10 Top Walkable Communities in Raleigh, NC
September 09th, 2024
Most Walkable Neighborhoods in Raleigh
Are you searching for the most walkable neighborhoods in Raleigh, NC? Here are 10 Raleigh communities with outstanding walkability!
Raleigh is the capital of North Carolina and is known as one of the best places to live in the country because of its high safety rating, abundance of job opportunities, and affordability. Many families choose to live in Raleigh because of its strong housing market and availability of beautiful homes.
Even though Raleigh is the second-largest city in the state, it is mainly car-dependent since most communities and amenities are spread out. Awarded the Silver-level Walk Friendly accreditation in 2020 by the Walk Friendly Communities Program, Raleigh is working towards creating a safer pedestrian environment.
While most Raleigh residents own a car, there are multiple walk-friendly communities where many people choose to walk instead of driving or taking public transportation. Most of these walkable neighborhoods are designated historic districts and feature sidewalks and quiet streets that lead to community parks and other sought-after amenities, including restaurants, spas, and bookstores.
Check out these most walkable Raleigh neighborhoods
Chapters
1. Historic Oakwood
Located on the edge of Downtown Raleigh lies Historic Oakwood, a 19th-century residential neighborhood known for its extensive collection of well-preserved Victorian and early 20th-century homes. Overall, Historic Oakwood features a large collection of architectural styles and is full of character and beautiful tree-lined streets.
Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, Historic Oakwood is proud to be Raleigh's first local historic district, and it is sought-after by many residents for its charm and quiet way of life. Considered one of the top walkable communities in Raleigh, this beloved Raleigh neighborhood features plenty of sidewalks and is a beautiful place to take a stroll on a peaceful afternoon.
To further prove its walkability, Historic Oakwood offers walking tours for visitors interested in learning about the neighborhood's historic homes and gardens, usually closed to the public. In December, Historic Oakwood hosts the Historic Oakwood Candlelight Tour, which will take visitors through 10 properties dating from the mid-1800s to the early-1900s. In the spring, the Oakwood Garden Club hosts an annual Garden Tour that takes visitors through some of Historic Oakwoods' spectacular gardens.
This neighborhood also contains the famous Oakwood Halloween House, which attracts thousands of visitors each year in the fall for its scary Halloween decorations.
2. North Hills
North Hills is a mixed-use development and affluent neighborhood in Midtown Raleigh that offers many luxury amenities. Since its development, North Hills has transformed into a major retail destination with over 130 local shops, restaurants, world-class bars, and premier hotels.
While a car is needed for most errands, North Hills is considered one of Raleigh's most walkable neighborhoods since the neighborhood is within walking distance to many top-rated amenities. Considered an upscale community in a good school district with many job opportunities for residents, North Hills is a bustling area many young professionals want to call home.
Featuring top-rated apartments and single-family homes, this walkable area of Raleigh also features multiple parking decks where visitors can park their car once before exploring the rest of the community on foot. Hosting various events and activities throughout the year, including a Farmer's market and outdoor concerts, North Hills is a lively place to live, and walkability is a bonus.
3. Boylan Heights
Boylan Heights is one of Raleigh's first planned suburbs and one of eight historic districts in the city. Developed in the early 20th century in 1907, it is a perfect example of the middle-class ideals of the early 1900s.
Dedicated to quality and diversity, Boylan Heights is one of the top neighborhoods in Raleigh and is best known for its distinctive character, historic charm, and walkability. Many residents have decided to move to Boylan Heights because of its walkability. Located west of Downtown Raleigh, residents can easily access Downtown, the famous Warehouse District, and Dorothea Dix Park by foot.
Featuring quiet streets and sidewalks lined with colorful crepe myrtles and magnificent dogwood trees, Boylan Heights also provides residents access to the Rocky Branch Trailhead, which is part of the Raleigh Greenway System.
Further encouraging residents and visitors to walk around and enjoy the neighborhood's quiet streets, the community hosts an annual Art Walk in December. This event showcases outstanding art and brings the community together. It turns the neighborhood into an outdoor market and features artwork created by local artists.
4. Mordecai
Mordecai is located in the northeast corner of Raleigh and is considered the oldest neighborhood in the city. It is one of the most sought-after neighborhoods in Raleigh, and many people want to live here for its historic charm, affordable prices, beautiful homes for sale, and walkability.
This family-friendly community is famous for its namesake park, which is the location of the Mordecai House, a beautiful mansion built in 1785 and thought to have been the birthplace of President Andrew Johnson.
It is a very walkable place to live just outside the heart of Downtown Raleigh; sidewalks line the streets, and residents can easily walk to grocery stores, local shops, and top-rated restaurants. Even though Mordecai is considered a walkable neighborhood, most, if not all, residents still own a car to access the rest of Raleigh and the surrounding area.
5. Village District
Village District, once known as Cameron Village, is one of the most walkable neighborhoods in Raleigh, North Carolina. Situated close to Downtown Raleigh, it was the first planned community to be developed in Raleigh. It is now a famous shopping district with over 100 local boutiques and dining options.
Overlapping onto Hillsborough Street near NC State University, one of the best colleges in the area, Village District is the perfect place for young professionals and college students to live. Offering a village-like feel with a mixture of single-family homes, apartment communities, townhomes, and condominiums, residents can take advantage of its walkable layout to explore and discover new businesses.
