Raleigh, United States 🇺🇸
Nomad Score:
73%
Essentials
| 🏙️ City | Raleigh is the capital city of North Carolina known for its rich history, vibrant culture, and numerous universities. |
| 👥 Population | Approximately 474,000 residents. |
| 💻 Internet Speed | Average internet speed is around 180 Mbps. |
| 💸 Currency & Banking | 1 USD = 1 USD. Major banks include Bank of America, Wells Fargo, and US Bank. |
| 🚰 Tap Water | Safe to drink, Raleigh provides high-quality tap water. |
| 🔌 Power | 120V, 60Hz, Type A/B sockets. |
| 📶 SIM Card | Major providers include Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile with good coverage. |
| 💳 Banking for Expats | Most banks accept international cards. Services like Revolut are also available. |
| 🛌 Accommodation | Options range from apartments on Airbnb to serviced apartments; average rent for a 1-bedroom is around $1,500/month. |
| 💳 Cashless Friendly | Yes, cards are widely accepted. |
| 🏠 Short Term Rentals | Airbnb and VRBO are commonly used for short stays. |
| 🛏️ Budget Accommodation | Hostel options like HI Raleigh offer budget beds starting from $30/night. |
Working and Networking
| 🏢 Best Coworking Space | CoWorking @ Raleigh; membership starts at $99/month. |
| ☕ Best Cafe for Work | Sola Coffee Cafe offers a great atmosphere and fast Wi-Fi. |
| 💼 Networking Events | Meetups and events can be found on Meetup.com, with many focusing on tech and entrepreneurship. |
| 🥂 Social Events for Expats | Raleigh International Meetup group hosts regular networking events. |
Transportation
| 🚕 Best Taxi/Ride App | Uber and Lyft operate widely in Raleigh. |
| 🚲 Bike/Scooter Rental | Lime and Bird scooters are available for rental throughout the city. |
| 🏖️ Best Beach Nearby | Wrightsville Beach, about a 2-hour drive away. |
| ✈️ Top Regional Airline | Piedmont Airlines offers regional service within the US. |
| ✈️ Top International Airline | American Airlines and Delta Airlines provide international connections. |
| 🛣️ Highway Access | Interstate 40 and 440 are major highways providing easy access. |
| 🚉 Main Train/Transit Hub | Raleigh Union Station serves as the main transit hub. |
| 🚍 Public Transport Passes | GoPass offers unlimited rides for a day at $2.50. |
| ✈️ Regional Travel | Amtrak provides train services to nearby cities like Durham and Charlotte. |
Health and Wellness
| 🏥 Best Hospital | WakeMed Health & Hospitals provides comprehensive medical services. |
| 🧘 Yoga & Wellness Centers | Cary Yoga provides a variety of classes for all levels. |
| 🏋️ Gyms & Fitness Centers | Gold's Gym and Planet Fitness offer various fitness options. |
| 🧺 Laundry Services | Raleigh has many laundromats; Soap Suds Laundromat is popular. |
Food and Drink
| 📱 Best Food Delivery App | UberEats and DoorDash are widely used for food delivery. |
| 🍽️ Best Local Dish to Try | Carolina barbecue is a must-try. |
| 🍱 Vegan/Vegetarian Options | Vegan restaurants like Happy + Hale offer a range of plant-based dishes. |
| 🍫 Best Dessert Spots | The Cupcake Shoppe Bakery is famous for its cupcakes. |
| 🛒 Affordable Shopping Spots | State Farmers Market offers fresh produce and local goods. |
| 🛒 E-commerce/Online Store | Amazon is widely used for online shopping. |
| 🛒 Grocery Delivery | Instacart and Shipt are popular for grocery delivery. |
| 🍸 Bar/Nightlife Area | Hillsborough Street is known for its vibrant nightlife. |
| 🍻 Local Brewery | Raleigh Brewing Company offers a range of local brews. |
| 🍷 Wine Bars | Wine Authorities provides a great selection of wines. |
| 🍲 Street Food Stalls | Food trucks can be found at various events and pop-up locations. |
| 🍕 Popular International Cuisine | Cilantro is a popular spot for Indian cuisine. |
Culture and Attractions
| 🎟️ Must-See Landmarks | North Carolina State Capitol and William B. Umstead State Park are highlights. |
