Living in Durham, NC

About Durham

Durham is the county seat of Durham County and one of the Triangle's three main cities. It is home to Duke University and North Carolina Central University, and much of Research Triangle Park lies in Durham County. Downtown Durham has been rebuilt around its old tobacco warehouses and factories, which now hold offices, apartments, restaurants, and entertainment.

Neighborhoods and housing

• In-town neighborhoods: older homes in areas such as Trinity Park, Old West Durham, Watts-Hillandale, and Duke Park, close to Duke and downtown.
• Downtown: condos, lofts, and newer apartment buildings near the American Tobacco Campus and Brightleaf Square.
• South Durham: subdivisions and townhomes near I-40, RTP, and The Streets at Southpoint.
• North Durham: larger lots and a more rural feel toward the Eno River and Falls Lake.

Getting around

• I-85, I-40, NC 147 (the Durham Freeway), I-885, and US 15-501 are the main routes.
• GoDurham runs city buses, and downtown has an Amtrak station.
• RDU airport is about 20 minutes from much of the city in normal traffic.

Parks and things to do

Eno River State Park, Duke Forest, and Sarah P. Duke Gardens give Durham a lot of green space. The American Tobacco Trail starts downtown and runs south for walking and biking. The Durham Bulls Athletic Park and the Durham Performing Arts Center (DPAC) keep downtown busy most nights.

Schools and county differences

Durham is served by Durham Public Schools, not the Wake County system. Property tax rates, school systems, and some local rules differ between Durham County and Wake County, so if you are comparing homes on both sides of the county line, ask us to walk through the differences for the specific addresses.

Working with Today's Homes in Durham

Today's Homes helps buyers, sellers, renters, and rental owners in Durham, including investors who want a local manager. Call 919-943-1475 to get started.

This page is a general overview, not a guarantee of school assignment, zoning, taxes, or HOA rules. Confirm the details for any specific address before you buy or sign a lease.