Living a College Town Lifestyle in Durham, North_Carolina

Home to the prestigious Duke University, and therefore an exciting Division I sports scene, Durham is one of the key cities in the Research Triangle section of North Carolina. This vital town of over 225,000 is a place with a vibrant economy; there is always something happening in Durham.  The cultural scene is very strong in Durham thanks to Duke University and local cultural institutions. Durham is so close to Raleigh and Chapel Hill that even more excitement is ever-present. Durham became very prosperous thanks to tobacco, the American Tobacco Company is still headquartered here.

Where to Retire in Durham and Home Prices

You can live in town or in a development outside of town. There are many active adult and 55+ communities in the area (see link for Active Communities at top left and see also the reviews on this site for Raleigh, Cary, and Chapel Hill.
Real Estate Values
Prices of homes have been relatively steady in this area. During the 3rd quarter of 2022, the median selling price of a home was $458,500 in the Durham-Chapel Hill area, according to the National Association of Realtors.

What Is Special about Durham

Duke University and its 13,000 students make Durham a special place. So does its location in the dynamic and fast growing Research Triangle.  The American Tobacco Trail, the American Tobacco district, and other philanthropy from the tobacco giant have created many beneficial institutions and projects.  The Falls Lake Recreation Area is nearby.

What Is Not Special about Durham

Rapid growth has led to congestion. Living in a community whose wealth was created by tobacco might take some adjustment.

Climate and Physical Environment

Durham is just a few miles from Chapel Hill and near Raleigh in the north central area of North Carolina. The average July high temperature is 89 and the average January high is 49 (the average low is 28). The wettest month is March (5").

Restaurants & Cultural Scene

Popular cultural events in Durham include jazz festivals, blues festivals, symphony concerts, art exhibitions, and other cultural expositions, including the American Dance Festival and the Full Frame Documentary Film Festival. The Carolina Theater shows both live performances and films. Durham is also home to The Nasher Museum of Art, and the Durham Arts Council. The downtown restaurant scene is reputed to be strong.

Crime

The crime rate is above the U.S. average.

Medical Facilities

Duke University Hospital and Durham Regional Hospital serve the town.

Transportation

The Durham Area Transit Authority (DATA) bus system offers public transit, buses have bike racks. The American Tobacco Trail has its northern terminus in downtown Durham. The Raleigh-Durham Airport offers convenient service. Duke University operates its own 30 bus transit system.

Valuable Links

Wikipedia for Durham
Visitors Bureau

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