Raleigh Movers

All My Sons Guide to Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill Chapel Hill is located in Southeast Orange County, NC with few parts in Durham County and Chatham County. Chapel Hill, with Durham and Raleigh, is part of Research Triangle Park, a research park that was named in 1959. The area, dubbed “The Southern Part of Heaven”, has a mystique about it and is unlike many cities in the U.S. Chapel Hill, or at least the town center, sits atop a hill which was originally occupied by a small Anglican "chapel of ease", known as New Hope Chapel. In 1819, the town was founded to serve the University of North Carolina and grew up around it. In the latter part of the 20th century, the town grew considerably and became wealthier. The city is home to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC), the oldest state-supported university in the U.S. Because Chapel Hill is known as a college town, there is a young, vibrant vibe to the area. There are trendy, urban neighborhoods like Meadowmont Village and Southern Village, along with Franklin Street – a famous area for boutiques, restaurants and an up-and-coming music scene, responsible for the popularity of bands like Ben Folds Five. Chapel Hill was named “America’s Foodiest Small Town” by Bon Appetit Magazine, because it has begun to attract a young, hip culinary following. The area is also has nationally-recognized primary and secondary schools as well.

The downtown Chapel Hill area is home to the Morehead Planetarium, the North Carolina Botanical Garden, the PlayMakers Repertory Company, the newly renovated Memorial Hall, and the award-winning Finley Golf Course. Downtown Chapel Hill also hosts an annual Halloween party that has over 70,000 attendees. As of the 2000 Census, Chapel Hill had a population of 48,715, but in a more recent 2007 estimate, the population was listed at over 54,000. Chapel Hill is the best-educated city in Chapel Hill, with 77.0% of adult residents (25 and older) holding an associate degree or higher, and 73.7% of adults possessing a baccalaureate degree or higher (2000 Census). The median income for a household in the town was $47,424 Chapel Hill is headquarters to Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina, one of the ten largest employers in the area. Chapel Hill also is home to technology companies USAT Corporation and Realtime Ops, as well as service company, Alpha Install. Chapel Hill’s famous residents include: Floyd Council, a blues singer and the "Floyd" in Pink Floyd; U.S. Senator John Edwards; musician Ben Folds; Silda Wall Spitzer, wife of former New York governor Eliot Spitzer; and musician James Taylor.

Moving to Chapel Hill? The following are some important numbers: All My Sons Raleigh Moving Services 919-875-1700 Fire Department 919-968-2781 Housing Department 919-968-2850 Police Department 919-968-2760 Public Works 919-969-5100 Town Manager 919-968-2743

Carrboro Carrboro was founded in 1882 as a railroad depot and mill town, serving the Chapel Hill area. Carrboro is known as “Paris of the Piedmont”, “Faraway Carrboro”, “Seattle of the South”, and the “Invisible Kingdom of America”. The city was named after Julian Carr, the man that ran the cotton mill that now houses the Weaver Street Market. Carrboro is known for its live music. Clubs like the Cat’s Cradle, Local 506, The Cave, and Reservoir are hot spots for their music scene. Many bands have gotten their start in Chapel Hill at these bars and clubs. Bands that are already established, like Bruce Springsteen and U2 have played Carrboro’s Kenan Memorial Stadium. Carrboro has a vibrant business community and although the downtown buildings on Main and Weaver Street retain their historical charm, the city is very technologically savvy and provides wireless Internet throughout downtown. The city encourages green practices, proclaiming itself as a “walking town”, with trails and bike lanes throughout. Downtown Carrboro is an art-infused community. The Arts Center began in 1974 and the Carrboro Farmer’s Market was created in 1977. The Farmer’s Market, which is a “true farmer’s market” connecting farmers directly to consumers, is open twice a week on Wednesday evenings and Saturday mornings. Weaver Street Market - also known as The Weave - hosts a variety of concerts, jazz brunches, and charitable events. Moving to Carrboro? The following are some important numbers: All My Sons of Raleigh Moving Services 919-875-1700 Town Manager 919-918-7314 Public Works 919-918-7425 Police Department 919-918-7397 Fire Rescue 919-918-7347

Hillsborough Hillsborough is a city where old meets new. Hillsborough serves as the county seat of Orange County. The city was initially inhabited by the Occaneechie Indians in 1000 A.D.. The tribe used the city as a trading post. The city was eventually founded in 1754, by a man named William Churton. Churton owned, surveyed and mapped the city. He named it for the Earl of Hillsborough, the British secretary of state for the colonies. The most famous street within Hillsborough is Churton Street. There are a number of retail shops and restaurants that feature brick storefronts and houses from the 18th and 19th centuries, that gives the area an authentic, local feel. Churton Street plays host to festivals, fairs, contests, concerts, reenactments, dances, readings, plays, tastings and talent shows. Churton Street is full of book shops, wine shops, coffee shops, and restaurants. Hillsborough’s industries include farming, mills, law and government, but is most famous for having more writers, novelists, poets, essayists, scholars and historians per square foot than any other small town. In 2007, the National Trust for Historic Preservation named Hillsborough one of America's Dozen Distinctive Destinations. The area pays tribute to its historical roots, with its architecture and freight trains, while changing with times, adding a new SportsPlex and Montrose Gardens. Making the move to Hillsborough? The following are some important numbers: All My Sons of Raleigh Moving Services 919-875-1700 Town of Hillsborough 919-732-1270 Emergency Services 919-732-2104 Police Department 919-732-9381

Moving Guide to Apex

Apex, which has a city motto of “The Peak of Good Living”, is located in southwestern Wake County just west of Raleigh and south of Cary. A former railroad town, the city has a small-town feel, with convenience to big-city amenities. In the past several years, Apex has experienced significant growth, as hundreds of newcomers have relocated to Apex. The town currently is home to over 30,000 people.

