Downtown Durham

Proudly Part of the "New South"
Before the 1990's, not much took happened in Downtown Durham. Since then, the area underwent a period of revitalization and has reaped the benefits as it's more populated with businesses, restaurants, and people. Popular spots here include Taste Carolina, Fullsteam Brewery, and Doyle's Vineyard.

Downtown Durham is easily one of the cleanest and safest cities in the country with the main area being The Historic Parish Street. It dubs itself as part of the "New South", which refers to a call for modernization of society and attitudes for cities in the south. Come join the movement.
What Downtown Durham Residents
Think About Their Apartments
overall
8.5
value
8.0
amenities
8.0
social
8.0
management
8.3
Median rents in Downtown Durham
Studio
$
1,150
1 Bedroom
$
1,600
2 Bedroom
$
2,200

Living in
Downtown Durham

Modernization
Durham Central Park
Restaurants
Noise
Clean
Local Businesses
Relatively Safe
Bars
Downtown Durham — 8.6/10 Rating (based on 48 neighborhood reviews)
Downtown Durham is the best place to live during research/third year when you don't have to be on campus/in the hospital. So fun living by all the bakeries/cafes/bars/restaurants downtown, walking to the farmer's market every Saturday, etc. Commute to the hospital is about 20 minutes door to door, so it may not be ideal during clinically heavy years when you have to go to the hospital every day.
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Reviewed by
10
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Addison Building
Fun neighborhood for bars and restaurants. Very easy to park (free at the public garage on weekends). Close to the spots I visit often- 9th street and Duke's West campus. I personally much prefer the vibe downtown to 9th street- and I love the proximity to the farmer's market!
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Reviewed by
9
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Cortland Bull City
It's a quick drive to campus which is awesome. It is a prime location however, there are a lot of people loitering in the area and I prefer to drive to go on daily walks elsewhere. Despite it being in a prime location, it can feel very quite at times too.
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8
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Liberty Warehouse
Great experience. Some of the best bars ans restaurants are in Downtown, as well as the DPAC, Bulls stadium and other things to do. It's close to the American Tobacco Campus and Trail. One of the "busiest" places in Durham.
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9
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Van Alen Apartments
I have always felt safe in the area and love that so many restaurants are walkable. Prior to COVID-19, it was also a huge benefit to walk to DPAC for off-broadway shows or to the Durham Bulls stadium for a game.
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Reviewed by
10
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Whetstone
It's been cool but not too much to do because of covid. Weekends can get loud outside because of the close proximity to bars and restaurants. If everything was open it would be sweet.
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Reviewed by
9
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Liberty Warehouse
Downtown is the best place to live in Durham! I love walking to bars, restaurants, shops, and the Farmer's Market. It is super easy to drive to campus as well.
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Reviewed by
10
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Foster on the Park
Haven't had any issues in my neighborhood. There's a lot to do around my apartment, i.e. farmer's market, bars, great food, baseball, DPAC, etc.
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8
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Whetstone
We have enjoyed living downtown well enough, but we have not been able to take advantage of much of it due to COVID.
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8
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Van Alen Apartments
Very fun area, nice to have a lot of bars/restaurants in walking distance. Drive to school is quick and easy.
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Reviewed by
9
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Whetstone
The neighborhood is close to all restaurants and bars, but at the same time is far enough to avoid any noise issues. The bus station is across the street, so is easy to move around if you don't have a car.

