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Durham seems like a great cultural fit for us. However - and this may sound petty - the lack of sidewalks is a huge minus for me. I just like walking, and sidewalks make the experience much more pleasurable (not to mention safer). I like seeing neighbors walk by. I like how sidewalks get people out of their cars.
Pity there are so few neighborhoods in Durham with sidewalks!
It's probably out of your price range but neighborhoods around Duke East Campus (Trinity Park, Trinity Heights, Old West Durham) are great for that. I lived in Trinity Park and loved walking around admiring other peoples beautiful gardens. Plus, Halloween is a blast! It'd be great for your little one. When it's time to work with a realtor, include that area in case he/she can find something in your price range.
It's probably out of your price range but neighborhoods around Duke East Campus (Trinity Park, Trinity Heights, Old West Durham) are great for that. I lived in Trinity Park and loved walking around admiring other peoples beautiful gardens. Plus, Halloween is a blast! It'd be great for your little one. When it's time to work with a realtor, include that area in case he/she can find something in your price range.
These are definitely great areas that OP would have everything they've said they are looking for. You can get into Trinity Park for under $400k. It may not be the most updated house and you'll probably be one of 10-15+ offers....but it's not out of the question.
It's probably out of your price range but neighborhoods around Duke East Campus (Trinity Park, Trinity Heights, Old West Durham) are great for that. I lived in Trinity Park and loved walking around admiring other peoples beautiful gardens. Plus, Halloween is a blast! It'd be great for your little one. When it's time to work with a realtor, include that area in case he/she can find something in your price range.
We'll see. My plan was to purchase in cash, but obviously if I change my mind on that the budget increases dramatically.
On a $350,000 house it looks like taxes would be about $1000 lower annually in Durham, $4700 vs $5700. Whether that is a tipping point or not I don't know.
HatchChile add the Durham Farmers Market to your list of places to check out in Durty Durm.
Carrboro Farmers Market is excellent and super popular too and very very long running (50 + years). Everything has to be grown or produced w/in 50 miles too, so no trucked in citrus or anything like that. All fresh all year long.
We did when we visited Durham last October, and were pretty impressed with the selection. Plus it wasn't crowded at all! The location was perfect too. Although I heard that they'll be moving it to the Brightleaf area... not sure if that's true.
Our friends who went to UNC keep telling us to check out Carrboro. They haven't lived or visited the area for a decade and I do not think they believe us when we say "Durham reminds us of Austin 20 years ago"... We could totally see them gasping and going "but... but the gangs."
I live in Walltown, right near the NCSSM, and there are sidewalks on both sides of the street, on my street and all the neighboring streets. Trinity Park, Old West Durham, Watts-Hillandale, all have sidewalks too. I run through those neighborhoods all the time. Been here for about a year and love it.
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We did when we visited Durham last October, and were pretty impressed with the selection. Plus it wasn't crowded at all! The location was perfect too. Although I heard that they'll be moving it to the Brightleaf area... not sure if that's true. 