| 🏛️ Museums & Art Venues | North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences and the North Carolina Museum of Art. |
| 🏰 Historical Sites | Historic Oakwood neighborhood features Victorian-style houses. |
| 🕍 Religious Sites | Raleigh City Temple is notable among the local churches. |
| 🎉 Annual Events | The North Carolina State Fair occurs every October. |
| 🎨 Cultural Districts | Downtown Raleigh is known for its vibrant art and music scene. |
| 🎭 Theater Venues | The Duke Energy Center for the Performing Arts hosts various performances. |
| 🛍️ Local Markets | Raleigh City Market has local vendors and shops. |
| 🎼 Music Scene | Local music venues such as The Pour House Music Hall feature emerging artists. |
| 🎨 Street Art | The Moore Square area showcases various murals and street artwork. |
| 🧑🍳 Cooking Classes | The Pit offers cooking classes focusing on barbecue. |
| 👩🎨 Art Galleries | Artspace features local artists and exhibitions. |
| 🕰️ Historic Buildings | The Pullen Park Carousel is a historic landmark. |
| 🏴 Local Heritage | Raleigh celebrates its history in the Tobacco Road. |
Nature and Outdoor Activities
| 🌅 Nearby Nature Escapes | William B. Umstead State Park offers hiking, biking, and lakes. |
| 🏞️ National Parks Nearby | Great Smoky Mountains National Park is about 3 hours away. |
| 🚲 Cycling/Walking Paths | Neuse River Trail provides scenic paths for walking and cycling. |
| 🌄 Scenic Viewpoints | The view from the Raleigh City Plaza is notable. |
| 🦉 Birdwatching Locations | Jordan Lake State Recreation Area is great for birdwatching. |
| 🔥 Bonfire-Friendly Spots | Bond Park has designated areas for bonfires. |
Other Services and Amenities
| 📦 Parcel Delivery Service | FedEx and UPS have several locations across the city. |
| 🛠️ Tech Repair Services | Best Buy and uBreakiFix offer various tech repair services. |
| 🏓 Table Tennis Spots | The Raleigh Table Tennis Club hosts regular meets. |
| 🧑🏫 Language Classes | Wake Technical Community College offers diverse language courses. |
| 📚 Libraries & Study Spots | The Wake County Public Library System is ideal for reading and studying. |
| 🏘️ Community Centers | Pullen Community Center offers various programs and events. |
| 🕹️ Gaming Lounges | Game On is a popular gaming lounge in Raleigh. |
| 🎰 Casino & Gaming Halls | There are no casinos in Raleigh, but nearby Cherokee Casino is an option. |
Business
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. $3,000 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = $120,000) |
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. $2,500 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = $100,000) |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. $2,800 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $168,000) |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. $2,200 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $132,000) |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. $3,200 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $256,000) |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. $2,800 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $224,000) |
| 💼 Corporate Tax | Standard corporate tax rate is 3%. |
| 💵 Dividend Withholding Tax | Dividend withholding tax is 5%. |
| 🏦 Tax System | Income tax system based on progressive rates. |
| 📈 Highest Income Tax Bracket | The maximum personal income tax rate is 5.75%. |
| 🧾 VAT | Sales tax is 7.25% in Raleigh. |
| 🌐 Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules | Yes, North Carolina has strict CFC rules. |
| 🏠 Property Tax | Property tax is based on assessed value. |
| 🏠 Property Transaction Tax | A transfer tax of $1 per $500 (for properties over $1 million). |