RALEIGH

Raleigh was a typical southern capital, more like a sleepy town than a major city 30 years ago. In the mid-1960's, it began to change. Today, this vital and thriving city is one of the nation's success stories offering a diverse and sophisticated quality of life.

Few cities anywhere have changed as dramatically in so many ways. Few cities of any size enjoys such a solid economic foundation of higher education, high-tech research and industry, government and business. Rand McNally describes Raleigh as a community with a lot going for it -- a beautiful place to live, a manageable size and a friendly spirit.

Often described as a city within a park, Raleigh is the country's only pre-planned and deliberately developed state capital. Designated an All-American city, it is a city attracting national attention. Growth has been meteoric and extensive. In some areas this rapid development has exceeded the infrastructure, but the city is addressing those challenges.

Situated in Wake County in the geographic center of the state, Raleigh is 12 miles from the Research Triangle Park. Raleigh is the largest of the 11 municipalities in Wake County. It is the second-largest city in North Carolina and the largest of the triangle communities.

Raleigh is home to North Carolina State University, an outstanding college known for research in the applied sciences. Six other colleges and universities are located within the city's borders.

Since the 1960s, over 100 companies have moved into the capital city or have expanded existing operations. Nearly 150 additional companies have located in other communities in Wake County.

Residents are served by the excellent health care facilities at Rex and Raleigh Community Hospitals and at Wake Medical Center. Other superb medical facilities are easily accessible in Durham in Chapel Hill.

There is one countywide consolidated public school system employing a neighborhood attendance plan. A school of choice Magnet Program offers parents an educational alternative. Shopping is plentiful. Numerous malls and centers, some of the largest in the Southeast, are conveniently located in Wake County. New shopping areas with major national department store anchors continue to be developed.

Raleigh has become a culturally oriented community and hosts many entertainment events to suit diverse interests. The state, the university and private organizations cooperate to sponsor a wide array of choices in music, theater, dance, the visual and performing arts, live concerts, comedy, crafts and festivals. The capital city is home to the North Carolina Museum of Art and is the home base for North Carolina Symphony.

Recreational and leisure opportunities for all ages are abundant and varied. The city maintains an astonishing number of parks, small lakes, recreation centers and greenways. Programs, classes and team sports are available year-round.

The state capital is also in historic city with architecturally distinctive government and commercial buildings, and graceful residential areas dating from the early 1800s. Interest in the downtown area surrounding the capital was renewed in the 1970s as revitalization and restoration began in both commercial and residential districts. Innovative conversions of historic buildings into new uses have drawn residents and visitors back into the heart of the city. Fayetteville Street was converted from a roadway to a pedestrian mall and has served as a focal point of downtown redevelopment. The historic Oakwood neighborhood with graceful Victorians and ante-bellum colonials is being restored and enlivened by new owners.

All the attributes that make a city livable and attractive can be found in Raleigh: a good location and moderate climate; seat of government; good schools; beautiful public parks and museums; fine dining and excellent shopping.

The influx of professionals, high-tech executives, business people and skilled workers attracted to its quality of life has added a vibrant dimension to the population that was once dominated by government and education.

Raleigh has made its mark as a major city and has attracted national recognition over the last several years. It has moved progressively and successfully into the future while retaining a tradition of character and excellence.

CARY

Cary today is one of the fastest growing small cities and one of the most desirable places to live in the country, according to U.S. News & World Report. From an inconspicuous bedroom community, the town has exploded into its own well-rounded identity of fine neighborhoods, award-winning developments, business parks and shopping malls. It is a sophisticated little town where the living is comfortable.

A large part of Cary's popularity is its strategic location. Just 10 minutes from the Research Triangle Park, 8 miles from Raleigh and the Raleigh-Durham International Airport, Cary is within 20 minutes of most Triangle cities. The town is the corporate home of 75 companies including an American Airlines Reservations center, SAS Institute, Bahlsen, Inc., and MCI Corporation.

As a neighbor of Raleigh, Cary residents enjoy all of the amenities presented by the capital city along with resources of its own. The North Carolina Symphony performs its Pops Summerfest Series annually at Cary's Regency Park. Recently restored is the 1868 Page-Walker Hotel which has been converted into a center for the visual and performing arts.

Cary is served by strong neighborhood schools in the Wake County Consolidated System. Medical services are available at the Western Wake Medical Center.

Shopping in Cary is upscale at several existing regional centers. New malls continue to be developed. In spite of the emergence of numerous modern perimeter shopping centers, downtown retains a special appeal. In the heart of town at the intersection of quiet tree-lined streets is the original drugstore where neighbors still meet to share a friendly cup of coffee and an old-time soda fountain.

Public recreation programs in Cary are extensive with many arts and crafts events and team activities. Golf clubs, neighborhood pools, public and private tennis complexes, several parks, and ice rink and a new family YMCA add to the variety of resources within the town.

Residential growth has focused on planned neighborhood projects and the town boasts some of the finest developments in the region. A Planned Unit Development (PUD) is a community developed as a single entity with a master plan for clusters of mixed uses. The varying types of housing are grouped in district neighborhoods within the development. PUDs can also include commercial districts, shopping centers, recreation clubs and day-care centers. An emphasis on amenities exists with combinations of tennis courts, swimming pools, golf courses, lakes, and jogging and fitness trails.

Cary is proud of its community, its youth programs and its nationally recognized high school marching band. It is a dynamic and friendly community offering its residents the atmosphere of a small town along with the advantages and assets of the major metropolitan area.

RALEIGH AND WAKE COUNTY INFORMATION

Quick Facts

• Founded in 1792 as the capital city of North Carolina
• The population of Raleigh is 286,834 and of Wake County is 610,284
• The city was named for Sir Walter Raleigh who attempted to form the first English colony in the "new world" in the 1580s.
• Nicknamed the "City of Oaks"

Climate

• Annual Average High Temperature: 70 degrees
• Annual Average Low Temperature: 47 degrees
• Annual Average Rainfall: 41.43 inches
• Hottest Month is July: Avg. temperature is 88 degrees
• Coldest Month is January with the average temperature being 29 degrees

Tax Information

• Sales tax is 6% in North Carolina
• 1% prepared food and beverage tax is added to the regular sales tax for all prepared food and drinks sold in Wake County
• 6% local hotel occupancy tax is added to all hotel and motel room rates within Wake County

Transportation

• Capital Area Transit (Raleigh Public Transportation)
  828-7228
• Raleigh Trolley
  828-7228
• Triangle Transit Authority
  549-9999
• Greyhound Bus Lines/ Carolina Trailways
  834-8410
• Amtrak/NC Department of Transportation Railway Division
  (800) 872-7245. (Reservations Required)
• Taxi fares range from $2.85 to $3.70 for the first mile and from $1.50 to $2.00 each additional mile. A trip from downtown Raleigh to RDU Airport averages $22.50

Important Phone Numbers

Raleigh and Wake County Contact Information