Name: Durham, NC
Rating: 0.0

( 39 Ratings )

Living in Durham, NC

Ranks better than 82% of areas Follow

Population

276,341

Median Age

34.1 Years

Durham Area Facts

Durham has a Livability Score of 82_/100, which is considered exceptional
Durham crime rates are 62% higher than the North Carolina average
Cost of living in Durham is 13% higher than the North Carolina average

What do the locals think about Durham?

66%

Family friendly

54%

Public transit is accessible

40%

Walkable to grocery stores

46%

Yards are well-kept

77%

Lots of parks

46%

Walkable to restaurants

Friendly neighbors

Safe at night

Pet friendly

Streets have sidewalks

49%

A quiet area

63%

Sense of community

Based on 35 votes from AreaVibes users. Take the poll

New Real Estate Listings in Durham Area

For Sale For Rent

Search

Search Homes for Sale in Durham, NC

See How Much House You Can Afford. Get Pre-Approved Today

Durham Reviews

Write a review about Durham Tell people what you like or don't like about Durham…

Realistic View as a Transplant 4 rating By Anonymous ( Jun 10, 2021) First off I love living in Durham. I have lived in and visited most major cities in the country and Durham is special because given the size of the city it is so rich with culture and plenty of things for everyone. Is there hype? Sure... But as someone who wants a place to settle ...Read More that offers significantly more than a traditional suburb, Durham is the place. Does it offer as much and variety as Austin, Chicago, or New York? No not even close, but that is okay. Durham is by far the best small city and you should love it for what it is. I wanted a reasonable priced (sadly getting more expensive) city with good job opportunities, culture, nature, and convience. I would rate all of those pretty good. When you look at Durham as a package that is what makes it incredible. Read Less

Durham is Overrated 2.5 rating By indiemini ( Oct 23, 2017) I don't know what all the hub bub is about but I personally feel Durham is over rated. First off the amenities here are limited. Looking at the list on this site they listed the children's museum twice, that's cheating, the Somerhill Gallery is closed, shopping malls I would no ...Read More t count except Southpoint, they listed Brightleaf square twice, again cheating. Only two golf courses are worth mentioning. Durham is not an A+ amenity town. Not by far. And to spend a day with your family will cost you a pretty penny unless you go to the Eno River and then Mc Donalds.Now I do admit DPAC is certainly nice but it is very expensive as is most anything to do here is. They received a lot of bond money so they could have lowered the prices a bit. Each time I went I tried to get specific seats and was unable to do so because they were reserved for "season ticket holders", and the nights I went the seasoned seats remained vacant. The city has metered parking, even for handicap parking. If you are a city or county employee who is handicap and working downtown, they don't care, you have to pay to park close to the job. The meters are not cheap either. they say to make you park in the garages but the garages are expensive as well as the time in there is by the hour even if you go over by 1 minute. Quite ridiculous. And no businesses validate parking even the city or county. Even if you go to Charlotte to take care of city business they have a free parking lot to take care of city business. Durham is GREEDY.There are plenty of restaurants in Durham, plenty to keep you nice and fat. Food truck rodeos are big, street fairs with fried food and barbecues, and just about anything to do with food is big. Not many in-shape people here either. Look around. I bet diabetes and heart problems is the worst epidemic here.There are more hair salons than should be legally allowed. That I don't understand. Downtown there has to be 50 hair salons. Singles. I hear more complaints from singles than anyone. No this is not the place to find love...I know more people here that have been single for YEARS than anywhere. Most people that find love find it outside of Durham. Nightlife? depends on what you call nightlife. Beyu café is nice, and a few other jazz clubs. all VERY small underground and intimate. You have to go to Raleigh for other theater and nightlife experiences. Although there are some rooftop things happening at night in Durham now. Museums for adults? what a joke and for children? again expensive, and in the hood. I don't smoke but know you are not allowed to smoke on any city owned property to include sidewalks, streets, parking lots etc. Racial issues. Undertones are constant. Even if they did tear down the confederate statute. That was young people. Its the older ones you have to listen to and be cautious of. Racism is alive and well here from the natives mostly.And don't get it twisted, this is still a small town and you can still be black balled in most industries. Employment. The poverty level is high here, and the pay scale is kind of low in my opinion. I have also seen a high turnover rate in different industries and I am not sure why.... Schools? Well let me put it to you like this. I would not send my kids to public school here. There is a low teacher to student ratio yet the school system is failing. Hospitals. Can I be sick in a hospital without a student being involved? Almost impossible here!! and they make it seem like an insult that you don't want to be a student case study. I don't like that. My body, my choice.Median rent shown in the chart is low because of the large amount of subsidized housing factored in. Try to find a 2 bedroom apartment for $800 and you are straight in the hood or very close to it. Too close for my comfort. A more realistic number for a 2 bedroom in decent neighborhoods is more like $1,000 and they go up to $1800+ if you choose to live downtown.Crime rate is falling but is still very high. Notice Durham did not provide the statistics on the crimes rates to Areavibes and I guarantee you it is higher than stated on this site. It is still very high. They don't want to tell because they want people to move here and don't want people scared off.Southpoint Mall is very nice but be cautious in that parking lot. You could get killed in it.I almost forgot to mention EVERYTHING is taxed here. and I mean everything. Car inspections on new cars (that's a tax), personal property tax which is due when you register your car or renew your registration (about 8% of the RETAIL value), food tax, hotel room tax, alcohol tax, real estate tax, city county state and jurisdiction taxes, parking taxes, tolls, OMG they kill you on taxes here.But yes, it is growing, they are trying to get a skyline. I still don't think there is much to do around here for free, for family outings, for cultural exploration besides plantation and slavery which I understand is the history. I think they need to work on diversity some more. The roads are well maintained. You will eat well. You will gain weight. That's my opinion. Read Less