The city was named ‘Apex’ because is the highest point on the Chatham Railroad between Richmond, Virginia and Jacksonville, FL, as well as being located in the middle of the Neuse River and Cape Fear River. Apex is founded on railroad roots. The city was first settled in 1867, with the first locomotive operating in 1869. The Apex rail station was founded in 1854 “for the purpose of affecting a communication between the North Carolina Railroad Company (at Raleigh) and the coal fields of Chatham County”. Pine forests in Apex created a trade for forestry products like tar, turpentine and lumber, that later spurred stores, warehouses, and eventually, tobacco production. The Tobacco Auction Market was established in 1905. Following two major fires in the early 1900s, many merchants rebuilt structures as brick buildings to proof them for fires.

Apex has been one of the fastest growing towns in North Carolina. There are many new neighborhoods with growth, particularly by middle-upper class families. As of the 2000 US Census Bureau Profile, the median family income was $78,689 and 58.8% of residents held a college degree. The area grew significantly in the 1960s after Research Triangle Park was established and began to attract worldwide companies and workers. The close proximity to the area has added significant economic vitality to the city. The area was named one of the best places to live by Money Magazine in 2007 and the #1 small town for economic vitality by Business North Carolina Magazine in 1994.

Apex has a “mild Humid-Subtropical” climate, with temperatures in the 40s in the winter and in the upper 70s in the summer. There is moderate snow and rain.

Apex is considered to be a driving city, with I-40 running through the town. The Apex Peakway, which is currently under construction, will provide a loop road that will orbit downtown Apex. The Triangle Transit Authority operates buses that serve the region and connect through Raleigh, Durham and Chapel Hill, and the area is served by Raleigh Durham Airport (RDU). Additionally, the NC-DOT Cape Fear Run bicycle route runs through Apex to Wilmington.

The Downtown area of Apex has seen significant renovation in recent years to recapture the historical flair of the area. In 2006, Apex enacted The Small Town Character Overlay Zoning District, an ordinance to maintain the character of old Apex, Downtown and surrounding neighborhoods through grants and reduced fees for businesses relocating and for various restoration to the historical homes and buildings downtown. Currently, sixty buildings and homes, dating from 1870-1940, have been preserved. The area is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is a National Register Historic District. The area has commercial and residential buildings that date to the late 1800s that represent a wide variety of architectural styles.

The main street downtown is historical Salem Street, where a variety of family-oriented activities take place throughout the year. The first week in May hosts ‘PeakFest’, a giant craft festival that draws over 25,000 people. Downtown Apex also has an Olde Fashioned 4th of July in Historic Downtown Apex, and Christmas on Salem Street.

Downtown is also home to the Halle Cultural Arts Center, the Maynard-Pearson Home (headquarters of the Apex Historical Society), the Apex Train Depot and the New Hope Valley Railway. The Apex Union Depot Circa 1914 is the most significant landmark in Apex, a celebration of the town’s railroad culture. The Depot was built in 1906, burned down in 1914, and rebuilt as the current structure. The Depot is home to a library, the Apex Chamber of Commerce and a Visitors’ Center. The Depot also hosts concerts in the spring, summer and fall. The New Hope Valley Railway has been restored by the National Railway Historical Society. The Railway operates trains every hour on the hour from noon to 4:00 p.m. on the first Sunday of each month from May through November. The North Carolina Railroad Museum is also located at this site just south of Apex on Old US 1 in Bonsai.

IMPORTANT NUMBERS Wake County Emergency Management (919) 856-6480 Progress Energy 1-800-419-6356 Wake County Public Safety (919) 856-6480 Utilities (919) 362-8676 All My Sons of Raleigh (serving Apex) (919) 875-1700

All My Sons Moving Guide to Durham

If you're thinking about moving to Durham in North Carolina, then All My Sons Moving and Storage of Raleigh is "the" moving company to call. Our Raleigh movers will make sure that moving day goes smoothly with no hassles or complications. You won't have to lift a finger, all you'll need to do is direct us by letting us know where you want your belongings placed in your new home. All My Sons of Raleigh is backed by four generations of moving experience and has many satisfied customers to prove it. We're a professional company that's licensed and insured. We have deal directly with our customers and provide free estimates. There are no brokers to deal with and no nonsense. To see if Durham is the place for you, continue reading this informational article.

The city of Durham is the county seat and namesake of Durham County. The city exists almost entirely in Durham County, with outer-lying areas extended into Wake County. Durham is the 5th largest city in North Carolina, home to over 200,000 residents. The city is part of the Raleigh-Durham-Cary combined statistical area, with over 1.5 million residents. Located halfway between the Smoky Mountains and the Atlantic North Carolina beaches, Durham is located in the middle of the state and is known as the “City of Medicine” or the “Bull City”.

Durham’s roots extend back to 1853, when the city grew as a railroad depot between Raleigh and Hillsborough. Dr. Bartlett S. Durham, a local physician, donated agricultural land so that Durham Station could be constructed. The city received its charter in 1869, and expanded rapidly after the Civil War, mostly due to the thriving tobacco industry. Both Union and Confederate soldiers had become attracted to the tobacco during the war. As a result, both Bull Durham Tobacco Company and Duke & Sons Tobacco Company became rapidly growing companies in the area. Following tobacco growth, textile mills became a secondary industry in the Durham area. In the 1930s, Durham saw a decline in population as textile mills closed and began moving out of the area, and the tobacco industry faced both increased competition and a decrease in smoking.

