The 5 Best Neighborhoods In Raleigh For Young Professionals

Heather Robbins
by Heather Robbins

Are you considering moving to Raleigh? Singles, young professionals, and others can enjoy a variety of fun activities in the capital city of North Carolina because of its affordable living and abundant job opportunities. This makes it the perfect place for young professionals. However, what neighborhood is best?

Find out where to live in Raleigh as a young professional in these five neighborhoods!

  • Central Raleigh
  • Five Points
  • North Raleigh
  • Northwest Raleigh
  • West Raleigh

It’s always a good idea to research the area you’re thinking about moving to so you know the best neighborhoods to live in, especially if you’re looking for a place that will help you grow into your career. Therefore, we’ve created this list of 5 of the best neighborhoods for young professionals in Raleigh:

Do You Need to Hire Movers?

Get free, zero-commitment quotes from pro contractors near you.

The 5 Best Raleigh Neighborhoods For Young Professionals

They say for you to be successful in your career, you need to be in an area or environment that helps with that success. Therefore, we’ve brought you the best neighborhoods for young professionals in Raleigh, so you can ensure that you’re in the right area.

1. Best For Entertainment Professionals: Central Raleigh

  • Walk Score: 57
  • Crime Rating: F
  • Transit Score: 51
  • Median Rent: $798

You will love Central Raleigh if you are a single or young professional looking to live near downtown! A great deal of downtown Raleigh’s nightlife and dining options are located here, and most properties are within walking distance of major employers, including the City of Raleigh and Wells Fargo. Living in Central Raleigh means you’re close to all of the action!

What Is Central Raleigh Like?

Tickets are available for a variety of comedy, concerts, and musicals at Duke Energy Center for the Performing Arts. Acrobats and aerialists will perform, and you’ll be able to attend fashion shows at SPARKcon. You can also take part in the Brewgaloo Street Festival in Raleigh and try more than 100 different craft beers.

At Square Burger, you can order a veggie burger or a Carolina dog. Speaking of dogs, Nash Square Park is the perfect place to walk your dog or relax underneath one of the many trees. You can also visit the Boxcar Bar + Arcade, which combines arcade games, pinball, and video games with a Lagunitas IPA.

For food, Authentic Lebanese dishes such as halloumi, chicken shawarma, and beef kabobs are served at Sitti. A visit to The Pit will provide you with incredible barbecue dishes like Fried Mac N’ Cheese, Pulled Pork, and Southern Fried Chicken. Bittersweet also serves drip coffee and cheddar biscuits each morning.

2. Best For Professionals On A Budget: Five Points

  • Walk Score: 73
  • Crime Rating: B+
  • Transit Score: 44
  • Median Rent: $762

In Five Points, a historic neighborhood in north Raleigh, you can enjoy the great outdoors! This neighborhood is especially popular with singles and young professionals due to its proximity to coffee shops, craft breweries, and charming streets lined with bungalows, cottages, and Colonial-style homes. Anyone looking for a quick commute and a home with character will love this Midtown Raleigh neighborhood.

Activities In Five Points

Fallon Park is an excellent place for a jog or picnic, or if you love the arts, the Rialto Theatre is the perfect place to watch classic films. You can do anything you want, like experience the thrill of puzzle-solving at Tic Toc Escapes, or take advantage of the deep tissue massage, lash extensions, or gel manicure services available at Tao Day Spa.

A Strawberry Daiquiri or Jamaican Rum Punch are just a couple of the tropical-inspired drinks you can order at Lola’s Beach Bar. At Lilly’s Pizza, you can enjoy a wide variety of pizzas, calzones, and pasta. If you want to taste the local beers, you can do so at Crafty Beer, Wine, Spirits, where you can choose from a wide variety of local craft beers, take home a bottle of wine, or have a signature cocktail.

For food, take a seat at the counter of Hayes Barton Cafe & Dessertery and enjoy a Triple Decker BLT or a Cheeseburger-and don’t forget to save space for some Caramel Apple Pie! Or to enjoy a night out, Nickelpoint Brewing Company offers ten rotating beers on tap that are perfect for playing board games while sipping on one.

3. Best For Networking Professionals: North Raleigh

  • Walk Score: 95
  • Crime Rating: A+
  • Transit Score: 78
  • Median Rent: $873

The neighborhood of North Raleigh, which stretches from I-440 to I-540, has been growing in recent years. Although the area is considered more suburban, it is an excellent place for young professionals and singles who want new homes near shopping centers, golf courses, and parks. It won’t take you long to get to downtown Raleigh, and it is only 30 minutes from nearby Durham.

Things To Do In North Raleigh

Take a swing at the golf course, play tennis, or relax by the pool at North Ridge Country Club. Or, at Durant Nature Preserve, you can hike, mountain bike, or fish. Shelley Lake Park is the perfect place to go picnicking, walking, or playing basketball with friends.

