Tips on Raleigh Warnings and Dangers – Stay Safe!

Raleigh Warnings and Dangers

Raleigh is overall a nice city but like any other urban area, there are some things you should know when you visit so you can keep yourself and your family safe.

Traffic

If you come from a big city such as Atlanta or Washington D.C., traffic in Raleigh won’t seem so terrible. However, congestion can be difficult for visitors who aren’t used to the local traffic patterns, especially on the I-440 Beltline. The signage can also be confusing to people not familiar with the roads (for instance, roads change names with little warning). Locals aren’t too forgiving to drivers who don’t know the area, so be careful when behind the wheel.

People on the Street

Like any city, Raleigh has a homeless population. The main areas seem to be Hillsborough Street (across from NCSU campus) and downtown, mostly in the parks. People will ask for money, but it’s not too much of a problem. Although, some people do pose as veterans to try to gain sympathy and, when you talk to them, it’s clear they are not being truthful. There is also a prison near North Carolina State and after some prisoners are released, they wander around downtown; some are addicts.

Rough Neighborhoods

Most of Raleigh is a great city to raise a family in but there are some rough neighborhoods to be careful of when visiting. Neighborhoods, such as Chavis Heights, Walnut Terrace, South Saunders Street and just about any neighborhood in South-East Raleigh, Southern North-East Raleigh, and parts of South West Raleigh are ones to be more cautious in. Robberies, carjacking and violent crimes do occur.

Editor’s Note: The information contained on this page was compiled using real traveler reviews about warnings and dangers in Raleigh.