Post: #1

So I am moving to the Raleigh-Durham area for work. From the previous threads, I know there are some on this forum who do live or have lived in the area. While the other threads had some info, I thought I'd start a new thread to get more updated and more comprehensive information. For the most part, I am just seeking advice on where to live in the area.

First, I am choosing between Durham and Raleigh downtown for the most part. I am in my 20s, so I'd like to be near a younger population. From what I've heard, Raleigh is more yuppy, while Durham is more crunchy. I certainly lean towards the former in terms of lifestyle, but I am actually much closer to Durham for work. Obviously, I realize NCSU is in Raleigh while Duke is in Durham. I heavily favor asian girls, so that may be a point for Durham, as I don't think there are many asians at NCSU. I've also come across chapel hill and cary, but I've tentatively dismissed them so far as being too suburban. Please feel free to correct me on any of these points.

Other than girls, things I am generally looking for are:
- proximity to nightlife and bars
- proximity to decent gyms

Granted, this is patently a driving area, so most of these preferences are not non-negotiable because I can just drive to where I need to be in terms of hobbies, interests, or food.

Any thoughts? Thanks in advance.

Post: #2

(08-05-2014 12:14 AM)SHANbangs Wrote:  So I am moving to the Raleigh-Durham area for work. From the previous threads, I know there are some on this forum who do live or have lived in the area. While the other threads had some info, I thought I'd start a new thread to get more updated and more comprehensive information. For the most part, I am just seeking advice on where to live in the area.

First, I am choosing between Durham and Raleigh downtown for the most part. I am in my 20s, so I'd like to be near a younger population. From what I've heard, Raleigh is more yuppy, while Durham is more crunchy. I certainly lean towards the former in terms of lifestyle, but I am actually much closer to Durham for work. Obviously, I realize NCSU is in Raleigh while Duke is in Durham. I heavily favor asian girls, so that may be a point for Durham, as I don't think there are many asians at NCSU. I've also come across chapel hill and cary, but I've tentatively dismissed them so far as being too suburban. Please feel free to correct me on any of these points.

Other than girls, things I am generally looking for are:
- proximity to nightlife and bars
- proximity to decent gyms

Granted, this is patently a driving area, so most of these preferences are not non-negotiable because I can just drive to where I need to be in terms of hobbies, interests, or food.

Any thoughts? Thanks in advance.

First things, Durham isn't the biggest or best place but there's definitely places that are a lot worse. Durham is kinda what you make it. I will say Durham is definitely more crunchy and more blue collar than Raleigh. Kinda like Oakland/Berkley vs. SF, Baltimore vs. DC. But the good thing is that Raleigh isn't far of a drive (25-30 minutes) so you can get a slightly different and more yuppy scene there.

As far as girls in Durham, your best bet it probably going to be spillover from Duke grad students. Duke attracts people from all over the country and the world so don't be surprised to meet people from places you'd least expect. There's definitely an asian presence at Duke, and even NCSU for that matter so you'll see asian girls around. I've definitely seen some eye candy at the Whole Foods and Harris Teeter by 9th St. Local girls are a mixed bag.

Nightlife in Durham is mostly a bar scene. It's growing but still very relaxed/low key scene. Many years ago the nightlife scene got kinda out of hand (violent) so now it seems like the powers that be are very particular about the type of venues they let operate. Most bars in Durham are going to be in the 9th St area or downtown. I'd say my two favorite bars are Whiskey and Fullsteam. If you're looking for something more lively just drive to Raleigh. There's more clubs, bars, lounges, etc. If you're looking for a specific sort of scene or where certain types of girls tend to hang, I could tell you.

As far as locations of gyms I'm not too familiar. Me personally, if I were to live in Durham I'd choose to live near Duke's east or west campus, West Durham, or South Durham. If you live in South Durham it's a little more centrally located in terms of getting to Chapel Hill, Raleigh, Cary, etc. but things around you are going to be a little more spread out.

If anything, at the least you'll be sure to eat some good food in while Durham.

Post: #3

(08-07-2014 06:43 PM)lomax10 Wrote:  

(08-05-2014 12:14 AM)SHANbangs Wrote:  So I am moving to the Raleigh-Durham area for work. From the previous threads, I know there are some on this forum who do live or have lived in the area. While the other threads had some info, I thought I'd start a new thread to get more updated and more comprehensive information. For the most part, I am just seeking advice on where to live in the area.

