When considering a move to North Carolina, it can be hard to choose between all of the amazing cities and towns the state holds. If you’re eyeing some of our state’s most popular cities, like Raleigh or Greensboro, it can be even harder to choose between the two. There are a ton of benefits to living in each city, so it often just comes down to a matter of location and general preference. Both are becoming more popular than ever, and are growing faster and faster as more and more people seek out the Southern hospitality and affordability both cities are known for.
If you’re torn between relocating to one or the other, we’ve got all the pros and cons of living in each city so that you can make the most informed decision about where to settle down. There’s no doubt that each city is a great choice, so we’ll try to make things as easy as possible for you!
Why Move to Raleigh?
First things first: let’s discuss the capital city of North Carolina, Raleigh! Raleigh is an ever-popular and ever-growing city with a lot to offer its residents. It’s known as one of the best places to live in the country, so there’s no wonder why you’ve been eyeing it up as your next home base. Let’s get into the biggest pros and cons of living in Raleigh so you can make the right choice for yourself.
Benefits of Living in Raleigh, NC
Raleigh is a vibrant city that’s becoming more popular than ever. It’s warm, family-friendly, and is home to many top universities and lovely neighborhoods for those of all ages. The following are our top reasons to live in Raleigh.
1. Southern Charm
You’ve heard about Southern hospitality, but living in Raleigh will let you live it! This city combines an urban setting with that a laid-back Southern lifestyle, and has friendly locals, beautiful parks, and is located just a short drive from the beach or several lakes.
2. Job Market
Raleigh is known for its booming job market and the plethora of job opportunities for those in a variety of industries. It has a much lower employment rate than many other parts of the country. In addition to having many opportunities in academia and a variety of industries, the city is also home to Research Triangle Park, which is a well-known complex home to 50,000 employees and more than 200 companies. For those looking for work specifically in pharmaceuticals, environmental sciences, and biotech, Raleigh is ideal for you to find the perfect job to go with your new home.
3. Housing Prices
One of the reasons why Raleigh is so popular is due to its affordable housing. Rental prices come in on average at below $1,000 monthly, which is lower than the national average. At around $260,000, the average cost of buying a home is also very competitive and lower than the national average.
Cons of Living in Raleigh, NC
Though there aren’t many cons to living in Raleigh, every place is going to have some drawbacks. The following are the few cons of living in Raleigh for you to consider:
1. High Cost of Living
Because it has a high quality of life and low housing prices, the cost of living in Raleigh tends to be a little higher than in most places. It has an average cost of living that comes in at around 11% higher than North Carolina on average.
2. Lack of Nightlife
If you love going out on the town and hitting the club, Raleigh might not be right for you. This city is more family-friendly than individual-oriented, and offers activities more attuned to family recreation, like having picnics in one of its many parks or visiting museums.
3. Weather
Though Raleigh is a positive aspect of living in North Carolina for many its hot, muggy summers are a drawback for some. For those who enjoy cold winters, mild colder months might also not be what you’re looking for.
Why Move to Greensboro?
Now that we’ve talked a little about Raleigh, let’s discuss Greensboro, another popular city in the state. Greensboro is more suburban than Raleigh but remains just as popular. Its dense suburbanite environment is very popular with young families and is home to many top-rated public schools.
Benefits of Living in Greensboro, NC
When considering a move to Greensboro, consider the following benefits you can reap from relocating to the city:
1. Affordable Housing Prices
Like Raleigh, Greensboro has very affordable renting and buying options for those looking for housing there. With the average home price coming in at around $160,000, it’s even more affordable than Raleigh for those looking to own a home and has an average rental price coming in at around $900 for those looking to rent.
2. Low Cost of Living
As opposed to Raleigh, Greensboro has a low cost of living that makes it easier for younger families to enjoy life there. It has low-cost activities for everyone and allows everyone to be able to afford a comfortable lifestyle.
3. Educational Opportunities
Like Raleigh, Greensboro has some of the best public school systems in the country and has many top-rated universities and colleges located within the area or nearby.
Cons of Living in Greensboro, NC
Like Raleigh, there aren’t too many cons of living in Greensboro, but we’ve searched for a few to highlight for you to make the right decision.
1. Higher Property Taxes
Though it has a lower cost of living and affordable housing prices, Greensboro does have higher property taxes than most areas in North Carolina.
2. Higher Crime
Greensboro also has higher crime rates than other areas of North Carolina. Though many neighborhoods in Greensboro remain very safe (even at night!), there are higher rates of violent crime in certain neighborhoods which heightens the average rate of crime in the city as a whole.
3. Lack of Walkability
Because it’s more suburban than urban, Greensboro also isn’t as walkable as places like Raleigh. Though its downtown area remains accessible and walkable and has good public transit, those in outer neighborhoods will probably need a car to easily get around.
In Summary
All in all, both Raleigh and Greensboro are great cities with great benefits and few cons of living there. As we said before, at the end of the day, it comes down to what sort of lifestyle you’re looking for, and what you can afford on average! Either way, you’ll be happy and enjoy a comfortable lifestyle with many opportunities when you go with either city.
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