Durham County

Situated along the Eno River is Durham, about 10 miles northeast of Chapel Hill and 25 miles northwest of Raleigh. The three cities form the Research Triangle, the regional metropolitan area that embraces cultural, scientific, and educational activities. Durham is also the original home of the American Tobacco Company, which produced Bull Durham Tobacco, spawning the city’s nickname, “Bull City.” Durham was incorporated in 1869. It now covers 116.2 square miles, and has a median age of 34.1 (2022).

The city lies on flat terrain with some rolling hills, and its neighborhoods feature Craftsman, Colonial, Traditional, Contemporary and Modern Farmhouse-style homes. The typical home value is $413,054, up 20.3% over the past year (Zillow, 2022). A variety of annual events include the Bull City Food & Beer Experience, the Full Frame Documentary Film Festival, the American Dance Festival, and Bull City Rumble, a vintage motorcycle and scooter rally.

I-40, I-85, and I-885 all serve Durham. The Duke Park neighborhood, which is adjacent to I-85, offers a variety of housing, from older homes and apartment complexes, to new builds and townhomes. The adjacent Northgate Park features bungalows, cottages, and family homes in a peaceful area, while further south, Forest Hills suits buyers looking for a quiet residential neighborhood.

The advantages of living in Durham are plentiful: a low cost of living, beautiful public gardens, terrific schools (including Duke University), and a strong sense of community.