Linda Trevor, RE/MAX United, Cary, Raleigh

Raleigh was recently voted the #1 Place to Live by BusinessWeek.com!

From BusinessWeek.com:

Raleigh, N.C. #1

Population: 377,487
Mayor: Charles Meeker

Why it’s ranked: Taking more than a dozen data points into account, Raleigh ranks as the best place to live in the U.S. The city sports a high number of bars, restaurants, and cultural institutions as well as a thriving social scene, great parks, and good schools. Raleigh reflects the cultural graces that go along with anchoring the so-called research triangle, home to North Carolina State University, Duke University, and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Of course, it’s also much more. The city offers a great deal on nights and weekends, from concerts and opera to the 30,000-sq.-ft. State Farmer’s Market. North Carolina’s state capital is tops in our book.

How it ranked:
Percent with bachelor's degrees: 47.5
Percent under poverty level: 13.9
Median household income: $53,370
Violent crime rate: 492.9
Property crime rate: 3,403.2
School score: 74.4
Pro sports teams: 1
Foreclosure rate: .0056
Percent Unemployment: 6.9
Park acres per 1,000 residents: 30.8
Bars: 110
Restaurants: 867
Museums: 51
Colleges: 10
Libraries: 18
Air Quality Index: 83

Source: BusinessWeek.com

Looking for a fun way to ring in 2012 – check out these events happening around the Triangle:

First Night Raleigh 2012

Where:

Fayetteville Street Mall

When:

Sat, Dec 31: 2pm to Midnight

Tickets:

All Day Passes are $9.00 in advance

On December 31, admission passes will cost $12 for adults and $10 for children 6 to 12

All patrons ages 6 and over require a pass

Children 5 and under are admitted for free and do not need a pass

New Year's Eve Extravaganza 2012

Where:

RBC Center

When:

Sat, Dec. 31: 9pm

Tickets:

$25 & $60 in advance. Prices will increase day of event

New Year’s Eve Red Carpet Hollywood Party

Where:

Spy Raleigh

330 West Davie Street, Raleigh, NC 27601

When:

Sat, Dec. 31: 8pm to 2am

Tickets:

$15 per ticket, $25 for two tickets

An Irish/Celtic New Year at Tir Na nOg

Where:

Tir Na nOg

218 South Blount Street, Raleigh, NC 27601

When:

Sat, Dec. 31: 6pm to 9pm

Tickets:

FREE admission until 8pm

The North Carolina Symphony's "New Year's in Vienna"

Where:

Meymandi Concert Hall (located on the west side of the Progress Energy Center for the Performing Arts)

2 E South Street, Raleigh, NC 27601

When:

Sat, Dec. 31: 7:30pm

Tickets:

Prices range from $21.50 to $72.75

New Years Eve at Sparians

Where:

Sparians Bowling Boutique & Bistro

141 Park at North Hills Street #120, Raleigh, NC 27609

When:

Sat, Dec. 31: 7pm to 2am

Tickets:

$60 per person

"Cirque Du Solas" New Years Eve Ball

Where:

Solas

419 Glenwood Ave., Raleigh, NC, 27603

When:

Sat, Dec. 31: 9pm to 2am

Tickets:

$25 per person

Southern Living magazine has nominated Raleigh, NC as one of its Top 10 "Tastiest Towns in the South". The magazine has asked its readers to cast their final vote which starts on Wednesday, December 23 and continues through Tuesday, January 31. The magazine will profile each town and announce the winner in its April 2012 issue. Click here to cast your vote!

Source: Southern Living

Hello Friends!

There are a couple of important dates for the Wake County Public School System Assignments that we wanted to bring to your attention:

Monday, December 19, 2011 - ends the “Magnet Selection Period” for 2012-2013 school year

January 13, 2012 - the last day for presently enrolled students to request a different school from their base assigned school

For more information, please be sure to visit the Wake County Public School System website: http://www.wcpss.net/.

Hello Friends,

The holiday season is now among us and the Triangle area has tons of fun events! Below is a helpful list of city links to find out what’s happening in your area:

Christmas Parades:

Apex (Saturday, December 3 at 5:00 PM)

Cary (Saturday, December 10 at 2:00 PM)

Chapel Hill (Saturday, December 10 at 10:00 AM)

Durham (Saturday, December 3 at 2:00 PM)

Fuquay-Varina (Sunday, December 4 at 3:00 PM)

Garner (Saturday, December 3 at 9:00 AM)

Holly Springs (Saturday, December 10 at 11:00 AM)

Knightdale (Saturday, December 3 at 2:00 PM)

Rolesville (Sunday, December 4 at 2:00 PM)

Wake Forest (Saturday, December 10 at 1:00 PM)

Zebulon (Sunday, December 4 at 2:00 PM)

Holiday Events & Happenings:

Apex Christmas Nativity Christmas Celebration

AT&T Raleigh Winterfest

Cary: Heart of the Holidays Celebration

City of Raleigh – Numerous Holiday Events!!!

Historic Oakwood Candlelight Tour

Holiday Festivities on Salem Street in Apex

Knightdale Christmas Tree Lighting

Light Up Main in Garner

Rolesville: Santa in the Park

Zebulon: Children's Gift Shop at Sycamore Crossing Gifts

Area Shopping Holiday Events:

Cary Towne Center

Christmas at North Hills

Crabtree Valley Mall

Streets at SouthPoint

Triangle Town Center

Volunteer Opportunities:
It’s never too late to start a new tradition. Here is a list of organizations looking for help this Holiday season.

Western Wake Crisis Ministry
Christmas Store

Toys for Tots 2011
Supported by the U.S. Marines, this program collects new un-wrapped toys to distribute to needy children while bringing a message of hope.

Angel Tree Toy Program
A program developed to bring Christmas gifts to children whose parents are in prison.

NC Food Bank
No food donation is too small. Click on link above for more information.

And from all of us at Linda Trevor and Company, we wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!