Getting Around: A Few Minutes From Everything
Going from A to B in Durham is an absolute breeze! In fact, the average commute time in Durham is under 10 minutes!
Durham is well connected for car travel. Major traffic arteries include NC147, US 15-501, and I-40, which form a loop around the city. Other highways in Durham include I-85, HWY 70, and HWY 98.
Like most of the Triangle, Durham is considered “car-dependent,” but public transport is available and plenty of people walk and bike.
If you love to walk, the most walkable neighborhoods are Old West Durham, Duke University - East Campus, and Walltown. The most bikeable neighborhood is Old West Durham.
GoDurham offers public transportation services for Durham. This convenient service even offers a free app, the Transloc Rider, to locate the closest bus stop and routes, and see buses in real-time.
Working In Durham
People from across the Triangle area work in Durham. The largest employers are Duke University and the Duke University Health System, followed by IBM.
Many small businesses call Durham home as well, and there is a vibrant entrepreneurial spirit here.
In fact, Forbes’ has ranked Durham as one of the top 10 Best Places for Business and Careers.
Durham Parks & Rec
Residents of Durham love the many parks, trails, and green spaces found throughout the city. Durham Parks & Recreation manages 68 parks, which includes 3 dog parks and numerous trails and lakes. Plus, they offer facilities and programs for aquatics, fitness, active adults, child-care, and more.
People also enjoy the Eno River State Park in Durham, which offers fishing, hiking, camping, boating, swimming, rock climbing, and lots more.
The American Tobacco Trail (ATT) also crosses through Durham. The ATT is a 22+ mile rails-to-trails project. The Durham section is called the American Tobacco Greenway and is 11 miles.
Don’t Miss These Durham Attractions
Sarah P. Duke Gardens
Located in the heart of Duke University, The Sarah P. Duke Gardens offers 55 acres of specialized gardens visited by more than 300,000 people from around the world each year. Best of all, this award-winning attraction is FREE. 420 Anderson St. Durham NC 27708 Visit Website
DPAC - Durham Performing Arts Center
Ranked as the #4 theater in the U.S., DPAC is the place to go in NC for live entertainment. From Broadway shows to concerts to comedy, there’s always something to see at DPAC. 123 Vivian St. American Tobacco District, Durham NC 27701 Visit Website
Museum of Life + Science
Not your average museum, the Museum of Life and Science is an amazing 84-acre interactive science park which includes a large science center, a beautiful butterfly conservatory, and over 60 species of live animals. 433 W. Murray Ave. Durham NC 27704 Visit Website
Durham’s Best Restaurants
In Durham, you’ll find plenty of options for food. No matter what your taste buds are craving, there’s a highly rated restaurant or a delicious food truck ready to serve it up. Out of Durham’s many, many great restaurants here’s 3 of the best:
Nana’s
You’ll likely find Nana’s on every “Best Restaurants in Durham” list...for good reason. Patrons rave about the delicious menu items, award winning wine list, and the attentive service. 2514 University Dr. Ste 104 Durham NC 27707 Visit Website
Elmo’s Diner
Recently recognized as one of the nation’s top diners by Tasting Table, this is the go-to spot for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Service is fast and friendly, and they serve breakfast all day. Whatever you choose on the menu, you won’t be disappointed. Plus, it’s located on popular Ninth St., which is also home to shops and other great restaurants. 776 Ninth St. Durham NC 27705 Visit Website
Backyard BBQ Pit
Delicious BBQ is a must on any best places list in the Triangle. Backyard BBQ Pit in Durham is consistently ranked as one of the best places for BBQ. Once you go, you’ll find yourself craving it later...it’s soooo good! 5122 NC Hwy 55 Durham NC Visit Website
Durham: Then & Now
Durham has a rich history dating back to before the Revolutionary War. It remained small though until the late 1860’s. Durham's growth took off after the Civil War with a thriving tobacco industry. You can see this today in the historic buildings and smokestacks of the American Tobacco Campus. Historically, Durham industry was built on tobacco, textiles, and agriculture.
Durham’s Renaissance
Durham is in the midst of a revitalization. Old tobacco buildings are now swanky loft style apartments, and trendy spots such as farm-to-table restaurants and microbreweries have popped up around the city. Old buildings are being renewed, new high-rises are in the works, and Durham has remade itself into a tech and research hub.
Durham NC Stats:
- 4th largest city in NC
- 2nd fastest growing city in NC
- Population: 251,893 (as of 2014)
- Median Age: 32.1 Years
- Median Family Income: $60,157
- Average Commute Time: 8.38 Minutes
A Few Of Durham’s Many Accolades
We’ve already established that Durham, NC is a great place to live, work, and play. As such, Durham and its businesses have racked up an impressive list of accolades. These are only a sample of the most recent:
- May 2017: Durham recognized as having the #1 healthiest real estate market in NC by SmartAsset
- April 2017: Recognized as one of the top 5 mid-sized south Atlantic cities to visit in 2017 by RewardExpert
- March 2017: Named #3 Best City For College Basketball Fans by WalletHub
- Feb 2017: Named #7 Best Place To Live in the U.S. by U.S. News & World Report
- Jan 2017: Named #6 Best City for Rent & Tech jobs by ABODO
- Dec 2016: Named #18 most caring city in the nation by WalletHub
- Nov 2016: One of top ten best cities for growing food by CITI.IO
- Nov 2016: Named #8 best city in the U.S. for working moms by Realtor.com
- Nov 2016: One of 2016’s best places for veterans to live by WalletHub
- Oct 2016: Top N.C. city in the WalletHub 2016 Best & Worst Foodie Cities
- Oct 2016: Named most educated city in North Carolina
- Sept 2016: One of top ten Best Places For Women Entrepreneurs by Good Call
- Sept 2016: Named #2 best city to be a nurse by Smart Asset
- Sept 2016: Durham County recognized with a 2016 PTI Savvy Award
- Sept 2016: Named a “Destination On The Rise” by Departures
- Sept 2016: One of the 55 most breathtaking destinations in the world by Expedia
- Sept 2016: Duke University named #8 top college in the U.S.
- Aug 2016: Named one of top 5 cities for artists to live in by Money Under 30
- Aug 2016: Named in top 10 cities with the most access to quality healthcare by Becker’s Hospital Review
- July 2016: Named a top 10 city for return on salary by Careercast
- July 2016: Named #1 city for lowest parking rates & #20 Best Overall City To Drive In by WalletHub
- June 2016: Named #6 Best Metro Area In The Nation where your paycheck goes the furthest by Vox Technology
- May 2016: Named #5 Best Place for STEM graduates by NerdWallet
- April 2016: Named #10 top city for beer lovers by Find The Home
- April 2016: Named #6 Best City for women in the workforce by Nerd Wallet
- March 2016: Named #5 Most Friendly City For Small Business Taxes by Thumbtack
MLS #: 2513380
Information not guaranteed. Listings marked with an icon are provided courtesy of the Triangle MLS, Inc. of North Carolina, Internet Data Exchange Database. © 2023 Triangle MLS, Inc. of North Carolina. All rights reserved.
