About Durham
Learn about the city that Duke calls home and things to do whether you are living here or just visiting.
"Life in Durham" live chats
The Graduate School holds periodic live chats where current students answer questions from admitted students about living in Durham. Watch the recordings of the chats for advice and insights on everything from housing options to kid-friendly restaurants.
What People are Saying about Durham
- Decidedly Durham (video)
- Downtown Durham: Find Your Cool (video)
Foodie Heaven
Durham has become an exciting culinary hub in recent years and has been voted the Tastiest Town in the South by Southern Living. The city has fabulous restaurants that cater to every taste and budget.
Housing
Incoming graduate students will find many apartments and homes located near Duke’s campus. See our housing resources page for more information.
Public Transportation
The Durham Area Transit Authority bus system services the entire city of Durham. Triangle Transit buses pick up passengers along a number of Durham routes and provide connections to Raleigh, Cary, Chapel Hill, and RDU Airport. Duke students are eligible for free passes.
Great Entertainment
An eclectic music scene, internationally known artists, top-notch performance venues, a strong literary culture, cutting-edge dance ensembles—you name it, Durham’s got it. The city’s arts scene has been thriving for decades and just keeps getting better. | Find things to do
Robust Economy
Durham is consistently ranked as one of the best places in the country to do business. The city is part of the Research Triangle Park, a high-tech science and research park with more than 170 global companies. Durham is also home to the Duke University Health System and numerous startups.
Rich History
Durham’s fascinating history is captured in a multitude of neighborhoods and sites, including Old West Durham, downtown’s Parrish Street, Duke Homestead, and the Hayti Heritage Center.