Welcome to Durham
An energetic city with great art and cultural scene and an up-and-coming technology center.
Durham, North Carolina, is a bustling city with more than 276,000 residents. Despite its size, Durham retains a more suburban feel than neighboring Raleigh and is regularly ranked one of the top places to live in North Carolina. Home to Duke University, Durham inspires achievement, and residents place a strong value on education. Locals love the classic American home styles found in Durham, from Federal and Georgian homes to Colonials, and real estate in Durham continues to see year-over-year appreciation.
Durham is becoming a hub for many new technology companies and has an incredible food scene. Locals can spend time at Durham’s many museums and art galleries or take advantage of the city’s many opportunities to get outdoors and make the most of North Carolina’s moderate seasons.
What to Love
- 30 minutes from Raleigh
- Top academic institutions, like Duke University
- More than 40 nearby museums and art galleries
- Technology companies moving to the area
Local Lifestyle
Life in Durham is all about constant exploration. There are seemingly endless cafes, bars, and restaurants to try, with new ones popping up regularly. From galleries to gardens, Durham combines its intellectual atmosphere with plenty of culture, outdoor recreation, and entertainment to create an environment where there’s something for everyone. Durham has truly beautiful neighborhoods, from Brightleaf Square to the American Tobacco Historic District.
Dining, Entertainment & Shopping
Brightleaf Square is one of the best parts of town to grab a bite in Durham, with Clouds Brewing and Goorsha representing just two of the many cultural cuisines available. For a great date night or special occasion, there’s the Asian fusion eatery Juju Durham and NanaSteak downtown.
The Durham Performing Arts Center is the best place for live entertainment in town, as it regularly puts on Broadway-caliber plays and musicals in addition to concerts and comedy shows. The Carolina Theatre also puts on live performances and movie screenings in a historic 1,000-seat auditorium.
Durham is full of opportunities to find something new, especially on the Streets at Southpoint. The mall has over 160 shops, restaurants, and services, including top retailers like Michael Kors. Of the many other plazas around town, locals favor visiting the North Pointe Shopping Center and the Willowdale Shopping Center.
Things to Do
First on the list of things to do in Durham has to be visiting Duke University. The university is home to the Sarah P. Duke Gardens, which features 55 acres of gorgeous themed gardens, and the unique Duke Lemur Center, a research foundation and 85-acre habitat for endangered species. Visitors can take tours of the enclosure and participate in feedings. There’s also the Durham Bulls Athletic Park, where locals can catch a game by the Bulls or the Duke Blue Devils.
Schools
