7 Reasons Why Families Love Living in the Triangle

Nestled in North Carolina’s Piedmont region is “the Triangle,” an area comprising three main cities — Raliegh, Durham, and Chapel Hill — and a conveniently located research center. Ranked as the #2 best place to live in 2021, it’s no surprise the Triangle area has seen exponential growth in recent years. Raleigh offers metropolitan amenities without sacrificing its loved small-town southern feel; Durham and Chapel Hill offer a variety of eateries and shopping that is a given in a college town atmosphere. Various housing opportunities are contained in each city, offering family-oriented suburbs with tree-lined streets and historic towns, allowing everyone to find a place to call home within the Triangle.

Getting outdoors to experience nature is vital for many families, and the Triangle provides many outdoor recreational activities for its residents. Parks are around every corner, offering state-of-the-art playgrounds, paved trails perfect for an after-dinner evening stroll, and spacious courts and fields for a game of tennis or baseball.

 

A long-time favorite, Dorothea Dix Park has a large, flat field ideal for a picnic spread and a game of frisbee. Family pets can join in on the fun in the park’s grass-covered dog run. During the spring, families visit the park’s famous flower field to view the hundreds of daffodils that bloom through the center of the well-maintained greenspace.

 

Sarah P. Duke Gardens in Durham combines beautiful garden arrangements with intricate architecture during a guided walk around the property. It is a popular outdoor destination for families, and an expansive range of learning opportunities are available for the community. Children’s educational programs involve author talks, guided story times, and science activities.

 

Chapel Hill’s nature preserves allow families to connect with Mother Nature along hiking trails and bubbling creeks. Johnston Mill Nature Preserve spans almost 300 acres and is home to paths through dense forests, rocky mountainscapes, and a river ideal for a day of outdoor family fun.

Located just two hours from the Atlantic Ocean and three hours from the Blue Ridge Mountains, families living in the Triangle area can experience both sun and snow without boarding an airplane. For busy families, a quick weekend getaway can transport them to sandy beaches or scenic views teeming with wildlife. City-loving families appreciate the Triangle's proximity to major urban areas, as it's less than three hours away from the bustling metropolitan city of Charlotte.

Four renowned school systems serve the communities of Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill: Wake County Public School System, Durham County Public Schools, Orange County School District, and Chapel Hill Carrboro City Schools. These school systems are home to over 210,000 students living in the Triangle area and boast an array of top-tier learning opportunities for children of all ages.

 

Triangle families enjoy a wide range of educational options for their children. Home to over 45 charter schools, a vast number of widely-acclaimed private institutions, and a host of public schools offering incredible academic and extracurricular programs, the Triangle area provides ample opportunities for families to find the school best suited for their child's educational needs. Several schools residing in the Triangle have received impressive awards and recognitions for academic achievement. In 2021, Durham’s Pearsontown Elementary School was recognized as a National Blue Ribbon School, while the U.S. News & World Report ranked Magellan Charter in Raleigh as the third-best elementary and middle school in North Carolina.

 

Parents who prefer a non-traditional approach to learning can find accredited Montessori and Waldorf schools nearby. Regardless of the academic path chosen, families are sure to find a school they love and trust in Triangle.

The Triangle is known for its wide selection of incredible eateries. Southern soul food, fresh takes on international cuisine, steakhouses, and fine dining downtown give families living in the Triangle metro area an array of delectable options. Chapel Hill’s Tallulas serves flavorful Turkish dishes in a cozy atmosphere with vibrant decor. Just a short drive away, families sit down for a burger with all the fixings at laid-back local favorite Al’s Burger Shack.

 

Downtown Raleigh’s collection of chain and locally-owned restaurants provides families with a convenient mix of cuisine options. Local Triangle residents take on Creole-style fare in a New Orleans-inspired setting with brick walls and live music at The Big Easy. You can share a heaping plate of Southern-fried chicken and waffles big enough for the whole family at Beasley’s Chicken + Honey. After sightseeing downtown, stopping in for a sweet treat is a no-brainer at Raleigh Rolls, a signature dessert shop serving gourmet rolled ice cream made with an assortment of sugary favorites like Oreo cookies, caramel syrup, vanilla wafers, and more.

With award-winning universities nearby and a technological hub home to biotech and software companies, it’s no surprise that the Triangle has one of the fastest-growing job markets in the nation. Because of the area’s booming population and ideal location, new businesses are popping up around every corner while existing corporations are opening more positions, giving Triangle families the luxury of several career choices.

 

 

Those looking for a job may find themselves working for one of the 300 companies inside the United States’ largest research park. Housing a wide selection of science, technology, and software companies like Cyberlux and Lenovo, as well as government agencies and nonprofits, Research Triangle Park brings a constant flow of career opportunities for nearby residents. In just 2021 alone, the park announced almost 8,000 new jobs. Centralized in the Triangle area, the research park eases the burden of a long commute and allows employers to spend more time with their families.

 

Nearby top-rated universities like Duke, UNC Chapel Hill, and North Carolina State University offer an eclectic selection of job positions like teaching, marketing, and more. Meanwhile, several highly-regarded hospitals like Duke University Hospital and WakeMed employ hundreds of medical professionals. Regardless of their career path, residents living in the Triangle have ample opportunities to grow in their field.

When settling down and starting a family, finding a neighborhood that suits all your needs and wants can be stressful. Luckily, the Triangle has dozens of highly-recommended neighborhoods offering a variety of amenities that families love and appreciate.

 

Nestled close to downtown Raleigh is Hayes Barton, a prestigious neighborhood boasting tree-lined streets, well-maintained landscaping, and top-dollar estates on spacious lots. With its proximity to the heart of Raleigh, quiet atmosphere, and beautiful homes for sale, it’s no surprise this community is one of the most sought-after neighborhoods in the Triangle.

 

Tucked away off Durant Road is Shadow Creek Estates, a private community offering luxury living. Timeless estates surrounded by natural landscapes, ample tree cover, and vibrant greenspace offer quiet living, while nearby community walking trails provide recreational opportunities, making this premier neighborhood a perfect reason to call the Triangle home.

 

Families who enjoy lavish living with top-tier amenities love Raleigh’s Brier Creek Country Club for its championship golf courses and ultramodern clubhouse featuring a family-friendly pool.

 

In Durham, the neighborhood of Duke Park is a beloved gem with an enormous playground, fields, trails, and picnic shelters.

In the Triangle, life is all about getting together with loved ones. Whether perusing stalls full of local artisan goods at Durham Farmers’ Market, playing carnival games at the North Carolina State Fair in Raleigh, or attending a fun-filled music festival in Chapel Hill, there’s something to do for people of all ages.

 

Downtown Raleigh is the ultimate one-stop shop for family fun. The annual Midtown Beach Music Series provides free entertainment with live performances from local bands. And the Raleigh St. Patrick’s Day Parade yields holiday cheer with a parade of dancers and musicians winding their way downtown.

 

 

Durham’s annual arts festival, Centerfest, is home to impressive art showcases, an incredible line-up of live music from local performers, and a Creative Kids Zone with fun-filled activities and games. Regardless of season or time, there’s always a festival or family-friendly event in the Triangle area.

 

Are you looking to move into the Triangle area and take advantage of all it offers? Contact real estate agent Shonda Draughn to find the home of your dreams before it’s gone. Whether you’re interested in Raleigh luxury condos or hoping to snag a Durham home for sale, Shonda can help you find the best property for your family.

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