Moving from Chicago to Raleigh: 6 Things You Should Know

The following is a guest post by the good folks at Bellhops, a modern moving company serving the Chicago and Raleigh areas. 

Moving to a brand-new place is both an exciting and nerve-wracking experience. While there’s the thrill of starting a new adventure, you’ll also need to get used to a different dynamic in a place with a unique culture and background.

Before you buy your home in Raleigh, it’s worth getting to know the city and how it would differ from your life in Chicago. Let’s take a look at some of the things you’ll need to expect when moving from Chicago to Raleigh.

1. Less Cold and Snow

Though you’ll experience hot and humid summer days in both locations, you will be much less likely to experience frigid temperatures or significant snowfall in Raleigh.

Chicago’s average high temperature varies by 50 degrees throughout the year, from a high of 32 degrees in January to high of 82 degrees in July. Raleigh is typically a bit hotter in July, with an average high of 89 degrees, but its lowest high temperature in a given month is a moderate 50 degrees in January.

2. From a Blues and Jazz Hub to a Tranquil City

While Chicago is known for its 1920s gangster scene, its famous architecture, and of course, its blues and jazz music, Raleigh is more a place of tranquility.

If you’re looking for somewhere relaxed to settle down with the family, then Raleigh, the City of Oaks, could be the perfect place. The streets of Raleigh are often lined with trees; there are more than 100 miles of greenway trails; and the entire location has its own small(ish)-town Southern charm.

3. Comparable Cost of Living

Raleigh has become a hot real estate market in recent years because of the appealing high-tech R&D jobs available in Research Triangle Park. Because of this, homes in Raleigh have become a little more expensive on average than those in metro Chicago. That said, you will often get more for your money when buying family friendly homes in Raleigh, as four-bedroom homes cost about 16 percent less than those in Chicago at the time of this post.

If you’re looking to sell your house and move on to another mortgage, then you won’t see too much of a difference. Additionally, the sales tax costs in Raleigh are around 7 percent lower than the national average. Gas prices are also lower than the average.

4. The Family Friendly Vibe

Chicago, the Windy City, has a huge number of museums to explore, as well as Willis Tower, Millennium Park, and Navy Pier. On the other hand, when you move to Raleigh, you’ll find a selection of friendly and diverse residents ready to help you explore the city before you even unpack. While Raleigh has a more subdued nightlife than Chicago, there are excellent music venues for the occasional concert, tons of microbreweries, and plenty of museums to explore with the family as well.

5. The Food

If you’ve been a Chicago resident for a while, there’s a good chance that you have a strong relationship with food. After all, there are so many delicious things to eat in Chicago, from pizza and hot dogs, to more unique meals, like a Jibarito sandwich. Raleigh also has a fantastic scene for food, whether you’re in the mood for fine dining or lunch.

Raleigh residents can of course enjoy Carolina staples like sweet tea, pit-smoked pork, delightful southern-style brisket, and home-style vegetables, but the diverse community has also introduced mouth-watering international cuisines, from dim sum to Laotian dishes.

You’re sure to make plenty of great meals when you’re settling into your new home, but if you want to avoid the cleaning and go out to eat, there are countless restaurants to explore.

6. Shopping and Culture

Finally, if you’ve grown accustomed to the plentiful shopping in Chicago, you’ll still be set when you move to Raleigh. There are three major shopping malls in the area, as well as countless boutiques and stores to explore too. Check out the Triangle Town Center when you’re looking for new clothes or gifts, as well as the Crabtree Valley Mall for extra options.

Are you sold yet on a move from Chicago to Raleigh? Search the current Raleigh homes for sale to find your ideal place.