Considered a charming place to live in Raleigh, the Village District is walkable to Hillsborough Street and Glenwood, which has the heaviest concentration of nightlife in the city. Since parking can get a little crazy in the Village District, especially around the holidays, being able to walk is a huge draw for residents.
6. Five Points
Five Points is a nice neighborhood located only two miles from Downtown Raleigh. It features many public amenities within walking distance. Considered an up-and-coming neighborhood with affluent housing and a family-friendly atmosphere, Five Points is a great place to raise children since it is safe and offers many fun things.
As one of the many historic districts in Raleigh with historic homes, it is named after the Five Point Intersection, where Glenwood Avenue meets Whitaker Mill Road, Fairview Road, and Glenn Avenue. Offering a very close-knit and welcoming community, this neighborhood is safe due to its many sidewalks and extended pedestrian walk times at intersections.
7. College Park
College Park is a somewhat walkable neighborhood and popular community in Raleigh. Adjacent to Saint Augustine University, it is an established community with midsize homes that are competitively priced. Featuring primarily single-family homes and townhomes, many residents here are college students and young professionals.
Located next to the Historic Oakwood neighborhood and John Chavis Memorial Park, College Park features many great daycares and schools with local restaurants and businesses nearby. The East College Park Development Project is set to bring new sidewalks, further improving walkability for residents and visitors in the area.
8. Battery Heights
Located southeast of Downtown Raleigh lies Battery Heights, one of multiple historic districts in the city listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Named after the eastern batteries stationed here during the Civil War, the neighborhood was first developed for African Americans between 1956 and 1964.
Only about a half mile from the heart of Downtown Raleigh, Battery Heights is a great neighborhood to call home for residents interested in walking to work or popular amenities in the city. While it is still advised to own a car, many errands can be completed on foot.
Bordered by Roberts Park, this is a great park to walk to when living in Battery Heights for its community center offerings, picnic shelters, dog park, tennis courts, basketball courts, baseball field, and playgrounds.
9. University Park
University Park is a popular urban neighborhood adjacent to NC State University. Known to be a charming and family-friendly place to call home, University Park features multiple walking trails, parks, natural areas, and wildlife habitats.
The Raleigh Rose Garden is located within University Park, a historic garden with over 1,200 roses of over 60 varieties. Many people love coming here for a nice walk or picnic on a sunny day.
Offering a variety of home styles, including cottages, bungalows, and duplex-style buildings for college students, University Park is desirable for its walkability to NC State's college campus, the shops and restaurants in the Village District, and Hillsborough Street.
10. Glenwood
Glenwood is a well-known neighborhood in Raleigh for its nightlife and bar scene. The Glenwood South District is a signature street in Raleigh that features a mix of restaurants, vibrant bars, art galleries, unique shops, and cafes.
On the weekend, Glenwood is a bustling area with large crowds. Easily considered one of Raleigh's most walkable neighborhoods, groups of friends can be seen walking up and down the street shopping or bar hopping.
This safe and trendy area is located west of Downtown Raleigh and offers residents an urban way of life with many things to do. Glenwood's walkability is just one of the multiple benefits of living in this favored Raleigh neighborhood.
FAQs
Where is the wealthiest part of Raleigh, NC?
The most expensive zip code in the Raleigh area is 27608, which covers communities located North of Downtown Raleigh, including Five Points and the Village District.
What is the safest part of Raleigh, NC?
Raleigh is a very safe place to live, making it one of the best places in the country for families and retirees. Home to many safe neighborhoods and subdivisions, Historic Oakwood, the Village District, Five Points, and Mordecai are Raleigh's safest places to live.
What is the most walkable area in North Carolina?
The small town of Boone is considered the most walkable in North Carolina. Boone is home to Appalachian State University and is located in the Blue Ridge Mountains of northwestern North Carolina. It is known for having many shops, attractions, and restaurants accessible on foot.
Methodology
Data and information were sourced from the City of Raleigh, the Raleigh News and Observer, the National Register of Historic Places, and Raleigh community websites to determine the most walkable communities in Raleigh, NC.
Most Walkable Neighborhoods in Raleigh, NC - Final Thoughts
If walkability is an important factor when looking for a place to live, then search for a home in one of the above Raleigh neighborhoods. Most walkable neighborhoods in Raleigh are located close to the city center and near grocery stores, restaurants, and public parks, providing sidewalks and safe places to walk for pedestrians.
Whether you want to be within walking distance of work, college, or a popular shopping district, Raleigh has plenty of neighborhood options. The experts at Raleigh Realty are here to help you find a walkable community that meets your needs.
Ryan Fitzgerald
Hi there! Nice to 'meet' you and thanks for visiting our Raleigh Real Estate Blog! My name is Ryan Fitzgerald, and I'm a REALTOR® in Raleigh-Durham, NC, the owner of Raleigh Realty. I work alongside some of the best Realtors in Raleigh. You can find more of my real estate content on Forbes, Wall Street Journal, U.S. News and more. Realtor Magazine named me a top 30 under 30 Realtor in the country (it was a long time ago haha). Any way, that's enough about me. I'd love to learn more about you if you'd like to connect with me on Facebook and Instagram or connect with our team at Raleigh Realty. Looking forward to connecting!
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