Clairmont at Hillandale is the place for you if living below your means is typical + you have a car. You are right next to 147/I-85, placing you close to downtown time-wise. Distance-wise you are close to Duke University while also being close enough to Duke regional hospital. For me this was perfect because of medical school.

My major complaints are typical for these apartments. Trash is frequently overflowing at the one dumpster for our side of things, the gate system failed to contain our names for forever, and there are no weekend hours. Management helps but only within reason, don't ask them for too much and nagging is sometimes needed. That being said they are nice, and maintenance has been very responsive.

I am currently living in a 2 BR/2 Bath apartment with another MS1 student, and am very satisfied so far. The rent is quite cheap for the space, as I am paying about $830 for the master bedroom and walk in closet and bathroom. Our apartment is very spacious with a sizable living room and balcony with a great view of the pool and sunsets in the afternoon. It is also a convenient drive - about 5-8 min depending on traffic - to PG3 parking garage. The management has been prompt and responsive so far, though one complaint I have is that there have been roaches inside during the warmer months, and management has been good about sending pest control to spray areas of our apartment. The neighborhood immediately surround us is friendly and safe from my experience, though there was a car shooting at a highway ramp very close to us just this past weekend which has not happened before. It is close to Costco/Harris teeter and a dim sum restaurant, though one will definitely need a car to get anywhere. There are other Duke health students living nearby which is nice, and overall I would recommend this as an affordable option to live!

I have had a great experience at Clairmont at Hillandale. I am not sure if my rent price will skyrocket when I renew my lease because I got it with a special, but I have enjoyed my time so far and feel like the value of my apt for the amount of space I got, proximity to school, and price I paid was better than other apartments I looked at.
Pros: free parking for you and guests, complex is gated at night, spacious floorplan with large windows, large balcony and closets depending on your floorplan. Outdoor pool is pretty nice. Location is nice because it is about 5-7 minutes from the hospital but far away enough to not feel like you're on campus. Amazon Lockers so your packages are secure while you are away. Wide variety of tenants (families, students, physicians, other older professionals) so it's pretty quiet and I've never had a noise issue.
Cons: The gym is not great though, and is small with very few machines, so keep that in mind. (Very close to Planet Fitness). Not a whole lot to do within walking distance, but very drivable to things a short distance away. Also, very standard appliances/ not as roomy of a kitchen, but "Clairmont at Hillandale North" has a bit more of an updated setup. (Be sure to ask where the garbage disposal is relative to your apartment building).

I feel like Clairmont is the perfect distance away from campus, while still being a great home base to get to other parts of Durham. I'm working at DRH right now and rather than it being this huge trek every morning, it's actually not that far at all! I also love how spacious the apartment itself as well as the surrounding walking areas are. COVID has made the pool situation a little difficult, but at it's peak in the summer the pool was a great place to hang out!

It is very affordable, good location, very very spacious, more families live here so not very loud. Amenities are very good, but I dont use them a lot. The management is good.

This apartment building has a lot of space for a reasonable rent, is close to 85 and 15501, and does not have a lot of rowdy undergrads.

Wanted to live alone in an affordable apartment that was also relatively safe. Even though the price is a little high it is worth it. It is really clean.

This apartment has been a great find for me and my 3 graduate student roomates. It's very close to work and a great price for the amenities included. Sometimes students living next door can be loud, but in general the neighborhood is nice, quiet, and safe. I love living here.