Small town charm with monumental achievements 5 rating By Ram98 ( Sep 13, 2013) Durhamite is a label I am proud to hold. Travelers only see glimpses of what the locals are so proud of. Nowhere else in North Carolina do you see this many trees and greenery, not even in the mountains. Durham is at once a thriving metro, and natural haven. Durham's history star ...Read More ted with the largest tobacco empire in North Carolina, and is currently one of the largest research areas in the world (RTP), which is mostly part of Durham. Duke University is the pride and joy of Durham's various scholastic achievements, a vibrant center of scientific innovation. No big city excitement can compare to the blissful joy of enjoying a summer day at the Duke Gardens, or enjoying good music, food and many attractions at Durham's many festivals. From 1701, John Lawson, the English explorer called Durham the "flower of the Carolinas." I think that we have lived up to that name. With a multitude of job opportunities, diverse community, natural beauty and fun, what more do you want in a city. You can go to a city with glitz and glam, but Durham is historic, deep and tranquil. No review can do Durham justice, so I invite you to come experience the City of Medicine yourself. Read Less

Durham, NC - Vacation Getaway 4 rating By Anonymous ( May 05, 2010) Every year, more than six million people visit Durham, North Carolina. They come to Durham to relax and enjoy the great golf and other attractions that the city offers. There are all sorts of interesting activities and things to do that offer visitors lots of fun. Bull City Dart ...Read More League plays at various locations around Durham and offers exciting dart competition to those with some amount of skill in hand and eye coordination. Tournaments are held on Tuesday evenings and are open to visitors. For more adventurous people, Carolina Barnstormers offers a ride in the open cockpit of pilot Mike Ratty's bi-plane. Two people can come along on the 25 minute to one hour ride above Durham. It's exhilarating and a great way to see the city of Durham.

