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Living and working in Raleigh

Adam Chaumeton our consultant managing the role
Published on 19 October 2022

The capital of North Carolina, Raleigh, is well established in the Life Sciences industry and is the home to some of the biggest bio-pharmaceutical projects and companies in the USA. But what else does it have to offer?

A life science hub

Raleigh is famous for its ever-growing Research Triangle Park (the largest research park in the United States), which obtained its nickname from the three research universities that anchor the triangle: Duke, North Carolina State and University of Carolina Chapel Hill.

The RTP is reportedly home to approximately 75% of life science companies in North Carolina. So, it’s not surprise that Raleigh is a hub for pharmaceutical projects, research and development. Making it the ultimate place to live for Life Science professionals working at the Research Triangle Park.

It’s not just the RTP that is buzzing with pharmaceutical and biotech companies, within the state of North Carolina there is over 600 life science companies and the Raleigh-Durham area is recognised as one of the top global hubs for Life Science innovation and the Life Sciences employment in the area has grown 12% over the last three years.


Location

Raleigh is located centrally on the East Coast of the US and is the capital of North Carolina, considered part of a cluster of states considered America’s south. Neighbouring city Durham is only 29 miles away and is one of the three points of the Research Triangle Park.  

The state of North Carolina is lucky enough to be sandwiched between beautiful coastline and mountains. Which makes for breath-taking views across the state, including Raleigh.


Cost of living

Compared to other major US life science hubs like Boston and San Francisco, the cost of living is lower and in fact it is 2% lower than the state average and 6% lower than the national average.

When it comes to rent or buying a property you will be looking at a slightly higher state average but still lower than the national average with the monthly rent sitting at $1,631 and home price at $334,850.


So much to do

Just like the state of North Carolina, its capital isn’t short of beautiful outdoor spaces including trails and state parks, providing so many opportunities for hiking and cycling but if that’s not your thing there’s plenty more on offer.

Maybe a trip to the beach is more your thing, Wrightsville Beach is 2 hours away. This beach has warm water for 7/8 months of the year and was voted one of the World’s 20 Best Surf Towns by National Geographic, making it a perfect destination for surfers.

Wrightsville beach, North Carolina

If you find indoor activities more appealing the town of Raleigh has plenty of museums and galleries to stroll around, unsurprisingly one of these is the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, easily identifiable from it’s 70 feet wide globe that sits proudly outside the museum and is the second-largest earth on earth.

Other museums and galleries to visit in Raleigh:

·  North Carolina Museum of Art

·  North Carolina Museum of History

·  City of Raleigh Museum

·  CAM Raleigh

·  Gregg Museum of Art & Design


But it’s not all just trips to the beach and surfing, the city of Raleigh is a great place to catch some sporting events. The NFL’s Carolina Panthers home stadium is 2.5 hours away and if that is a little too far to get your fill of football there’s a plethora of colleges to catch a game at.

Despite the warm weather that blesses Raleigh most of the year the city is home to the state’s Ice Hockey team, Carolina Hurricanes who play at the PNC Arena.

There really is something for everyone in Raleigh. 


Considering a job in North Carolina? Check out our Life Sciences roles in the USA or send over your resume today to our team