15 Best Neighborhoods in Durham, NC - Best Place to Live Durham

Best Places to Live in Durham

Are you searching for the best neighborhoods in Durham, NC? Check out these 15 great places to live in Durham! 

Durham is the fourth most populated city in North Carolina and is one of the best places to live in the state, which is no surprise to the many residents who call Durham home. If you are considering a move to Durham, read on to find out about Durham's best neighborhoods and beautiful real estate. 

Attracting many families and retirees to the area, Durham has great subdivisions for everyone. A desirable place to live in North Carolina, people are moving to Durham for its growing job market, affordable cost of living, and vibrant culture. 

Are you looking for more information on top neighborhoods in Durham, NC? Durham is one of the fastest-growing cities in the United States and is one of our focus areas. We love Durham and its future outlook. 

Many young professionals love the Raleigh-Durham area of North Carolina for great reasons, too. The Triangle area has a high quality of life, a direct result of the people, the affordability of the homes for sale, the weather, the stable housing market, and the great communities. 

A Little History of Durham, NC

With an estimated population of 296,186, Durham is the county seat of Durham County and makes up a large part of the Triangle area.

After the Civil War, Durham's growth began to explode on the heels of the fast-growing tobacco industry. The armies that had passed through Durham fell in love with their milder tobacco and started placing orders via the mail. John Ruffin Green, the owner of the Tobacco company, partnered with W.T. Blackwell, and together, they renamed the company the "Bull Durham Tobacco Factory."

The rise of Durham's economic growth began with the tobacco industry as the Bull Durham Tobacco Company and the W. Duke and Sons Tobacco Company began to thrive and prosper.

Washington Duke, the owner of W. Duke and Sons Tobacco Company, raised sons who became excellent businesspeople in Durham. By 1900, they had formed a monopoly on the smoking and tobacco industry. By 1910, the Federal Government had to step in and break them up under antitrust laws.

Durham is home to Duke University, a private research university best known for its educational opportunities. Duke Energy is also a popular electric power and gas holding company located in Durham. Both Duke University and Duke Energy are connected to W. Duke, which was a critical player in Durham's early economic growth.

Duke Power (now known as Duke Energy) made the Dukes far more money than tobacco. In 1924, John Duke honored his Father with a philanthropic foundation to support Trinity College. Trinity College then changed its name to what is known today as Duke University.

The Triangle area comprises Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill and supports great universities like Duke University, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and North Carolina State University. Durham is known as one of the country's most educated cities and is ranked fourth in the country.  

Located northwest of Raleigh and the fast-growing cities of Apex, Cary, Holly Springs, and Fuquay-Varina, as well as northeast of Chapel Hill, Durham is surrounded by economic success. Plus, only about a 20-minute drive to Hillsborough, Durham is in a great location. 

This is largely due to RTP (Research Triangle Park) and the healthcare system, which is now the area's best-known industry. Companies are flocking to the Durham area thanks to the combination of affordability and talent produced by the local universities.

Check out these best neighborhoods in Durham, NC 

1. Brightleaf at the Park 

Not to be confused with Downtown Durham's popular Brightleaf Square, Brightleaf at the Park neighborhood is a new master community located on the Raleigh-Durham line. It offers quick access to Research Triangle Park, Downtown Durham, and Downtown Raleigh.

The community features many beautiful homes for sale, a community pool, a clubhouse, a playground, and sought-after amenities. The best thing about this Durham neighborhood is its convenient location to everything the Triangle offers. You can't beat this area right off Glenwood Avenue and on the Raleigh-Durham border.

Local Favorites: 

Brigs at the Park Restaurant serves all-day breakfast and delicious comfort food. 

Visit the Refectory Cafe for vegan, vegetarian, and plant-based options. 

2. Carolina Arbors 

Carolina Arbors is a retirement community you must consider. As one of the top communities in Durham, Carolina Arbors is a welcoming and diverse community that features a resort-like way of life. 

This adult community allows 55+-year-olds to enjoy a great neighborhood with beautiful homes for sale. Many of the homebuyers we work with are older than 55, and they love Carolina Arbors. 

Local Favorites: 

Littler offers tasty seasonal dishes, wine, and cocktails. 

Visit Backyard BBQ Pit for old-school BBQ and sides. 

3. Chancellor's Ridge

The Chancellor's Ridge neighborhood in Durham, NC, is located in southwest Durham close to Southpoint Mall and includes 455 homesites. It is a beautiful neighborhood in a quiet country setting, with a short commute to local amenities, Duke University, RTP, downtown Durham, and Jordan Lake.

With a beautiful swimming pool and clubhouse, Chancellor's Ridge is one of the best neighborhoods in Durham. 

Local Favorites: 

Harvest 18 is serving locally sourced southern food in a modern setting. 

