By CANDACE ROBERTS
Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
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These three cities are known as the Research Triangle or the Tri-State Area. Home to North Carolina State University (Raleigh), North Carolina Central University (Durham), and The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. The area boasts over 800 restaurants and more than 50 museums. The area is ranked #3 for Most Romantic Cities by BestPlaces.net The median home cost is $209,600.
Major Employers: Wake County Public School System, Rex Healthcare, Progress Energy, First Citizens Bank, and the colleges in the area.
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The Queen City is home to 2 pro sports teams: Charlotte Bobcats (NBA) and the Carolina Panthers (NFL). The median home cost is $178,800. Some of Charlotte’s main attractions are Carowinds, Discovery Place, U.S. National Whitewater Center, and The Billy Graham Library. If that’s not enough the area has over 200 parks, more than 20 shopping centers and a variety of bars, clubs and restaurants. It’s also home to The University of North Carolina at Charlotte and Johnson C. Smith University.
Major Employers: Bank of America, Duke Energy, Wells Fargo, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, and Presbyterian Hospital.
Greensboro, NC
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Home of The University of North Carolina at Greensboro and North Carolina Agricultural & Technical State University. Greensboro has a lot of history, including the sit-in that took place downtown during the Civil Rights Era. The median home cost is $142,100. There are more than 600 restaurants here and a large number of bars and museums.
Major Employers: Moses H. Cone Health System, U.S. Postal Service, UPS, AT&T, and Polo Ralph Lauren Corporation.
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This city was ranked one of the Best Green Cities and has plenty of parks. The median home cost is $135,600. It’s home to Wake Forest University, University of North Carolina School of the Arts, and Winston-Salem State University. There are lots of nearby vineyards and over 400 restaurants. Winston-Salem also continues to attract art lovers with its many art galleries and theaters.
Major Employers: Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center, Novant Health, Winston-Salem/Forsyth County School System, Wells Fargo, and BB&T.
Wilmington, NC
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NBA great, Michael Jordan, was raised here. Wilmington was once home to Jay Ross (NFL) and Tamera Young (WNBA). There are plenty of beaches nearby and the Cape Fear River and Greenfield Lake. Wilmington is ranked by BestPlaces.net as one of the Best Green Cities, Best Places to Live, and Most Competitive Public Colleges. Home to The University of North Carolina at Wilmington. The median home cost is $210,500. Some major attractions include Wrightsville Beach, the Battleship North Carolina, Cape Fear Museum, Thalian Hall, Cape Fear Riverboats and Jungle Rapids. Dawson’s Creek was once filmed here and One Tree Hill is now filmed here. There are more than enough parks, restaurants, and bars in the Port City. It also offers a one-mile-long Riverwalk downtown. Wilmington is also known as, “A Coast Guard City,” and is the training camp site for the Charlotte Bobcats.
Major Employers: New Hanover Health Network, PPD, GE Wilmington, New Hanover County School System, UNCW, Verizon Wireless, and Corning, Inc.
CC
Heart of the City 