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What You Need to Know When You’re Moving to Raleigh

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  • Brian Norris

    When first moving to Washington, D.C., I didn't know many people outside of the office. InterNations has changed that with some exciting events.

Relocating to Raleigh

The Capital Area Greenway is one of the highlights of the area, with 100 miles (160 km) of trails to explore.

About the City

Raleigh has one of the fastest growing populations in the US, no doubt due to its reputation as a great place to live. Its population was estimated to be around 430,000 in 2013, which is double what the figure stood at in 1990, indicating the growth of the city in the last two decades.

Some 57.5 percent of the local population is white, with 29.3 per cent black or African American, while there is also a small Asian American population living in Raleigh. At the time of the last census in 2010, 11.3 percent of Raleigh residents were Hispanic or Latino Americans

Christianity is the main religion in the city, but less than half of the people living in Raleigh are affiliated with a religion. Roman Catholic (11 percent), Baptist (11 percent), and Methodist (7 percent) are the three most popular religions, although there are small communities that practice Islam, Judaism, or Buddhism, among other religions.

The Climate in Raleigh

Raleigh has a humid subtropical climate, similar to much of the southeastern United States. Winters are generally cool and do not last for long, while the city receives an average of six inches (15 cm) of snow. Ice storms can occur in the area, but they are quite rare.

July is the wettest month in Raleigh, while summers are hot and humid with temperatures generally above the 25°C mark during the hottest months of the year.

Expatriates moving to Raleigh should be aware that there are occasionally seasons of drought to endure and it has been known for the city to be hit by tornadoes and hurricanes. Luckily, this does not happen very often.

Visas for United States

Non-US citizens need a visa to enter the country, but visas for the United States only entitle the holder to travel to the country; they do not guarantee that an individual will be granted entry. Visas are typically obtained from one of the United States diplomatic missions before traveling to the US, with some exceptions available for visa-free short term visits under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP).

Anybody who intends to take up indefinite or permanent residence in the United States needs to apply for an immigrant visa, which allows them to be processed for a Permanent Resident Card – usually referred to as a green card.

There are also various visa categories available for work purposes, ranging from a Temporary Business Visitor visa (B-1) to employer-sponsored immigration visa categories. You can learn more about visas for the United States in our various articles on Visa & Administration in the USA.

It's time to have our monthly event in historic Downtown Durham. We will meet on Sunday afternoon March 24th from 2 to 5pm at The Velvet Hippo Bar and Lounge. This is a very cute place serving fun a

See all upcoming events for expats in Raleigh

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  • Brian Norris

    When first moving to Washington, D.C., I didn't know many people outside of the office. InterNations has changed that with some exciting events.

  • Caroline Stiles

    In such an international city such as Washington, D.C. InterNations holds great events for everyone to network and enjoy themselves.

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