The main problem has been the constant repairs and construction around the building during the whole time that I have lived there.
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Reviewed by
7
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Whetstone
Van Alen is located directly next to the Durham Bulls stadium and walking distance from downtown.
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Reviewed by
9
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Van Alen Apartments
Diverse and friendly so far. As "urban" as you'll get in close proximity to Fuqua
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Reviewed by
10
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Van Alen Apartments
Up and coming but a good choice of restaurants about about 0.5miles away
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Reviewed by
8
/10
Neighborhood Rating
BullHouse Apartments
Great bars and restaurants. Very walkable. Feels safe
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Reviewed by
10
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Van Alen Apartments
Love being able to walk to the downtown bars/restaurants. Wish there was more green space right at the apartment building though.
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Reviewed by
7
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Van Alen Apartments
Sometimes we wish we were closer to others but we're just a short drive away
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Reviewed by
8
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Van Alen
Great place to live! So much around that is within walking distance. Only downside, is it gets considerably more expensive.
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Reviewed by
8
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Whetstone Apartments
It's a 10-15 minute walk to a lot of bars/restaurants and in that sense very convenient for going out. The building itself is a little off the beaten path and although there are a lot of street lamps I don't love walking home alone late at night. And while 10-15 minutes is not that long of a walk, it's not like you can step outside and be at a coffee shop.
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Reviewed by
8
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Van Alen Apartments
Close to downtown and the stadium, area has a lot of new stuff being built
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Reviewed by
8
/10
Neighborhood Rating
BullHouse Apartments
A hard cider bar and wine bar are just across the street, and the Durham Bulls baseball stadium is walkable in 10 minutes. Otherwise, the active construction sites dominate the surrounding blocks.
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Reviewed by
6
/10
Neighborhood Rating
BullHouse Apartments
Safe neighborhood, nearby downtown Durham.
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Reviewed by
8
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Van Alen Apartments
Perfect location for food and bars near downtown
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Reviewed by
8
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Liberty Warehouse
So much to do!
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Reviewed by
10
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Whetstone
The best neighborhood in Durham. Excellent food and bars, close to everything, great neighborhood vibes, right on the tobacco trail for good walking/running. Feels very safe and streets are well lit.
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Reviewed by
10
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Liberty Warehouse
Lots to do, fairs on weekends, close to ATC and the Bulls Stadium for games
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Reviewed by
9
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Whetstone
I love living downtown! It's close/walkable to American Tobacco Campus, DPAC, the Bulls stadium, and lots of good bars and restaurants.
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Reviewed by
9
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Whetstone
I love the neighborhood -- it is very walkable with many young professional and students around. It is a little quieter during the week, but that may be due to the pandemic and less people commuting to down town for work.
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Reviewed by
8
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Liberty Warehouse
Love living downtown and don’t understand why more students don’t live here over 9th street. The bars, restaurants, and stores are adorable and the rent prices are much more reasonable.
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Reviewed by
9
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Whetstone
Love being able to walk to restaurants, bars, the Bulls stadium, and trails!
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Reviewed by
8
/10
Neighborhood Rating
The Ramsey
There is so much to do! but there is a LOT of construction
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Reviewed by
7
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Liberty Warehouse
Interesting neighborhood. Not dangerous however there is a lot of noise due to surf club located right across the street.
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Reviewed by
9
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Liberty Warehouse
Great food and restaurants nearby. Walking distance to most things. Feels safe walking around. Lots of people
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Reviewed by
10
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Van Alen Apartments
Van Alen is in a great spot in Durham. Several large new apartment complexes are being built around it. It is also right next to the Durham Courthouse which has a 24/7 police presence and patrol cars are constantly pulling in and out of the courthouse garage at all hours.

With that being said, Van Alen is still in Durham.
It takes on average less than 10 minutes for me to go from Van Alen to the science drive parking garage at Duke.
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Reviewed by
10
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Van Alen Apartments
The neighborhood is good; very centrally located to Downtown Durham and Duke East Campus. The neighborhood is a lot of families, although this apartment's block tends to be younger people. There have been several burglaries in the area in recent months, although I don't feel unsafe walking around at night.
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Reviewed by
7
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Van Alen Apartments
Great experience - tons of nice restaurants downtown and away from the 9th St cluster.
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Reviewed by
10
/10
Neighborhood Rating
506 North Mangum Street
Love the neighborhood. Close to nightlife. Great bar and restaurant scene.
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Reviewed by
8
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Foster on the Park
Safe area with lots of police and access to food options
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Reviewed by
8
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Whetstone
Right next to Durham Central Park. Relatively safe.
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Reviewed by
9
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Liberty Warehouse
Fun to be near the restaurants, but as a 1L can be hard to experience it all. But the area is definitely coming along, lots of fun restaurants and coffee shops in walking distance.
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Reviewed by
8
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Van Alen Apartments
Pros: Walking distance to a bunch of restaurants and bars, nearby to the farmers market, concert venues, etc.

