8 reasons we love Durham, NC

The Research Triangle in North Carolina is an exciting place to work and live. Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill make up the three points of the Triangle, three cities that are definitely on the move! Baker Residential builds communities of new construction homes throughout this region. We’d like to share 8 reasons we love Durham, NC.

Reason #1: It’s the best among the best.

Durham was ranked #2 on U.S. News & World Report’s current list of “Best Places to Live in the U.S.” and #1 on “Best Places to Live in North Carolina”. Bankrate’s list featured Durham in the #2 spot in North Carolina (just behind neighboring Raleigh), and Ramsey Solutions ranked it as #5 in the state.

 The city also earned a spot on Country Home’s list of “Best Green Cities” (#16). Durham scored an “A” with Niche.com, with particularly high marks for Diversity and Nightlife.

Livability included Durham in the top 25 of the site’s “Top 100 Places to LIve in America”. The review summed up the advantages of living in Durham:

“Durham, NC, manages to strike the perfect balance between preserving its  history and charging forward into the future. With an entrepreneurial and business-friendly economy, a thriving food and beverage scene, and a rich arts and culture community, Durham’s 280,000 residents never run out of things to do in this great place to live. And with world-class research and care underway every day at Duke University and Duke University Health System, Durham residents are always innovating and working to make the world a better place.”

Reason #2: Durham is perched as the perfect point in the Triangle.

From Durham, you can get to the other two points on the Research Triangle—Raleigh and Durham—in just 20 minutes. It’s an easy drive, whether you’re commuting or just heading to the other cities for a different urban activity than the many in Durham And two of the region’s most sought-after suburbs, Cary and Apex, are equally close when you live in Durham.

Reason #3: You’ll quickly feel right at home.

There’s a friendly atmosphere in Durham. The city may be large in population, but the number is made up of people who take pride in living in Durham. They welcome newcomers of all ages. Whether you’re here for college, working, living, or retiring, you’ll become part of a community filled with character.

Reason #4: The Durham nightlife is stellar.

When the sun goes down, Durham continues to shine. The city’s nightlife is eclectic, with a long list of places to go. The Research Triangle region is known for its lively music scene, and Durham certainly contributes. Every genre is represented among a growing variety of clubs, concerts, festivals, and street performers. Rhythms Live and Motorco Music Hall feature a steady calendar of live concerts on their stages. A local favorite, The Blue Note Grill blends an impressive menu of live music with great food. If you enjoy indie music,  The Pinhook could become your new favorite place.

The Durham Performing Arts Center brings Broadway to the Research Triangle. The local treasure also hosts concerts, stand-up comedy, children’s theater, and has even offered up its stage to “The Price is Right”.

Art lovers love Durham’s cultural experiences. Think about embarking on a gallery tour, but leave plenty of time because there are many stops along the way. Be sure to include the 21c Museum Hotel in Downtown Durham. This unique hotel houses a museum with more than 10,500 square feet of art exhibits. Mark your calendar for the third Friday of every month for an art walk and gallery crawl, appropriately named Third Friday. Local artists display their work in venues around the city, so you can follow the path of your choice, a different one each month.

Another interesting art find in Durham is the Nasher Art Museum at Duke University. The contemporary art in this museum represents an inspiring collection that represents African art, European medieval art, classical antiquities, and ancient American art. The museum has made it a mission to include artists who have been underrepresented in mainstream art institutions.

Reason #5: Durham serves up a feast for foodies.

Dining is essential to living a quality lifestyle, and it’s a major part of the reasons we love Durham. Southern Living once dubbed Durham “The South’s Tastiest Town” and the reputation continues.  Whatever you’re craving, from casual to epicurean elegance, your appetite will be appeased among Durham’s diverse restaurant options. Breweries and brewpubs are equally plentiful and worthy of a pub crawl! 

Mills, warehouses, and factories have experienced a renaissance. The makeovers make way for intriguing venues for Durham’s dining establishments. You can enjoy a meal with a side of history and architecture.

Reason #6: It’s big on sports and recreation.

Another attraction that makes living in Durham a great choice is the outdoor recreation. The 22-mile American Tobacco Trail crosses Durham and keeps going. You can hike, bike, or even ride horseback on these trails located along an abandoned railroad corridor. Wildlife is at home here in the wetlands and woods, so you might see beavers, owls, and deer on your journey.

The City of Durham maintains a network of 68 parks throughout the city. You can find a place to sit and reflect or jump into your favorite outdoor activity at Durham parks, including the Rolling View Falls State Park, Durham Central Park, Historic Durham Athletic Park, Durham Parks Recreation Center, a community pool, and much more.

Urban Axes lets you take a whack at an uncommon sport: indoor axe throwing. Work with an experienced instructor, an “Axepert”,  to learn how to hurl an axe at a wooden target wall. What a great stress reliever, and perfect for a solo outing, date night, groups, and families.

We can’t talk about sports in Durham without mentioning our famous Durham Bulls. The Triple-A affiliate of the MLB’s Tampa Bay Rays is a beloved home team. Hall of Famers Joe Morgan and Chipper Jones got their start with our Bulls, who were immortalized in the 1988 movie, Bull Durham.

Duke University’s athletic teams also bring pride to the region. Located in Durham, Duke and its Blue Devils give the locals something to cheer about from one season to the next—baseball, softball, basketball, football, and every other collegiate sport.

Reason #7: Low unemployment is a big draw.

The Research Triangle keeps expanding every year. Major corporations—Apple, Amazon, Google, IBM, Cisco, Biogen, to name just a few—join growing businesses, with an emphasis on technology, life sciences, and finance. With so many employers, Durham’s unemployment rate of 2.9% is lower than the national rate (3.6%). In addition to Research Triangle Park, which accounts for 50,000 jobs, Duke University employs more than 8,000 workers, making it the area’s top employer.

The entrepreneurial spirit also thrives in Durham, as you can see in the small to medium-sized businesses that start and grow here, bringing more jobs across more levels and industries.

Forbes.com looked at the career side of the Durham lifestyle. The site included it as #17 among “Best Places for Business and Careers”. WalletHub ranked Durham #7 on its list of Best Run Cities. Start or grow your career in this outstanding city!

Reason #8: The schools earn top grades.

Considered one of the “Most Educated Cities in America”, Durham is known for academic excellence, and it’s not just because Duke University and top research centers are located here. Durham Public Schools are acclaimed for delivering quality education, including the prestigious Durham School of the Arts and J.D. Clement Early College High School.

Are you ready to move to Durham?

Do you agree that Durham sounds like a great place to live? What makes it even better is when you can find the right home. Baker Residential is a local homebuilder. We bring a style and quality of townhomes and single-family homes that give our homebuyers the best of the benefits of living in Durham—great location, friendly neighborhoods, contemporary designs, and quality construction. Im Durham, we’re currently building Starling Woods, and welcome you to come see what’s coming. Contact Baker Residential or join our VIP List to stay updated on new homes in Durham, Raleigh, Apex, Wake Forest, and other popular Research Triangle suburbs.