Welcome to Raleigh, North Carolina! This Newcomer’s Guide to the City of Oaks is a resource for you to explore your new city, find important information on settling in, and a guide to help you acclimate to one of the top 10 cities with the highest quality of life.
Even after settling in, come back to the Newcomer’s Guide often to see Raleigh’s growth.
Garbage and recycling collection rules are very important and specific. If you don't know them, you may find yourself paying extra money for collection:
- Standard garbage carts are 95-gallon.
- Place the cart curbside no earlier than noon the day before your scheduled collection day, and no later than 7 a.m. on collection day.
- The lid opening must be facing the street.
- The cart must be retrieved from the curb no later than 7 p.m. on the day after your collection.
- Cart must be at least five feet from mailboxes, utility poles, parked cars, recycling or yard waste containers or other items. Garbage left outside the container will not be collected.
- To participate in the curbside program, simply place your recyclables in your blue roll cart and place on the curb, not in the street, no earlier than noon the day before your scheduled collection, and no later than 7 a.m. on your day of collection.
For more information on how to handle trash and recycling, click here.
If you need to reach emergency services, here are some resources for you:
Raleigh Police Department
- Emergency: 911
- Non-Emergency: 919-831-6311
- General Police Information and Questions: 919-996-3335
Raleigh-Wake Emergency Communications Center
- Emergency: 911
- Non-Emergency: 919-829-1911
- 919-996-3530
Raleigh Fire Department
- Emergency: 911
- Administration: 919-996-6115
Wake County EMS
- Emergency: 911
- Administration: 919-856-6020
Looking for places to dine in and around Raleigh?
We've tried out dozens of Raleigh restaurants and have the scoop on some of the most popular ones! Check out our latest Eating N.C. stories below.
And view a list of Raleigh dining options here and here.