17 Best Neighborhoods in Raleigh, NC [2023 Guide]
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Moving to Raleigh is a popular decision these days. The city has exploded with growth recently — so how can you choose from the best neighborhoods in Raleigh?
Raleigh is a hub for various technology companies, the finest academic institutions, and leading the agriculture industry, so jobs are plentiful across various career paths. Vacation planning is easy, considering it is only a couple of hours to some of the country’s best beaches, as well as an easy drive to the mountains for some of the most scenic hiking trails. Raleigh truly is a great place to live, work, and play.
But what neighborhood is best for you?
Well, it depends on your tastes. Contact us and we’ll help you find what you’re looking for in your price range. Some folks are looking for areas like the hustle and bustle of Inside the Beltline home, while others want the serenity of an older, more mature neighborhood. In the meantime, keep reading to learn more about some of the best neighborhoods in Raleigh, in no particular order, to see if any seem like a good fit for you.
Methodology disclaimer: We sourced median home prices for each neighborhood from Neighborhood Scout in July 2023.
Chapters
1. Oakwood
Best for: Young professionals
Median home price: $645,798
Located in Downtown Raleigh, Oakwood is a historic district that dates back to the 1800s. It's important to note that the neighborhood wasn't always a great place to live, and it took time to develop into something special. The Oakwood neighborhood is loaded with incredible oak trees. It is a popular area among professionals working in Downtown Raleigh, particularly among the Raleigh newcomers.
In this neighborhood, you will find all types of real estate, from restored Grand Victorians built in the 1800s to colonial-style homes to newly constructed homes. Oakwood is a great spot for a young professional or family because it offers a short walk to Downtown Raleigh, where there are great restaurants and bars.
The many trees in this neighborhood are part of the appeal since it gives a cozy neighborhood feel to the bustling downtown. Oakwood is one of Raleigh’s more expensive neighborhoods because of its prime location and historic culture.
Check out homes for sale in Oakwood to find your home in this trendy neighborhood.
2. Cameron Village
Best for: Young professionals with bustling social lives
Median home price: $729,174
Cameron Village offers everything you could want within walking distance. Located west of downtown and close to North Carolina State, you’ll find one of the best outdoor shopping centers, the Village District. Check out the food, including one of the best brunch places, the Flying Biscuit Café. You’ll never tire of the locally owned boutiques, yoga studios for fitness fanatics, spas, and even a state-of-the-art library if you want to get work done with minimal distractions.
The Cameron Village shopping area offers great views of the city skyline as well. Real estate in this area begins at around $550,000 and ranges from ranch-style homes to historic properties. It's ideal for young professionals, investors seeking properties to rent to college students, and established folks looking to settle in their homes for the long haul.
Check out homes for sale in Cameron Village for the perfect home to live in through all life’s changes.
3. Boylan Heights
Best for: Envious location
Median home price: $662,129
Boylan Heights is one of the most sought-after areas in Raleigh. It was established in 1907 as one of the prime suburban Raleigh neighborhoods and continues to share in the rich history of Raleigh’s development. Architectural homes found on the street include transitional Queen Anne/Colonial Revivals, Dutch Colonials, and Foursquares with Colonial Revival or Craftsman detailing.
Boylan Heights is located west of Downtown Raleigh and includes Dorothea Dix Park, which has one of the best farmer's markets in Raleigh, fields, and walking paths. Homeowners recognize the monetary worth and sentimental value to the community, so finding a home in this neighborhood is an opportunity that won't last long.
Check out homes in Boylan Heights for a home in one of Raleigh’s most popular neighborhoods.
4. Hayes Barton
Best for: Larger homes and lots
Median home price: $1.3 million
Hayes Barton is one of the most popular and expensive places to live in Raleigh. With that desirability comes a considerably higher price point. The great location in Downtown Raleigh, the history of the neighborhood, the homes with mature trees, and the larger lots have a lot to offer any home buyer.
There are plenty of restaurants, businesses, and parks nearby, making this neighborhood a perfect place for almost anyone looking for a live, work, and play mentality. Hayes Barton homes usually cost well over a million dollars because of the location and high demand.
Check out homes in Hayes Barton if you want a home in Downtown Raleigh where you can still have some peace and quiet.
5. Mordecai
Best for: Historic homes
Median home price: $616,736
Mordecai is a fairly small neighborhood, but it’s also one of the most historic areas in Raleigh. Residents love the historic homes while staying within walking distance of plenty of other restaurants, cafes, and things to do in Raleigh.
Mordecai has exploded in recent years as an amazing place to live, largely thanks to the prime location. It's a bit north of Oakwood, making it a slightly further walk to all that Downtown Raleigh has to offer, but it’s developed a culture of its own.
Check out homes for sale in Mordecai for a historic home without sacrificing your metropolitan lifestyle.
6. Downtown Raleigh
Best for: Central location
Median home price: $529,117
You’ll find Downtown Raleigh to be one of the most desirable places to live. If you’re a young professional looking for easy access to city life, then Raleigh is the place to be.
