With its reputable economy, vast recreation options and Southern hospitality, Raleigh encompasses numerous quality of life factors that attribute to its appeal for many people living in the central North Carolina region. Residents feel camaraderie in their communities to maintain a small-town atmosphere and big city opportunities. Recognized in recent years as one of the best places to live, Raleigh is a model for blending the best of all qualities – from historic to modern and from the natural to development.

Raleigh is part of the Raleigh-Durham-Cary area known as “the Triangle.” This economic corridor is anchored by The Research Triangle Park (RTP), a leading high-technology research and development center. More than 170 companies, with a total of more than 40,000 full-time employees, are located on RTP’s 7,000-acre campus. Some of the major employers are IBM, GlaxoSmithKline, Cisco Systems, Nortel Networks, Sony Ericsson, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and National Institute of Environmental Health Services. Many of the companies conducting research at RTP have multinational operations and the innovations provide lasting global affects.

Residents in Raleigh enjoy convenient access to countless cultural attractions including museums, galleries, performance venues, theaters and historic sites. The location of the city in the middle of the state also makes it easy for people who commute to reach Interstates, major highways, the Raleigh-Durham International Airport and Research Triangle Park. Students looking to take advantage of this stable economic market receive a well-rounded education at such renowned institutes as North Carolina State University, Peace College, Meredith College, St. Augustine College, Shaw University, University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill and Duke University in Durham.

The Raleigh Parks and Recreation Department offers an extensive array of events and programs for people looking to get active and stay involved. These activities include a variety of camps, teen adventures, senior events and the Special Olympics. Parks and facilities are scattered throughout the city, and give residents easy access to green spaces for picnicking, hiking, biking, canoeing, kayaking, climbing or fishing. Shelley Lake features two miles of paved trails, a playground and a boathouse surrounding a 53-acre lake for swimming, fishing and boating. It is not uncommon to see wildlife wandering through the woods or largemouth bass, catfish and bream glide beneath the lake waters.

More than 25,000 acres of public lands surround Falls Lake, a man-made reservoir near the Triangle Area that offers many recreational opportunities. Other parks include Lake Lynn and William B. Umstead State Park, which has 5,400-plus acres of woodlands, meadows, trails and lakes. Golfers living in the Raleigh area can practice their swing at Carolina Country Club, Raleigh Country Club and the Raleigh Golf Association course.

With all its distinct possibilities, it is easy to see why more than 350,000 residents have chosen the Greater Raleigh area to call home. Raleigh real estate is no different, and offers potential homebuyers a wide selection of property types to meet the needs of every individual or family. From single family homes in established neighborhoods and dotting the countryside, to luxury condos and townhomes close to the downtown area, Raleigh has homes of every shape and size. If you are interested in buying or selling Raleigh real estate, Tammy Anderson of RE/MAX Capital Realty can guide you throughout your transaction to ensure a smooth experience. As a real estate expert in the Raleigh, Cary and Durham area, Tammy Anderson will provide you with her knowledge of the Triangle Area and skills for negotiating to successfully close on your Raleigh home.