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Best Places to Rent a Home in Raleigh

Best Places to Rent a Home in Raleigh

Want to find homes for rent in Raleigh, NC? Oak City has several charming, historic neighborhoods with affordable rentals, high-quality schools, shopping centers, restaurants, and nightlife spots. If you’re moving to this Research Triangle area, here are the five best neighborhoods for renters in Raleigh!

Downtown

A view of the vibrant face and modern architecture of The Line Downtown Apartments in Raleigh. Photo by Instagram user @sterlphoto.

Photo via @sterlphoto

  • Home Price: $779 median monthly rent
  • Crime Rate: Safer than 17% of Raleigh neighborhoods
  • Renter-Occupied Homes: 59%
  • Perfect For: Students, singles, young professionals, families

With its historic subdistricts, craft breweries, world-famous museums, rich art scene, and exciting nightlife options, it’s easy to see why Downtown is such a desirable neighborhood to live in. Here, in the heart of Raleigh’s culture, you’ll have access to all the amenities of a big city, while the Southern hospitality (from its residents) gives off small-town charm. Since this is one of the most walkable cities in North Carolina, residents can easily travel on foot to local parks like Nash Square—as well as to trendy bars, cafes, shops, and other popular places in Downtown Raleigh. You’ll find affordable Craftsman and Queen Anne-style houses, apartments, and townhouses available for rent, which makes Downtown one of the best places to live for college students, young professionals, and families.

Things to Do in Downtown Raleigh

Explore 14,000+ years of human history in North Carolina through exhibits and events at the North Carolina Museum of History. Catch an intimate, original performance, symphony, or Broadway show at the expansive Duke Energy Center for the Performing Arts. Play classic and new arcade games while enjoying craft beer and live music at one of Downtown’s most popular hangouts, Boxcar Bar + Arcade. Sip cocktails and dance the night away with friends at LGBTQ establishment, Legends Nightclub. Reserve a table to try a wood-fired Margherita Pizza or Eggplant Ravioli paired with a glass of Sauvignon Blanc at Mulino Italian Kitchen & Bar. Sample the Teriyaki Tempeh, Mushroom Stroganoff, and other vegan dishes at the award-winning Irregardless Cafe. Expand your palate and explore the diverse range of culinary tastes at Morgan Street Food Hall, a 20,000-square-foot multi-restaurant venue in Downtown’s Warehouse District. Or enjoy rooftop views of Downtown Raleigh while dining on traditional bar fare with a twist—like the Chicken Tinga Street Tacos or Bangin’ Shrimp Po’ Boy—at The Raleigh Times Bar.

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Five Points

  • Home Price: $762 median monthly rent
  • Crime Rate: Safer than 67% of Raleigh neighborhoods
  • Renter-Occupied Homes: 38%
  • Perfect For: Singles, young professionals, families

If you’re looking to rent a home in Raleigh, the safe, affordable neighborhood of Five Points is a great place to relocate. Made up of five subdistricts, this neighborhood offers young professionals and families tree-lined streets dotted with a variety of historical Colonial, Tudor, and Georgian Revival homes on spacious lots for rent—in addition to other nearby apartments and townhomes for rent in Raleigh, NC. Though it’s more of a suburban feel, up-and-coming Five Points still offers residents plenty of restaurants, shops, breweries, and other things to do. But, since it’s located less than ten minutes north of Downtown, walkable Five Points isn’t far from even more urban amenities!

Things to Do in Five Points

Get some fresh air while taking advantage of the picnic areas, playgrounds, and basketball courts at Roanoke Park. Stop for weekly Trivia Night at Funguys Brewing Company, one of Five Points’ many craft beer breweries—or savor a Smoothsicle on the rooftop patio or beer garden at Lynwood Brewing Concern. Relax on the patio and enjoy live music performances and delicious food truck eats at dog-friendly brewery, Nickelpoint Brewing Co. Snag some friends to paint at a Wine & Design event hosted by Lonerider at Five Points. Have your fill of Argentinian cuisine like Al Limon Empanada, Al Pastor Empanada, or the Empachori Empanada at Che Empanadas. Try the tasty NOFO Fry Platter or a hefty 1/2 Pound Burger from NOFO @ the Pig, a quirky Piggly Wiggly-turned-diner. Or satisfy your sweet tooth with a slice of Bailey’s Irish Cream Tiramisu from Hayes Barton Cafe & Dessertery.

Glenwood South

  • Home Price: $842 median monthly rent
  • Crime Rate: Safer than 94% of Raleigh neighborhoods
  • Renter-Occupied Homes: 24%
  • Perfect For: Students, singles, young professionals, families

Glenwood South‘s range of trendy fitness studios, art galleries, restaurants, and bars make this neighborhood one of the most popular in Raleigh for renters. Here, you’ll find affordable homes and apartments for rent that put you close to the heart of the action. Glenwood South’s nightlife scene is a huge draw to this area, where you’ll find some of the hottest clubs, pubs, and shops nestled in restored warehouses that define the district. In addition, this safe neighborhood in Raleigh is family-friendly—with plenty of things to do nearby and access to great schools like Raleigh Charter High School, Wiley Elementary School, and more.