Order breakfast and dinner favorites at William's Gourmet Kitchen.

4. Downtown Durham

Exploding with economic growth, Downtown Durham is the backbone of the city. Homes have appreciated considerably in Durham's Downtown area, largely thanks to the city's development.

Many people are relocating to Durham from the northeast United States and California. Many professionals, young families, and older adults call Downtown Durham home.

If you're a baseball fan, you'll love life in Durham, as the Durham Bulls have a massive fanbase for Triple-A baseball.

Local Favorites: 

Watch a baseball game at the Durham Bulls Athletic Park. 

Buy tickets to a performance at the Durham Performing Arts Center. 

5. Fairfield 

The Durham neighborhood of Fairfield is a great place to live, with low crime rates. Fairfield offers homeowners larger lots, giving them space to move around and a community pool and clubhouse.

The rural setting offers some peace from the hustle and bustle of downtown Durham. Yet, its location makes it an easy commute to anyone working in RTP, Downtown Durham, Chapel Hill, or the Raleigh-Cary area.

Local Favorites: 

Durham Food Hall features multiple eateries, cafes, and bars.

Order high-quality seafood and sushi at M Sushi. 

6. Forest Hills 

Another well-known Durham neighborhood is Forest Hills. This community is perfect for buyers looking for a quiet neighborhood with nearby city amenities. Most homes were built on larger lots between the 1920s and 1990s. 

The neighborhood has achieved a prestigious and historic charm with many properties following the Colonial, Tudor, and English Cottage home styles. Forest Hills is a desirable community, as listings generally only stay on the market for a short time. 

The Forest Hills Park includes a playground, picnic shelter, tennis courts, swing sets, and walking trails. Residents can also enjoy cooling off at the neighborhood's playground and pool during the warm summer.

The Forest Hills Clubhouse is a popular community venue for celebrations, birthday parties, meetings, and family reunions.

Local Favorites: 

Enjoy Indian fusion dishes at Viceroy. 

The Original Q Shack specializes in Western Carolina and Texas-style BBQ. 

7. Grandale Place 

Grandale Place is one of the premier Durham neighborhoods and consists of 135 single-family homes. Located in south Durham, NC, Grandale Place features prime real estate. 

Two entrance gates lead visitors and residents into the community. Grandale Place is conveniently located 10 minutes from the Research Triangle Park, Interstate 40, NC-55/54, and Southpoint Mall.

The community has many features, including a playground for kids and an active Homeowner's Association that maintains a walk-friendly community.

Local Favorites: 

True Flavors Diner is a must-visit for breakfast and southern homestyle fare. 

Benetis Cafe serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner favorites all day. 

8. Hope Valley Farms 

One of the top neighborhoods in Durham is Hope Valley Farms. The rural setting gives Hope Valley the nature-y feel many homeowners seek. It's close to lakes and creeks, and the neighborhood is filled with trees, giving it a peaceful and relaxing neighborhood ambiance.

Hope Valley Farms's homes for sale are part of what makes it a great subdivision. Their HOA website works with other neighborhoods like Eagle Ridge, Chowning's Place, Greenbriar, Heatherwood, Oakbrook, and Windsor Oaks.

Local Favorites: 

Hope Valley Diner is family-friendly and features a huge menu. 

Order sandwiches, soups, and made-from-scratch items at Foster's Market. 

9. Northgate Park 

Northgate Park is an affordable neighborhood with gorgeous properties. Popular home styles in this area include bungalows, cottages, mid-century modern, and contemporary. The older homes give Northgate Park a southern charm, and the tree-filled yards offer residents privacy in a peaceful neighborhood.

The 30-acre Northgate Park features a dog park, picnic shelter, swings, tennis courts, and playgrounds. The Museum of Life and Science is another popular family destination in the neighborhood.

This education center includes a butterfly house, a dinosaur trail, and a launch lab where visitors can test flying objects. The museum also has massive treehouse playgrounds and a cooling stream. 

Local Favorites: 

Order great sub sandwiches at American Hero Restaurant Durham. 

Take your dog on a walk at Northgate Park. 

10. Parkwood 

Parkwood is one of Durham's oldest neighborhoods, consisting of nearly 3,000 residents and 100 acres of beautiful tree-lined properties. The cul-de-sacs also bring quiet and private characteristics to the area.

Housing options include single-family residences, apartment complexes, townhomes, and condominiums. The Research Triangle is just a few miles away, and I-40 and the freeway are easy to access. Parkwood residents have excellent job opportunities nearby.

The community is also the perfect area for families. The neighborhood includes four playgrounds, an elementary school, a swim club, walking trails, and several parks.

