Debunking students' opinions about Durham

When I asked Nich students about Durham as a prospective student, the responses were not uplifting.  While some responded with indifference, reflecting the fact that they weren't at grad school to experience Durham, many students gave negative responses.   Grad students' frustration with Durham is that it is hard to get around without a car and is not home to a vibrant nightlife say compared to Washington DC or Boston.  I would agree with these points, but these alone are not good enough to dismiss Durham as a quality city. 

Duke is only a small footprint on the Durham map.  The city sprawls out far and wide encompassing 69.3 square miles.  Looking at census figures, Durham's population is now over 200,000 and is expected to continue growing.  At a presentation at Duke in Spring, developers shared plans for the many improvements and additions expected downtown.  For the details, check out the Downtown Durham website.  As of now, downtown is still not inviting, but there is far more to see and learn in the city.

To highlight Durham's eclectic character, one can find authentic Mexican and Kenyan food, a food and bike co-op, an independent theater, a historically black university, a state park, a triple A baseball team, thrift stores, Unitarian and Baptist churches, a district centered around old tobacco warehouses, an African-American book store, museums, a bike trail that connects with adjacent counties, and gourmet restaurants all within the city limits.

Let's not forget that Durham is a city rich with history.  A visit to the Duke Homestead and Tobacco Museum peaked my interest in Durham history.  The free museum takes you through the Washington Duke homestead, where the Durham tobacco empire had its roots.  Although Durham only houses the remains of a city built around the tobacco industry, tobacco changed the face of the area forever.  Interesting how current day Durham is the "City of Medicine," when it is use to be the capital of tobacco in America. Reading up on local history, I came across another one of Durham's claim to fame.  The city was the site of "Black Wall Street," a district that was dominated by black entrepreneurs.  

I am not the only one who appreciates Durham.  During my first year at Duke, I met some UNC students who traded proximity to their campus for the chance to live in Durham. One girl remarked that Carrboro is exclusive and she grew tired of the small-town atmosphere.  She was drawn to Durham for its diverse demographic.  In fact, Durham's population stats are 46% white, 44% black, and 9% Latino.The other student complained about the homogeneous population in Chapel Hill, composed primarily of students. 

You won't find all the jewels here in one weekend or even one semester.  You can discover them one by one equipped with an open mind and an adventurous spirit. 


To start exploring what Durham has to offer, visit the sites below:
Durham city events
Duke events calendar
Independent Weekly (Good guide to music and events in the RTP area)


Some blogs focused on Durham:
Bull City Rising (Catch up on Durham current events)
We Love Durham (I just liked the title of this one!)