State capital and home to North Carolina State University, Raleigh offers plenty of jobs, low crime and a great quality of life.

The city is part of the Research Triangle, which generates lots of tech, medical and academic jobs. In fact, Raleigh's unemployment rate has hovered around a low 5%.

Despite the influx of workers, home prices have remained fairly stable. At a median of $215,000, homes are just above the national average.

There's also an extensive network of greenways and public parks and the city is only a few hours away from both beaches and mountains.

"It's an easy-to-live-in climate," said Adrienne Cole, senior vice president of economic development at the Greater Raleigh Chamber of Commerce. "It creates a very low-stress, healthy environment for people."

Of course, no place is perfect. Raleigh's workers spend more time on the job than those in most other major metro areas.