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What are the differences between the two areas? Durham, NC and Raleigh, NC Which area would be considered the "better" area? I have noticed when looking for apartments Raleigh seems to be on more expensive side compared to Durham therefore I was wondering why that might be. I look forward to your thought on this.
First, thank you for realizing that Raleigh and Durham are in fact two different cities. So many who are not from here don't get that and think "Raleigh-Durham" or "RTP" is a city.
Second, there is no answer to "which is better"--better for what? For you? Only you can decide that. Do you have a job lined up? Commute time/being close to work would be a factor in which is "better". What things do you like to do? Each city has its own attractions and most who live here go to both pretty regularly. You don't say where you live now, but if there is any kind of "dual cites area" near you, it's the same situation here.
Durham county tends to be cheaper because historically, Durham was seen as Raleigh's "ugly stepsister", but Durham has had tremendous things going on in this Century downtown and has Duke University, plus one of the busiest and best Broadway touring theaters in the US as well as a minor league baseball team. Wake county (Raleigh's county) is said to have better schools, which is why a lot of people with kids want to be there, but it also means higher cost of living to pay for those "better schools" which just happens to be one of the ~15 largest school systems in the US with more kids added every year and horrible overcrowding issues, perpetually.
I would suggest reading up on both cities, via Wikipedia or right here through City-Data's own "cities" page with a link to every city. TONS of info in those pages, which people rarely seem to be aware of despite the name of this site.
We can't tell you which city you would prefer, or if the cost would turn out to be a major factor in your decision. Your job and whether you have children, plus your own general leisure preferences, will be the main factors. Or live partway in between and be closer to both.
What is your lifestyle? Do you have children and care about schools? Where will you be working? What activities do you want to be near?
I would say it all just depends on a multitude of factors but overall raleigh is “better” because of schools but Durham is fun especially for young professionals. If you give us more info we can provide a better recommendation.
I admittedly am pretty uneducated regarding Durham. I'm curious though, I always see people recommending Durham to young professionals. Is there much to do outside the small gentrified downtown area? If you live around the downtown area, where do you go for groceries and other shopping? Is it at all convenient?
I really do NOT want to start flamewar with The Locals, but even after four years here we have to look at our Garmin to figure out which of the towns we are in half the time. Yes, indeed, the downtowns and Official Points of Interest are distinctive but... one highway, mall or strip center looks pretty much like another around here.
We live on the R/D borderland near the major intercity road. Everything seems a bit overpriced, but it gets a bit more reasonable towards the rapidly expanding edges.
Personally, almost all of it is delightful, and the rest tolerable.
I admittedly am pretty uneducated regarding Durham. I'm curious though, I always see people recommending Durham to young professionals. Is there much to do outside the small gentrified downtown area? If you live around the downtown area, where do you go for groceries and other shopping? Is it at all convenient?
Harris Teeter, Whole Foods, Food Lion, the Durham Coop, and Bulldega are all w/in 2 miles of downtown Durham.
As, Francois alluded to DPAC is regarded as one of the best venues of its size in the country. The Carolina Theater is another excellent venue for both music and a variety of films that you won't see at the local cineplex. The Durham Bulls are an excellent day out. The Nasher art museum and Duke Gardens rival the gardens and the NC Art Museum in Raleigh. I really don't find the need to go to Raleigh much at all unless I'm going to a march. Southpoint tops Crabtree IMO. The NC Museum of Life and Science is better for energetic families than the NC Museum of Natural Sciences with acres of land for kids to run around on and burn off energy. What do you do in Raleigh that you couldn't do in Durham?
Both are good cities on the rise. For the OP, I'd live where the job is.
I admittedly am pretty uneducated regarding Durham. I'm curious though, I always see people recommending Durham to young professionals. Is there much to do outside the small gentrified downtown area? If you live around the downtown area, where do you go for groceries and other shopping? Is it at all convenient?
Live in Cary but in Durham all the time not being a jackass with this comment but honestly why not go down there and check it out, but to answer your question whole foods on broad st, and harris teeter on 9th street are a hop skip and a jump away from DT Durham(basically dukes east campus separates them) and you also have the Durham Co-op(sorta like weaver st market but I like weaver better) right outside of DT(by a delicious place called grub you should check it out). Also honestly I wouldn't call Durham's DT small in comparison to DT Raleigh
been making vids on IG lately and made two durham vids recently
anyways don't know where you are at in the triangle but don't let news stories keep you from going there next time you are free check it out for yourself
Adding to PoppyDog's post - along with all that Durham has the ATT (American Tobacco Trail) and Duke Wall on East campus for walking/running/biking. They also just opened the Ellerbe Creek Trail extension a few days ago. Eno Park has tons of hiking & guided walks. We are lucky to have easy access to so much nature right in town.
Central Park has not only the farmers' market, but food truck rodeos, outdoor movies & concerts year around. Smaller venues & fun things like the Durham History Museum, Clay Makers and a bunch of galleries - check out Third Friday some time, you'll be amazed.
We've done movies under the stars at Duke Garden, free lawn concerts at the American Tobacco Campus, and run .262 miles (yes really point 262) to Fullsteam & watched amazing feats of strength all while drinking great craft beer & raising money for Habitat for Humanity.
If you pay attention there is actually more going on in Durham than there are hours in a week. Hardest part is deciding what to do & what to say No to.
And I didn't even mention the bigger events like Moogfest or Art of Cool that Durham hosts every year....
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