Durham has a significant Black community and Black-owned businesses, earning it the name of “Black Wall Street”. Durham is home to North Carolina Mutual Insurance Company and Mechanics & Farmers’ Bank. The city has always had a Strong Civil Rights movement, primarily in the Hayti area south of town. Part of the Hayti district was demolished for the Durham Freeway in the 1960s, and lost much of its. architectural base. St. Joseph’s Historical Foundation at Hayti Heritage Center was founded to “preserve the heritage of the old hayti community, and to promote the understanding of and appreciation for the African American experience and African Americans’ contributions to world culture”.

Durham is known to be a highly-educated city, with Duke University and North Carolina Central University based in the city. 43% of residents over the age of 25 hold at least a bachelor’s degree. The area is part of the Research Triangle Park area, with UNC Chapel Hill located 8 miles away and North Carolina State 25 miles away. Duke University, the largest employer in Durham, employs over 39,000 employees and has over 13,000 students in attendance. Duke was formerly called Trinity College, until a 1924 gift from James Buchanan Duke led to the renaming and the construction of a larger campus 2 miles west of downtown. Durham also is home to North Carolina Central University and Durham Technical Community College. In December 2007, Durham was the only city in North Carolina to be listed on the Forbes.com list for the “Top 20 Places to Educate Your Child.”

In the 1970s-80s, Durham again had development due to the construction of Research Triangle Park. As RTP developed, Durham became a hub for information technology, biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, and medicine. There are more than 300 medical and health-related companies and medical practices that pay out over $1.5 billion in annual payroll. Research Triangle Park extends about 10 miles southeast of Durham and employs over 49,000 people.

In 1898, Bull Durham was the most famous trademark in the world, due to the fact that the city was the manufacturing hub for cigarettes. The trademark was later parlayed into a minor league baseball team. The Durham Bulls were the subject of the movie, Bull Durham, in 1988. A new downtown baseball stadium was built for the Durham Bulls in 1994. The stadium was designed by the designers of Oriole Park at Camden Yards in Baltimore, and has 10,000 seats, with annual attendance of half a million. The area has produced famous baseball players, including – Roger Lee Craig, Rick Ferrell, Brian Roberts, and Josh Whitesell.

The Durham Association for Downtown Arts (DADA), was incorporated in 2000, with a “commitment to the development, presentation and fiscal sponsorship of original art and performance in Durham”. The Durham Performing Arts Center, the Carolina Theater, Nasher Museum of Arts and the Museum of Life and Sciences are located downtown Durham. The downtown Durham area has over 300 restaurants, hosts 40 annual festivals, and has more than 5.2 million annual visitors. The dining districts are located on 9th Street, Brightleaf, University Drive, and the American Tobacco District.

Downtown Durham Inc. (DDI) was formed in 1993 to assist in downtown revitalization. DDI promotes five areas of concentration: economic development, parking, appearance, safety, and promotion. The group is a 501(c) 6 organization, that works hand in hand with Renaissance Downtown Durham, Inc. (ReDDI), 501 (c)3 organization. Renaissance Downtown Durham works toward historic preservation, revitalization and development. Housing in Durham ranges from historic homes and lofts downtown to country horse farms and suburban development outside of the city.

Although most Durham residents travel by private vehicle, the Durham Area Transit Authority (DATA) – connects to Raleigh and Chapel Hill. In addition, the area has access to Raleigh-Durham International Airport and to an Amtrak station with daily service to Charlotte and Raleigh.

Relocating to Raleigh

Moving to Raleigh, NC? Use the All My Sons Raleigh relocation guide to learn more after your move to Raleigh! Raleigh is one of the most popular relocation destinations in the country. Visit AllMySons.com/Raleigh for more information. Raleigh, North Carolina is the State capital, an educational hub and a major US research center. The city rests between Wake and Durham counties and has a population of around 300,000. Considered the number one educated city in the nation, the area is famously associated with Research Triangle Park and also being home to North Carolina State University, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and Duke University. A staggering 44% of all Raleigh residents have an undergraduate degree and 90% of all residents have a high school diploma. Raleigh has the highest concentration of PhD’s per capita.

The city experiences annual growth of 4.5%. The average age of Raleigh residents is 31, the median income is $48,000, and the average home price is $156,000. The city experiences a mild climate with humid summers and mild winters. Nearby cities include Garner, Knightdale, Cary, Morrisville, Wake Forest, Rolesville, Apex, and Holly Springs and the city is a car town, although the Raleigh Trolley runs downtown. The city is divided in to 7 major parts similar to the five boroughs of New York; Old Raleigh, East Raleigh, West Raleigh, North Raleigh, Midtown Raleigh, South Raleigh, and Southeast Raleigh. The counties making up the greater Raleigh area are: Wake County, Durham County, Orange County, Brier Creek area, Preston, Wakefield, Brightleaf, Bedford, Falls River, Hasentree, the Registry, Stonemoor, Hope Valley Farms, Chancellors Ridge, Amberley, and Cary Park in the Triangle Area of North Carolina (NC).

