Best Neighborhoods in Raleigh for Singles & Young Professionals

Thinking about living in Raleigh? North Carolina’s capital city has a lot to offer singles and young professionals, thanks to its affordable living, abundant job opportunities, and fun things to do! Here are the five best Raleigh neighborhoods for young adults!

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

Central Raleigh

Photo via @kat_greenergrassre

• Home Price: $247,500 median purchase price; $798 median monthly rent
• Crime Rate: Safer than 44% of Raleigh neighborhoods

Singles and young professionals looking to live in the city center will love Central Raleigh! This downtown neighborhood is home to major employers like City of Raleigh and Wells Fargo, has a great selection of dining and nightlife, and offers affordable housing options ranging from apartments and lofts to Craftsman-style bungalows. If you want to live close to the action, Central Raleigh is the best neighborhood for you!

Things to Do in Central Raleigh

Get tickets to the latest comedy shows, concerts, and musicals at Duke Energy Center for the Performing Arts. Listen to live music, see acrobats and aerialists perform, attend fashion shows, and more at the annual SPARKcon Festival. Try more than 100 different craft beers from breweries in Raleigh at Brewgaloo Street Festival. Grab a Veggie Burger or a Carolina Dog at Square Burger. Take the dog for a walk or find a relaxing spot under one of the many trees at Nash Square Park. Sip on a Lagunitas IPA and play arcade games, pinball, or video games at Boxcar Bar + Arcade. Try authentic Lebanese foods like Halloumi, Chicken Shawarma, and Beef Kabobs at Sitti. Get mouth-watering barbecue dishes like Fried Mac N’ Cheese, Pulled Pork, and Southern Fried Chicken at The Pit. Or start your morning with drip coffee and a Cheddar Biscuit at Bittersweet.

Five Points

Photo via @mrs.houses_houses

• Home Price: $516,550 median purchase price; $762 median monthly rent
• Crime Rate: Safer than 78% of Raleigh neighborhoods

Just north of Downtown Raleigh is the historic Five Points neighborhood! A popular spot among singles and young professionals, this neighborhood is known for its walkability, local coffee shops and craft breweries, and beautiful streets lined with cottages, bungalows, and Colonial-style houses. This cozy Midtown Raleigh neighborhood is the perfect spot for anyone who wants quick commutes and homes with character!

Things to Do in Five Points

Go for a jog or have a picnic at Fallon Park. Grab a bag of popcorn and enjoy watching classic films at Rialto Theatre. Put your puzzle-solving skills to the test at Tic Toc Escapes. Treat yourself to a deep tissue massage, lash extensions, or a gel manicure at Tao Day Spa. Enjoy tropical-inspired drinks like Jamaican Rum Punch or a Strawberry Daiquiri at Lola’s Beach Bar. Stop by Lilly’s Pizza for different kinds of pizza, calzones, and pasta. Pick from local craft beers on tap, order a glass of wine, or try a signature cocktail at Crafty Beer, Wine, Spirits. Grab a seat at the counter at Hayes Barton Cafe & Dessertery for a Triple Decker BLT or a Cheeseburger—and be sure to save room for a piece of Caramel Apple Pie! Or play board games while sipping on one of ten beers on tap at Nickelpoint Brewing Company.

North Raleigh

Photo via @derricklasleyrealtor

• Home Price: $266,389 median purchase price; $873 median monthly rent
• Crime Rate: Safer than 67% of Raleigh neighborhoods

Stretching from I-440 to I-540, North Raleigh is a growing neighborhood in the Raleigh metro. Though it offers more of a suburban feel, the area is an excellent place for singles and young professionals who want new construction on large lots near amenities like shopping centers, golf courses, and public parks. And don’t worry about commutes—North Raleigh is within 20 minutes of downtown and 30 minutes of nearby Durham!