Discover the latest fashions at Triangle Town Center, including Saks Fifth Avenue, ALDO, and H&M. Another great place is the Triangle Cultural Art Gallery that offers art workshops and exhibits local artists’ work. Sola’s Coffee serves Acai Bowls as part of its morning service.

For food, order spicy pork bento boxes or ramen and enjoy the delicious flavors of Carolina Sushi & Roll. Saints & Scholars Pub offers live music and Elysian Space Dust IPA. You can also get shrimp and grits at Winston’s Grille or a prime rib French dip and a glass of Merlot there.

4. Best For Outdoor Enthusiasts: Northwest Raleigh

  • Walk Score: 89
  • Crime Rating: A+
  • Transit Score: 58
  • Median Rent: $973

Are you an outdoor enthusiast? There are plenty of green spaces in northwest Raleigh! There are many different parks and recreation areas nearby, so residents can go fishing, horseback riding, or enjoy the outdoors. Northwest Raleigh has more to offer than just that. With a walkability score of 89, you can get to pretty much anywhere on foot.

Things to Do in Northwest Raleigh

If you love art, take a moment to view ancient Greek pottery and contemporary works of art at the North Carolina Museum of Art. Afterward, you can take a walk down Pleasant Valley Lanes with friends and knock down bowling pins.

If shopping is your thing, you can shop at The North Face, Athleta, and Madewell at Crabtree Valley Mall. Grab a bite to eat at the Lynnwood Grill & Brewing Concern which hosts trivia nights and serves local craft beer on its rooftop patio. Or, if you’re more of a takeout person, you can order traditional Mexican dishes such as Tostadas or Shrimp Tacos while enjoying a margarita at Dos Taquitos.

Enjoy some southern dishes at Relish Craft Kitchen & Bourbon Bar, where you can get the classics such as Fried Black Eyed Peas and Chicken Fried Steak. Then, grab some fresh local ice cream; you can get a vanilla ice cream or a scoop of Midnight Brownie Crunch.

5. Best For Professionals On Foot: West Raleigh

  • Walk Score: 96
  • Crime Rating: F
  • Transit Score: 77
  • Median Rent: $801

In the middle of Raleigh’s downtown and midtown, this spot is perfect for young professionals and singles! Aside from the 300-acre Lake Johnson Park, West Raleigh is known for its incredible restaurants, luxurious apartments, and affordable townhomes.

Additionally, North Carolina State University and Meredith College are located here, which gives this part of Raleigh a youthful and vibrant feel right in the middle of the city!

Things To Do In West Raleigh

Pedal boats are available for rent on Lake Howell, and you can go to Theatre in the Park in Pullen Park. You can also view more than 35,000 items at NC State’s Gregg Museum of Art & Design, including photography and Native American art. \

Visit Raleigh Municipal Rose Garden to walk through the amazing gardens and smell the different kinds of roses. After, stop in at Trophy Brewing & Taproom, where they offer trophy witbiers, such as Trophy Husband Witbier and the Mort’s Trophy Lager. Or, for pub food, the Cameron Bar and Grill offers fried cheese curds and loaded southern fries, as well as a wine and beer flight.

At State Farmers’ Market Restaurant, you can enjoy down-home breakfast dishes such as Fried Chicken Biscuits, Chicken & Waffles, and Cheddar Cheese Omelettes. SoCa serves Colombian Pan de Yuca and Guatemalan Ceviche de Camarón, which are both delicious. At Village Draft House, you can choose from 100 different kinds of beer on tap.

Do You Need to Hire Movers?

Get free, zero-commitment quotes from pro contractors near you.


Related Questions

Is Raleigh, NC, an excellent place to live for young adults?

The Raleigh, N.C., area is quickly becoming a destination for young people who wish to settle down. A growing number of young professionals are moving to the city in search of new and exciting things to do … As well as having affordable rent, Raleigh is a haven for job seekers.


Where should I not live in Raleigh, NC?

There are many neighborhoods in South-East Raleigh, Southern North-East Raleigh, and parts of South West Raleigh, such as Chavis Heights, Walnut Terrace, South Saunders Street, and just about anywhere in between, to be cautious in. Violence, carjackings, and robberies have occurred.


Is Raleigh a fun place to live?

Wake County and its capital city are among the best places to live in North Carolina. Many Raleigh residents own their homes, and the city boasts a mix of urban and suburban atmospheres. A great deal of dining and parks can be found in Raleigh. Raleigh is known for its high-quality public schools.

Related Articles

Heather Robbins
Heather Robbins

Heather is a passionate writer who loves anything DIY. Growing up, she learned everything from home repairs to design, and wants to share her tips with you. When she's not writing, she's usually hiking or searching for her next DIY project.

More by Heather Robbins

Next