Durham, NC, a sister city to Raleigh, has all the best parts of a large city, packed into a much more reasonable package. Because it used to be a big tobacco town, there was already a lot of infrastructure needed to make a great little city. All of the brick buildings that house those workers are now some of the local's favorite places to live, eat, and work! 

Some of the perks include a ton of opportunities for outdoor activities, great restaurants with dog-friendly patios, a surprisingly great art community, and a big university. 

If you talk to a Durham local about moving there, they’re going to mention that besides a few ritzy neighborhoods, it’s not the most walkable or bike-friendly city in the US. That being said, there are a lot of areas specifically for recreational activities, but you do lose that city feel the more you talk about walkability. With people also complaining about the public transit, it’s considered a must-have car town unless you live right smack-dab in the center of downtown.




 It’s a big city packed into a small town

LookyLOO Review of Durham

In terms of work life, Durham is big on tech and medical. As a growing tech city and part of The Research Triangle, or The Triangle, it’s home to one of the most prominent high-tech research and development centers in the US, making it a hotspot for people wanting to use the University’s resources. Not to be outdone by tech, the city of Durham is also dubbed “The City of Medicine” according to durham.gov, and has over 300 medical and health-related companies. 

Most of the Durham workforce works at one of the hospitals/universities in the area either Duke or UNC. There is an awesome biotech hub here with Syngenta, Biomerieux, Monsanto (sorry), BASF, Bayer Crop Science, and EPA all represented. There is a pretty thriving agriculture scene here with a lot of small farms in the area. Those are mostly in the northern part of the county and in adjacent Orange and Chatham counties. 

Worklife 

Like many mid-sized cities, Durham is becoming less and less of a hidden gem by the day. That being said, there are a lot of housing opportunities due to the rotation of students and fellows at Duke. Speaking of Duke, according to the University, the cost of living in Durham is about 23% lower than the national average.


Cost of Living/Opportunities

Why You Should Move Here Now?

**Hog_enthusiast**
Living in Durham
1y ago
🦉🦉🦉🦉

Durham is basically the third bed in Goldilocks and the three bears. Not too hot, not too cold. Not too boring not too exciting. It’s a very medium city. If you want to live in a metropolis you won’t like it here, if you want to live in a rural area you also won’t like it.

Some things people get wrong: it isn’t Raleigh. Raleigh is a different city although it is very close by. It isn’t a college town either. The college has a big presence but it isn’t even close to a town like Boone. Durham also isn’t as dangerous as people say (cue the downvotes from HOA members). Basically no city in America is actually dangerous for middle class people. If you live in Durham in a nice area and you lock your car/house and act with common sense, you probably will never be the victim of any crime. Also I know everyone thinks their city has bad drivers, but Durham drivers are actually very good.

Durham is basically a great city for every group of people except single people in their early 20s who like to go to clubs. Other than that it’s got something for everyone, it’s a great city to raise kids or be a married couple. There’s plenty of hiking, shopping, restaurants etc. There’s even a variety of architecture and neighborhoods. You want to buy a mid-century modern house in the woods, buy in Duke forest. You want a McMansion, buy in Garrett Farms. You want a classic mansion buy in hope valley. You want a city house buy in watts hillandale.

Overall it’s a great city to live in. Not super exciting to visit. Great for tech employees (I am one). What are you into and what do you want in a city is the real question

For more reviews of what living in Durham is like from locals check out: [The Reviews](uhttps://lookyloomove.com/locations/durham/reviews).

Reviews of Durham from Locals

Durham, being home to Duke University and several other colleges, is a great place to be if you love a college atmosphere, great bars and restaurants, and sports. Although locals will tell you to avoid certain places *cough* Shooters *cough*, you’ll find a host of great places to see friends, hang out, grab a beer, and watch a game. Check out these neighborhoods if you’re a Duke fan or just love college sports and nightlife:
- Brightleaf
- Geer St.
- 9th St.

College Students

Brightleaf Square

A booming job market isn’t the only thing that attracts young professionals to Durham. The city has an astounding amount for young professionals to get up to when they’re not working (at Duke). There are amazing restaurants, local businesses, weekly farmer’s markets, and a huge art scene to explore all around downtown. Because Durham is a big city stuffed into a small downtown, there is plenty to do without losing that quaint neighborhood feel:
- Geer St.
- American Tobacco
- Warehouse District
- Lakewood


Young Professionals

Geer St. 

There are plenty of family-friendly neighborhoods to explore in Durham. Because a lot of young families get transplanted here for work purposes, there is a very tight knit community of families (both locals and transplants) who are ready to welcome yours with open arms! A lot of Durham neighborhoods, although not that walkable, boast large lot sizes and yards, perfect for young families. 
- Cleveland-Holloway
- Trinity Park
- Old West Durham
- Morehead Hill


Young Families

Cleveland-Holloway

Families whose kids are a little older might be interested to know that there are plenty of neighborhoods that both cut down on commute while giving you the feel of traditional suburbs. These neighborhoods boast both historic and contemporary homes, while being close to parks and greenways like Duke Park. Although not as walkable as other neighborhoods right in downtown, Duke Park is close to downtown and so you get the best of both worlds. 
- Duke Park
- Hope Valley
- Forest Hills
- North Gate Park
- American Village
- Woodcroft


Established Families

Duke Park

The constant innovation that The Triangle brings to the Durham area means that the city is full of energy and youth, which sounds like the perfect vibe for the recently empty-nested or retired. It has a great climate, friendly people, and a very high quality of life, all with the perfect blend of a small-town and big-city feel. Check out these neighborhoods for your perfect spot:
- Southpoint
- Walltown
- Duke Forest


Empty Nesters/Retirees

Southpoint

Durham

**Hog_enthusiast**
Living in Durham
1y ago
🦉🦉🦉🦉

Durham is basically the third bed in Goldilocks and the three bears. Not too hot, not too cold. Not too boring not too exciting. It’s a very medium city. If you want to live in a metropolis you won’t like it here, if you want to live in a rural area you also won’t like it.

