Working at Duke, Where to live? (Durham, Trinity: apartment, renting, house) - The Triangle Area - City-Data Forum

funkdocta · 04-27-2009, 06:14 PM

hello hello.

i am going to start working at Duke University Medical Center.

i am trying to decide where to live. here are some things that i value.
- a decent scene (independent coffee shop, mom&pop restaurants, young people, etc.)
- nature (proximity to parks, trails, etc.)
- proximity to duke university medical center
- good work-out facilities
- avoiding strip malls and big chain businesses (this is not TOO important, but would be a plus).

any ideas? thank you so much for your time....

caesarsgirl79 · 04-27-2009, 06:54 PM

I guess it depends on close you want to live to Duke. I live across town on the Southpoint side and love it. I don't go near D.M. much, but it doesn't take more than 15-20 minutes to get there. This area has all of what you are looking for. Durham has a huge trail that goes all the way across town. The trail that starts at the end of my street will take me to Duke.

Are you looking for a house or apartment?

funkdocta · 04-27-2009, 08:08 PM

thanks for the response!

i am planning on renting and i've been looking at craigslist. just trying to get a better sense of the geography of the area. and find that gem of an area where i would feel comfortable living. i like places that are a little funky, energetic, youthful, close to nature, mom & pop-py. but i have only been to north carolina once.. for the interview for the job i just got. so i feel rather clueless....

thanks again for your help...

DanielleNC · 04-27-2009, 08:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by caesarsgirl79

I guess it depends on close you want to live to Duke. I live across town on the Southpoint side and love it. I don't go near D.M. much, but it doesn't take more than 15-20 minutes to get there. This area has all of what you are looking for. Durham has a huge trail that goes all the way across town. The trail that starts at the end of my street will take me to Duke.

Are you looking for a house or apartment?

I find the Southpoint area to be the opposite of what the OP is looking for. (lots of chains/suburbia)

Funkdocta,

I don't know your price range, but I would check out Watts-Hillandale, Trinity Park, Duke Park and surrounding areas. These are great older neighborhoods close to Duke and downtown. A great local scene I think you would really like.

Esperanza27713 · 04-27-2009, 08:20 PM

There's also north Durham, near the Eno. I don't know of specific funk areas, but you can live close to nature up there for less money and not be too far from DUMC.

ljd1010 · 04-28-2009, 05:00 AM

I work at Duke and several of the residents I work live close by because of being on call etc. I agree with Trinity Park or Watts-Hillandale areas.

Hilville · 04-28-2009, 06:28 AM

Welcome to the area! I also work at DUMC and I live in northern Durham. Watts-Hillandale and Trinity sound like they are right up your alley - and a good distance for a morning bike ride to work each day. Also, I'm thinking Northgate. I think these are in the 27701 and 27705 zip codes. Eno River trails and parks are easily accessible from these neighborhoods. Sounds like you might want to check out 9th St. and Brightleaf during your free-time for independent shops and restaurants. As for workout facilites, Duke Benefits offers reduced fees to several places, including the ones on campus - unfortunately, there aren't that many to choose from right around Duke - you'll have to drive a bit. But, with all the trails and parks, you may decide not to enroll.

CHTransplant · 04-28-2009, 07:11 AM

Check out the area bounded by US15-501 on the East, NC86 on the West, I-85 on the North, and I-40 on the South.

DanielleNC · 04-28-2009, 07:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CHTransplant

Check out the area bounded by US15-501 on the East, NC86 on the West, I-85 on the North, and I-40 on the South.

Another great area for what you're looking for. Very close with lots of trees and Duke Forest which has great trails.

All of these locations are near the Eno to enjoy. The Eno is scattered throughout northern Durham and Hillsborough.

mdp_az · 04-28-2009, 07:36 AM

Rose of Sharon Rd. & Cole Mill Rd areas have many neighborhoods with great proximity to Eno River State Park. I can walk out my back door straight into Eno parkland! That said, you will find a few more strip malls in northern Durham than in central Durham, but there still aren't a ton of chains in the area and it's only about a 10 minute drive to all the cool, funky spots in central Durham, and even less to DUMC. We have a lot of folks living around us who work at Duke.