A Renter’s Guide to Moving to Raleigh, N.C.

Raleigh, N.C., has been on the rise as one of the best cities in the Southeast and, as a result, it’s seen an influx of people from all over the country. From its culture to the emerging tech scene, this city could be the perfect destination if you’re looking for a new place to call home. 

Of course, when first moving here, you’ll want to rent an apartment or room in a home for flexibility and to get a taste of the community. For this reason, we put together this guide on moving to Raleigh from a renter’s perspective and, without further ado, here’s what you should know about the city:

About Raleigh

Raleigh is the capital of and the second-largest city in North Carolina. Located in the northeast central region of the state, the weather here is temperate overall, with mild spring and fall months, hot summers, and cold to moderate winters.

Why Raleigh?

As part of North Carolina’s Research Triangle, Raleigh is a great place for people looking to get into research, as well as business.

The city’s main industries span a wide range, including pharmaceutical, apparel, food production, financial services, telecommunication, and tech. With a booming job market, the city tends to attract young professionals and recent grads. Offering a mix of emerging opportunities in combination with the tranquil, town-like pace of life, it's no wonder 64 people move to this southern city every day!

There are plenty of options for higher education with NC State, UNC-CH, and Duke all within 30 miles of one another, drawing in tons of students, professors, and researchers to the area. Not to mention the city is filled with world-renowned chefs and restaurants, bringing delicious food and a lively nightlife into the lives of locals.

The outdoors are another good reason to move to this city. Offering its residents trails, parks, gorgeous views of the mountains, and ease of access to the beach, this city is an ideal location for young families and nature lovers alike.

Cost of Living

The cost of living in Raleigh is ever so slightly above the national average. Due to the steady increase of residents moving to the area, home prices have gradually gone up over the past few years. However, this doesn't stop most people from moving to the City of Oaks. 

Rental apartments in Raleigh average $975, much lower than other cities in America, and a lot of homeowners go into buying knowing that their new home will continue to appreciate in the coming years. You not only get more space for your dollar but also get to live in a city full of opportunity and vibrant culture.

Finding a Place to Rent

To find an apartment in Raleigh, it’s best to start your search in the month of your move (so that you can move in as soon as you’ve decided) and use online platforms like Alcove with verified sources to make sure you steer clear of rental scams.

Alcove is unique in that it allows you to search for available rentals in the future. So if you're aware of when you'll be moving, you can identify which homes or apartments you want to tour ahead of time.

Select your new place according to your priorities like location, the length of your commute, the preferred size of the rental, how much you want to pay for rent, and how long you want to rent for (3-18 months). In this way, even if you don’t know the neighborhoods, you’ll find a place that suits your needs. 

After you’ve narrowed your search, take advantage of virtual tours on our site — especially if you’re from another state — and check out the rooms you like most. You can even schedule tours for a day when you’re planning to be in Raleigh to make your final decision or just simply fill out an application online. Have peace of mind knowing you'll arrive with all utilities (even super fast wifi) set up and ready to go from the moment you step foot in your new home.

Moving to Raleigh

Depending on where you’re moving from, arrange for professional movers or drive your car to the city. Either way, research the current COVID-19 regulations in place to make sure you’re aware of any safety measures you need to follow. After you’ve found the right apartment, you can hire a cleaning service to prepare the place for your move. So you'll arrive at your new, beautiful, clean rental having done less planning, giving you more time to focus on the fun things, like decor.

If you’ve decided to move to Raleigh, rest assured that there will be many things to do and enjoy once you get here. The city is continuously growing, with an increasing number of opportunities for people who live and work here. Raleigh is definitely a good choice for those looking for community and high quality of life.