Durham
Living in Durham, NC
Welcome to the Bull City.
Durham took its old tobacco warehouses, kept the brick, and filled them with restaurants, lofts, offices and a ballpark. That's the Bull City in one sentence: history you can see, with a whole lot happening inside it.
Why "Bull City"?
The nickname comes from Bull Durham Tobacco, the brand that put Durham on the map. And yes, there's a bronze bull downtown. Yes, people take pictures with it. You will too.
Durham sits in the northwest corner of the Triangle, mostly in Durham County, with pieces reaching into Wake and Orange counties. Chapel Hill, Morrisville and Research Triangle Park are all next door, and Duke University is right in the middle of it all.
It's also a big city with a lot of ground to cover. North Durham and South Durham can feel like two different towns, which is exactly why it helps to have someone who knows the difference.
Whether you're buying, selling, renting, or handing us the keys to manage your investment, here's what to know before you call the Bull City home.
The Character
What makes Durham, Durham.
Old brick, new life
Former tobacco warehouses and textile mills now hold restaurants, offices, apartments and event spaces. American Tobacco Campus, Brightleaf and Golden Belt are the proof.
Duke in the backyard
Duke University, Duke Health and the Durham VA Medical Center make Durham a major center for medicine and research. Duke is Durham County's largest employer.
A downtown with districts
American Tobacco, Brightleaf and the Warehouse District, Central Park, City Center and Golden Belt each have their own look, feel and favorite spots.
Culture on the calendar
Durham Performing Arts Center, the Carolina Theatre, the Nasher Museum and Durham Bulls Athletic Park keep the evenings and weekends full.
Neighborhoods
Six Durham neighborhoods worth knowing.
Durham's housing runs from 1890s Victorians to brand-new infill. Here's a starting point. Every street has its own personality, so ask us about the ones that fit how you live.
Trinity Park
Historic · Near Duke East CampusVictorian, Queen Anne, Craftsman bungalow and Colonial Revival homes from the late 1800s and early 1900s, on a classic street grid with mature trees.
Hope Valley
Historic · Wooded lotsTudor and Colonial Revival homes from the 1920s through the 1950s, plus later ranches and custom builds, many on larger wooded lots.
Forest Hills
Historic · Park nearbyMostly 1920s to 1950s homes: Tudor Revival, Colonial Revival, bungalows, Cape Cods and ranches, with Forest Hills Park close by.
Watts-Hillandale
Historic · Walk to Ninth StreetEarly 20th-century bungalows, period-revival cottages and Colonial Revival homes on a mix of lot sizes, close to the shops on Ninth Street.
Old West Durham
Historic · Mixed old and newModest mill-era cottages and bungalows, many lovingly renovated, alongside newer infill homes.
Woodcroft
South Durham · TrailsLate 20th-century homes and townhomes with established landscaping and a connected trail system, convenient to RTP and Southpoint.
Getting Around
Close to everything. Traffic permitting.
Durham connects to the rest of the Triangle through a handful of major roads. Your actual commute depends a lot on which part of Durham you call home, and on I-40 at 5:15, which has opinions.
- I-40
- I-85
- NC 147 (Durham Freeway)
- US 15-501
- NC 55
- NC 54
- US 70
Local bus service runs through GoDurham, with regional routes on GoTriangle.
Approximate drive times without heavy traffic. Rush hour is its own conversation.
Out & About
Your weekend, sorted.
Get outside
- Eno River State Park for hiking, fishing and river views. Check trail status before you go.
- West Point on the Eno, a riverfront city park with trails and a restored mill.
- American Tobacco Trail, about 11 paved miles in Durham alone.
- Sarah P. Duke Gardens on Duke's campus.
Eat, shop, stroll
- Downtown Durham for restaurants, independent shops and galleries.
- American Tobacco Campus and Brightleaf in the restored warehouses.
- Ninth Street near Duke's East Campus.
- The Streets at Southpoint in South Durham.
Mark the calendar
- Full Frame Documentary Film Festival
- American Dance Festival
- CenterFest Arts Festival
- Festival for the Eno
- Bimbé Cultural Arts Festival
Schools
Check the address, not the rumor.
Most of Durham is served by Durham Public Schools. The district has updated its school boundaries in recent years, so assignments are set by the exact property address, not the neighborhood name.
Some homes with a Durham mailing address sit outside Durham County and may be in a different district. Before you fall in love with a house, look up the address with the district.
Renting & Owning
Own a home in Durham? Let it work for you.
Duke, Duke Health, the Durham VA Medical Center and the employers around Research Triangle Park, including IBM, Fidelity, GSK and Biogen, bring people to Durham year after year. Many of them start out renting.
That makes Durham a strong place to own a rental, as long as it's managed well. We handle the screening, leasing, maintenance and rent collection, so your home brings in income instead of phone calls.
Local Truth
If someone in Durham says they're "going to the Bulls game," they mean baseball. No rodeo. No running of the bulls. Just a ballpark, a hot dog, and a very good night.
Questions We Hear
Durham, answered.
How far is Durham from Raleigh?
Downtown Durham to downtown Raleigh is usually about 30 to 40 minutes by car, using I-40 or NC 147. Rush hour can stretch that, and where you live in Durham makes a big difference.
Which Durham neighborhoods have historic homes?
Trinity Park, Forest Hills, Watts-Hillandale, Old West Durham and Hope Valley all have documented historic homes, from Victorians and Craftsman bungalows to 1920s Tudors.
What school district serves Durham?
Most of Durham is served by Durham Public Schools. Assignments are based on the exact property address, so check each home with the district before you buy or sign a lease.
Is Durham convenient to Research Triangle Park?
Yes, especially South and Southeast Durham, which have direct access to RTP by way of I-40, NC 147 and NC 55. Drive times depend on the location of the home and the time of day.
Is Durham a good place to own a rental property?
Durham's universities, health systems and nearby RTP employers keep people moving to the area, and many of them rent first. Good management makes the difference. Auralia Residential handles leasing, screening, maintenance and rent collection for owners across Durham.
Next Door
Neighbors worth a look.
Love Durham but want to compare? These nearby towns are an easy drive away.
Ready to make the Bull City home?
Buying, selling, renting or managing, we know Durham street by street. Tell us what you're looking for and we'll take it from there.