Things to Do in North Raleigh

Join North Ridge Country Club to play a game of golf, hit the tennis courts, or get some sun at the pool. Go hiking, mountain biking, or fishing at Durant Nature Preserve. Enjoy a picnic with friends, walk the trails, or play a game of basketball at Shelley Lake Park. Have fun shopping the latest fashions at Saks Fifth Ave, ALDO, H&M, and more at Triangle Town Center. Attend an art workshop or see local artists work at Triangle Cultural Art Gallery. Start your morning with a cup of coffee and Acai Bowl at Sola’s Coffee. Order a Spicy Pork Bento Box or Vegetable Ramen at Carolina Sushi & Roll. Catch live music while sipping on an Elysian Space Dust IPA at Saints & Scholars Pub. Or stop by Winston’s Grille for Shrimp & Grits, Prime Rib French Dip, and a glass of Merlot.

Northwest Raleigh

Photo via @bethp_realtor

• Home Price: $279,428 median purchase price; $973 median monthly rent
• Crime Rate: Safer than 72% of Raleigh neighborhoods

Love the outdoors? Northwest Raleigh is known for its green space! The neighborhood borders William B. Umstead State Park and Carl Alwin Schenck Memorial Forest, giving residents all kinds of space to go fishing, horseback riding, or just enjoy nature. But that’s not all Northwest Raleigh offers. It’s also conveniently within 20 minutes of Research Triangle Park, Downtown Raleigh, and Raleigh-Durham International Airport!

Things to Do in Northwest Raleigh

Watch the puck fly across the ice during a Carolina Hurricane (NHL) game at PNC Arena. Spend the day at North Carolina Museum of Art viewing everything from Ancient Greek pottery to Modern paintings. Have fun knocking down bowling pins with friends at Pleasant Valley Lanes. Go shopping at stores like Athleta, Madewell, and The North Face at Crabtree Valley Mall. Attend trivia night and drink local craft beers on the rooftop patio at Lynnwood Grill & Brewing Concern. Enjoy traditional Mexican dishes like Tostadas or Shrimp Tacos paired with a margarita at Dos Taquitos. Try classic southern dishes like Fried Black Eyed Peas or Chicken Fried Steak along with a large selection of bourbons at Relish Craft Kitchen & Bourbon Bar. Or satisfy your sweet tooth with a scoop of Midnight Brownie Crunch or Salty Caramel Fudge at Fresh Local Ice Cream.

West Raleigh

Photo via @chappellres

• Home Price: $256,791 median purchase price; $642 median monthly rent
• Crime Rate: Safer than 28% of Raleigh neighborhoods

Tucked between Midtown Raleigh and Downtown Raleigh is a hot spot for singles and young professionals! West Raleigh is filled with incredible restaurants, affordable apartments and townhomes, and great parks like the 300-acre Lake Johnson Park. This neighborhood is also home to North Carolina State University and Meredith College, giving West Raleigh a lively college town feel right in the heart of the city!

Things to Do in West Raleigh

Take the pedal boats out on Lake Howell, attend Theatre in the Park, or play a game of tennis at Pullen Park. See more than 35,000 objects on display ranging from photography to Native American artwork at Gregg Museum of Art & Design on the NC State campus. Walk through the incredible gardens and stop to smell the variety of roses at Raleigh Municipal Rose Garden. Sip on a Trophy Husband Witbier or a Mort’s Trophy Lager over at Trophy Brewing & Taproom. Order a wine or beer flight with friends while enjoying Fried Cheese Curds or Loaded Southern Fries at Cameron Bar and Grill. Stop in for down-home breakfast dishes like Fried Chicken Biscuit, Chicken & Waffles, or Cheddar Cheese Omelette at State Farmers’ Market Restaurant. Try delicious dishes like Colombian Pan de Yuca or Guatemalan Ceviche de Camarón at SoCa. Or have a fun night out with friends and choose from 100 different kinds of beer on tap at Village Draft House.

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Neighborhood statistics from AreaVibes