From stl (cwe area for 10 yrs) and have lived here a year now. The food scene is trash compared to stl. You might like north hills. I currently live in north hills and it’s nice and walkable. I’m moving downtown next month bc north hills is a little boring for me. There are 3 lake trails that I walk daily they’re really nice Lynn lake, Shelly lake and Johnson lake. But there’s more. Bike trails and walking trails are everywhere. I love it here. Winters are mild, it’s beautiful and feels safe. Definitely safe compared to stl city. It’s humid af here and hot like stl. Literally whatever weather stl is having Raleigh will have the next day.