After spending the majority of the 20^th century as the overlooked, undeserving capital of North Carolina, Raleigh has experienced tremendous growth and development in the last few decades, turning it into a thriving, southern metropolis.  The Research Triangle Park, which was created in 1959 as a hub for research and development, employs over 39,000 people, making the city an attractive new home for college graduates.  Raleigh has consistently ranked high on the list of cities with the most PhDs per capita.  This comes as little surprise considering its close proximity to three major research universities, Duke University, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and North Carolina State University.  The presence of these schools also contributes to the young vibrant, atmosphere of the city.  Major corporations such as RBC Centura and Progress Energy are headquartered in this city adding to its thriving job market.

Another appeal of this city is its commitment to technology and advancement.  On top of its strong research presence, this year Forbes ranked Raleigh the most wired city in America.  This ranking is based on measurements of the number of Wi-Fi hot spots, rate of broadband adoption and how many companies provide high speed wireless.  This year Raleigh became one of the first cities where Sprint launched its new 4G network.

The nightlife and entertainment options of this city suggest it’s a place where you work hard to play hard.  The RBC Center hosts a number of sporting events and concerts throughout the year including the NC State varsity men’s basketball home games as well as the Carolina Hurricanes.  The downtown area offers an impressive nightlife scene with a variety of entertainment options such as Charlie Goodnight’s Comedy Club or The Office; no, not where you spend your 9-5.