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COMMUNICATION The greater Raleigh area code is the 919 prefix. TELEPHONE Bell South In-State (919) 780-2355 Out-of-State 1-800-767-2355 Sprint 919-556-0080 Verizon 800-483-4000 CABLE Television Cable in the greater Raleigh area is provided by Time Warner Cable. www.twc-nc.com 919-595-4892 NEWPAPERS & PRINT MEDIA News & Observer www.newsobserver.com

UTILITIES ELECTRICITY Progress Energy 1-800-419-6356 Duke Power 1-800-769-3766) Wake Electric 919-863-6300 PSNC Energy Gas 877-776-2427 City of Raleigh Water & Sewer 919-890-3245 City of Raleigh Garbage Trash Schedule 919-831-6890

CULTURE Museums North Carolina Museum of Art North Carolina Museum of History North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences Marbles Kids Museum IMAX Theater at Marbles Kids Museum Raleigh City Museum Artspace Performing Arts North Carolina Symphony Time Warner Cable Music Pavilion at Walnut Creek North Carolina Theatre Raleigh Little Theatre and Rose Garden Theatre in the Park Raleigh Ensemble Players North Carolina Master Chorale The Opera Company of North Carolina Raleigh Chamber Music Guild Carolina Ballet

Retail Crabtree Valley Mall Triangle Town Center Streets of Southpoint Cary Towne Center Northgate Mall University Mall Cameron Village Alexander Place Promenade Pleasant Valley Promenade White Oak Crossing Midway Plantation Beaver Creek Commons Centrum Gateway at North Pointe South Square New Hope Commons

Major Employers State of North Carolina Wake County Public School System North Carolina State University WakeMed Health & Hospitals Rex Healthcare Progress Energy Wake County Government City of Raleigh First Citizens Bank Misys Healthcare Systems News & Observer Longistics Waste Industries Duke University & Medical Center University of North Carolina IBM GlaxoSmithKline

Colleges & Universities Meredith College 919-760-8600 North Carolina State University 919-515-3205 Peace College 919-508-2000 Saint Augustine's College 919-516-4000 Shaw University 919-546-8200 Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary 919-761-2100 TRANSPORTATION Raleigh-Durham International Airport 919-840-2123 Bus Schedule 919-111-1717 Raleigh Rapid Transit 919-111-2278 GOVERNMENT City of Raleigh 919-890-3125 City of Durham 919-560-4412 County Assessor's Office 919-111-3836 Raleigh County Clerk 919-111-5900 City of Raleigh Parks & Recreation Department 919-890-3285 Greater Raleigh Chamber of Commerce 919-664-7000 NC Division of Motor Vehicles 919-570-1016 Town of Cary 919-469-4050 Town of Morrisville 919-463-6200 Greater Raleigh Convention and Visitor Bureau 919-645-2662

MEDICAL Animal Emergency Care 919-111-4412 Children's Hospital 919-111-3255 Raleigh Medical Center 919-111-4444 Advanced Medical Institute www.advancedmedicalinstitute.com Chapel Hill Children’s Clinic www.chapelhillchildrensclinic.com Duke Health Raleigh Hospital www.dukehealthraleigh.org Durham Regional Hospital www.duke.edu

PUBLIC SAFETY The City of Raleigh police department employs 728 sworn officers. The department uses a precinct system in an effort to allow the officers to become more familiar with the people they protect and the neighborhoods they patrol. Emergency 911 Police Non-Emergency 919-890-3335 City Information 919-890-3000 Crime Prevention 919-807-5433 Fire Prevention 919-831-6392

Guide to the Neighborhoods of Metro Raleigh

Welcome to the All My Sons Guide to Raleigh. If you are thinking of or planning to Raleigh, use this as a resource to learn more about the different Raleigh neighborhoods. “The City of Oaks” is a haven for business, technology, education, culture, and family life.

NORTH RALEIGH North Raleigh is located outside of the I-440 beltline. The North Raleigh area is a fast-growing suburban area that includes the neighborhoods of Glenwood and Brookhaven with Falls Lake to the north. There are many subdivisions in North Raleigh, many that were developed during and after the 1950s. North Raleigh is also home to the Carolina Country Club and large shopping areas like the Crabtree Valley Mall. Neighborhoods in North Raleigh include: North Hills, Crabtree Valley, Brookhaven, Brentwood, Brier Creek, Stonehenge, Falls River, Northridge, Stonebridge, Wood Valley, Crossgate, Bent Tree, Westlake, Springdale, Dominion Park, Durant Trails, Millbrook, New Hope, Lake Park, Village on the Green, Bedford, Stone Creek, Wakefield, Windsor Forest and Wood Valley.

DOWNTOWN RALEIGH The area of Downtown Raleigh is considered to be a trendy neighborhood. Many old buildings and factories have been converted into living spaces. The area is home to many historic buildings like the Sir Walter Raleigh Hotel and the Cotton Mill building, the City Market, and Governors Square. Downtown Raleigh is home to the RBC Center, where both North Carolina State and the Carolina Hurricanes of the NHL call home. The Raleigh Convention Center is also located downtown. Culturally, Downtown Raleigh also houses the Performing Arts Center, the North Carolina Museum of History, and the Museum of Natural Sciences. Peace College, Shaw University and St. Augustine’s College also offer a variety of resources to students and the public. Neighborhoods include : Cameron Park, Boylan Heights, Country Club Hills, Coley Forest, Five Points, Glenwood-Brooklyn, Hayes Barton, Moore Square, Mordecai, Belvidere Park, Woodcrest, Historic Oakwood, Capital Park, Pilot Mill, Mordecai, Glenwood Village, Chavis Heights, South Park, University Park, and Belvidere Park.

