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Raleigh, North Carolina is the state capital and a fast-growing tech and research hub, with North Carolina State University giving it a huge student population. NC State sprawls along Hillsborough Street, the unofficial student drag, while Centennial Campus stretches south into a live-work research district. As an anchor of the Research Triangle, Raleigh draws young professionals and students alike. The Village District is a walkable shopping and dining pocket beloved by students, and downtown stacks the State Capitol, museums, and Fayetteville Street nightlife. The Capital Area Greenway threads more than 100 miles of trails through the city, Pullen Park sits by NC State, and Dorothea Dix Park offers 300-plus acres of meadow with skyline views.
Running right along NC State, this is the classic student strip, packed with apartments, eateries, and Wolfline stops within steps of class.
Just north of campus, a walkable, upscale shopping and dining pocket that's long been a student favorite for its convenience and energy.
The broader area around campus mixes houses and complexes with fast access to the university and the city's food and arts scene.
Here's what you need to know about getting around Raleigh.
The Wolfline, NC State's free bus service, runs across campus and into nearby neighborhoods, and many off-campus complexes sit directly on a route. GoRaleigh, the city bus system, fills in the rest and connects campus to downtown and the Village District. Together they make car-free living realistic near campus. Live in the wider suburbs and you'll likely want a car, since coverage thins.
Walkability is best along Hillsborough Street and around campus, where class, food, and errands cluster together. Biking is strong, with the 100-plus-mile Capital Area Greenway linking neighborhoods, parks, and campus on car-free paths. The Art to Heart trail runs from the art museum through Pullen Park toward downtown. These trails give cyclists a genuine car-free network across the city.
Raleigh is a spread-out city, so a car helps once you live beyond the campus core. Live in the wider suburbs and you'll likely want one for daily trips. Parking near Hillsborough Street and campus can be tight in the densest blocks. Confirm permit and parking rules with your complex or the university before relying on a space.
Common questions from students searching for housing.
Raleigh runs higher than smaller NC college towns. Apartments in the broader area land around $900 to $1,400 a month, while downtown student units run closer to $1,400 to $1,800. On Hillsborough Street near NC State, one- and two-bedroom places commonly fall between roughly $1,230 and $1,860, and roommates bring each share down.
Browse student housing near each Raleigh-area university.