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I'm a twentysomething year old woman whose moving to the Triangle area later this Summer for a job in Durham. I'm super excited. Though I grew up in New York, I've lived in several different states (including Roanoke, VA) and I like taking a place for what it is.
I need some advice as where I should start looking for housing. I don't want to my commute to be more than 20-30 minutes. I'm into the arts (especially literature,) and I would love an apartment with character (not too much, I want appliances to work and I don't want to deal with pests or anything).
Basically, I need to be near work, have a life outside of work, be safe, and have a lovely living space. My budget is between $600-800/per month. Any suggestions?
lielle123, where in Durham will you be working? That may partly dictate what your best options are. Durham (or the Triangle as a whole, for that matter) isn't a huge city, and traffic isn't generally an overwhelming consideration the way it is in bigger cities. But it still may be good to be in the same general part of town where you'll be working, since this area unfortunately doesn't have great public transportation at this point, and you might as well minimize the hassle of your commute as much as you reasonably can, especially if you want to limit it to 20 or 30 minutes.
First of all, welcome to Durham and congratulations on your job. Durham Academy is an excellent school. It's located just off of the 15-501 corridor that runs from Durham to Chapel Hill. There are two campuses about two miles apart: Upper and Lower School north of 15-501 on Ridge Rd., Middle School just south of 15-501 on Academy Rd.
You might find the sort of rentals you're describing in downtown Durham near the ballpark and also near Duke's East Campus, in neighborhoods like Trinity Park, Old North Durham, Ninth Street, and Watts Hospital. There are some wonderful old factories that have been turned into apartment buildings. However, I don't have a good sense of what kind of rents they charge.
Like MsT89 said, downtown Durham is nice and there are appartments, like West Village that are converted tobacco warehouses & older buildings. That might give you the character you are looking for. I don't know how prices run. You would be close to everything (restaurants, bars, bus line, salons, the ball park/Performing Arts Center, etc) except a grocery store.
Nineth street may also have something for you. That is also a lot of restaurants, shops, etc. and very close to the Duke campus - which has lots to offer to non-students (concerts, plays, etc).
A lot of people like the area around Southpoint Mall too. I think more standard, recently built appartments, but lots in the area besides just the mall. If you do check that area just be careful there that you don't end up having to commute on Rt 40. That can be a big mess. In fact in general, I would say avoid having to commute on Rt 40 or 85 if possible. Seems like there is always heavy traffic & at least once a week I hear about some big accident backing everything up on one or both of these highways.
As for a life outside work - try Meetup.com. There are so many groups there, I'm sure you could find an arts group or reading club easily.
There is an Explore Durham meetup group that is pretty diverse & the events are pretty varied. Might be a good way to get to learn about your new home town.
I would recommend looking for efficiency apartments in the Ninth Street area. They're often very reasonably priced and you get more for your money than at complexes in the area. If you don't mind living above someone's garage they're worth checking out!
Yes, Old West Durham includes the Ninth Street area that some PPs have mentioned. It's a neat area - good walking, lots of restaurants and shops. It's about 10 minutes from DA's campus.
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