The most famous Downtown Historic neighborhoods are: Historic Oakwood is a 19th century neighborhood that is northeast of the city center, within walking distance of downtown. The neighborhood is famous for its Victorian homes in a variety of colors and the Christmas tour of homes. Historic Mordecai is the Historic division of Mordecai that is within walking distance of the state government complex. The area is near Peace College and features older bungalow-style homes. Boylan Heights contains early 20th century large homes in a variety of different architecture styles, many of which that have been fully restored. It is located near the State Farmers Market. BOYLAN HEIGHTS – edge of downtown, wooded, older homes, many restorations Glenwood/Brooklyn is composed of neighborhoods between Glenwood Ave and Hillsborough St. The area contains old homes, specialty shops, and antique stores. The area homes range from bungalows to large colonials. Five Points area of Raleigh is an eclectic village that is populated by many old North Carolina families. The Five Points area contains the neighborhoods of Bloomsbury, Hayes Barton, Roanoke Park, and Vanguard Park. The Five Points area is a desirable location for many young and first-time homeowners. The area is simple, efficient and is considered to be an escape from an urban lifestyle. The name “Five Points” was given due to the fact that the area is the center of a five-way intersection. The area was a planning movement that was initiated by the city of Raleigh. Within Five Points, there is a variety of architecture and many renovated homes. Within Five Points is the famous neighborhood of Hayes Barton, which was named after the original hometown of Sir Walter Raleigh. The neighborhood was established in the 1920s and 1930s, is home to a number of stone manors and brick colonial homes, and is considered one of the most desirable areas of Raleigh. The area is also home to the world-renown Rialto Theatre. Capitol Area/State Government District is the area of downtown that contains mostly NC state government building and offices. It is the center of Raleigh, where the Capitol Square is located and looks like a traditional southern town with confederate monuments and memorials. There are a total of 6 government buildings, the State Supreme Court, and a number of old 19th century churches.

EAST RALEIGH East Raleigh is known to be the best deal when looking for newer homes. The area is near the I-440 beltline and east of Knightdale. Neighborhoods in East Raleigh include: New Hope and Wilder’s Grove.

WEST RALEIGH/SOUTHWEST RALEIGH West Raleigh is east of Cary and at the cross of Hillsborough Street and Western Boulevard. West Raleigh is considered to be “Old Raleigh”, and includes neighborhoods like Westover, Laurel Hills, Umstead, Tysonville, and Asbury. West Raleigh is home to North Carolina State University, Meredith College, Pullen Park, Lake Johnson, the Cameron Village outdoor mall (which consumes 6 city blocks), and the North Carolina Museum of Art.

SOUTHEAST RALEIGH Southeast Raleigh is the least developed and least dense area of Raleigh. It is east of downtown and Cary and west of Garner. The area is diverse, with many older African American historic neighborhoods that date back to the Civil War. The area is also home to the Time Warner Cable Music Pavilion. Neighborhoods include: Lake Wheeler, Swift Creek, Riverbrooke, Enchanted Oaks, Chavis Heights, Hedingham, Skycrest Village, Wilder's Grove, Southgate, Walnut Creek, Rhamkatte, Parkland, Biltmore Hills, and Carolina Pines.

Moving to Raleigh, North Carolina

Are you moving to Raleigh, North Carolina? Do you know someone moving to Raleigh? If so, prepare to be pleasantly surprised with this quaint city that is centrally located, has pleasant weather and nature, and the benefits of living in a metropolitan area with a small-town feel. Raleigh has an average age of 31 years old and a median household income of $48,000.

Raleigh is known as the “City of Oaks” and is the capital of North Carolina. Resting between Wake County and a part of Durham County, Raleigh is the second largest city in NC after Charlotte, with 380,000 people. The city is the 15th fastest growing city in the U.S. with a 40% and 100,000 resident increase since 2000. The city was established in 1792 for Sir Walter Raleigh and was built specifically to be the state capital.

Raleigh, and the state of North Carolina in general, experience a very moderate climate. There are agreeably warm summers and moderate winters, with both snow-covered mountains and beaches within traveling distance. Raleigh is located in the northeast central region of North Carolina three hours west of the Atlantic beach and four hours east of the Appalachian range and Great Smoky Mountains. Raleigh experiences its rainy months from January to March and its dry months in April and November.

Raleigh is safe, clean, and has the advantages of big-city living without the anxiety. There are many retirees, a low crime rate, and a booming real estate market. There is a thriving job market in industries of technology, medicine, biotech research, textile development, telecommunications, clothing and apparel, food processing, paper products, pharmaceuticals and education. Additionally, the city serves as a major retail shipping and distribution point.

The neighborhoods of Raleigh include Downtown/Old Raleigh, East Raleigh, West Raleigh, North Raleigh, Midtown Raleigh, South Raleigh, Southeast Raleigh.

Raleigh serves as a major U.S. research center with three leading universities. The city has good school systems as well as higher educational institutions including North Carolina State University, Wake Technical Community College, Meredith College, Peace College, Shaw University, St. Augustine’s College, Campbell University Norman Adrian Wiggins School of Law, and Strayer University.

Culturally, Raleigh plays host to venues like the Time Warner Cable Music Pavilion at Walnut Creek, Progress Energy Center for the Performing Arts, Raleigh Memorial Auditorium, Fletcher Opera Theater, Kennedy Theater and Meymandi Concert Hall. Additionally, Raleigh supports the North Carolina Symphony, the Opera Company of North Carolina, Burning Coal Theatre Company, North Carolina Theatre, Broadway Series South, the Carolina Ballet, and the North Carolina Museum of Art.

Raleigh has been home to the NHL’s Carolina Hurricanes since 1997, and the team plays at the RBC Center. Neighborhood Cary, NC also hosts a United Soccer League team, the Carolina Railhawks and the area has several minor-league baseball teams.

In terms of transportation, Raleigh-Durham International Airport serves as a major hub for American Eagle Airlines. The airport handles both cargo and general aviation, with 45 domestic and international destinations daily. Raleigh’s major highways include I-40, I-440, I-540 and there are Amtrak trains daily. For the environmentally-conscious, the North Carolina Bicycle Route 2 - travels through city of Raleigh as a ‘greenway system’ for bikers.

Additionally, Raleigh is famed for its people. Raleigh residents are known to be kind and easygoing people, and the city is admired by families and individuals alike. The city has been home to such figures as President Andrew Johnson, Clay Aiken, Antwan Harris (NFL), Emily Procter (actress), Amy Sedaris, David Sedaris, Chris Wilcox (NBA), Evan Rachel Wood (actress), Jeff Hardy (WWE), Ron Francis (NHL), Chuck Nevitt (NBA), Kristi Yamaguchi, Ryan Adams, former Senator John Edwards, and Olympic athlete Marion Jones.

