A Realtor’s Guide to Experiencing the Best North Raleigh Has to Offer

Raleigh is the capital of North Carolina and one of the fastest-growing cities in the country. Named after Sir Walter Raleigh, who established the lost colony of Roanoke, Raleigh is home to North Carolina State University and is one of the vertices of the Research Triangle, along with Durham and Chapel Hill. The “Triangle,” as it’s more commonly known, originated in 1959 after the founding of Research Triangle Park in an effort to create a science and technology hub anchored by the three cities and their respective universities: NC State, Duke University, and UNC. Due to the job opportunities, affordability of real estate, access to premier, higher education institutions, and recreational activities in the area, Raleigh has become one of the most desirable locations in the country for professionals and families. It regularly tops “best cities to live and work in the US” lists: 

• In 2018, Money Magazine ranked it 2nd in their “10 Best Cities to Live in Right Now” list 
• In 2019, it ranked 2nd in “Top 100 Places to Live” (livability.com) 
• In 2020, SafeWise listed it as the 9th safest city in the US 
• In 2021, Men’s Health listed it as the 3rd Happiest City in America

Erica Anderson, a top North Carolina real estate agent and the owner of Team Anderson Realty, has been serving the real estate needs of the community since 2014. Reach out to us today to learn more about homes for sale in North Raleigh.

History

North Raleigh used to be known as Millbrook, which was named quite simply after the mill on the brook. In the 18th and 19th centuries, the mill was vitally important to the people and economy of the area. It was not only a place where farmers brought their corn and wheat harvests to be ground into meal and flour, but also a social gathering place for the townsfolk to come together and enjoy community picnics and activities.  In the 1860s, a small station was built by the Raleigh & Gaston Railroad in Millbrook, and throughout most of the 20th century, Millbrook consisted mainly of small family farms, some churches, a railroad stop, and a post office. However, over time the area eventually became known as North Raleigh and today is vastly different from the farming history of its past. Today, this expansive area is home to a large number of subdivisions, with hundreds of dining, shopping, entertainment, and recreation options.

Shopping & Dining

North Raleigh offers many options when it comes to shopping and dining. One of the biggest shopping centers is Brier Creek Commons. This expansive open-air shopping oasis boasts an array of national retailers, specialty shops, services, and eateries. Anchored by Target and BJ’s Wholesale Club, Brier Creek is also home to some of your favorite retailers including 

• HomeGoods 
• TJ Maxx 
• Dick’s Sporting Goods 
• Barnes & Noble
• Talbots 
• Bath & Body Works 
• Carter’s
• Lane Bryant
• Michael’s
• Versona 
• & more 

If you are looking to pamper yourself, there are quite a few options here as well, including:

• Blo Hair Salon
• Massage Envy
• Amazing Lash Studio
• European Wax Center
• Glow Tanning & Beauty Bar
• Tips 2 Toes
• The Joint Chiropractic

As for food, Brier Creek offers a great selection of choices including:

• Brasa Brazilian Steakhouse
• Champa Thai & Sushi
• Brier Creek Beer Garden
• Umami Japanese Steakhouse & Sushi Bar
• Bar Louie
• Longhorn Steakhouse
• Azitra Indian Cuisine
• Taramind Asian Fusion Bistro
• Brixx Wood Fired Pizza
• Alpaca Peruvian Charcoal Chicken
• Aladdin’s Eatery
• Chili’s
• Olive Garden
• & more 

Lafayette Village is a charming European-inspired shopping village offering some specialty shops and restaurants in a rustic setting. Some of the shops you can find in this unique area that make you feel like you’re strolling through a village in Italy or France include:

• Savory Spice Shop
• The Warehouse
• The Chocolate Boutique
• Trellis Beauty
• The Olive Wagon
• Koket Boutique
• Crafty Beer Shop
• Stuff ‘n Such 

Some of the dining options here include:

• Vinos Finos Tapas & Wine Bar
• Village Grill
• Sushi One
• Farina Neighborhood Italian
• Cantina, Simply Crepes
• Zanyu Asian Noodles

Falls of Neuse Road offers an array of shopping areas, including the Shops at Falls Village which is anchored by a HomeGoods and TJ Maxx. Glenwood Avenue boasts a large amount of furniture stores which is great for when you’re looking to furnish a new home. Triangle Town Center is a large indoor mall conveniently located off I-540 in North Raleigh. You can find any number of small and large shopping areas sprinkled throughout North Raleigh.

