Durham offers a wide variety of housing options, most of which are reasonably priced. One of the overriding concerns when choosing housing is safety. Durham, like most cities, does have a crime problem. Many people are caught off guard by how quickly neighborhoods change in Durham. One block may be a haven protected by an active neighborhood association, while one street over is a high-crime area. This situation particularly applies to the area around East Campus, which includes Trinity Park, Trinity Heights, and Old West Durham neighborhoods. As a result, it is important to gain as much information as possible about areas in which you are thinking of living. Once you have located a house or apartment, consult current tenants and neighbors, or ask other students for information about the safety of that area. Drive around to get a better feel for the surrounding areas. The Durham Police may also be able to give you crime statistics, or give an opinion as to whether it is considered a high-crime area. Consider upper floor apartments, try to rent a place with an alarm system, and look for solid doors with dead bolts and peepholes. Resist the urge to rent sight unseen, even if you have to live in a hotel for several days.
The Duke Community Housing Site allows you to search for housing and roommates, list available house, and more. It's a terrific place to start your housing search, although you'll want to do much more after this. Be sure to check the Durham Police site to check on individual neighborhoods.
Apartments
The following is a listing of several apartment guides for Durham. The prices listed may be starting prices, and are subject to change. You are encouraged to contact complexes yourself for more information, and to investigate in person any you feel might be appropriate for you. Several good resources are:
Triangle Apartment Finder 24-hour hotline: 1-888-360-APTS.
Apartment Guide (www.apartmentguide.com)
RentNet (www.rentnet.com)
Buying
The Triangle is a growing area, and currently buying a house is an excellent investment. Some students take in roommates and pay the entire mortgage this way. Try to consult with a lawyer if possible before signing a mortgage. Refer to www.realtor.com to search for housing on the market and to get an idea of pricing.
Evaluating a Lease
All graduate and professional school students can obtain help with a lease from the Community Housing Office ( (919) 684-6711 ). It is a good precaution to have them read your lease, particularly if you have trouble with English. Be wary of oral agreements--it is better to have something in writing with both your and your landlord's signature, even if it is handwritten.
Some other things to consider before you sign a lease:
- Ask to see and inspect the actual apartment you will be renting, NOT the model. If something is wrong with it, ask for a different one or get them to promise to fix it. If they are going to fix it, don't sign the lease until it is fixed, or include the repairs in the terms of the lease.
- Read the lease carefully and thoroughly. Take time to make sure you understand what you are signing, and that everything that they promised is spelled out clearly in the lease. Especially pay attention to the requirements for terminating the lease early, as this can be critical if for some reason you need to leave. If you have been promised something not clearly written in the lease, such as a repair, ask them to write it on the lease and sign it. Any oral promises made to you are non-binding in the presence of a written agreement that does not promise these things.
- Find a reliable roommate to be on the lease with you. Most people move in July and August, so finding a roommate at other times can be difficult. If you are committed to a lease and find yourself without a roommate during the rest of the year, you may be out of luck unless you are willing to move.
Houses (rental)
In addition to its many apartments, Durham has a wide variety of rental houses available.
Houses generally offer cheaper rent, higher utilities, more space, yards, gardens, more
landlord risks, and greater maintenance responsibilities. If you decide to live in a house,
question your landlord closely about maintenance responsibilities and freedom to change
things. Durham has a law against four or more unrelated people living together, and this law
has been enforced in the past in cases where there were complaints. The best houses rent
almost immediately, so be prepared to put a deposit down when you go look at a house.
Places to look for rental house listings:
- Duke Community Housing website
- House Staff Office, Duke South Hospital
- The Duke Dialogue Trading Post (weekly)
- The Chronicle classifieds (Duke's daily paper)
- Bulletin boards around campus (especially in the Bryan Center, and in your own school or department)
- Local newspaper classifieds (especially the Independent Weekly)
- The yellow pages: look under “Real Estate Rental Service“
- The Internet: some newsgroups, such as duke.grad, duke.marketplace, and triangle.forsale have postings of houses for rent.
Roommates
Roommates are good both for company and for reduction in the cost of rent. If you are a first-year student, you should contact your department for the names of other incoming students, and let your department secretary know that you are looking for a roommate. Classified ads in the local and Duke papers are also an effective option, but tend to be pricey. Some apartment complexes also maintain formal and informal roommate matching services, which you can ask the manager about. Finally, never underestimate the power of networking. Let everyone that you are acquainted with in Durham, know that you are looking for a roommate. This method can turn up results when all else fails.
Utilities
Cable TV
Time Warner Cable. Orders can be placed by phone with a Social Security number. At time of connection, payment must be made of an installation fee and one month's service fee, which can vary. Located at 708 E. Club Blvd. Call: (919) 220-4481 or 1-888-489-2666 (www.twcnc.com)
Electricity
Duke Power Company. Applications for service can be made by phone or in person at the Duke Power Office on 410 W. Chapel Hill Street. A deposit may be necessary, but can be waived by obtaining a co-signer. One business day's notice is required for connection of service. Customer service: 382-3200. (www.dukepower.com)
Gas
Public Service Company of North Carolina. Unless you have had service in the last 12 months, you must go to the office with a copy of your lease and I.D. The deposit, which is based on the number of rooms in the house, may be waived by obtaining a co-signer or three letters of credit. If you call in the morning, gas can be hooked up the same day. Located at 3001 Harvard Ave., Durham.
Hours: M-F: 8 am-5 pm. Customer Service: 1-877-776-2427 or 688-2188 (fax)
Residential Telephone Service
Verizon. You can set up service over the phone. Unless you have had previous service, you must pay a deposit, which varies depending on the service you are ordering and whether or not a serviceman must come out to your house. Connection will take a minimum of 2 days. New Residential Service: 1-800-483-4000
Water and Sewer
City of Durham. Most apartment complexes will take care of arranging this service. Houses may or may not need this service. Ask your landlord if you are not sure. Located at 101 City Hall Plaza. (919) 560-4411
Wireless Phone Service
- Verizon Wireless 544-4000 or 1-800-800-4483
- Sprint PCS 1-800-480-4727
- Cingular Wireless 403-2590 or 1-888-327-1900
- ALLTEL 233-3000 or 1-800-788-2260
Duke OIT has recently negotiated some discounted plans for Duke students. Find out more at: http://www.oit.duke.edu/resserv/cellularservice.html