In the media, Raleigh has been named “One of the Five Best Places to Balance Work and Family Life” by Fortune magazine, “One of the Five Best Places to Raise Kids in America by Child Magazine, “One of the Ten Best Places for Twentysomethings to Live”, and as one of “50 Fabulous Places to Retire”.

All My Sons of Raleigh Guide to Wake Forest

All My Sons of Raleigh has developed this guide for those moving to Wake Forest, North Carolina. Contact All My Sons of Raleigh for moving services in the Greater Raleigh and Wake Forest, NC areas.

WAKE FOREST Wake Forest is a town of about 22,000 people located in Wake and Franklin counties in the northeast central region of North Carolina. Wake Forest is located less than an hour from Raleigh and Durham, just north of the state capital. The city is geographically at the intersection of the “fall line” of the North American Piedmont and Atlantic Coastal Plain regions - three hours west of Atlantic Beach, NC and four hours east of the Appalachian range. The city was founded in 1909 and will celebrate its Centennial Celebration in 2009. The area is known to be family-friendly and culturally diverse. Wake Forest offers some of the best shopping, dining, schools, businesses, arts, and medical facilities in North Carolina. The city was appointed by Forbes Magazine as the 20th fastest growing suburb in America.

Wake Forest is home to almost 30,000 residents. The city, very much a college town, has a median age of 33, and a median income of over $56,000 per year. The area boasts a relaxed, family-oriented atmosphere with education and security as priorities. The residents are educated and cultured, and about two-thirds of all residents own their homes. There is a strong local economy that is encouraging to all sized businesses. Wake Forest operates a Council-Manager form of government that features a Mayor, a Board of Commissioners, and a Town Manager appointed by Board to administer municipal affairs.

The Subtropical weather in Wake Forest boasts four, changing seasons, however, on average, there are 220 sunny days a year. The location offers beaches to the east, and mountains to the west. The average yearly temperature is 60 degrees Fahrenheit, and there is an average snowfall of 7.5 inches.

 The city is most well-known for its namesake, Wake Forest University. Wake Forest University was originally founded in 1823 as the Wake Forest Academy for Boys. The North Carolina Baptist Convention bought the campus in 1834 and eventually named it Wake Forest College. The college, which eventually included women, was based in Wake Forest for 122 years. The growth of the school, and the area, were based on the growth of the Raleigh and Gaston Railroad Track in the 1840s. At the request of Wake Forest College leaders, a main railroad station was moved from Forestville to Wake Forest, resulting in an economic boom for the area. Wake Forest College moved to the larger area of Winston-Salem in 1956, and the land was sold to the Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary.

The Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary was formed on May 19, 1950, at the Southern Baptist Convention. The Seminary purchased the Wake Forest College campus, which also had Baptist heritage, and began classes September 12, 1951. The institution has grown from 85 students and 3 faculty members to a 500 acre, 12 major building campus. The institution operates on historic Baptist theological principles and responds to ‘controversial cultural issues and equipping churches to do the same’. In addition to the Seminary, the city is located in close proximity to “The Triangle”, which contains Duke University, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and North Carolina State University. Downtown Wake Forest is a thriving area.

The Downtown Revitalization Corporation was formed in 1984 as a volunteer organization. The mission of the group is to add vitality to Downtown Wake Forest. Events hosted by the Downtown Revitalization Corporation include the American Dance Festival, the DuBois Jazz Festival, and concerts at Walnut Creek Amphitheater. Historical Places downtown include The DuBois Center, a school opened in 1926 for African Americans that is now a community center, and the Calvin Jones Historical House (1820), the birthplace of Wake Forest University.

Through a partnership between the City of Raleigh, the Town of Wake Forest and Triangle Transit, the city offers bus service from Wake Forest to downtown Raleigh, a rush-hour express, and a circular service around town. Wake Forest accesses major Interstates I-85 and I-40, and is about 20 miles from Raleigh-Durham International.

EMERGENCY NUMBERS In an emergency dial 911 Wake Forest Police Department (919) 554-6150 Wake Forest Fire Department (919) 556-1966 Time Warner Cable (919) 595-4892 Town of Wake Forest (919) 554-6100 Progress Energy (800) 452-2777 Wake Electric (919) 863-6300 PSNC Energy (877) 776-2427 Telephone-Embarq (919) 556-0080 Trash Collection (919) 554-6120 Republic Waste Services (919) 772-1316 Waste Industries (919) 556-8832 Wake County Public Schools (919) 850-1600 Wake County Private Schools (919) 733-4276 Driver’s License Office (919) 855-6877 License Plate Agency (919) 554-0770 Wake Forest Chamber of Commerce (919) 856-6240 Post Office (800) 275-8777 Wake Forest Public Library (919) 554-8498 Wake County Animal Control (919) 212-PETS (7387) News & Observer (919) 836-5635 Wake Forest Gazette (919) 556-3409 The Wake Weekly (919) 556-3182

Moving Guide to Winston-Salem, NC From Raleigh Moving Company

Salem was initially settled in 1753 by Bishop August Gottlieb Spangenberg for the Moravian Church, an early Protestant sector. The Moravians were followers of a German-exiled Czech priest who relocated through Savannah, Georgia in 1735. The Moravians established Wachovia, initially naming the area ‘die Wachau’, Latin for Wachovia, the name of an Austrian Moravian Count’s estate. In 1776, the area was named ‘Salem’, a Moravian term for ‘peace’. The Winston area was named in 1849, after Col. Joseph Winston, a Revolutionary war hero and politician. The two towns moved to merge in 1913.

