durham is home to many incredible restaurants, and one local favorite, Dame’s Chicken and Waffles, is famous for its Southern cuisine. Another attraction in Durham is the Duke University basketball team, widely regarded as one of the top basketball teams in the nation. Duke’s campus also has a beautiful chapel and backs up to the sprawling Duke Gardens, a 55-acre land full of local and exotic plants. While Durham is a tech and medical juggernaut, it does have its drawbacks as well, such as traffic congestion during rush hour and long drives to RDU Airport.
Chapel Hill, North Carolina, is a charming and memorable city that contains many beautiful homes and a strong sense of community. Its nickname is “the southern part of heaven” because of the amazing, lush foliage, especially in the springtime. Chapel Hill is much smaller than the previous two cities, with roughly 61,000 residents, but it’s a great city for job seekers, as many large companies have offices nearby. The bulk of the city’s employees are in businesses, schools, healthcare institutions, social services, and financial institutions. The Chapel Hill Carrboro city school district has been ranked the number one school district in North Carolina, with a 13 to 1 student-teacher ratio and an astounding 94.5% graduation rate. The food scene in Chapel Hill is heavily influenced by the large UNC college population, with many cafes, breweries, and restaurants on historic Franklin Street. Housing in Chapel Hill is relatively expensive, mainly due to the lack of supply and high demand. The drive to RDU Airport can also take a while, up to 25 minutes depending on your location in Chapel Hill and the traffic.
While there are plenty of pros to living in the triangle area, there are also a few cons to moving here, such as the heat and humidity in the summer, occasional thunderstorms, hurricanes, and even snowstorms. If you’re thinking of moving to the triangle area, Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill are three great options for you to consider. My team would love to help you.