3. Raleigh, N.C.

Acres of parkland per 1,000 residents:         30.8 (14th highest)
Playgrounds per 1,000 residents:                     2.2 (49th highest)
Violent crimes per 1,000 residents:               4.1 (24th lowest)
Unemployment rate:                                                 7.2% (17th lowest)
Adults with at least a high school degree:   91.7% (12th highest)

Raleigh is one of the strongest cities in North Carolina, economically speaking. Its high-tech and biotech industries are growing quickly, keeping unemployment low. The city has a top-notch school system that includes the highly ranked Raleigh Charter High School. Children are also surrounded by highly educated adults, as Raleigh was recently named the third-most educated city in the United States by Men’s Health. Children have ample opportunities to enjoy activities, especially basketball: The city has one of the highest rates of basketball hoops per resident in the country.

Source:  DailyFinance

Raleigh was recently voted the #1 Place to Live by BusinessWeek.com!

From BusinessWeek.com:

Raleigh, N.C.  #1

Population: 377,487
Mayor: Charles Meeker

Why it’s ranked: Taking more than a dozen data points into account, Raleigh ranks as the best place to live in the U.S. The city sports a high number of bars, restaurants, and cultural institutions as well as a thriving social scene, great parks, and good schools. Raleigh reflects the cultural graces that go along with anchoring the so-called research triangle, home to North Carolina State University, Duke University, and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Of course, it’s also much more. The city offers a great deal on nights and weekends, from concerts and opera to the 30,000-sq.-ft. State Farmer’s Market. North Carolina’s state capital is tops in our book.

How it ranked:
Percent with bachelor’s degrees: 47.5
Percent under poverty level: 13.9
Median household income: $53,370
Violent crime rate: 492.9
Property crime rate: 3,403.2
School score: 74.4
Pro sports teams: 1
Foreclosure rate: .0056
Percent Unemployment: 6.9
Park acres per 1,000 residents: 30.8
Bars: 110
Restaurants: 867
Museums: 51
Colleges: 10
Libraries: 18
Air Quality Index: 83

Source: BusinessWeek.com

3511 Kudrow Ln, Morrisville, NC

Welcome to this first floor, one-story condo located in the Morrisville neighborhood of Preston Creekside.  The open foyer, living, and dining area is grounded with gleaming laminate hardwood floors and is surrounded by lots of windows to let in plenty of natural light.  The dining area features an updated fixture and has a sliding glass door leading to the covered patio.  Cooking is a delight in the bright kitchen that offers 42-inch cabinets, matching white appliances, plenty of counter space, a pantry, and double doors to the laundry room.  Sleep well in the master suite that includes a ceiling fan with light and a walk-in closet.  The attached master bath has a marble vanity, a garden tub/shower, and cork floors.  The secondary bedroom is a nice size and also includes a walk-in closet.  Relax after a long day on the covered patio that also includes a storage closet.  The grounds are well kept by the homeowners association.  And you’re just minutes away from Morrisville Park and the Morrisville Aquatics and Fitness Center.  Combined with a neutral interior color scheme, this condo is move-in ready!

Be sure to check out the VIRTUAL TOUR!

Priced at $119,900

MLS#1815324

606 Flagstone Way, Durham, NC

Welcome to this beautiful two-story home located in the Durham neighborhood of Stephens Woods.  Plush landscaping leads to the rocking chair front porch.  As you enter the foyer, you are greeted with warm hardwood floors.  To the left of the foyer is the formal living room wrapped with crown and a chair rail and features double glass doors that lead into the family room.  To the right of the foyer is the formal dining room that offers an updated fixture, crown, chair rail, and double doors leading to the kitchen.  Cooking is a delight in the updated kitchen that showcases stainless steel appliances, a new vented microwave, new counters, a new sink and faucet, and plenty of cabinet space.  Enjoy your morning coffee in the bright breakfast area that is surrounded with windows and includes a built-in buffet.  Stay warm in the two story family room that boasts a brick hearth fireplace, double doors to the back deck, and hardwood floors.  Journey upstairs to the spacious master that offers His and Her closets and an attached bath with a double vanity, huge tub, and separate shower.  The two secondary bedrooms are each a nice size with walk-in closets.  There is also a spacious bonus perfect to use as a game room, play room, or even possibly a fourth bedroom.  Relax after a long day on the back deck while enjoying the view of the surrounding trees.  There is also a lower brick patio which makes entertaining family and friends a breeze.  The large back yard is fenced for additional privacy.  Combined with a new neutral interior paint scheme and cul-de-sac location, this home is move-in ready! 

Be sure to check out the VIRTUAL TOUR!