Cons: Typically have to drive to 9th street
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Reviewed by
8
/10
Neighborhood Rating
One City Center
Great restaurants nearby. Great bars/breweries as well. Only downside is a minor issue with homelessness.
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Reviewed by
8
/10
Neighborhood Rating
One City Center
Great place, but you may have constructions around you since the area is booming,
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Reviewed by
10
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Whetstone
Downtown has great access to major sites like the Durham Bulls ballpark and DPAC along with several nice restaurants and bars, but it lacks day-to-day living focused amenities such as full-size grocery and drug store in walking distance.
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Reviewed by
8
/10
Neighborhood Rating
American Tobacco Apartments (Old Bull/Noell)
Near all bars/restaurants
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Reviewed by
10
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Van Alen Apartments
Great
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Reviewed by
8
/10
Neighborhood Rating
200 W. Geer
The area is really nice, however there are no groceries stores nearby
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Reviewed by
9
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Van Alen Apartments
Good
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Reviewed by
8
/10
Neighborhood Rating
A house near downtown


Getting to Know
Downtown Durham

Neighborhood Boundaries
East to West Boundaries: N Alston Ave to Washington St
North to South Boundaries: U.S. Hwy 15/501 to Durham Fwy
dining
China King Chinese Restaurant
Old Havana Sandwich Shop
Pizzeria Toro
Saltbox Seafood Joint
grocery
Thomas & Howards Cash & Carry
fitness
Bikram Yoga Durham
CrossFit Durham
Global Breath Studio
YMCA Wellness Center
parks
Duke Park
Durham Central Park
Durham Parks and Recreation
coffee
Cocoa Cinnamon
Ninth Street Bakery
Sangha Teahouse
bus
4 (bus)
400/405/DRX (bus)
9A/9B (bus)
About your Neighbors
Data from the 2013 American Community Survey
Zip Codes
Downtown Durham includes zip codes 27701 and 27704
Rent vs Own
60
% of Downtown Durham residents are renters
Driving to Work
75
% of Downtown Durham residents drive to work
New Construction
8
% of housing units in Downtown Durham have been built in the last 15 years
Building Types
85
%
<20 units
5
%
20-49 units
10
%
50+ units
Demographics
Children (under 18)
23
%
18 - 34
31
%
35 - 54
29
%
55+
17
%
Unit Mix
5
%
Studio
23
%
1 Bed
36
%
2 Bed
36
%
3+ Bed
Occupation or Education
Working Professional
54
%
Undergrad Student
6
%
Grad Student
6
%
Unemployed
9
%
Retired
23
%

Best Apartments
in Downtown Durham

Van Alen Apartments
Studio $1,565
1 Bed $1,764
2 Beds $2,647

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Beckon
Studio $1,535
1 Bed $1,505
2 Beds $2,478

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Whetstone
Studio $1,134
1 Bed $1,223
2 Beds $1,611

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Cortland Bull City
Studio $1,519
1 Bed $1,636
2 Beds $2,201

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Liberty Warehouse
Studio $1,185
1 Bed $1,290
2 Beds $1,894

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One City Center
1 Bed $2,014
2 Beds $2,724

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Nearby Neighborhoods

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Trinity Park
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Full of Arts, Entertainment, and Nightlife
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Hillandale
Small Town Feel, Near to Duke
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West Raleigh
Lively Entertainment Host of Raleigh, NC
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American Village
Residential Area Close to Duke/Downtown Durham
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Baity Hill
Carolina's Premier Apartment Community for Graduates and Student Families
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Franklin Street
Campus Hub for UNC
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Trinity Heights
Residential and Safe Neighborhood on Duke's East Campus
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Hillsborough
Main Street of Downtown Raleigh and NCSU Campus Life
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Garrett Road
Beautiful Residential Area Between Downtown Durham and Chapel Hill
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Duke Forrest
Serene Community Adjacent to Duke Forest and Duke University
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Old West Durham
Hot Spot for Duke Students
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Southern Village
Blend of Residential, Commercial, and Recreational Spaces
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Northwest Raleigh
Safe Neighborhood, Great for Families and Outdoor Enthusiasts
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Glen Lennox
Quiet Family Friendly Neighborhood
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Duke Homestead
Cozy Living, Convenient for Students
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Ninth Street
Great Nightlife & Popular for Duke Grad Students
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Erwin - LaSalle
Quiet and Convenient for Duke Students
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Meadowmont
Family friendly neighborhood
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Brightleaf
Home to the Brightleaf Square with Tons of Shopping, Restaurant, and Nightlife Options
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Downing Creek
Pet-Friendly Apartment Community with On-Site Pools, Parking, and Gym
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Duke Central Campus
Home to Duke University and Great Housing Options for Students
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Franklin Hills
Beautiful Architecture Affiliated with UNC Chapel Hill's Campus History