Raleigh is a fantastic city and region. It’s not exactly news…at least to the people who live here. But when the rest of the country recognizes what we have here, it’s a proud moment. Once again, Raleigh, NC, is ranked in the top 5 places to live in the US.

U.S. News and World Report placed Raleigh, and the rest of the Research Triangle, in the number 5 spot in their “Best Places to Live for Quality of Life in the U.S. in 2024-2025” report. Ann Arbor, MI; Boulder, CO; Boise, ID; and Honolulu, HI, took the first 4 places on the list.

The assessment of the quality of life in Raleigh calls it a “family-friendly city” with a cost of living “on par with the national average.” 

Why is Raleigh such a great place to live?

What qualities do you want from your hometown and the surrounding region? Chances are, Raleigh ticks off every box on your list.

It’s a city with a Southern vibe.

The capital of the Tar Heel State, Raleigh, NC, is nearing a population of half a million people (currently 487,942). It qualifies as a big city by this measurement, but the character feels less like a metro. The skyline isn’t filled with skyscrapers. The streets aren’t packed with people rushing from one place to the next.

Instead, you’ll experience a friendly place that’s infused with Southern hospitality (and manners). Maybe it’s the scenic beauty everywhere in Raleigh. Parks with gardens and towering oaks, greenways where you can enjoy a relaxing walk among unspoiled landscapes—it’s all part of the cityscape here.

The job market is thriving.

Raleigh is one of the best places to live in the US, and another reason is the strength of the job market. Raleigh’s unemployment rate is just 3.3%, lower than the national average of 4.2%.

Raleigh is part of The Research Triangle, a region in North Carolina that is bordered by Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill. The area is known for a large number of businesses in technology (more than 4,000 companies), life sciences (more than 600), and finance. Employers range from start-ups to such corporate giants as Google, Cisco, Oracle, Pfizer, Biogen, and Fidelity Investments.

The Research Triangle is also home to some of the country’s most acclaimed research universities—Duke University, University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, and North Carolina State University. The availability of the universities’ resources, including graduates, appeals to the industries that seek a qualified labor pool here.

You’ll never be bored.

What do you do for fun? Whether you’re on your own, with friends or kids, you’ll have a long list of things to do in Raleigh.

Raleigh has 6 downtown districts, each with its own character.

• Fayetteville Street, a pedestrian mall in Downtown Raleigh, plays host to outdoor events.
• You can easily spend a day in the historic City Market district, which features shopping, dining, and entertainment.
• The Capital District is the hub for government—the State Capitol, Legislative Building, and Governor’s Mansion are here—and the location of the North Carolina History Museum and North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences.
• For a unique blend of art, shopping, and dining, visit the Warehouse District, where brick warehouses have been reborn as a destination place.
• Moore Square has undergone a transformation recently. The 4-acre park is a green space where people gather for relaxation, cool off in the splash pad, or to take in one of the many outdoor performances held here.
• Seaboard Station and Person Street is a city neighborhood that’s drawing more residents for the walkability that comes from living close to everything you need.

The city has a thriving art and music scene. The Lincoln Theatre is a popular venue for concerts. Local galleries and museums contribute to Raleigh’s place as a cultural hub, with exhibits of art, history, and science. You can combine art with recreation by biking the Art to Heart Trail, a 6-mile urban trail that connects the North Carolina Museum of Art with the Performing Arts Center in Downtown Raleigh.

The City of Oaks offers a tempting array of restaurants, bars, wineries, and craft brewpubs. From food trucks and outdoor cafes to diners, bistros, and gourmet restaurants, you’ll have countless ways to satisfy your appetite among Raleigh’s dining options. For beer, wine, and other libations, you’ll have just as many ways to quench your thirst. Taprooms, bars, lounges, and wine havens are sprinkled throughout Raleigh. Choose your destination and your drink, like the best espresso martini in Raleigh or the top local breweries.

Family-friendly

The family-friendly activities, attractions, and events are plentiful in Raleigh, too.

No matter the ages of your children, check out Pullen Park. This unique recreational area includes a historic carousel, miniature train, pedal boats, aquatic center, tennis courts, baseball fields, arts center, playground, picnic pavilions, and a cafe.

Like Pullen Park, the Marbles Kids Museum is fun for all ages. Interactive learning combines with playtime and exploration. Camps are offered during school breaks, and the IMAX theatre lends big-screen excitement to family movies.

Another measure of Raleigh’s quality of life for families is demonstrated in the quality of the schools. The city is known for its dedication to well-rounded education, so your children reap the benefits of these great schools.

Outdoor lovers love Raleigh.

The temperate climate and wealth of recreational opportunities tempt outdoor lovers. Whatever sport you enjoy, you’ll find a venue nearby.

