Your Downtown Raleigh Neighborhood Guide
Whether you’re one of thousands of people moving to the Triangle every month, or you’re simply scoping out the Christmas lights, the oak-lined streets of our favorite downtown Raleigh neighborhoods will have you checking your Zillow app. Here are our top picks for your next Sunday stroll - or perhaps your next home!
Historic Oakwood - This beautiful historic neighborhood sits on the edge of downtown Raleigh, and walking distance to all of its attractions. Some of the homes in Oakwood date back to the 1800s, originally built for some of Raleigh’s most prominent families after the Civil War. Any season of the year is a great time to take in the manicured gardens, wraparound porches, and ornate woodwork of these Victorian homes. For a closer look (and holiday decor inspo), snag a ticket to the annual Oakwood Candlelight Tour Dec. 10- 11, put on by The Society for the Preservation of Historic Oakwood.
Mordecai - Head north up the hip Person Street corridor to Mordecai (pronounced Mor-de-KEY), another charming downtown neighborhood filled with a mix of historic and modern homes. Close to Seaboard Station and William Peace University, get lost in the winding streets and find a little park to spend the morning. Bonus points if you stumble on Escazu Chocolates, an artisanal chocolate shop tucked away on North Blount Street.
Boylan Heights - The craftsman bungalows and skyline views in Boylan Heights are a sight to behold. One of Raleigh’s earliest planned “suburbs”, the neighborhood was developed in the early 1900s in response to a housing shortage. Today, Boylan Heights is known for its close-knit community which includes art studios, coffee shops, and a boutique hotel among its historic homes. Meet the neighbors and peruse a variety of local artwork at the annual Boylan Heights Artwalk on Dec. 4 from noon - 5 p.m.
South Park - Mainly developed post-Civil War and into the early 1900s, East Raleigh’s South Park is Raleigh’s largest historic African-American neighborhood. This competitively-priced neighborhood features a mix of new and historic homes, all within walking distance of downtown’s best attractions. We recommend spending an afternoon on the sun-drenched patio of the newly-built Raleigh Wine Shop after a stroll around Moore Square.
Happy house hunting!