DURHAM

Population: 247,000

DURHAM PROFILE

Durham is a small city, but it's a true "city," with all the pluses and minuses you would expect to find in any city. Historically, it has gotten a bum rap in the Triangle, though, to the point that a few years ago a bumper sticker reading “Durham, Love Yourself” was quite popular ... these days the popular bumper sticker reads "Durham ... find your cool."

Yes, there is crime, and the occasional panhandler at a stop light. But there is also a world-class medical community, a world class university (Duke), a great annual documentary film festival (Full Frame), a famed triple-A baseball team (the Durham Bulls) that plays in a terrific, family-friendly stadium, and other astonishingly good amenities, events and restaurants that can’t be found anywhere else in the area.

Downtown Durham has been almost completely revamped.  The biggest renovation project in the state’s history just turned a bunch of old brick tobacco warehouses into gorgeous condos, offices, restaurants, etc., and the herringbone brick walkways are newly laid.  Big and small businesses, galleries, shops and restaurants are moving in and creating a vibrant downtown.

As for housing, Durham has it all – leafy, upscale neighborhoods of big old houses that were built by the tobacco barons in the 20s; historic bungalows and Victorians that surround Duke University; new and “old” country club neighborhoods; and many brand new communities that are now being built to accommodate the influx to the area. The new construction is mostly being done in the vicinity of the two big shopping spots in the area -- Brier Creek (an upscale strip mall on the Raleigh/Durham border) and The Streets at Southpoint (a great indoor/outdoor mall) in Durham.

There is also great culture in this little city -- like Chapel Hill, who benefits from UNC’s presence, the whole Durham community enjoys the Nasher Museum and the Sarah P Duke Gardens on Duke's campus, and the concerts, performances, lectures and book signings that Duke sponsors and/or attracts.  Also, the still-new Durham Performing Arts Center (DPAC) books Broadway shows, comedians, concerts and other entertainment.  It has become one of the best-attended performing arts venues in the whole country in the three short years it has been open.

Pluses:

• Best commute to RTP (that’s Research Triangle Park) of all the cities in the area – you can get from downtown Durham to RTP at 8:45 AM without touching your brakes. A “bad commute” is when the guy in the left lane is doing 70 instead of 75 (or 80) …

• A world class medical community -- there are more than 300 medical and health related companies and practices in Durham, anchored by the mighty Duke Healthcare organization.

• Rue Cler, Piedmont, Tyler’s Tap Room, Guglhopf, Foster’s Market, Pop’s, Alivia’s, Magnolia Grill, Nana’s, Parazade, Toast, George’s Garage, Vin Rouge, Blu Seafood, Dos Perros, Four Square, Watts Grocery -- sooooo many great independent restaurants, so little time … Durham/Chapel Hill was named "America's Foodiest Small Town" by Bon Appetit magazine recently.