Why You Should Consider Living Inside the Beltline?

When it comes to the value of your property, you probably know the old trope: Location, location, location. You may pay more for a home inside the beltline, but it will also appreciate much more rapidly than homes outside the beltline.

What’s the Big Deal about ITB Inside the Beltline?

First, there are two: The Inner (440) and Outer (540) beltlines. These act as rings around Raleigh, so you don’t have to navigate city traffic every time you want to drive around Raleigh.
Interstate 440 is the beltline that circles downtown Raleigh. If downtown is to your right (on the passenger side), you are on 440 East Beltline. If downtown is to your left (driver’s side), you are on the 440 West Beltline. It’s easy to get confused – go in the wrong direction, and you might find yourself on a very long detour.

If someone lives ITB (inside the beltline), it means they live within I-440.

Pros of Living Inside the Beltline

1). Nightlife. Inside the beltline, Raleigh is a city with a young, upbeat nightlife — and the weekends are often crowded with partiers of all ages, enjoying everything from rooftop bars to jazz clubs to the hottest new restaurant. For younger singles and couples, downtown Raleigh is the hot place to be — there’s even a tiny speakeasy located behind a bookcase in the Architect a bar on Hargett Street.

2). Community. Raleigh is big into a sense of community: Residents support local artists, restaurants, shops, and farmers. The Raleigh Downtown Farmers Market brings the highest quality growers and artisans together for the heart of the city. It’s located at City Plaza in downtown Raleigh and runs seasonally from April to October. Items with the state symbol and a heart where Raleigh is located, or the word, “home,” are popular staples.

3). Recreation. Whether you’re a young adult, a family, or an older couple, Raleigh offers beautiful green spaces and parks to walk, ride bikes, run, or even canoe and paddleboat on Lake Johnson or at Pullen Park. There are several family-friendly museums: The North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, North Carolina Museum of History, and the Marbles Kids’ Museum are just a few examples.

4). Lots of places to work. Several fortune 1000 level companies are headquartered in Downtown Raleigh, Capital Bank Headquarters, State Government, and there are lots of startups as well.

Cons of Living Inside the Beltline

1). Traffic. It can be hard to travel outside the beltline, simply due to the traffic that often clogs it up. You’ll need to plan your entrances and exits with care — or risk sitting for a while.

2). Parking. Unless you buy a space, or one (or more) is included with your property, finding street parking is not only tough, it’s possibly metered. And parking tickets get expensive.

3). Noise. With all of the swinging nightlife downtown, late night noise, occasional parades, or other activities can be an annoying factor for those who live in that area. So you have to choose between convenience and quiet.

The Bottom Line

There are pros and cons to living anywhere! But ask any resident of the area, and you’ll find the advantages of living in the Raleigh area definitely outweigh the cons. Which side is right for you? Read more about which neighborhoods you should consider buying an investment property inside the beltline.

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