Durham, North Carolina is a city that offers a relaxed atmosphere and a variety of fun activities. Durham is a city where people enjoy friendly competition and supportive fellowship. I had nothing but good times during my stay in Durham. I recommend Durham as a place to live or vacation to anyone who enjoys having a good time. Read Less

Show All Reviews

Small town charm with monumental achievements 5 rating By Ram98 ( Sep 13, 2013) Durhamite is a label I am proud to hold. Travelers only see glimpses of what the locals are so proud of. Nowhere else in North Carolina do you see this many trees and greenery, not even in the mountains. Durham is at once a thriving metro, and natural haven. Durham's history star ...Read More ted with the largest tobacco empire in North Carolina, and is currently one of the largest research areas in the world (RTP), which is mostly part of Durham. Duke University is the pride and joy of Durham's various scholastic achievements, a vibrant center of scientific innovation. No big city excitement can compare to the blissful joy of enjoying a summer day at the Duke Gardens, or enjoying good music, food and many attractions at Durham's many festivals. From 1701, John Lawson, the English explorer called Durham the "flower of the Carolinas." I think that we have lived up to that name. With a multitude of job opportunities, diverse community, natural beauty and fun, what more do you want in a city. You can go to a city with glitz and glam, but Durham is historic, deep and tranquil. No review can do Durham justice, so I invite you to come experience the City of Medicine yourself. Read Less

Durham, NC - Vacation Getaway 4 rating By Anonymous ( May 05, 2010) Every year, more than six million people visit Durham, North Carolina. They come to Durham to relax and enjoy the great golf and other attractions that the city offers. There are all sorts of interesting activities and things to do that offer visitors lots of fun. Bull City Dart ...Read More League plays at various locations around Durham and offers exciting dart competition to those with some amount of skill in hand and eye coordination. Tournaments are held on Tuesday evenings and are open to visitors. For more adventurous people, Carolina Barnstormers offers a ride in the open cockpit of pilot Mike Ratty's bi-plane. Two people can come along on the 25 minute to one hour ride above Durham. It's exhilarating and a great way to see the city of Durham.

Durham, North Carolina is a city that offers a relaxed atmosphere and a variety of fun activities. Durham is a city where people enjoy friendly competition and supportive fellowship. I had nothing but good times during my stay in Durham. I recommend Durham as a place to live or vacation to anyone who enjoys having a good time. Read Less

Compare Durham, NC Livability

Durham, NC

The city of Durham, North Carolina is rightly proud of her history. Named after Dr. Bartlett Snipe Durham, much of downtown Durham was owned by the doctor and his family. The Great Indian Trading Path shaped the layout of the city. The first public and historically black college, North Carolina Central University, is here. Much of Durham was shaped by citizens from almost every era of American history.

Thanks in no small part to her history, it's important to note that learning the roads, highways and walking paths will take some practice. Luckily, the city offers a strong public transportation system with routes that run from Duke University along the western edge out to the Wake Forest Highway to the east and from a transit transfer station in the south to the Northern high school stop. There are buses that run on an hourly schedule and many more frequently, so be ready to do your homework to learn this expansive and useful tool

Thanks to the sizable student population, there's a wide variety of housing available. If you want a small apartment for a year while you get settled, you can find something in a large development or find a one of a kind studio apartment in one of the stately older homes in the city. Wherever you choose to live, you'll likely find local shopping close to your home. From sprawling outdoor farmer's markets to the Durham Market Hall, you'll find a place to browse.

With many good school in the area, you and your family will find a fine quality of life in this historic city. There are several historical sites, including the Museum of Life and Science in the northeastern area of the city.

If you enjoy the great outdoors, this city and the surrounding region will keep you very busy. From the Falls Lake State Recreation area to the east to the Eno River State Park to the north, fans of boating, hiking, fishing and camping will find plenty to do for a weekend or an extended vacation.

It's important to remember that Durham is generally paired with Raleigh. These sister cities are bridged by the Triangle Development. The Research Triangle Park is an important feature of this area. It's accessed from state highway 70 along the northern edge. The stretch from Raleigh to Durham through the Triangle Development is easily travelled on Interstate 40, which will take you along the southern edge of the Research Triangle Park. You'll find plenty of shopping and spots to stop along the way.

Durham is a city that's poised for growth, thanks in no small part to its strong history. If you're ready to move to a city that will energize and provide a great education to you and your family, Durham will be a great home.