Making a move to a new city is a major endeavor. There are new cities and neighborhoods to explore to see what’s right for you. You’re curious about commute times and the grocery stores, restaurants, and stores that are close by the locations you’re checking out. You want to make sure you’re making the right decision when it comes to finding your next home and your new hometown.

As you’re preparing to relocate to the Triangle, spend a bit of time getting to know what makes this such a thriving area. While there are many communities throughout the region you’ll want to visit before you choose where you want to call home, we can’t help but recommend spending time in the cities that give the Triangle its name. Here’s what you can do to immerse yourself in the region and to start discovering what you’ll love about living in the Triangle.

If you’re moving to the Triangle, you can’t pass up spending a bit of time in the City of Raleigh itself. Known as the “City of Oaks,” Raleigh was first established in 1792, so there is a lot of history to explore across numerous museums and historic neighborhoods. But the downtown area is also home to concert venues, art museums, professional and college sports, festivals, and more.

While you can easily find a hotel in Raleigh, there are also numerous Airbnb rentals that put you in the heart of the city. If you have kids, you’ll want to check out places like Marbles Kids Museum and the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences. Foodies will love Raleigh’s numerous chef-led restaurants, including as any of Ashley Christiansen’s mouth-watering restaurants, as well as the other James Beard Award-winning chefs in the area. Sampling local flavors like Carolina barbecue, shrimp and grits, and fresh seafood that are prevalent here is a must. And because Raleigh is the state capital, you can also check out the capital and other government buildings, too. Raleigh has a bit of everything, so jump in and have fun to see why so many people are falling in love with the city.  

If you like a lot of energy and are interested in a bustling, yet family-friendly location, check out Raleigh’s Midtown area, North Hills. This upscale area of Raleigh is packed with so much to see that you could stay here for weeks, and you’d find something new to see.

North Hills hosts a regular farmer’s market where you can find fresh greens seafood, baked goods, candles and soaps, and more. North Hills is also a popular destination for upscale shopping and services. Treat yourself to yoga or a workout at a smaller studio. Then pop into any number of high-end clothing stores and boutiques and shop to your heart’s content. North Hills also has a large park where you can participate in events like the 12-week Beach Music Series, North Hills Kids social and educational series, Wellness Wednesdays community workouts, and more. There are also plenty of dining options, plus an outstanding nightlife. North Hills has numerous high-end hotels that will put you in the heart of this neighborhood and give you a taste of what it offers.

While Raleigh typically gets the love when people talk about the Triangle, don’t turn your nose at its sister-city, Durham. Durham is thriving, and for so many reasons. Home to Duke University, wonderful culture and diversity, and a ton of entrepreneurship, Durham is a hotbed for creative types, business types, scholarly types, and everything in between.

You can’t stay in Durham without checking out Duke, which features museums, dance and film festivals, and a multitude of programs for kids and adults alike. Yet Durham is also home to a distinct vibe thanks to its startup culture. Start with the American Tobacco Campus for wonderful dining options. Check out the Durham Bulls and spend time in the downtown beverage district where you can walk the streets and explore, beverages in hand. Durham has a number of swanky hotels, including the 21c Museum Hotel, which as the name says is part hotel, part museum, and has a seafood-driven menu from Chef Stephanie Klos. It’s a can’t-miss.

Chapel Hill offers a quintessential college town experience, and for good reason: this town was built specifically for the University of North Carolina. Chapel Hill is a must-see if you’re becoming a Triangle resident. You can’t help but become a fan of the Tarheels if you love sports, but UNC is filled with museums, galleries, and programming that cab keep you busy throughout the year. But that’s just the beginning of what Chapel Hill and Orange County have to offer.

While there are plenty of hotels available, it’s worth searching Airbnb for a rental in Carrboro or close to downtown Franklin Street, where you can spend time strolling through eclectic shops, dining in outstanding restaurants, tasting beverages at numerous craft breweries, and discovering the charm of the community. This town has everything you’d want to see in a college town, where music, arts, and culture are thriving. And while staying here, spend a day in Hillsborough, which has a thriving arts and cultural scene you must experience.

This is just the start of a list of places you’re going to love when you move to the Triangle. If you’ve been a long-time resident or you have other recommendations about must-see locations, feel free to share them in the comments below.

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