The Moravians were artisans, including potters, furniture- and cabinet-makers, that were a prelude to today’s City of the Arts. There are 42,000 Moravians in the U.S., with about half of the population in Forsyth County. Winston-Salem continues to pay homage to the Moravians with their signature cookies – hand-rolled sweets in flavors of ginger, sugar, lemon, chocolate, butterscotch and black walnut – that are sold in various bakeries and stores.

Downtown Winston-Salem is home to historical buildings, big business, and a thriving arts district. The Reynolds Building, on Main Street was the inspiration for the Empire State Building in NYC, constructed in 1929 by the same architects as the skyscraper. The Wachovia Center is the tallest building in Winston-Salem, constructed in 1994 with Moravian themes. Downtown is also home to the Old Salem District, Historic Bethabara, Reynolds Village, Horne Creek Historic Farm, the Tanglewood Park golf course and the Old Shell Station, a giant seashell off of Peachtree Street. Businesses based downtown include: RJ Reynolds Tobacco Co., Krispy Kreme Doughnuts, Inc., Branch Banking and Trust Company (BB&T), HanesBrands, Inc., and Blue Rhino. Additionally, there is a large coffee pot at the north end of Old Salem Road and Brookstown Ave that used to be an advertisement for an artisan in Old Salem but now serves as a symbol of hospitality for the city. The Historic West End, located just west of downtown, was originally designed in 1890. The area was home to many of the executives and upper-management of RJ Reynolds and Hanes and grew significantly through the 1920s. The neighborhood is a combination of Queen Anne, Colonial and Victorian architecture and curvy streets with terraced lawns. Today, there are murals painted on many of the older buildings and historical walking and trolley tours. In the evenings, the area is a location for live music.

The city is a thriving location for businesses and has been called “Camel City”, a reference to the tobacco industry and Camel cigarettes. Winston-Salem is most famous for the tobacco, furniture and textiles industries. RJ Reynolds, a Winston-Salem native, was the founder of RJ Reynolds Tobacco Company, and was a significant contributor to the development of the city. In addition, Hanesbrands, Inc. is based in Winston-Salem. In 1901, J. Wesley Hanes’s Shamrock Hosiery Mills was opened to produce underwear and hosiery. By the 1940s, 60% of Winston-Salem residents worked for Reynolds or Hanes. The city also had incorporations in 1934, by McLean Trucking Company; in 1937, by Krispy Kreme and Quality Oil Co. (now Shell Oil Co); and in 1948 – Piedmont Airlines, now US Airways. The largest employer in the area is Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center, with 10,000 employees. The area is also the regional banking headquarters for Wachovia Corp., and home to Novant Health, BB&T, Blue Rhino, Sara Lee Corp, and Reynolds American.

Winston-Salem has a thriving college town atmosphere with many Colleges, Universities and trade schools. Wake Forest University relocated to the area from Wake Forest, NC in 1946, when school officials accepted funding contingent on the move. Wake Forest University, a private, liberal arts school has about 6,300 students today. In addition to Wake Forest, Winston-Salem is home to: Winston-Salem State University, Salem Academy and College, the University of North Carolina School of the Arts, Piedmont Baptist College, Winston-Salem Baptist College, and Forsyth Technical Community College.

Winston-Salem is or has been home to many famous people, including: Maya Angelou, Louis Farrakhan, Howard Cosell, Actresses Angela Bassett, Pam Grier, Mary-Louise Parker, and Jada Pinkett-Smith; NASCAR notables Ed Berrier, and Richard Childress; NBA players Tim Duncan, Josh Howard, and Earl Monroe; MLB players Mark Grace and Wes Livengood; Musicians Ben Folds and John Tesh; RJ Reynolds and Arnold Palmer. Motion Pictures Mr. Destiny, Thank You for Smoking, George Washington, Junebug, and Leatherheads have all been filmed in the area as well.

The Arts District is located between Sixth and Trade Streets. Winston-Salem was named the “City of the Arts”, mainly due to the fact that, in 1949, it was the first city to have an arts council in the U.S. The Winston-Salem Arts District is home to museums, performing arts centers, and gardens. Downtown museums include: Old Salem Museum, Museum of Early Southern Decorative Arts (MESDA), Reynolds House Museum of American Art, Southeastern Center for Contemporary Art (SECCA), Wake Forest University Museum of Anthropology, SciWorks, and the Children’s Museum of Winston-Salem. Downtown Performing Arts facilities include: University of North Carolina School of the Arts, The Little Theatre of Winston-Salem, the Piedmont Opera Theater, the Winston-Salem Symphony, the Stevens Center for the Performing Arts, and Sawtooth Center for the Visual Arts. In addition, the former RJ Reynolds Estate and Gardens are located downtown. The Arts District also has the following festivals: National Black Theatre Festival, RiverRun International Film Festival, Revolve Film and Music Festival, Carolina Music Ways, and the Heavy Rebel Weekender music festival.

All My Sons Guide to Research Triangle Park

Welcome to the All My Sons of Raleigh Moving Guide to Research Triangle Park! Research Triangle Park retains the motto as “The Future of Great Ideas”. Interested in moving to RTP areas including Cary, Apex, Raleigh or Durham? Contact All My Sons of Raleigh for moving services in the RTP area. Research Triangle Park is one of the oldest and largest science parks in the U.S. RTP, as it is known, is located partially in Wake County, with the majority of its parameters within Durham County. The area is considered part of the Raleigh-Durham-Cary combined statistical area.