First, I am choosing between Durham and Raleigh downtown for the most part. I am in my 20s, so I'd like to be near a younger population. From what I've heard, Raleigh is more yuppy, while Durham is more crunchy. I certainly lean towards the former in terms of lifestyle, but I am actually much closer to Durham for work. Obviously, I realize NCSU is in Raleigh while Duke is in Durham. I heavily favor asian girls, so that may be a point for Durham, as I don't think there are many asians at NCSU. I've also come across chapel hill and cary, but I've tentatively dismissed them so far as being too suburban. Please feel free to correct me on any of these points.

Other than girls, things I am generally looking for are:
- proximity to nightlife and bars
- proximity to decent gyms

Granted, this is patently a driving area, so most of these preferences are not non-negotiable because I can just drive to where I need to be in terms of hobbies, interests, or food.

Any thoughts? Thanks in advance.

First things, Durham isn't the biggest or best place but there's definitely places that are a lot worse. Durham is kinda what you make it. I will say Durham is definitely more crunchy and more blue collar than Raleigh. Kinda like Oakland/Berkley vs. SF, Baltimore vs. DC. But the good thing is that Raleigh isn't far of a drive (25-30 minutes) so you can get a slightly different and more yuppy scene there.

As far as girls in Durham, your best bet it probably going to be spillover from Duke grad students. Duke attracts people from all over the country and the world so don't be surprised to meet people from places you'd least expect. There's definitely an asian presence at Duke, and even NCSU for that matter so you'll see asian girls around. I've definitely seen some eye candy at the Whole Foods and Harris Teeter by 9th St. Local girls are a mixed bag.

Nightlife in Durham is mostly a bar scene. It's growing but still very relaxed/low key scene. Many years ago the nightlife scene got kinda out of hand (violent) so now it seems like the powers that be are very particular about the type of venues they let operate. Most bars in Durham are going to be in the 9th St area or downtown. I'd say my two favorite bars are Whiskey and Fullsteam. If you're looking for something more lively just drive to Raleigh. There's more clubs, bars, lounges, etc. If you're looking for a specific sort of scene or where certain types of girls tend to hang, I could tell you.

As far as locations of gyms I'm not too familiar. Me personally, if I were to live in Durham I'd choose to live near Duke's east or west campus, West Durham, or South Durham. If you live in South Durham it's a little more centrally located in terms of getting to Chapel Hill, Raleigh, Cary, etc. but things around you are going to be a little more spread out.

If anything, at the least you'll be sure to eat some good food in while Durham.

Thanks for this.

Yeah, I personally think I'd be more drawn to downtown Raleigh, but the only two drawbacks are 1) it's further from research triangle park, where I work and 2) downtown raleigh seems to have pricier apartments.

Any thoughts on living in cary?

Post: #4

The driving is a the problem because then how can you drink? Basically you have 3 population centers: Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill. The reality is that once you pick one area, you will rarely drive to the others...much like people in Baltimore don't drive to DC and vice versa.

I worked in RTP in the past. I'd pick Durham near Duke Campus. You can shoot down Durham Freeway (147) for work, and it should be a fast commute. That will give you best logistics. You can buy a house for like under $150K near the campus; I knew several grad students who did that. Or rent.

Chapel Hill has UNC and Franklin St, where all the bars are located.

I think you want to avoid I-40 and I-440 if at all possible.

Post: #5

I'd say the quality of life in Cary is pretty nice but I probably wouldn't live there unless I was a little more settled. It's more suburbia. You could try looking for apartments near Briar Creek, which is Durham but borders right on Raleigh and you can get to the RTP via back streets, if you want to avoid I-40/440/540.

If you want to be able to go out and drink and not worry about driving then look for apartments in downtown Durham or near Duke's east campus. At least that way you can walk to bars downtown.

I think it depends on what sort of person you are whether you'll rarely venture out. When I'm in Durham it's nothing to hop in the car and drive to downtown Raleigh, especially if I have sloppy drunk chicks on my mind. As far as logistics for drinking and going to Raleigh, if you're flying solo, just don't get OD wasted. Or if you do, eat something and sober up before driving back. Simple.