Abberly Place Blog

Step aside New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles. When it comes to living the good life, Raleigh has it all: from high-tech jobs to good education and economic stability.

Raleigh does not have the same cultural splendors of New York, the financial clout of Chicago, or the ethnic diversity of Los Angeles. But it does have plenty of attractive qualities of its own.

Such as its high-tech industries which have established Raleigh as an anchor of the famed Research Triangle. Then there are its high-profile universities, led by North Carolina State, which have cemented its reputation as an educational center. Also, its status as a state capital, which has brought political prominence and economic stability.

And now you can add this: Raleigh is the major metropolitan market that offers the best quality of life in the United States, according to a new study by Portfolio.com/bizjournals.

The study compared the performances of the nation's 67 biggest metropolitan areas in 20 categories. The highest scores went to well-rounded markets with healthy economies, moderate costs of living, light traffic, impressive housing stocks, and high-powered educational systems.

Raleigh earned first place, edging out two metros that are substantially larger, No. 2 Washington and No. 3 Minneapolis-St. Paul.

Several factors pushed Raleigh to the top of the list:

• It’s growing at a rapid pace. No major market is expanding as rapidly as Raleigh, whose metropolitan population has increased by 37 percent since 2000.
• It has a vast inventory of new homes. More than half of the places to live in the Raleigh area have been built since 1990. Las Vegas is the only other market above 50 percent for new homes.
• It has an impressive supply of high-level jobs. Forty-four percent of Raleigh’s workers hold management or professional positions, surpassing all but three markets.
• It has a well-educated workforce. Raleigh, at 41 percent, ranks sixth in the share of adults holding bachelor’s degrees.
• Four reasons for Raleigh’s No. 1 rank are listed above. The other reasons include its large percentage of young adults and its historically low unemployment rate.

Could the next Roommate of the Year be living at Abberly Place? We think so because the best apartment home communities have the best residents! But, you only have until June 13, 2011 to submit your video entry to www.RoommateOfTheYear.com for a shot at living rent free! For the third year, Apartments.com is searching for acts of roommate excellence. Submit a video of 2 minutes or less, illustrating what makes you America's most desirable roommate and you could walk away with FREE Rent for a Year, $10,000 in cold, hard cash, a year membership to FreeCreditScore.com and the coveted title of Roommate of the Year.

Calling all Abberley Place residents! To register, visit www.RoommateOfTheYear.com for full details on the Contest and to view previous Hall of Fame entries for inspiration like the one below from 2010!

If you are relocating to the Raleigh North Carolina area, you are in luck. Of all of the cities in the South, this one is close to the top. With a great climate you will enjoy warm summers and mild winters. Not to mention, there are both mountains and beaches within traveling distance! Whether you enjoy sitting in the sun listening to the waves or the quietness and beauty of the mountains, you will find both when you move to Raleigh.
 
Raleigh, the "City of Oaks," is the capital of North Carolina and has much to offer in great college sports teams: NC State, Duke, and the beloved Carolina Tar Heels. The professional sports teams include the NHL Carolina Hurricanes and NFL Carolina Panthers. Downtown Raleigh is broken up into 5 districts and is all the rage for night clubs, dance clubs, and bars, plus terrific restaurants. With many things to see and do, the free hybrid electric bus service can connect you to museums, dining and shopping.
 
So if you are a hiker, or sports fanatic, enjoy nightlife or a good restaurant you will love Raleigh and Abberly Place Apartment Homes.  Abberly Place represents a new style of living in a beautiful, neighborly community with upscale offerings, unmatched location and easy access to bustling Downtown Raleigh. We offer residents many community amenities and proximity to Raleigh, while providing comfort and scenery at home. The mountains are a few hours west and the ocean a few hours east, both make for great weekend trips and the city has so much to offer. Welcome to your new home, Raleigh.

When you are changing apartments, or relocating for a job, one of the biggest challenges is selecting the right apartment. It is difficult to anticipate future needs right now, but you do know how you feel at the end of a day, what you like to do on weekends, and the feeling you want when you get home from work and it is time to relax. There is no exact answer to what you will need in the future, no one has a crystal ball that works, but at least there are some key factors that you should keep in mind when you are looking.

The first thing is you need to consider is your monthly budget. Setting your budget first helps narrow down your options. This way you can avoid wasting time on random apartments that don't suit your needs.
 
The next is location, location, location. And, whether you have kids or not, area activities and the neighborhood are big factors; can you easily drive to area shopping, dining, and sporting events? Also take into consideration your commute. Abberly Place is minutes from downtown Raleigh. Frequently named one of the best places to live, Raleigh boasts an abundance of outstanding restaurants, dynamic nightspots, cultural entertainment, recreational opportunities, sophisticated retail and Southern charm. Although you might be too busy when you first move in to take advantage, you will want to explore soon enough.
 
Even if you have a vehicle, it is important to know if there are activities within walking distance from your new home.  North Carolina has wonderful weather, mild winters and warm summers, and you will want to take advantage.

Speak with the apartment staff.  You need to decide by looking at your potential new home, get the feel for what may be your new environment. Make an appointment and pay a visit. You will want to see what amenities are offered and what kind of community exists at your new apartment home. The 9 foot ceilings, gorgeous crown molding, two resort-style pools and state-of-the-art fitness centers at Abberly Place will make you feel luxurious and what a great place to come home to.
 
At the end of the day, your satisfaction about your move will depend on what the location and the neighborhood community has to offer. Not only the interior of the apartment itself, but also the broad array of services and amenities available for your enjoyment. Make an appointment to visit Abberly Place today.