Some things people get wrong: it isn’t Raleigh. Raleigh is a different city although it is very close by. It isn’t a college town either. The college has a big presence but it isn’t even close to a town like Boone. Durham also isn’t as dangerous as people say (cue the downvotes from HOA members). Basically no city in America is actually dangerous for middle class people. If you live in Durham in a nice area and you lock your car/house and act with common sense, you probably will never be the victim of any crime. Also I know everyone thinks their city has bad drivers, but Durham drivers are actually very good.

Durham is basically a great city for every group of people except single people in their early 20s who like to go to clubs. Other than that it’s got something for everyone, it’s a great city to raise kids or be a married couple. There’s plenty of hiking, shopping, restaurants etc. There’s even a variety of architecture and neighborhoods. You want to buy a mid-century modern house in the woods, buy in Duke forest. You want a McMansion, buy in Garrett Farms. You want a classic mansion buy in hope valley. You want a city house buy in watts hillandale.

Overall it’s a great city to live in. Not super exciting to visit. Great for tech employees (I am one). What are you into and what do you want in a city is the real question



**Kat9935**
1y ago
🦉🦉🦉

Durham has a good quality of life for the size of city it is. Its going thru some growing pains, definitely lacks public infrastructure, but its also exciting to see a city change so quickly as it grows. The other thing is you have to realize Durham, Cary, Morrisville, Chapel Hill, Raleigh, Wake Forest, etc all just run together in a large Metro area so you may end up living adjacent though Durham has the best food scene. Its all within 30-40 minutes.

Weather for me is great (minus the humidity in July/August). I still get a bit of all seasons but I hate winter so 1 snow fall a year is good with me.

Education, I don't have kids but my friends say it all depends on if parents are engaged, they will do well.

Safety, its a city, there is crime, it tends to be very localized (just dont go to those isolated locations) or opportunity based (ie dont leave your ipad visible and your doors unlocked as they will open the door and walk away with it) I have never felt unsafe in Durham.

Water is fine, have never seen anything on a quality report. Due to growth in the city, 2-3 times a year in our area someone damages a line so water is yellow for a few hours as they flush the lines and thats about it.

I recommend you visit the area before you move, thats actually what sold us on it. A Recreation is outstanding, Duke Forest, Eno, Falls Lake, Umstead for outdoor hiking, biking, kayaking, etc. Lots of venues for concerts & plays & events. Great microbreweries and a few distilleries, meaderies and wineries. A good public park/rec which provides free activities for kids, good library system, etc. Several really good museums in the area. I think you get a lot of bang for buck here and you are not paying ridiculous parking fees downtown like places like Charlotte.

**StrengthComplex194**
1y ago
🦉🦉

Very new to the area from a much bigger city- here are some of my hot takes that nobody really asked for...

-someone mentioned "manageability" of life. Definitelty agree. Easy to find parking spots, no real traffic (horrible drivers though), airport is incredible and only 15-25 mins from the city depending on neighborhood. Convienence.

I hear a ton of gunshots super late at night. Pretty troublesome, but also dont really fear being a victim of random crime like in a place like Philly/Bmore etc.

almost zero walkability minus a few blocks downtown. Need a car. Didnt realize it was that extreme before moving here.

besides rent/housing and dining out being expensive, other goods/groceries/haircuts etc seem to be decently priced. There are some great mexican groceries with cheap produce and nice shopping atmosphere.

-lots of people seem to hype up the food scene. Admittidly havent been to a ton of places but those I have tried (a good amnt) are definitely decent or even really good but for price and hype wouldnt hold a candle to any restaurants or food trucks in places like Philly/NJ/LA/Portland etc. I personally love Viceroy and Sofia's and there are definitely other good ones.

Werd2urGrandma
7mo ago
🦉🦉🦉🦉

I’ve lived in 7 places, in every continental US time zone, in big cities and tiny rural ranches. I’m fortunate to have resources to make my wife and I comfortable everywhere we’ve lived. And I can say, without equivocation, that Durham is my favorite place I’ve lived. It’s the perfect size (even while it’s growing), it’s full of culture and great food, it’s diverse, progressive, and has something for every season. The location allows us to leave to cities, mountains, and beaches with ease, but everything and everyone we love here has us always yearning to come home. I can see Broadway shows, major touring artists, and high-level sports, but I can also get a taste of some uniquely Durham art, music, and cultural diversity. It’s an historical place without being stuck in historical ways. And the real kicker: it looks like America, and that’s what the haters don’t like—a racially diverse and culturally mixed place. People can be who they are here. I’m just a redneck, cisgendered hetero white guy and Durham is anything but and I love it.

Durham, North Carolina

Bull City

Looklyloo Score: 90