Things to Do in Glenwood South

Gather your friends and attempt to beat one of the puzzle rooms at Nerd Escape Room. Raise the roof for local musicians and songwriters at the Tin Roof. Shoot pool, play Skeeball, and enjoy drinks with pals during awesome DJ sets at the Milk Bar, named for its location in the historic Pine State Creamery Building. Catch a Duke Blue Devils (NCAA) game over grub or hang out in the game room and patio at Tobacco Road Sports Cafe. Dig into Irish pub fare like the Gaelic Club Sandwich or Irish Breakfast at the Hibernian Irish Pub & Restaurant. Order Artisanal Malfadine Pasta, Fresh Fettuccine, and other Mediterranean cuisines at fancy Vidrio. Or sample from their 350+ tap beers while snacking on the Beer-Battered Pretzel or Fried Shrimp Platter on the rooftop at the Raleigh Beer Garden.

Stonehenge

  • Home Price: $973 median monthly rent
  • Crime Rate: Safer than 83% of Raleigh neighborhoods
  • Renter-Occupied Homes: 48%
  • Perfect For: Singles, young professionals, families, retirees

For a quiet, more subdued atmosphere than the downtown area, consider moving to Stonehenge. This family-friendly Raleigh neighborhood has over 1,400 rentable single-family homes, in addition to other townhomes, retirement communities, and apartments for rent in Raleigh! Other than diverse rental home styles, what draws residents to Stonehenge is the access to nearby shopping outlets like Stonehenge Market Shopping Center and daycare at places like Stonehenge KinderCare. Plus, since it’s located about 20 minutes from the Raleigh-Durham International Airport, Stonehenge residents who enjoy travel or want to visit family can benefit from convenient national transit without the disruptive noise!

Things to Do in Stonehenge

Swim in one of three, ten-lane swimming pools or play tennis with friends at the Seven Oaks Swim & Racquet Club. Take your kids out to the playgrounds, take a relaxing walk, or enjoy a picnic at Lake Lynn Park, easily accessible to Stonehenge residents via the Lake Lynn Loop. Register for dance, Wah Lum Kung Fu, and yoga classes at the Lake Lynn Community Center. Bring your pup for treats and free pets at local pet store, Unleashed—or check out their adoption events! Sample vegan and vegetarian cuisine like the Kebab Wrap or South Of The Border burger from Pure Vegan Cafe. Enjoy a plate of Thaiphoon Fried Rice, a hot bowl of River Boat Noodles, and other Southeast Asian dishes from Thaiphoon Bistro. Order all-you-can-eat sushi and specialty rolls like the White Dragon or the Neo Volcano from Orchid Japanese Buffet. Or savor a Caesar Salad, Herb Grilled Sirloin Steak, and slice of French Vanilla Cheesecake from the three-course prix fixe menu at Margaux’s Restaurant.

Village District

An angled view of The Edition on Berlin brick apartments in the Village District of Raleigh. Photo by Instagram user @editionoberlin.

Photo via @editionoberlin

  • Home Price: $642 median monthly rent
  • Crime Rate: Safer than 61% of Raleigh neighborhoods
  • Renter-Occupied Homes: 80%
  • Perfect For: Students, singles, young professionals, families

With its range of Ranch and Georgian-style homes, apartments, and condos, Village District is an excellent safe, affordable Raleigh neighborhood for renters to consider. Formerly known as Cameron Village, Village District is the first planned community in Raleigh. This also makes the namesake and centerpiece of the neighborhood, the Village District Shopping Center, all the more accessible to residents. And while much of this Raleigh neighborhood is home to families, many students and young professionals rent in the Village District because of its proximity to North Carolina State University. Not to mention, residents have just a ten-minute drive to iconic Hillsborough Street—Raleigh’s arts and culture destination!

Things to Do in the Village District

Stroll among the gardens and pools designed to sustain local butterflies, ducks, and other critters at Fred Fletcher Park. Take a relaxing walk through a gorgeous variety of plants and trees—and the 60 rose beds found at Raleigh Rose Garden. Wander the thought-provoking and educational exhibits found at the Gregg Museum of Art & Design. Expand your wardrobe with fashion-forward pieces from The Impeccable Pig, and explore the other 100 shops, restaurants, and cafes within the six-block Village District Shopping Center. Start lunch or dinner with an appetizer of Queso Fundido before diving into a Hawaiian Pork Belly Quesadilla from Cantina 18. Share a plate of Boom Boom Shrimp or Loaded Tots with some buddies and enjoy over 100 beers on tap at the Village Draft House. Try the Fried Green Tomato BLT or Vegan Tofu Scramble from The Flying Biscuit Cafe. Or test out popular Mediterranean staples like a Lentil Avocado Bowl or Chicken & RightRice dishes while dining at CAVA.

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Neighborhood statistics from AreaVibes