First, a few pro tips:

1. The lowest rates are typically found between October and April, and are best right after the December holiday season.
2. The highest priced months for move in are usually May through September.
3. Download apps for apartment hunting like Apartment List and Apartments.com.
4. If possible, schedule on-site tours (not everything is as it seems).
5. Take photos of the property, just in case you decide to move in.

Standard | Starting price $1,180-$1,435

Luxury living | Starting price $1,606-$2,460

• Evening Garden Stroll | Tuesday, Aug. 8 | 4-7:30 p.m. | JC Raulston Arboretum, 4415 Beryl Rd., Raleigh | Free | This month’s stroll features a tasting of the various edible plants grown in the trials at JCRA.
• Find Waldo Local Grand Celebration & Prize Drawing | Tuesday, Aug. 8 | 5:30 p.m. | Quail Ridge Books, 4209-100 Lassiter Mill Rd., Raleigh | Free | Dress in red and white stripes for this Waldo-themed celebration.
• Trophy Trail Club — Oaks and Spokes x Trophy Brewing | Tuesday, Aug. 8 | 6-8:30 p.m. | Trophy Brewing & Taproom, 656 Maywood Ave., Raleigh | Free | In this social gathering for mountain bike enthusiasts, cyclists will ride the single track trails on NC State’s Centennial Campus; riders must have some experience and come prepared with helmets and lights.
• Beer & Banjos | Tuesday, Aug. 8 | 6:30-9 p.m. | The Raleigh Times Bar, 14 E. Hargett St., Raleigh | Free | Listen to Raleigh-based artist Chris McGinnis perform his latest EP, “Songs For You.”

• Arts on the Hill | Wednesday, Aug. 9 | 5:30 p.m. | The Chapel at Dix Park, 1030 Richardson Dr., Raleigh | Free | Presented by Raleigh Film and Art Festival, this event combines film, spoken word poetry, and music with NC roots.
• Live Music at 10th & Terrace | Wednesday, Aug. 9 | 6-9 p.m. | 10th & Terrace, 616 S. Salisbury St., Raleigh | Free | Enjoy craft cocktails and listen to local artist Ann Meadows play relaxing tunes.
• Live Music Lounge | Wednesday, Aug. 9 | 7-10 p.m. | Whitaker & Atlantic, 1053 E. Whitaker Mill Rd., Raleigh | Free | Enjoy this New Orleans speakeasy-inspired lounge filled with jazz, blues, and soulful melodies.

• Raleigh Job Fair | Thursday, Aug. 10 | 11 a.m.-2 p.m. | Hilton Raleigh North Hills, 3415 Wake Forest Rd., Raleigh | Free | Register to attend this networking event to possibly find your next employer.
• Plant Trivia Night | Thursday, Aug. 10 | 4-5 p.m. | Logan’s Garden Shop, 707 Semart Dr., Raleigh | Free | Test your green thumb at this plant-themed trivia night.

• Car Space, an upscale coworking, social, and event space for car enthusiasts is celebrating its grand opening this Wednesday, Aug. 9 at 5200 Greens Dairy Rd. Located next to East Millbrook Middle School, this modern spot has amenities like private offices, a cocktail bar, cigar lounge + golfing and racing simulators. RSVP to get tickets.

• The shuttered space that housed Soul Taco on West Morgan Street is being replaced with a new concept from North South Hospitality called Gussie’s. Though the website doesn’t offer much information, hospitality group owners Katie O’Kane and Vance Daniels have backgrounds in the bar and cocktail industry. (Triangle Business Journal)

• The OUTSOUTH Queer Film Festival, a celebration of today’s LGBTQ+ life through films and filmmaking, is Thursday, Aug. 10 to Sunday, Aug. 13 at the Carolina Theatre of Durham. This is the second largest LGBTQ+ film festival in the Southeast and features a packed schedule of sophisticated films. Get your tickets starting at $14.

• Join City Club Raleigh for Restaurant Week from Monday, Aug. 14 to Friday, Aug. 18. This culinary celebration will feature prix fixe lunch and dinner menus highlighting dishes with locally sourced ingredients. Members can RSVP on the Invited app and nonmembers may RSVP by calling the club at (919) 834-8829.

• Wake County Public Libraries is expanding its Memory Care Kits program, which uses books and activities to spark memories for people experiencing memory loss. These kits cover everything from the 1940s and 1950s to science and sports. Wake residents can reserve and check out these resources for six weeks at a time with a library card.

• On Wednesday, Aug. 16, Hartwell Raleigh is opening its doors to professionals looking for a change of scenery. The day of coworking will feature caffeinated drinks from Bro’s Brew Espresso Bar and fast Wi-Fi from 10 a.m.-1 p.m.

• Looking to try CBD or legal THC products but don’t know where to start? Enter: Trek CBD. This local, family-owned natural wellness store boasts high quality products + well-trained, knowledgeable staff who can help you find what you didn’t know you were looking for. See what we went home with.*

• Ready to enjoy your next outdoor adventure without worrying about mosquitoes, ticks, or chemicals? Murphy’s Naturals Mosquito & Tick Repellent Mist comes in recyclable packaging, contains no DEET, and uses only compressed air (read: not propellant chemicals), so it won’t harm your gear or the planet.*

• Not ready to shop for supplies, plan lunches, or return to the pick-up line just yet? Here’s a way you can start the school year on the right foot while getting your weekly groceries: Lowes Foods’ Cart to Class program, which aims to raise up to a quarter million dollars for local schools this year.*

Where can you play in Raleigh?

• Raleigh Parks has six permanent outdoor pickleball courts located at Method Community Park and six permanent outdoor courts at North Hills Park.
• Raleigh Parks also has nine indoor locations — a four-month pass can be purchased for $10 and a single session pass costs $2.
• Find a list of upcoming pickleball programs and clinics by Tennisbloc that are geared toward adults and juniors from levels beginner through intermediate.
• If you’re interested in joining a pickleball league, this site has several listed in the area.
• Swing Racquet + Paddle, Raleigh’s $70 million tennis and paddle facility, is anticipated to open in 2024 with 24 pickleball courts.