Raleigh
The capital of North Carolina and one half of the the Raleigh-Durham metroplex, Raleigh offers access to amenities and employment opportunities not found in other parts of the state. The local economy has long been on the cutting edge, with thriving science and technology jobs — thanks to the city’s location in the Research Triangle Park — and a growing community of entrepreneurs in the city; in fact, Forbes magazine has consistently placed Raleigh high on its list of best places for businesses and careers. A thriving downtown district complete with a variety of apartments and a vibrant arts scene makes Raleigh popular with students and professionals as well as families. Located only a couple of hours from the mountains and the ocean, Raleigh is a centrally located city that has been experiencing a population boom for the past decade. Dubbed the "Smithsonian of the South," Raleigh offers more than 40 free attractions and museums to keep you steeped in culture. There are museums of art, history, and technology, plus a children’s museum for younger patrons. The Duke Energy Center for the Performing Arts is a massive multi-stage venue that hosts the North Carolina Symphony, the Carolina Ballet, and a variety of other productions throughout the year.
Dallas
Dallas is one of the largest cities in America, combining urban sophistication with an incomparable Texan personality. Dallas is an altogether unique blend of cultures, styles, and flavors, with more than one million people calling the city proper home. Living in Dallas puts you right in the thick of it all, with endless options to customize your experience. Corporate professionals seeking to avoid long commutes may want to look for apartments in Downtown or Uptown, which are both home to major business centers as well as residential communities, affording many residents walkable access to work. Culture enthusiasts should consider apartments near the Dallas Arts District, which is home to the Nasher Sculpture Center, the Dallas Museum of Art, the Winspear Opera House, and more. Creatives may enjoy places like Old East Dallas and North Oak Cliff, where artistic pursuits abound. Dallas offers some of the most diverse nightlife in Texas, from laid-back lounges to thumping night clubs. Dallas residents also enjoy some of the best shopping in the Southwest, from Galleria Dallas to downtown’s independent boutiques. A fast-growing light rail system, major highways, and busy airports connect Dallas and the surrounding Metroplex to the rest of Texas and beyond.
Austin
Although it is the state capital and located deep in the heart of Texas, Austin generally has more in common with places like Portland, Oregon rather than other large Lone Star State cities like Dallas or Houston. Consistently named one of the best places to live in America, Austin combines passions for food, live music, entrepreneurship, iconoclastic attitudes, and Texas traditions into a wholly unique cocktail that people just can’t get enough of. The expansion of the tech industry and the wild popularity of music festivals like Austin City Limits and South by Southwest have boosted Austin’s profile as one of America’s most in-demand communities of the 21st century so far, attracting people from all walks of life and every corner of the world. Regardless of their atypical culture, Texas pride runs deep in Austinites. Many of the city’s hip, young entrepreneurs are more than happy to deal in classic regional staples like Tex-Mex food, cowboy boots, and country music. Austin is also home to one of the top public universities in the state, the University of Texas at Austin, lending the entire city the vibrant energy of a college town. Austin contains a broad range of apartments, condos, townhomes, and houses available for rent in its many diverse neighborhoods. Wherever your dream rental is located in Austin, you’re sure to be within driving distance of signature attractions such as Barton Springs, Lady Bird Lake, Zilker Botanical Garden, the Domain, Bullock Texas State History Museum, Blanton Museum of Art, Sixth Street, and the Texas Capitol Building.
