Have you considered relocating to Durham, North Carolina? This cosmopolitan city of over a quarter of a million people serves as the seat of Durham County. It sits amidst fairly flat terrain in the north central region of the state, in close proximity to Chapel Hill and Raleigh. People sometimes refer to the area encompassed by these three cities generically as "The Research Triangle" because of the extensive emphasis upon technological innovation here. (An actual Research Triangle Park sits within the tri-city area.) The sprawling city of Durham covers more than 100 square miles.
If you relocate here, you'll appreciate knowing Durham has undergone a dramatic transformation during recent decades. For much of its history, the community remained heavily dependent upon the tobacco industry. Today, tobacco farming and cigarette manufacturing play a less significant role in the city's economy. Extensive urban revitalization occurred here during recent decades. Innovations in automotive technology, biotech and information technology stimulate the city's business district today.
This location experiences chilly winters with some snow and ice, and hot, humid summers. Average low temperatures in January, the coldest month, hover just below freezing. The warmest month, July, averages a high of 89 degrees Fahrenheit. Temperatures occasionally soar above 100 degrees Fahrenheit.
Durham today hosts a well-educated population. The majority of residents possess high school diplomas and nearly half of all adults over the age of 25 hold college degrees. Several academic institutions in this area provide job opportunities in Durham, including the public school system, Duke University, and the Duke University Health System. Pharmaceutical companies and insurance and banking firms also employ numerous residents.
Motor vehicles provide a popular way to travel within the city. Duke University furnishes a bus service on its campus. Durham residents also utilize city buses, taxi cabs, ridesharing services and bicycles. Interstate-40 provides access to Chapel Hill and Raleigh. It crosses through the Research Triangle Park site.
Popular attractions in Durham include the Durham Performing Arts Center and the Durham Bulls Athletic Park. Visitors can also tour the Hayti Heritage Center, the North Carolina Museum of Life and Science, and Bennett Place State Historic Site. Several annual music, dance and cultural festivals attract tourists to Durham.
The cost of living in Durham remains slightly below the U.S. average. Real estate prices rose in recent years, yet they continue to fall along a wide spectrum. In general, you should expect to pay more to rent or purchase a modern house in good condition than an older property in the same neighborhood in poor shape.