The Parkwood Sports Association also allows community children to play in baseball, softball, and t-ball leagues. Residents can attend the Annual SummerFest in June and the Annual Holiday Festival in December to enjoy food trucks, live music, inflatables, carnival games, beer on tap, shopping, and craft markets. 

Local Favorites: 

El Dorado Mexican Restaurant offers authentic Mexican cuisine and cocktails. 

Sushioki is best known for its rice bowls and sushi burritos. 

11. Southpoint

Southpoint is one of the top areas in Durham, NC. The Southpoint Mall is one of the main attractions in the area, and the location is second to none. While the Southpoint area isn't a subdivision listed in the local MLS, there are many homes for sale in the Southpoint area of Durham, NC. 

Local Favorites: 

Order classic Italian fare at Maggiano's Little Italy. 

Visit Ted's Montana Grill for bison burgers and an old-west-style atmosphere. 

12. Treyburn

The community of Treyburn has a lot to offer its residents. If you're a golfer, you will love the Treyburn Country Club, and if you love a great pool and clubhouse, you will enjoy everything Treyburn has to offer. 

The Treyburn neighborhood offers much-needed R&R for those seeking a peaceful and quiet setting in far North Durham. It also has amenities to keep you engaged and entertained. Many folks who are moving to the area and looking for a more rural setting will love checking out the Treyburn neighborhood.

Local Favorites: 

Bring the family to Silver Spoon Restaurant for a great meal. 

Local 22 Kitchen and Bar is a relaxed neighborhood restaurant that serves comfort food. 

13. Trinity Park 

Trinity Park is a stunning 40-block neighborhood in Durham where community residents are passionate about its historic preservation. Over the last 40 years, residents have worked diligently to purchase property to build a playground, protect historical homes from getting demolished, and achieve their goal of placing the area on the National Register of Historic Places. 

Trinity Park is the heart of the area. Residents gather here to enjoy the playgrounds, swing sets, picnic shelters, and community events. The neighborhood also has a perfect location for those who desire nearby amenities.

Trinity Park is within walking distance of Northgate Mall, Duke East Campus, delicious restaurants, and downtown entertainment. 

Local Favorites: 

Enjoy excellent service and food at Rose's Noodles, Dumplings, and Sweets. 

Order a pint of Guinness at James Joyce Irish Pub and Restaurant. 

14. Woodcroft 

Woodcroft is another Durham neighborhood that people love. The Woodcroft community consists of over 2,000 homes designed to live harmoniously with nature. The goal is to create extensive hiking, biking, and jogging trails and acres of common areas. Six miles of trails connect all neighborhoods inside Woodcroft.

Golfers will enjoy the Woodcroft Club golf course, and if you're looking for a community pool complete with a cool water slide, check out the Woodcroft Club. 

Local Favorites: 

Grab a slice of pizza at Pulcinella's Italian Restaurant. 

Order authentic Mexican tacos at Chubby's Tacos Durham. 

15. Woodlake 

Another great community in Durham, NC, is Woodlake, which has many great homes for sale. Located between Fayetteville and Barbee roads in the southwest region of Durham, NC, Woodlake has the DNA makeup of a great neighborhood. 

A rural setting among Mother Nature gives residents and visitors a quiet, comfortable life in a great community. Woodlake has a swimming pool, a clubhouse, walking trails, and a playground. It is within walking distance of Piney Wood Park, which has tennis courts, soccer and softball fields, and a dog park.

Local Favorites: 

Bua Thai Cuisine features a traditional Thai menu and a full bar. 

Stop by Dolce Cafe for espresso drinks, pastries, and ice cream. 

Methodology 

To determine the best neighborhoods in Durham, NC, we considered factors such as location, crime rate, amenities, and available real estate. Data and information were sourced from WalletHub, Data Commons, and local Durham businesses. 

FAQs 

What is the safest part of Durham, NC? 

Downtown Durham and the area surrounding Duke University are the safest places to live and visit in Durham, North Carolina. Specific neighborhoods such as Southpoint, Treyburn, and Northgate Park are generally considered safe. 

Is Durham, NC, a nice place to live? 

Durham, NC, is a great place to live and is considered an appealing city for college students, married couples, and families. Featuring an overall friendly and welcoming community, there are many employment and educational opportunities that are part of what makes Durham so great. 

What is Durham, NC, known for? 

Also known as The Bull City, Durham, NC, is best known as the home of Duke University and for its healthcare and research industries. With a rich history, a thriving arts scene, and numerous family-friendly attractions, it is no wonder that so many people want to live in one of Durham's many great neighborhoods. 

The Best Neighborhoods in Durham, NC - Final Thoughts 

Durham, North Carolina, has many sought-after neighborhoods and friendly communities. If you are ready to find your dream home in a neighborhood that best fits your lifestyle, contact the experts at Raleigh Realty.