Named for Sir Walter Raleigh, the capitol of North Carolina was built on one thousand acres of land specifically purchased for that purpose at the end of the Revolutionary war when part of Carolina was broken off to form the new state. Raleigh is located just two hours from the Atlantic coast and barely three hours from the Great Smokey Mountains and offers a wide variety of activities for just about any lifestyle. As a major component of the Research Triangle, Raleigh's climate, economy, education, and recreation have made it "one of the best places to live" for Money, Forbes, and Fortune magazines for many years.

Raleigh has a comfortable climate with a mean temperature of 59.8 degrees and an average 44" of rain. Winters are moderate. The mean income of its 300,000 people was $32,054 in 1999. There are 3 major universities within 30 minutes of Raleigh: Duke University, the University of North Carolina, and North Carolina State University. There are also several other colleges and universities in the area. One hundred and twenty-three schools serve 100,000 students in Wake County where Raleigh is located. A concise description of Raleigh's population is that it is diverse, young, and highly educated.

Life In Raleigh

Raleigh-Durham International Airport is served by 16 airlines and supports over 200 flights each day. Getting there is easy in Raleigh: in addition to the three major interstates that intersect in Raleigh, the state of North Carolina has the largest state-maintained highway system in the country. As for things to do, Raleigh offers all sorts of recreational and entertainment options including college sports, Women's Club antique shows, road races, Easter Egg hunts, a Renaissance Faire and a dozen ways to celebrate the Fourth of July.

At night, downtown Raleigh offers trendy night clubs, dance clubs, plays, concerts, sports, and movies. Restaurants range from ultra elegant refined dining to java joints for coffee and cocktails. For attractions, you can visit Pullen Park with its rides (including a carousel), the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, or Brightleaf Square Mall.