There is an extensive offering of delicious dining establishments to be found in North Raleigh in addition to some of the ones already mentioned. 

• The Angus Barn is a Raleigh icon, and at first glance, you can immediately see why. This gorgeous restaurant is housed in an enormous red barn and provides a rustic, elegant, fine-dining experience that is second to none. They are known for serving top-choice aged western beef, but also offer a variety of other options like poultry, seafood, and pasta. They have won numerous awards and have consistently been ranked one of the 100 best restaurants in the United States. During the holidays, the barn transforms into a beautiful winter wonderland and is the perfect setting to enjoy a festive evening with good food and fine wine. 
• Another excellent dining choice is Salt & Lime Cabo Grill, which offers a menu inspired by the Baja peninsula with delicious recipes prepared daily from scratch. 
• Right next door you can find Café Tiramisu, which offers exceptional Northern Italian cuisine. 
• Cape Fear Seafood Company offers some of the freshest, hand-cut fish in the Raleigh area and serves a great selection of seafood, steaks, chicken, signature dishes, and desserts. 
• Vivo Ristorante is a favorite spot with locals serving up delicious, mouth-watering Italian food. 
• Relish Craft Kitchen & Bourbon Bar is a great place to find unique, made-from-scratch menu items that focus on delicious comfort foods that are rich, hearty, and southern, but with a modern twist.

Recreation

Like the rest of North Carolina, Raleigh has an abundance of natural beauty with plenty of parks dedicated to allowing people to enjoy time outdoors, whether it be hiking, biking, fishing, boating, golfing, horseback riding, or anything else you want to explore.

• The Neuse River Greenway Trail is a 27.5-mile segment of the Mountains-to-Sea Trail, a long-distance trail that spans the state from the Outer Banks to the Great Smoky Mountains. There are multiple entry points to the trail throughout the region, including one in North Raleigh. The greenway provides beautiful views of the Neuse River with winding boardwalk areas over the wetlands. The trail will also take you through agricultural fields and historical sites. Additionally, you can kayak, canoe, swim, or fish in the Neuse River.
• Blue Jay Point County Park offers 236-acres of land to explore adjacent to Falls Lake. The park offers open play areas, playgrounds, an education center with many programs dedicated to nature education, an overnight lodge, and five miles of hiking trails. Part of the hiking trails belong to the longer Falls Lake Trail, a 37-mile portion of the Mountains-to-Sea Trail. However, Blue Jay Point offers something no other park in the area has — a tree-top zip-lining course! Go Ape at Blue Jay Point offers 41 unique obstacles including 50ft high tree-to-tree crossings, ziplines up to 500 ft long, and a heart-stopping Tarzan swing! This is a truly fun adventure for thrill-seekers young and old.
• Another park in North Raleigh to explore is Shelley Lake Park, which offers a two-mile trail around the beautiful lake, as well as playgrounds, basketball courts, and an arts center. 
• Durant Nature Preserve provides a multitude of educational programs, five miles of trails to explore, fishing, a sensory and nature play garden, butterfly garden, picnic shelters, lodge rentals, and playgrounds.
• Millbrook Exchange Park provides an indoor pool, community center, gymnasium, a fitness center, center for active adults, as well as educational programs, tennis center, dog park, picnic shelters, basketball courts, athletic fields, and a playground.

If you’re looking for indoor fun there is plenty of that to be had as well. 

• Amaze Rooms Escapes is a fun experience where you put your problem-solving skills to the test in order to solve a mystery and escape from your room before time runs out. 
• Defy Raleigh is an extreme indoor trampoline park which features enormous, bouncy, floor-level trampolines, aerial silks, a ninja obstacle course, foam pits, battle beams, extreme dodgeball, a warped wall, and a trapeze. 
• Frankie’s Fun Park near Brier Creek Commons is a great place for family fun offering mini-golf, go-karts, bumper cars, an outdoor ropes course, amusement rides, bumper boats, laser tag, and more. 
• Galaxy Fun Park and Adventure Landing are two other amusement venues in the area which are loads of fun for the family.

