Raleigh and Durham, combined with nearby Chapel Hill, compose what locals affectionately refer to as the Triangle—a sprawling tri-city region that’s home to nearly 732,000 residents. Ranked the 13^th on U.S. News’ list of Best Places to Live and 15^th for Best Places to Retire, there’s something for everyone in Raleigh-Durham.

The close-knit communities that make up these cities are just one of the many perks of living in the Raleigh-Durham area. In addition to the friendly faces, residents love the green spaces that populate each city, like Raleigh’s lush Rose Garden and Durham’s 55-acre Duke Gardens. In Raleigh, enjoy shopping at the Fayetteville Street downtown business district and newly restored City Market, learn at the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences and Marbles Kids Museum, or dine at delicious staples 18 Seaboard and Rye Bar and Southern Kitchen. North in Durham, music and visual arts thrive. Many musical artists and bands originate from the area and flock to record at successful indie label Merge Records. Durham is also home to Scrap Exchange, the largest non-profit creative re-use arts center in the country. Check out some of the work created from the center at Nasher Museum of Art or attend the annual arts festival, Durham Art Walk, each May.

Both cities are home to a variety of companies ready to hire. Major employers in Raleigh include the State of North Carolina, Wake County Public School System, Red Hat and WakeMed. In Durham, employers include Duke University Health System, IBM, Durham Public Schools, GlaxoSmithKline and Blue Cross & Blue Shield of NC. There are plenty of collegiate options for academics in the area to consider, from Duke University and Meredith College to Shaw University and North Carolina State University. Commuting in and out of the Raleigh-Durham area is easy with access to I-40, I-85, I-87, I-440 and I-540.

Ready to call Raleigh-Durham home? IRT has you covered with a roaster of impressive apartment communities. Discover your dream living space!