There are 15 lakes near Raleigh, if water sports are your preference. Here are a few:

• Lake Johnson spans 150 acres in Raleigh. Walk, bike, or run the 3-mile loop round the shore or take your paddleboard, kayak, canoe, or sunfish on the lake’s crystal water.
• Lake Raleigh is 10 minutes from Downtown, a popular spot for paddlers and nature hikers. And there are other lakes where you can enjoy your favorite water sports.
• Lake Wheeler is one of the larger lakes near Raleigh, spanning 650 acres that are wrapped in 150 acres of parkland around the shore.

Just 10 miles northwest of Downtown Raleigh, William B. Umstead State Park is an easy drive for your outdoor adventures. Take a scenic nature walk or go hiking, mountain biking, or horseback riding through 5,000 wooded acres, or paddling on one of the 3 lakes. With so much to do, you might want to camp out in the park.

The city maintains a vast network of more than 200 public parks. You’ll find every type of retreat here. Spread out and picnic on manicured lawns. Settle down in a wooded location or by a lake. Watch your kids make new friends on the playgrounds.

If you love the great outdoors, you’ll appreciate the local produce, baked goods, craft, and wares at Raleigh’s various farmers markets. Don’t miss the Raleigh State Farmers Market, open 7 days a week all year, and spread across 75 acres filled with indoor and outdoor shops.

Golfers love the Raleigh region for the choice of golf courses, which include 3 of the top 5 golf courses in North Carolina.

Quality healthcare is everywhere.

Access to good healthcare contributes to the quality of life of an area. The Triangle region is known for its high concentration of doctors and hospitals to patients. You’re never far from getting the help you need. Nationally ranked Duke University Hospital and WakeMed are just two of the highly acclaimed healthcare facilities in the region.

Raleigh is a smart investment

The Milken Institute evaluated 403 American cities to determine which were best performing. Based on affordability, labor market conditions, sustainable growth, and high-tech impact, Raleigh NC ranked second on the list of 2024 Best Performing Cities, moving up from the third spot last year (Austin, TX, leads the list).

A new home is a great investment in areas that are ranked as the best places to live and high performing cities. Raleigh is no exception. With a thriving housing market, buying one of the new homes in Raleigh is a smart move. Whether you live there or use it for rental income, homes and townhomes are in high demand here.

Of course, that means home prices will eventually go up in prime locations, so it’s best to buy a home sooner rather than later.

Financing options to help you buy now

If interest rates are holding you back, you have financing options worth considering. A rate buydown allows you to lower your mortgage interest rate by purchasing discount points. You can reduce the rate for 1 year, 2 years, or even the entire term of your loan. Talk to your lender to determine the best option.

At New Home Inc., we’re paying for the rate buydown, so you get the lower interest rate without paying for the points.

You could also consider an adjustable rate mortgage. This home loan program usually comes with an initial lower interest rate than a fixed rate mortgage. If the rates shift in your favor during the early part of your loan, you can refinance and lock in the lower rate for the fixed term.

Remember, while you’re waiting and watching, home prices are rising. Take advantage of low interest rates to get more home for less by acting now.

And here’s an interesting note for you. You can actually save money by building a new home rather than buying a resale! New construction homes are now less expensive than older homes. They’re brand new, feature the latest design and construction trends, and are backed with a full warranty.

New homes for sale near Raleigh, NC

Raleigh, NC, is ranked in the top 5 places to live in the US. And New Home Inc. can help bring you home here. We have new townhomes in Raleigh, NC and communities of new construction homes near Raleigh, too. If you want to move right away, look at our quick move-in homes in popular Raleigh suburbs, like Lillington, Fuquay-Varina, Smithfield, and Willow Spring, NC.

New Home Inc.’s townhomes and single-family homes for sale near Raleigh offer a variety of design options. Each floor plan has the flexibility for you to personalize the interior and exterior details. Our single-family home floor plans can easily tailor to Craftsman, Traditional, Coastal, and Country styles of architecture. And we give you home design choices for single-level and multi-story homes, with 1,471 to more than 5,000 square feet.

Townhome living is a popular choice for single professionals, families, and empty nesters. We have new construction townhomes Raleigh, NC, ready and waiting for you. Or choose a townhome floor plan and let us build one exactly the way you envision it.

For all the reasons listed here—and more—Raleigh, NC, is ranked in the top 5 places to live in the US. New Home Inc. is making it affordable to buy a brand new home or new construction townhomes in Raleigh NC. See what we’re doing to give you a home that is smart, healthy, and innovative.

Contact New Home Inc. to learn more about our locations, communities, homes, and financing.