Durham, North Carolina is a diverse city with an approximate population of 234,000. It is known as both the “City of Medicine” and “The Bull City,” reflecting the signature mix of people, ideas, and lifestyles that make this city great. Durham offers an unbeatable combination of Southern hospitality, urban energy, cultural tradition, and academic and scientific innovation. Housing prices are remarkably affordable, with options including charming old houses, elegant new town-houses, and refurbished industrial lofts.
See the video "Decidedly Durham" and learn what people who know say about The Bull City.
The climate alone is hard to beat. People exercise year-round, taking advantage of the miles and miles of forest trails, bike paths, outdoor athletic fields, and indoor, state-of-the-art exercise facilities.
North Carolina’s beaches are a few hours to the east and the Blue Ridge and Great Smoky Mountains are a few hours to the west. Raleigh-Durham International Airport is located just 20 minutes from campus, offering excellent connections to worldwide destinations, including direct flights to London and Paris.
It's All Here
Durham is one-third of the Research Triangle, an area that includes Raleigh and Chapel Hill and boasts one of the largest concentrations of PhDs and MDs in the world. The Triangle is consistently ranked one of the country’s best places to live and work.
Art, film, theatre, dance — it’s all here. Durham plays host to the world-renowned American Dance Festival, the Full Frame Documentary Festival, the North Carolina Gay and Lesbian Film Festival, and countless art galleries including Duke’s new Nasher Art Museum.
The Triangle is also a music lover’s paradise — whether you prefer jazz, blues, indie rock, hip-hop, or the symphony. Durham, Chapel Hill and Raleigh have numerous venues and clubs, and the area is a prime destination for touring musicians.
Sports enthusiasts rejoice. The climate ensures that year-round outdoor recreation abounds, and it is nearly impossible to resist college basketball fever. The Durham Bulls offer great minor-league baseball action right around the corner. The Carolina Hurricanes play in nearby Raleigh, and the NFL’s Carolina Panthers and NBA’s Charlotte Bobcats are a two-hour drive away.