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Moving to a new city is always challenging. And a large part of that challenge is looking for a place to live. There are so many things to consider when weighing your options; house styles, neighborhood safety, quality of schools, the convenience of location, and, of course, price. For buyers who are bringing some serious weight to the table, and let’s be honest, a few of us regular folks who are just curious, we’ve researched some of the most expensive neighborhoods in Raleigh (and by the way of introduction, we’re Bellhop—your friendly Raleigh movers).
A Little About Raleigh and its Neighborhoods
Raleigh is one of the fastest-growing cities in the country, and after a quick peek at all it has to offer, it’s easy to see why. The climate is nice, the people are friendly, and the job market is strong. Whether someone is a third-generation state government employee, a tech worker who moved in from Silicon Valley, or someone who graduated from one of the area’s many excellent colleges and stuck around, Raleigh attracts all kinds of people. Known as one corner of the Triangle (along with Durham and Chapel Hill), the city of Raleigh is more than just a college basketball and technology hot spot. Raleigh’s high quality of life, strong job growth, and lower cost of living are luring new residents to the area every day, and the city’s highly-acclaimed restaurant scene, renowned breweries, and hip local coffee shops don’t discourage newcomers either.
Obviously, there are a lot of people who want to own their piece of such a hot market, and that means real estate prices are growing along with the population. Raleigh is still a relatively affordable city and budget-conscious buyers can still find some great options. If you’re just here to see how the high life is lived, don’t worry, we also have a Up and Coming Raleigh neighborhood guide that includes some options that won’t break the bank. For now, though, here are some of Raleigh’s most expensive neighborhoods.
Anderson Heights/Lassiter Mill
Anderson Heights and the adjacent Lassiter Mill neighborhood have some of the oldest and most established large houses in the city, and plenty that are torn down to make way for new builds with modern luxuries. The two neighborhoods are on some of the most expensive real estate in Raleigh – sandwiched between the Beltline and Glenwood Avenue, making them a convenient drive to anywhere. The North Hills development (which we’ve previously praised for its mix of shopping, dining, and office options), is on the northern border of the area, making it easy for residents to get there while avoiding most of the traffic and noise associated with it. The beautiful Crabtree Creek and its namesake greenway provide a shady place to run, bike, or just stroll by.
Homes here regularly go for well over $2 million and aren’t getting any cheaper.
Aldert Root Elementary School, one of the best public schools in the city, and the private St. David’s School are just a stone’s throw from one another and sit at the heart of the neighborhood.
Hayes Barton
Hayes Barton is an example of an early planned community, dating back to the 1920s. Earle Sumner Draper, a famous landscape architect, designed the development to be in harmony with the natural surroundings, with the streets winding around the contours of the land, and using the many flowing creeks as small, thin ribbons of neighborhood parks between rows of stately houses. As with most expensive neighborhoods, the location is a prime factor, too. Hayes Barton residents can walk to the shops and restaurants in quaint Five Points (which you may have seen in our other Raleigh neighborhood guide) or hop in the car for a short drive downtown (5 minutes). Glenwood Ave. and Wade Ave., two major arteries for the city, border the neighborhood, making it quick and easy to get anywhere else in town. Frequent flyers will appreciate that they can live on the edge of downtown while only being 15 minutes from the airport.
The median home price in Hayes Barton is $1.64 million, and even that figure is climbing. Prices in June 2023 were a staggering 88.4% higher than the previous year, bringing the median to $2.6 million.
Naturally, the schools here are top-notch, anchored by Broughton High School, one of the best public schools in the state.
The Barony / Southern Hills Estates
As Raleigh’s population (and popularity) has exploded, many new residents have sought to build large, modern homes further out from the city instead of competing for smaller lots or older houses in the more established neighborhoods. Some of the most luxurious (and enormous) new houses are found in The Barony and Southern Hills Estates, two gated communities on either side of Creedmoor Rd, a major artery for Triangle commuters. Residents here enjoy the quiet of the suburban lifestyle, even if it means driving a bit further to reach the city center (25-30 minutes). Of course, development has followed all that purchasing power out to the suburbs, and new grocery stores, restaurants, and shopping options seem to pop up almost monthly in this area. While there are not amenities walkable to The Barony or Southern Hills Estates, we’re guessing anyone who can afford to live here isn’t worried about a little extra gas money in their budget. Houses here typically go for at least $2 million.
The Barony and Southern Hills Estates feed into the coveted Millbrook Magnet schools for middle and high school, and plenty of private schools are a short to moderate drive away.
North Ridge
Anchored by North Ridge Country Club, the North Ridge area is the perfect place for golfers or active families with a bit of room in their housing budget. North Ridge is just 15 minutes from downtown Raleigh, and there’s plenty to do closer to home. Winston’s Grille has long been a local favorite for upscale but unfussy dining, Café Tiramisu serves up Italian classics, and Raleighwood Cinema Grill is a restaurant and a movie theater, making it a great spot for a date night. Nearby Lafayatte Village has small shops and a quaint café – local standby Jubala Coffee – to match its French-themed design.
North Ridge is in the North Ridge Elementary School district for early grades, West Millbrook Magnet for Middle School, and Millbrook Magnet for High Schoolers. Ravenscroft, one of the most well-regarded private schools in the area, is in North Ridge.
You wouldn’t expect this level of amenities, luxury, and convenience to come cheap, and it doesn’t. The median sale price for homes in North Ridge is $780,000. That represents a whopping 92% increase from last year, so if you see a home in North Ridge for under a million dollars, be sure to snag it!
Cross Gate / Durant Road
A hop, skip, and jump from North Ridge are the developments along Durant Road, most notably Cross Gate. This neighborhood is perfect for people who want some of the conveniences and amenities of an area like North Ridge, but don’t want to be as far out of town as The Barony and Southern Hills Estates. Cross Gate’s proximity to I-540 makes it convenient to get anywhere in North Raleigh, catch a flight (the airport is just 15 minutes away), or hop on the highway to beat the weekend crowd to the beach. There’s a Sprouts and a Harris Teeter a stone’s throw from one another, making it easy to shop for groceries, and at the other end of Durant Road, wine connoisseurs will find a hidden gem – Taylor’s Wine Shop. Taylor’s is one of the only (maybe the only!) high-end wine shops in the country located in a gas station that also serves fishing tackle and live bait. Where else but North Raleigh could you fill up your boat, grab a bottle of Opus One, and a pack of worms in the same stop?
Schools here are excellent (it’s served by the same middle and high schools as North Ridge), and Durant Road runs right by one of the best hospitals in the area, making it perfect for doctors looking to relocate or anyone who’s ever had to run multiple children around to doctors’ appointments!
In the past, you could find some pretty good deals along Durant Road, but the secret must be out because as of August 1, 2023, there were no homes on the market here under $2 million.
Other Raleigh Guides
Looking for more information on the greater Raleigh area? Read our other guides to live in the City of Oaks.
- Up and Coming Neighborhoods in Raleigh
- Guide to Moving to Raleigh
- Moving from New York to North Carolina
- Raleigh Schools Guide
- Raleigh, Durham, or Chapel Hill?
- Affordable Suburbs of Raleigh
Ready to make the move to Raleigh?
So there you have it – the most expensive neighborhoods in Raleigh, NC. If you’re ready to make the move, to these or any of the many more affordable neighborhoods, give us a call. We have local movers in Raleigh, and offer long-distance moving services to Raleigh as well. We can even take care of last-minute moves in Raleigh if you’re pressed for time.
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