Located halfway between North Carolina's beaches and mountains, Raleigh is a delightfully sophisticated and hospitable city with a rich history, beautiful setting and world-class educational and business opportunities.

"Nestled among the native long-leaf pines in the heart of the Tar Heel State," says Realtor Tom Menges , "lies a cluster of delightful communities with a quality of life second to none. Raleigh, Cary, Wake Forest, Durham and Chapel Hill make up an area that has been ranked among the nation's best places to live, start a business, raise a family and get a world-class education. At the core of the criteria for these rankings, you'll discover unique neighborhoods and communities that are steeped in tradition and history with a rare blend of cultural diversity of people from around the world."

"Our local real estate market has seen a remarkable surge in buyer activity," says Menges. "Many neighborhoods have seen sufficient gains that real estate appraisers are having difficulty in justifying some sale prices."

Says Realtor Rick Freeman , "Often described as a city within a park, Raleigh is the country's only preplanned and deliberately developed state capital. Raleigh is famous for offering a solid economic foundation of higher education, high-tech research and industry, and a commitment to government and business. Designated an "All American City," this vital and thriving community offers a diverse and sophisticated quality of life."

Raleigh ranks in the Top 10 of "Relocation Hot Spots." RELO, a large, independent relocation network reports that Raleigh ranks #6 in the list of most popular cities for relocation of corporate-sponsored transferees, second-home buyers, retirees, and those who can work virtually anywhere and are focused solely on lifestyle. Raleigh is seen favorably according to the network because "the average home price is $259,703, the cost-of-living index is 103, and there is one Fortune 500 firm. The area is an educational hub with several highly-regarded learning institutions." Cities ranking above Raleigh were Washington, DC, Jupiter, FL, Atlanta, GA, Chicago, IL, and Dallas, Texas.

Freeman explains, "The neighborhoods of Raleigh, Durham and Chapel Hill are the essence of this North Carolina region. While new construction is following the predetermined paths established by the Interstate and inner and outer beltways, older homes closer to downtown are being renovated to preserve the architectural heritage of these cities. Outlying towns are quickly becoming the neighborhoods of choice for many newcomers. As new communities are built, retail and commercial developments are soon to follow. The outlying municipalities of Garner, Clayton, Fuquay-Varina, Apex, Holly Springs and Morrisville are experiencing tremendous growth and are attracting newcomers' attention with affordable housing options. Best known for outstanding universities and colleges, the Triangle is home to N.C. State in Raleigh, UNC in Chapel Hill and Duke University in Durham. While there is so much to see and do in the Triangle, residents love the fact that the coast is less than two hours away and a weekend trip to the mountains requires just a three-hour drive. Locally, there are several lakes that provide weekend retreats from the warm summer months. And William B. Umstead State Park provides a great escape outdoors for the entire family."

"Raleigh, the capital of North Carolina and home to around 316,000 people, is surrounded by several thriving suburban communities," says Realtor Darlene Diamond Stibb , "It has grown into one of the most dynamic cities in the United States and is centrally located between the mountains and the beaches -- approximately 150 miles west of the Atlantic Ocean and 190 miles east of the Great Smoky Mountains. While Greater Raleigh has become world renown for the Research Triangle Park it is also the crossroads to seven colleges and universities and a variety of cultural and recreational activities. The lakes and parks of Raleigh are some of the areas greatest attractions. Through the last decade, Raleigh has topped the lists of numerous nationwide rankings, and continues to be recognized as a desirable place to live and work. Downtown Raleigh is the business and government hub of the city. Surrounding downtown and extending to Interstate 440 in all directions is the rest of what is referred to as inside the beltline offering a quick jaunt to just about any neighboring city."

Continues Stibb, "Due to its popularity and location, the area inside the beltline has seen dramatic increases in property values. North Raleigh is considered the area just north of the Interstate 440 (the beltline's inner loop). With the recent opening of Interstate 540 (the outer loop) new home growth had sprouted in North Raleigh -- which now offers an easy commute to almost any Triangle attraction. Raleigh offers a large selection of older and newer homes at affordable prices. Mid-range to upscale homes on tree-lined streets can be found in many of the diverse neighborhoods."

"Condominium and townhouses start at less than $100,000, while single-family homes start at about $150,000 and go to over $2 million for large estate properties."