Downtown offers single-family homes with yard space ideal for outdoor entertainment, townhouses that offer city skyline views, and condos within walking distance to bars, coffee shops, and some of the best restaurants in Raleigh.
Check out homes in Downtown Raleigh for a can’t-beat-it location in one of North Carolina’s most popular cities.
7. South Park
Best for: Up-and-coming neighborhood
Median home price: $544,306
Located just south of Downtown Raleigh, South Park is a great up-and-coming neighborhood. It's just a heartbeat away from downtown city life, but has great neighborly vibes. Like the neighborhoods of Oakwood and Mordecai, South Park has been experiencing some fast-paced new construction, with new commercial developments also coming to the area.
South Park is a well-established neighborhood with a long-standing history. Homes in this neighborhood were built in the 1930s, but you’ll also find newly constructed homes consisting of two-story three-to-four-bedroom detached houses. This area encompasses Shaw University, the Martin Marietta Center for the Performing Arts, Little Rock Greenway Trail, John Chavis Memorial Park, and Transfer Co. Food Hall.
Explore homes in South Park today to find your home in one of the best Raleigh neighborhoods.
8. North Hills
Best for: Family-friendly neighborhood
Median home price: $539,785
Located just North of the beltline, North Hills is developing rapidly and always changing. North Hills is a great area and neighborhood for anyone who’s moving to Raleigh. It has great schools, easy access to major highways, the Crabtree Valley Mall for shoppers, great restaurants, live entertainment, and countless parks.
Live music, movies, shopping, fine dining, fast food, community events, and farmer's markets are all part of regular living activities in North Hills. Anyone interested in golf will love that Carolina Country Club is right in your neighborhood. There are also multiple access points to the Greenway for runners, dog walkers, and bikers.
Each home offers unique characteristics that are aesthetically appreciative and definitely worth a look! It’s a great neighborhood for young families, young professionals, and older adult families alike, which is just one reason why its popularity has grown exponentially.
Check out homes for sale in North Hills to find a home in this trendy neighborhood.
9. Wakefield
Best for: Suburban feel
Median home price: $317,363
If you like living in a suburban neighborhood with easy access to downtown, then Wakefield is an area to consider. Wakefield is located in the northeast region of Raleigh and is 30 minutes from downtown. There is easy access to grocery stores, healthcare facilities, and highly rated public schools. Love to golf? Many North Carolina natives do, too. This would be a convenient location to pick up with the TPC Wakefield Country Club right in your neighborhood.
Check out homes in Wakefield today to find a home that offers a suburban lifestyle while still in Raleigh.
10. Falls River
Best for: Young families
Median home price: $515,000
Looking for an ideal family neighborhood? Falls River is an impeccable area to see. The majority of this neighborhood was built in 2002 and offers easy access to greenways adjacent to the Neuse River. Falling in the Wakefield School District, you can rest assured knowing you reside in a quality educational district.
The median home price in Falls River is more affordable compared to other Raleigh neighborhoods — ideal for when you’re saving up to send kids off to college and want a family-friendly community in the meantime.
Check out homes in Falls River to find the best home for your growing family.
11. Brier Creek
Best for: Location between Raleigh and Durham
Median home price: $904,274
Located in the heart of the Triangle — directly between Raleigh and Durham and just north of the Cary-Apex area — Brier Creek is a fast-growing neighborhood. Almost completely undeveloped in the '90s, Brier Creek looks quite different now. It’s now home to thousands of single-family residences and condominiums, and offers great access to RDU, Raleigh’s international airport.
Brier Creek Country Club, an Arnold Palmer-designed course, is a luxurious golf community offering million-dollar homes. Golfers who are moving to Raleigh will love the Brier Creek area.
This neighborhood is particularly appealing to young professionals, families, and older adults, as the access to Interstates 40 and 540 offer easy transportation to other areas of the Triangle. Brier Creek is located in Wake County and has highly rated public schools — perfect for families.
Check out all the homes for sale in Brier Creek if you’re ready to give Wake County a chance.
12. Five Points
Best for: A blend of several Raleigh neighborhoods
Median home price: $698,134
The Five Points neighborhood is a bit of a misnomer, named after an infamous intersection where six roads meet. Some residents consider parts of the following neighborhoods to be in the Five Points area:
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Bloomsbury
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Hayes Barton
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Georgetown
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Villa Park
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Roanoke Park
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White Oak Forest
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Vanguard Park
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Oxford Park
It’s located north of Raleigh’s downtown and includes many restaurants, bars, and boutique shops. Five Points offers some great views of the skyscrapers located downtown, and there is easy access to Downtown Raleigh.
Check out homes in Five Points today to live in a neighborhood where you can enjoy a variety of architectural styles without traveling too far.
13. Bryson Village
Best for: Maximizing budget
Median home price: $376,945
Bryson Village is one of the newest neighborhoods in Raleigh. It’s a D.R. Horton community, offering fantastic homes, good-sized lots, and reasonable prices. The neighborhood is located next to Interstate 540, which gives you easy access all around the Triangle. Once the 540 loop is finished, it will make transportation even easier.