Real Estate in North Raleigh

North Raleigh is a prime location for homebuyers because of its close proximity to RDU airport, Research Triangle Park, I-540, Durham, and downtown Raleigh, as well as great shopping, dining, and entertainment options. 

• One of the recent additions to North Raleigh real estate is 5401 North, which is a master-planned community dedicated to creating an environment for active lifestyles by providing miles of biking and hiking trails, neighborhood parks, recreation areas, and a clubhouse with a fitness center and resort-style pool. In addition to single-family homes and townhomes for sale, this community also provides apartments, retail, office, and restaurant space with a pedestrian-friendly layout and prices ranging from $300s–$400s.
• Brier Creek is an upscale subdivision in North Raleigh built around the luxurious Brier Creek Country Club and an 18-hole golf course designed by Arnold Palmer. In addition to golf, the community also boasts swim and tennis facilities and is located across from Brier Creek Commons. The stately homes in this neighborhood range from the $400s to over $1M, however, condos in the community are a more affordable option with prices ranging from the $200s to $300s.
• Bedford at Falls River is another master-planned community that provides residents a clubhouse, swimming pool, tennis, basketball, and volleyball courts. Additionally, the Shoppes at Bedford located within the community offers restaurants, a fitness center, and a daycare facility. Bedford at Falls River offers townhomes and single-family homes priced from the $200s to over $800k.
• Falls River is a large community with southern-style homes designed to give residents that “small town” feel with quaint rocking chair front porches and sidewalk-lined streets. This highly sought-after community also boasts a small shopping area with restaurants, shops, medical offices, and more, as well as parks and winding greenways throughout. Falls River offers single-family homes and townhomes ranging from the $200s to $500k.

Some of the other communities to consider in North Raleigh include: 

• Linville, a private, luxury, gated community with stately manors on large wooded lots ($1M-$2M). 
• The Registry at Bailey Farm is another prestigious, luxury community with custom homes on 1-2 acre lots ($800s to over $1M). 
• Bent Tree is an established, upscale neighborhood with large homes and generous amenities ($500s to $900s).
• Alyson Pond is known as a family-friendly community with a pond, pool, tennis and basketball courts, and walking trails ($300s-$400s). 
• Windsor Forest is an affordable, established, and ideally located subdivision within walking distance to Durant Nature Park ($200s to $400s). 
• Black Horse Run is an equestrian neighborhood with miles of woodland and creek-side trails, a competition-sized riding arena, and a community barn for boarding ($300s-$500s).
• Wood Valley offers lovely homes on large, wooded lots and is next door to Wood Valley Swim and Racquet Club ($300s-$600s). 

There are plenty of other communities located in North Raleigh, but since it encompasses such a large area there are too many to name. However, the previously mentioned neighborhoods can give you an idea of what you can find in North Raleigh.

Ready to Buy a Home or Sell a Home in North Raleigh?

Team Anderson Realty is an independent 5-star, concierge-style real estate firm that has been serving Raleigh and the surrounding areas since 2014. We have an established presence in the community and are committed to helping buyers find the perfect home within their budget. We take time to get to know our clients in order to best serve them, and provide a tailored experience for each individual home buyer. If you are looking to buy a home in North Raleigh or the surrounding area, we would love the opportunity to show you what’s available and help you purchase that perfect home! Likewise, if you have ever thought to yourself, “What do I need to do to sell my home?” then we can help with that too! We are a top seller’s agent in Raleigh and the greater Triangle, and we would be delighted to put our expertise to work for you in getting you top-dollar for your home. 

Contact Our North Carolina Real Estate Agents

If you’re in the market to either buy a home or sell a home in North Raleigh or the surrounding areas, please let us help make the process as smooth and stress-free as possible. Call our team of North Carolina real estate agents today at 919-610-5126 or reach out to us online and let us get to work for you!