Many factors contribute to the high quality of life in Raleigh, Chapel Hill, Wake Forest, Durham, and all the communities that make up the Triangle Region of North Carolina.

In addition to gross annual retail sales, the Triangle region has declining unemployment. In 1993 the unemployment rate was 3.1%, while in 1996 it was 2.3%. (These statistics are combined for Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill.) Unemployment has not increased in any year since 1993, and in fact, continues to decline.

This drop in unemployment to below the national average can be attributed to the tremendous growth experienced by all of the Triangle communities over the last several years. This expansion continues today, as new companies and industries move to or expand within the Triangle Region of North Carolina.

Here's what some well-respected national publications have said about Raleigh, Durham and the other Triangle communities.

• In 1994, Money Magazine touted Raleigh/Durham the "Best Place to Live."
  
  
• Both Money and PC World magazines ranked the Triangle Region of North Carolina top in the country for people who work at home and telecommute in 1997.
  
  
• In 1993, Fortune Magazine deemed Raleigh/Durham "The best city for business - where to find America's knowledge workers."