RTP was created in 1959. RTP was “founded by a committee of government, university and business leaders as a model for research, innovation, and economic development”. The area is a home for researchers, educators and businesses within a close proximity that are able to benefit from joint efforts. The Park is located on a 7,000 acre plot in a pine forest, of which 630 acres have been developed as corporate office space. RTP has drawn comparisons to Silicon Valley. The Park houses over 170 companies with 42,000 full-time tech workers and more than 10,000 contracted employees. Companies range from start-ups to Fortune 100 development companies to university research institutes.

The concept for RTP was formed in the 1950s because North Carolina’s per capita income was among the lowest in the nation. The state did not have retention among the graduates of local colleges and universities. Graduates of the state’s universities left the state for employment and did not return. Individuals including Robert Hanes, the President of Wachovia Bank and Trust Company; Romeo Guest, a building contractor in Greensboro; Carey Bostian, the North Carolina State Chancellor; and Luther Hodges, Governor of North Carolina urged the assembly of a research park that could attract corporations around the nations to take advantage of the area’s intellectual assets. Joined by the three area universities, the Research Triangle Development Council was formed. The Council opted to make the initiative a private effort, rather than a government or state sponsored effort, in order to move more quickly. The Park was envisioned “to encourage and promote the establishment of industrial research laboratories and other facilities in North Carolina primarily in, but not limited to, the geographical area or triangle formed by the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, North Carolina State College of Agriculture and Engineering of the University of North Carolina at Raleigh, and Duke University at Durham.” The end goal was “to increase opportunities of the citizens of this state for employment and to increase the per capita income of the citizens of the state.” RTP initially fought against image perceptions due to its southern location, as traditionally, research industries and facilities were found in the northeast and in California. The Committee assembled parcels of land to make up the Park and purchased land for $1.5 million.

RTP is able to capitalize upon its geographic location, drawing upon the higher learning institutes of UNC Chapel Hill, Duke University and NC State University, which provide a consistent supply of scientists, engineers, managers and technicians. The area now has a high-technology research and development Park that has made significant economic contributions to the state of North Carolina. The fastest growing research and science park in the U.S., RTP’s residents include Pulitzer and Nobel prize winners. RTP has a population of 1.3 million, with 3 million people within a 60-mile radius of RTP. The average salary among workers of RTP is $56,000, 45% higher than the national average.

The organizations that make up RTP include corporations within the information systems, communications technology, biotechnology and life sciences, and environmental sciences fields. There are also a number of U.S. federal agencies that exist within the Park. The area has companies with 11,000 employees and more, as well as smaller start-up corporations with few employees. Regardless of size, there are many space options within the Park to accommodate all tech businesses. RTP is home to companies including: BASF, Bayer, Bekaert, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Cisco Systems, Credit Suisse, DuPont, the Environmental Protection Agency, Fidelity Investments, General Electric, GlaxoSmithKline, IBM, Merck, SAS Institute, Sony Ericsson, the United States Forest Service, Verizon and Wyeth.

Research Triangle Park has produced products like the UPC (Universal Product Cod) and 3-D ultrasound technology. Additionally, the Park was the location that has discovered Taxol, the anti-cancer drug, as well as AZT, a drug used to fight HIV-AIDS. RTP is managed by the Research Triangle Foundation of North Carolina, a non-profit organization. The Foundation manages the Park and develops regulations to protect the environment of Park.

Raleigh’s Top Restaurants From The Raleigh Movers

Raleigh is a great city filled with attractions, natural beauty, historical sites, world-class museums and phenomenal restaurants serving everything from mouth-watering barbecue to Mediterranean delights. If you’re looking to move into the Raleigh area, All My Sons of Raleigh can help you make the transition hassle-free. Our local Raleigh movers are professional and highly experienced. They’ve moved everything from major appliances to fitness equipment to pianos and pool tables, not to mention countless boxes. The local Raleigh moving company will load our moving truck with your personal belongings, transport them to your new address and help you set up.

To get familiar with Raleigh’s dining scene, here are some All My Sons of Raleigh favorites.

Sullivan’s Steakhouse is located at 414 Glenwood Avenue in downtown Raleigh. Here the ambiance is just as sophisticated as the food. Dark woods, white linens and a grand piano. There’s live entertainment every day of the week, so you can always listen to some great jazz along with your meal. This steakhouse offers the finest certified Angus beef, seafood, vela, pork, lamb and chicken entrees. From Chilean sea bass and Ahi steak tuna to filet mignon and Cajun ribeye and more. Their specialty is the 20oz Bone-in Kansas City strip. On the menu, you’ll also find exquisite cigars. Sullivan’s also has a comprehensive wine list plus bourbon, single malt scotch and cognac. Don’t forget to leave room for dessert, the Raleigh movers say it’s incredible.

Frazier’s restaurant is situated at 2418 Hillsborough Street in Raleigh. It’s a popular spot for a night out on the town serving up great American cuisine. The menu features delicious food like pan crisped gnocchi with duck confit, North Carolina wahoo wrapped in smoked bacon , grilled ribeye with onion jam and so much more. The desserts include profiterole with blueberries and hazelnuts, banana cream pie and flourless chocolate cake. Plus, if you like to sip wine with your meal, Frazier’s has champagne, whites, reds and chardonnay and even dessert wines and ports. Southern Living recommends you order the pan-roasted, spiced North Carolina shrimp, served on grits cake with green tomato chutney and tomato-shrimp broth. Sounds delicious!

Mecca, a family-owned restaurant, is located at 13 E Martin Street. Here, you’ll find the best in hearty Southern breakfasts including eggs, grits, biscuits and cheese toast. Mecca is raved about as the ultimate in American comfort food. It also serves New York strip steaks, collard greens, fried-chicken, barbecue sandwiches, all-around big portions and friendly service. It’s a great place to eat good food, cheap.