Durham's Best & Brightest: Insider Tips on Universities and Student Living in Nearby Apartments in Durham

I'm Billy, your ApartmentHomeLiving.com Local Expert for Durham, North Carolina. If you’ve found yourself drawn to the region, you’re not alone — the Triangle (Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill) is fast-growing yet widely recognized as a relatively affordable place to live. The area’s Research Triangle Park boasts an incredible tech presence as the country’s largest research park.

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And then there’s Tobacco Road.

You may have heard of the famous “Tobacco Road Rivalry,” a basketball rivalry between Duke, North Carolina, N.C. State, and Wake Forest. These schools aren’t just known for their sports; instead, they’re all well-regarded institutions of higher learning. And if you’re considering putting down roots in the Durham area, you’re in luck. Two of the country’s most prestigious academic institutions — Duke and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill — are both local to Durham, as are several other colleges and universities.

If you’re looking to enroll in classes or see the appeal of living close to a college campus, the following communities near three of the area’s most notable universities are a slam dunk.

Duke University

Founded in 1838 and located at 2138 Campus Drive in Durham, Duke University is a private academic institution and widely considered one of the finest in the world. It’s ranked #6 among national universities, private and public, in the 2025 U.S. News & World Report.

Walking through Duke’s campus is a treat for students and visitors alike. The buildings stand out due to their distinctive “Duke stone,” sourced from a quarry in nearby Hillsborough. The stone features a distinct color palette of blues, browns, grays, and deep reds, gifting the campus a unique character. This identity carries across many of the campus buildings, resulting in a more uniform design aesthetic than at nearby schools such as the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Speaking of the “other blue” down the road, Duke and UNC are famously only eight miles apart, fueling a basketball rivalry between the royal blue Blue Devils and the baby blue Tar Heels that is considered among the greatest in all of college sports. If you put down roots in the area, expect to get sucked into this long-running conflict in one way or another.

Brightleaf District

The Brightleaf District Community is a national historic district conveniently located only two miles from Duke University’s campus. Although this is a quiet, affordable community, its proximity to downtown Durham — only a five-minute drive — puts you within easy striking distance of restaurants, shops, and late-night stops. I’ve loved hitting up the area’s breweries and taprooms. It’s a great opportunity to grab a drink (or two) with classmates.

Warehouse District

The Warehouse District’s apartments near Duke University are an attractive option. Located only two miles from campus, the apartments are nestled in a relatively quiet and affordable area just outside of downtown, amidst historic industrial buildings. All the action is just a stone’s throw away. The heart of Durham is only a five-minute drive away, there is easy access to public transportation, and points of interest include the nearby Museum of Durham History and West Main Street, home to trendy brunch spots.College basketball not your thing? If you don’t plan on packing into a game at Duke’s Cameron Indoor anytime soon (it’s hot in there!), but find America’s pastime to be more your speed, you’re in luck. The apartments in the Warehouse District are only one mile from Durham Bulls Athletic Park, home to the famous Durham Bulls. That’s right: the same Bulls from the classic 1988 Kevin Costner flick, Bull Durham. If you’ve got a pup, make sure to check out the ballpark’s “Bark in the Park” event. I highly recommend it!

Durham’s Warehouse District is also only three miles from North Carolina Central University (NCCU), but more on that institution later.

Watts Hospital-Hillandale

Durham’s Watts Hospital-Hillandale is a strong option for student apartments close to Duke’s campus. It’s reasonably priced but offers quaint tree-lined streets and 20th-century housing in addition to apartment rentals. It’s quiet, but only a 10-minute drive to the attractions of downtown Durham, and a quick and easy mile to East Campus’ softball stadium and the Duke University Marketplace. You’ll have your pick of restaurants, too, ranging from local spots to popular chain options. I enjoy the pizza at The Loop, but I hear the French Onion soup comes highly recommended, too.

The Watts Hospital-Hillandale community is also only five miles from North Carolina Central University.

North Carolina Central University

Founded in 1909, North Carolina Central University (NCCU) is a Historically Black College or University (HBCU) located less than 10 minutes from downtown Durham. Home to the Eagles, it holds the distinction of being America’s first public liberal arts institution for African American students, and is considered an affordable higher education option, particularly for in-state students.

Like Duke, North Carolina Central’s proximity to downtown Durham gives its students quick access to relevant points of interest (restaurants, shopping, the Museum of Life and Science, and Durham Bulls Athletic Park). The university’s location in the heart of the Research Triangle makes it a stellar option for working students who want to put in hours at the job as well as in the classroom. Students say it’s easy to make post-grad connections, so if you want a seamless transition from student life to corporate life, NCCU affords you that opportunity.

East Durham

The concentration of universities in North Carolina’s Triangle region means student apartments are in wickedly high demand. Fortunately, there are several East Durham student apartments in exceptional proximity to North Carolina Central University.

