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.
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.
Jacksonville
Jacksonville is gigantic. At nearly 900 square miles, it is by far the largest city in the contiguous United States, in terms of geographical area. The landscape is so vast and varied that you are almost certain to find any kind of environment that suits you. From the high-rise buildings downtown to the marina condos along the river to the suburban neighborhoods farther from the urban core, your apartment rental options in Jacksonville are nearly endless. Jacksonville is never short on leisure activities. The dining and entertainment offerings are top notch, from the bustling nightlife in downtown to the upscale shopping at Saint Johns Town Center and everything in between. Football fans will feel right at home in Jacksonville as NFL Jaguars games tend to draw big crowds no matter how the team is doing. The Jags’ home field has also served as neutral turf for the annual University of Florida-University of Georgia rivalry game each Halloween weekend for decades. The city limits contain a mind-boggling 111,000 acres of public parks and nature preserves, ensuring that you are never far from a lush green space. Located where the Saint Johns River flows into the Atlantic Ocean, Timucuan Ecological and Historic Preserve is one of Jacksonville’s most popular spots for outdoor recreation. Easy access to Atlantic Coast beaches can make the entire city feel like one huge beach town. Locals love heading to nearby beaches for surfing, boating, fishing, and sunbathing.