Priced at $205,600 

MLS#1814995

First Night Raleigh 2012

Where:

Fayetteville Street Mall

When:

Sat, Dec 31: 2pm to Midnight

Tickets:

All Day Passes are $9.00 in advance

On December 31, admission passes will cost $12 for adults and $10 for children 6 to 12

All patrons ages 6 and over require a pass

Children 5 and under are admitted for free and do not need a pass 

New Year’s Eve Extravaganza 2012

Where:

RBC Center

When:

Sat, Dec. 31: 9pm

Tickets:

$25 & $60 in advance.  Prices will increase day of event

New Year’s Eve Red Carpet Hollywood Party

Where:

Spy Raleigh

330 West Davie Street, Raleigh, NC 27601

When:

Sat, Dec. 31: 8pm to 2am

Tickets:

$15 per ticket, $25 for two tickets

An Irish/Celtic New Year at Tir Na nOg

Where:

Tir Na nOg

218 South Blount Street, Raleigh, NC 27601

When:

Sat, Dec. 31: 6pm to 9pm

Tickets:

FREE admission until 8pm

The North Carolina Symphony’s “New Year’s in Vienna”

Where:

Meymandi Concert Hall (located on the west side of the Progress Energy Center for the Performing Arts)

2 E South Street, Raleigh, NC 27601

When:

Sat, Dec. 31: 7:30pm

Tickets:

Prices range from $21.50 to $72.75

New Years Eve at Sparians

Where:

Sparians Bowling Boutique & Bistro

141 Park at North Hills Street #120, Raleigh, NC 27609

When:

Sat, Dec. 31: 7pm to 2am

Tickets:

$60 per person

“Cirque Du Solas” New Years Eve Ball

Where:

Solas

419 Glenwood Ave., Raleigh, NC, 27603

When:

Sat, Dec. 31: 9pm to 2am

Tickets:

$25 per person

Southern Living magazine has nominated Raleigh, NC as one of its Top 10 “Tastiest Towns in the South”.  The magazine has asked its readers to cast their final vote which starts on Wednesday, December 23 and continues through Tuesday, January 31.  The magazine will profile each town and announce the winner in its April 2012 issue. Click here to cast your vote! 

Source: Southern Living

Hello Friends! 

There are a couple of important dates for the Wake County Public School System Assignments that we wanted to bring to your attention:

Monday, December 19, 2011 - ends the “Magnet Selection Period” for 2012-2013 school year

January 13, 2012 - the last day for presently enrolled students to request a different school from their base assigned school

For more information, please be sure to visit the Wake County Public School System website: http://www.wcpss.net/.

6790 Kennebec Road, Willow Spring, NC

Welcome to this treasure of a home set in a private country setting on over 2 acres!  The rocking chair front porch is surrounded by tons of beautiful landscaping including a lantana and butterfly bush.  As you enter the home, the foyer greets you with warm hardwood floors.  The formal living room is wrapped with crown.  Enjoy meals in the dining room that features an updated chandelier, crown, and a chair rail.  Cooking is a delight in the updated kitchen that hosts granite counters, a marble backsplash, raised panel cabinets, a center island with breakfast bar, and updated appliances.  Enjoy your morning coffee in the breakfast area while gazing out the large window that overlooks the back yard.  Stay warm in the family room that boasts a grand masonry fireplace with custom mantle and a new thermal insulated sliding glass door leading to the large back patio/deck area.  Sleep well in the spacious master that showcases His & Her closets and a newly painted bathroom.  The three additional bedrooms are a good size and offer double door closets.  Journey downstairs to the enormous basement that offers versatile living!  This space features a second masonry fireplace in the recreational room, an office, a game room, a full bath, a separate outdoor entrance, a sliding glass door to the lower patio, and a handyman’s dream of a workshop!  Relax after a long day on the porch swing while overlooking the massive yard filled with trees and a creek that runs the back of the property line.  The lower level patio is also very spacious and offers a double door entry into the workshop.  Peaceful wooded views and mature trees add privacy and serenity to the home.  Located just minutes to downtown Raleigh, this home is move-in ready! 

Be sure to check out the VIRTUAL TOUR! 

Priced at $325,000 

MLS#1813551

A recent study by the American City Business Journal ranked Cary the #1 City in North Carolina with the Highest Quality of Life.  The study looked for well-rounded areas with healthy economies, light traffic, moderate costs of living, impressive housing stocks and strong educational systems.  Coming in at number 2 was Morrisville, followed by Apex at number 3. 

Check out the full list for North Carolina to see how your city ranked!

Source: Triangle Business Journal