An older, affordable neighborhood and a hub for Black-owned businesses dating back to the late 19th century, the East Durham community is less than two miles from NCCU’s campus and offers student apartments along Demerius Street. The area is growing and evolving, as older developments make way for the new. This isn’t a community with many of its own attractions for the college crowd, but don’t sweat it — you can hit up downtown Durham for a good time in approximately five minutes.

Spaulding

Talk about convenience! If you’re looking for Durham apartments near North Carolina Central University, you can’t do better than the Spaulding Community for easy access. Located less than a half-mile from the university, many of the single-family homes and duplexes in this community are within easy walking distance of campus.

Spaulding is a hilly residential area named after Durham’s “Black Wall Street” legend, Charles Clinton Spaulding. There are several small multi-bedroom homes and condos available for rent to students, and you’ll be able to find a few apartments at Rolling Hills and along Roxboro St. Everything is very affordable, and it’s all only approximately 1.5 miles south of downtown Durham. Oh, and FYI to all you Casanovas out there: Duke Gardens is a choice spot for date night.

South Durham

If you’re looking for something different and walking distance to campus isn’t on your list, the South Durham apartments near North Carolina Central University are a compelling option. While you may need to shell out a few more bucks than in a couple of other communities featured in this article, South Durham’s attractions arguably make up the difference.

Depending on the route you choose, the South Durham community is as little as six miles away from North Carolina Central. It’s a 15-minute drive to downtown Durham, but its central location also makes it a quick, straight shot to both Chapel Hill and Raleigh. My sister used to live in this community (Woodcroft), and I always appreciated how easy it was to take a two-minute drive to the Streets at Southpoint, a popular indoor/outdoor shopping mall just off I-40. Also notable: the American Tobacco Trail, a 22-mile rails-to-trails development, runs directly through the center of this community.

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Tar Heels vs. Blue Devils. Public vs. private. Yin and yang. And if you ask some in North Carolina, the difference between good and evil (although which is “good” and which is “evil” is of hot debate). Despite their differences and their heated rivalry, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is, in many ways, the mirror image of Duke University. Both are among America’s finest universities, both boast beautiful campuses, and both prioritize round ball like nobody’s business.

Chartered way back in 1789, UNC is the oldest public university in the United States. Its teams have won 52 NCAA team championships, the most in the Atlantic Coast Conference. Its campus is approximately eight miles from Duke and roughly 20 minutes from downtown Durham. Most importantly, the town of Chapel Hill grew up around the school, not the other way around, meaning there’s a wealth of apartments and homes for rent within easy walking distance of the heart of campus.

Estes

The Estes community apartments near the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill are highly affordable yet still within easy driving distance, typically between one and two miles from campus. There’s a tremendous number of available apartments all up and down Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd (also known as Airport Road), which cuts through this community, so finding a landing spot shouldn't be an issue. I used to live in this neighborhood while attending UNC, and had friends who stayed in the community’s Shadowood apartments. There’s a bus line that runs along MLK Blvd, and since buses are free in town, you’ll have easy transportation everywhere, even if you lack a car. There’s also quick access to Durham and Raleigh from I-40.

Greater Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill is a fairly small community, so the “Greater Chapel Hill” area name may be a bit misleading. There’s overlap between neighborhoods, but if you’re looking for student apartments in the general CH area, Smith Level Road has plenty of highly affordable options. I lived off this road shortly following graduation and enjoyed an easy commute into town (it’s less than two miles from campus).

Heading in the opposite direction to the east of UNC, Meadowmont Village and the surrounding area along Highway 54/Raleigh Road is perfect for anyone who doesn’t mind paying a bit of a premium over what’s on offer along Smith Level. My friend stayed at and enjoyed Environs Lofts, an upscale community with plentiful apartments for rent, only two miles from campus. It’s a stone’s throw from the Meadowmont Harris Teeter, and there are superb restaurants in the immediate vicinity. Bluebird comes highly recommended for its French fare.

UNC at Chapel Hill

If it’s all about location, location, location to you, and you have a few extra dollars to spend, the student apartments and houses within the UNC at Chapel Hill community are your ticket. This neighborhood is effectively on campus, meaning you’ll be able to walk to class, as well as to the many bars and eateries along Franklin Street, the premier nightlife destination at UNC.

Shortbread Lofts. The Warehouse. Carolina Square (where yours truly currently resides). There is a dense concentration of apartments all within steps of one another, and a healthy number of small homes for rent, too. And if you tire of the college town vibes and want to dip your toes into city life, downtown Durham is only ten miles away. (Just don’t let any Duke fans see your Carolina gear.)

Good luck on your apartment hunt and good luck in your studies, no matter which campus or town your pursuits take you. And remember: While there’s (supposedly) no right answer about which local college basketball team you root for, neutrality is looked down upon. Choose wisely!