Wendell Falls
Raleigh, North Carolina
Durham, North Carolina
What It Is Like to Retire in Durham
Durham is one of the key cities in the Research Triangle section of North Carolina. This vital town of over 225,000 (and growing fast) is home to Duke University. As a college town there is always something happening in Durham. The cultural scene is very strong in Durham thanks to Duke University and local cultural institutions. Durham is close to Raleigh and Chapel Hill where additional opportunities for living and recreation are present. Thanks to tobacco, the city's institutions are very well endowed. The American Tobacco Company is still headquartered here.
Watch this short Youtube video prepared by Discover Durham:
Where to Retire in Durham and Home Prices
The median home value in Durham was $385,348 in mid-2023, according to Zillow.
What Is Special about Durham
Duke University and its 13,000 students make Durham a special place. So does its location in the dynamic and fast growing Research Triangle. The American Tobacco Trail, the American Tobacco district, and other philanthropy from the tobacco giant have created many beneficial institutions and projects. The Falls Lake Recreation Area is nearby.
What Is Not Special about Durham
Rapid growth has led to congestion. Living in a community whose wealth was created by tobacco might take some adjustment to.
Who Will Like Retirement in Durham
People who want to live in a moderate climate in a dynamic region will like Durham.
Local Economy Is Driven by
Education, health care, high-tech, and tobacco provide a diversified economy for the Durham area. The entire Research Triangle Park supports high employment and a strong business environment.
Climate and Physical Environment
Durham is just a few miles from Chapel Hill and near Raleigh in the north central area of North Carolina. The average July high temperature is 89 and the average January high is 49 (the average low is 28). The wettest month is March (5").
Restaurants & Cultural Scene
Popular cultural events in Durham include jazz festivals, blues festivals, symphony concerts, art exhibitions, and other cultural expositions, including the American Dance Festival and the Full Frame Documentary Film Festival; The Carolina Theater shows both live performances and films; The Nasher Museum of Art; The Durham Association for Downtown Arts (DADA) is a non-profit arts organization dedicated to supporting local artists. The downtown restaurant scene is reputed to be strong. The Bullpen, Durham’s first social district, allows people to responsibly drink beer, wine or cocktails purchased from participating businesses as they walk through a defined area of downtown. The district was created in October 2022 as another way to spark positive economic impacts for downtown businesses.
Crime
The crime rate is above the U.S. average.
Medical facilities
Duke University Hospital and Durham Regional Hospital serve the town.
Transportation
The Durham Area Transit Authority (DATA) bus system offers public transit, buses have bike racks. The American Tobacco Trail has its northern terminus in downtown Durham. The Raleigh-Durham Airport offers convenient service. Duke University operates its own 30 bus transit system.
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