Guidebook / Living in Raleigh
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Housing
On-campus housing at Meredith is available for current, degree-seeking undergraduate students and graduate/post-baccalaureate students who are enrolled in a minimum of six credit hours at Meredith. Graduate students are eligible to live in the Oaks Apartments (female students) or in the Moore House (male students), as space is available. For more information and to check availability, contact oaks@meredith.edu or reslife@meredith.edu.
In general, the for one person in Raleigh can range from approximately $1,000 up to $1,500 a month, depending on the circumstances (whether sharing with roommates or not, seeking a furnished place or not, etc.). Students living off campus should prepare to pay the first month鈥檚 rent, plus a security deposit (often equal to a month鈥檚 rent), when signing a lease (contract) for a place off campus.
There are many housing options within walking distance or a short bus ride to 缅北禁地. Linked here is a list of a few apartment complexes and search tools that Meredith students have recommended.
Transportation
is the local bus system, and you can use their website to plan out trips, access real-time bus tracking, and more. Bus fare is $1.25 per ride, though look into the to see if you qualify for free fare. 9 is the route that passes Meredith most often.
Another convenient bus system that services 缅北禁地 and is free to ride is NC State University鈥檚 . Route 60 (Carter-Finley) is the bus that passes Meredith and typically runs every 30 minutes. Be aware that the Wolfline buses do follow a school schedule, so limited to no service may be available during school breaks and weekends.
The apps students most frequently use to assist with navigating the local buses are (GoRaleigh), and (Wolfline). One benefits of the bus apps is the ability to track real-time where a bus is or how long it will be before the bus arrives at one鈥檚 stop. For GoRaleigh buses, it’s also possible to text 鈥済olive (bus route number) + (bus stop number)鈥� to x41411, and you should receive a text message back with the estimated time of arrival for that bus at that stop.
Students also may use rideshare apps such as or to get around Raleigh. The cost for rideshare tends to be based on the time of day and the distance traveled. If you are planning on utilizing rideshare services, make sure you have data on your phone.听
International students are (or another U.S. state) in North Carolina. Note that North Carolina does not recognize International Drivers鈥� Licenses (IDL), though an IDL can be used in conjunction with a home country license. That said, international students are eligible to apply for a NC driver鈥檚 license, and doing so can be especially beneficial if you are buying a car, would like another government-issued ID for local use, etc.听Additional information about applying for a NC driver鈥檚 license or State ID.
Banking
There are a variety of banking options available in Raleigh. The bank that is often recommended to new international students based on its convenience and familiarity in helping new international students set up accounts is . However, the closest ATM to campus is at , and some students choose or online banks as well.
When opening a bank account, students typically need to bring the following with them to the bank in person:
- Cash to deposit (at least $25)
- 笔补蝉蝉辫辞谤迟听
- 痴颈蝉补听
- 滨-20听
- I-94
- You will also be required to have a valid email address and create a username, password, and card pin. It may help if you prepare these beforehand.
Most major banks do not require a social security number (SSN) in order to open a bank account in the US, and this applies at Wells Fargo. But since not all banks have the same requirements, make sure to research your bank of choice鈥檚 requirements to be sure you have everything needed before your visit to open your account.
Cell Phones
There are a number of different options and approaches that international students take in regards to cell service in the U.S. Meredith does provide wifi, as do many local stores and establishments, so some students choose to rely only on wifi with their cell phones from home.听
Many students also choose to purchase a phone, SIM card, and/or cell service to use in the U.S. Ultimately, you can choose what is the best and most convenient means for you to stay connected and be able to use your mobile device(s) effectively. If you decide to purchase a phone, SIM card, or service plan in the U.S., here is a list of cell phone options that have been previously recommended by international students.
Food
Both Meredith and Raleigh offer a variety of options for dining as well as groceries. On-campus, students can enjoy (BDH) as well as the for daily prepared meals. Another great option to utilize on-campus is the Martin Market and Daisy Trade, which both act as a free resource for students to pick up fresh food and pantry ingredients, as well as easy prep meals.听
Off-campus, students can also access a number of options for eating out and grocery shopping. Within walking distance or one bus ride from campus, students can get groceries at , , or . Students also recommend the following restaurants for a quick meal close to campus: , , , or .听
Lastly, students may be able to get close to a taste of home from one of the broader Raleigh area鈥檚 international grocery stores.
Things to Do
Raleigh, and the surrounding area, is a great place to live, study, and ! Besides being North Carolina鈥檚 , Raleigh features great food, a vibrant downtown, and miles and miles of wooded trails and parks. What follows are just a few things for you to do, see, and get involved in while you are here.