Decent area, incomes are good by non bay-area standards, and the cost of living is extremely low. There are a lot of software jobs but most of them are unexciting. Traffic isn't too bad as long as you work and live in the same general part of RTP. The food is decent if you are into barbecue and southern hipster, but the ethnic options besides Indian are a bit weak. There's a lot happening but if you're into fringe stuff it's a bit slow.
Don't have kids but people who do have told me Raleigh and Chapel Hill have decent school districts but Durham should be avoided. Ironically I think Durham is the most interesting part of the RTP area.
+1 that Durham is the most interesting part of the RTP. Having lived in Durham, Raleigh, Cary, Morrisville, and Chapel Hill over the years, I liked Durham the best. But like a lot of cities, gentrification is causing a lot of social and cultural upheaval in Durham and the surrounding suburbs.
Don't have kids but people who do have told me Raleigh and Chapel Hill have decent school districts but Durham should be avoided. Ironically I think Durham is the most interesting part of the RTP area.