East Raleigh - Raleigh, NC

Knightdale and the Outlying East Raleigh neighborhood have developed due in large part to the creation and continuing expansion of the Research Triangle Park (RTP). This unique industrial park rivals Silicon Valley when it comes to attracting premier leaders in the fields of health and technology. Since its initial inception during the 1950s, the park has become home to some of the largest companies in the world. IBM, SASS and Cisco all have their world headquarters in the park and employ thousands of people.

Many of the area's suburbs have been developed in order to meet the increasing need for housing and shopping for residents who work in RTP. Outlying East Raleigh, in particular, allows residents to easily access the park and still live away from city congestion.

While the neighborhood doesn't host cultural destinations, Raleigh as a whole includes many art and science museums. Two of the most popular Raleigh museums are the Nature Research Center and the Contemporary Art Museum.

Locals just have to head south to Knightdale Boulevard to enjoy a wide selection of national chain restaurants and local eateries that feature a variety of different cuisines. From Bojangles, the popular regional fast food franchise, to Chili's and Subway, this main thoroughfare features a lot of familiar names.

Residents also frequent El Senor for excellent Mexican food and affordable drink specials throughout the week. Diners enjoy fast and friendly service, a bottomless bowl of chips and salsa and a long list of classic Mexican-American dishes. The chicken or beef fajitas arrive at the table sizzling hot and include plenty of onions, peppers, and generous portions of rice and beans. Between the hearty portions, great service, and consistently good food, El Senor has become a local favorite.

On game day, residents visit the nearby Buffalo Wild Wings to fill up on hot wings and cold beer while cheering on local teams. To experience more dining and entertainment options, locals can head south into downtown Raleigh where the options seem endless. Several breweries, including Trophy and Crank Arm, have earned reputations as world-class destinations for innovative beers. The area also hosts many music venues and museums that provide year-round performances and exhibits. Music lovers can catch a band any night of the week at the Pour House or head to the North Carolina Museum of Art to peruse the latest visiting exhibit.

The Outlying East Raleigh neighborhood provides easy access for drivers to connect with major highways including Business 64 and I-540. Parking in this suburban area won't be a problem, but bikers and pedestrians may find it difficult to safely travel the roads. A lack of sidewalks and bike-friendly roads mean that pedestrians have to share busy roads with cars.

The city's public bus system does provides a handful or regular routes that travel to and from the neighborhood and allow passengers to easily reach the downtown area. Cabs do not regularly patrol the neighborhood, but residents can always call ahead for a taxi or an Uber driver.

The Knightdale section of Outlying East Raleigh features several parks where residents can walk their dogs, go hiking and enjoy nature and open spaces. The Knightdale Community Park and Knightdale Station Park both sit on the outskirts of the neighborhood. At the Station Park, locals can visit the Ashley Wilder Dog Park and enjoy a small pond, playground equipment and athletic fields. Visit during the summer to enjoy the Fourth of July fireworks display.

While the cost of housing in Outlying East Raleigh runs above other areas of the city, the overall cost of living remains quite affordable. A one-bedroom apartment rents for an average of $807 a year. Drivers benefit from gas prices that trend about 10 percent below national averages and passengers can catch a bus ride for $1.25. Locals can visit nearby bars and pay $3 for a bottle of domestic beer.

Knightdale Boulevard serves as the area's main shopping district and hosts many major retailers including Kohl's, Best Buy, and Lowe's Home Improvement. Locals can head east or west on this major road to visit a variety of convenient shops and stock up on groceries, name-brand clothes, and other household essentials.

This busy thoroughfare also houses unique shops such as the local Goodwill Thrift Shop. This store carries a selection of used furniture, clothing, kitchen items, and other products, all available at bargain prices. Supporting the store also means supporting the community and creating jobs, so shoppers can feel especially good about spending their hard-earned money at this location.

The Vapor Market also provides a nearby location for aficionados of the e-cigarette trend. This locally-owned shop offers kits, batteries, and many other accessories for those trying to quit smoking and others who simply enjoy the smooth flavor or smokeless cigarettes. Friendly employees happily provide free samples and guide customers to great new products and flavors.

Residents of Outlying East Raleigh enjoy convenient access to several grocery stores. Food Lion, Aldi, and Lowes Foods all have locations in the neighborhood that provide plenty of produce and meal options. Locals can also visit the North Raleigh Farmer's Market or drive south to visit the large State Farmer's Market, which opens every day to serve the public and houses dozens of local farmers, bakers, butchers, and other artisans.