Check out the availability of homes for sale in the Bryson Village neighborhood for a well-connected community with great value.
14. Stonehenge
Best for: Retirees
Median home price: $476,874
Located north of Raleigh and below Interstate 540, Stonehenge is home to some great real estate. There are a variety of single-family homes and townhouses, so you can explore all types of homes to see what feels right for you. Amenities include several local clubs, including Seven Oaks Swim and Racquet Club.
For those moving to Raleigh, Stonehenge is a great neighborhood to check out. It offers easy transportation around the Research Triangle Park area. This is a particularly great neighborhood with lots of options for retirees and seniors. Retirement communities include The Cypress of Raleigh, Abbotswood at Stonehenge, and Springmoor.
Check homes for sale in Stonehenge for a neighborhood you can enjoy throughout your retirement years.
15. Six Forks
Best for: Larger homes
Median home price: $502,746
Located in north Raleigh, Six Forks has a median home price of around $500,000. Many of the homes in the Six Forks area are between three and five bedrooms and were built between 1970 and 1990.
Six Forks is among the best neighborhoods for families in North Carolina, with a childhood poverty rate that’s lower than 76% of American neighborhoods and strong public schools.
Check out Six Forks homes for sale in Raleigh for a larger home with all the space you need.
16. Oberlin and Glenwood Ave.
Best for: Historically significant homes
Median home price: $765,430
Real estate in the Glenwood neighborhood is on the pricey side, with a median sales price of over $700,000. In the Glenwood Ave./Pasquotank Dr. neighborhood, homes are older and were typically built between 1940 and 1970, though there are a number of residences that were built prior to 1940.
Real estate in the Oberlin and Glenwood Ave. area is mostly owner-occupied. These homes widely vary in terms of what year they were built.
With easy access to downtown, this neighborhood is one of the best for raising a family in Raleigh. The Oberlin neighborhood offers access to some of the best Raleigh has to offer, such as the North Carolina Opera. Oberlin also had an important role in the civil rights movement, and was the site of several sit-ins in the 1960s.
Check out all the Glenwood homes for sale in Raleigh when exploring your next move.
17. North Carolina State University
Best for: Students
Median home price: $619,289
The North Carolina State University area is a great place for college students and real estate investors. The vacancy rates are extremely low in this neighborhood due to the prime location for students and employees of NCSU.
Because the area caters to students, there’s tons to do, plus several parks in the area, catering to every need.
Check out all the homes for sale near NC State, whether you’re a student or a younger Raleigh newcomer looking for a neighborhood you’ll never get bored of.
FAQ
What is the nicest area in Raleigh?
Hayes Barton is one of the most popular areas to live in Raleigh, located just a couple miles north of Downtown.
What is the most affluent suburb in Raleigh?
Brier Creek is an outer Raleigh neighborhood between Durham and Raleigh. It’s a popular place to live, which makes it more expensive, with a median home price of just over $900,000. For a more central location, Hayes Barton is near Downtown Raleigh and has a median home price of $1.3 million.
What’s the most affordable neighborhood in Raleigh?
Of the neighborhoods in Raleigh we’ve covered, Wakefield is the most affordable, with a median home price of $317,363.
How much money do I need to make to live in Raleigh?
The median income in Raleigh is $40,520, and the cost of living in Raleigh is generally below the national average.
Discover Your Favorite Raleigh Neighborhood
Our local Realtors are excellent resources when it comes to navigating and finding the best neighborhoods in Raleigh. If you'd like some firsthand help, get in touch so we can assist you based on your goals. If you're not ready to talk to a Realtor just yet, join us in our Facebook group to learn more about the area from true locals before buying a home in Raleigh.
If you're looking for the best neighborhoods in other places around North Carolina, we have an article for each area that may appeal to you:
Best Neighborhoods in Cary, NC
Best Neighborhoods in Apex, NC
Best Neighborhoods in Holly Springs, NC
Best Neighborhoods in Durham, NC
Best Neighborhoods in Chapel Hill, NC
Best Neighborhoods in Garner, NC
Best Neighborhoods in Clayton, NC
Have a neighborhood you’d like to see added? Let us know in the comments below or check out the best neighborhoods in Charlotte, NC!
Ryan Fitzgerald
Hi there! Nice to 'meet' you and thanks for visiting our Raleigh Real Estate Blog! My name is Ryan Fitzgerald, and I'm a REALTOR® in Raleigh-Durham, NC, the owner of Raleigh Realty. I work alongside some of the best Realtors in Raleigh. You can find more of my real estate content on Forbes, Wall Street Journal, U.S. News and more. Realtor Magazine named me a top 30 under 30 Realtor in the country (it was a long time ago haha). Any way, that's enough about me. I'd love to learn more about you if you'd like to connect with me on Facebook and Instagram or connect with our team at Raleigh Realty. Looking forward to connecting!