Applying to Duke - Housing ??'s

Suen · May 2, 2009

Hi, I lived in NC for several years, did my undergraduate at UNC. Chapel hill is a good place to live. Apt are spacious, not as cheap as durham. Durham Has cheaper ares, be aware some are not the safest. Raleigh would be excellent choice, but it is about 45 min from Duke. Nevertheless, there is enough to choose from. Goodluck.

Vaxene · May 3, 2009

Hi, I lived in NC for several years, did my undergraduate at UNC. Chapel hill is a good place to live. Apt are spacious, not as cheap as durham. Durham Has cheaper ares, be aware some are not the safest. Raleigh would be excellent choice, but it is about 45 min from Duke. Nevertheless, there is enough to choose from. Goodluck.

i guess that's what i'm asking: what areas/specific apartments should i look at? i live in denham springs, louisiana which is about 15-20 minutes from my job in baton rouge. 45 minutes away from duke's campus would be a bit too far for me to handle. i was hoping to stay within 20-30 minutes from campus. i also was hoping to spend a reasonable (read 'inexpensive, yet still safe and well-kept') amount per month. i will be moving with my girlfriend/soon-to-be-fiancee so we need a place big enough for the two of us (and a little puppy, so preferably pet-friendly). i know you may not be able to give specific apartments, but if you could suggest areas that are good to look, or even areas that i should stay away from, i'd appreciate it immensely. i'm planning to fly up to durham at the end of june (meeting with some people from the anesthesia program...get my face/name familiarized with them) and was hoping to look at a couple places while i am there so that if and when i get accepted () i will have a general idea and can simply call them and take care of applications and all for tenancy without having to go back up there just for that.

thanks again.

Suen · May 4, 2009

I left NC in 2005. I lived in Raleigh, the lakes apt which are about 40 min from duke. I would not suggest living this far since there are tones of apt. inbtw. Check out the apt guide. I dont have specific names, but chapel hill is a relatively safe area. A lot of housing around the campus. Suen

droopy1592 · May 6, 2009

South Durham. When you go for your interview pick up the apartment guide. Plus there are plenty of housing to rent. Married couples/older students are prefered.

NC1234 · May 21, 2009

station nine

http://www.stationnine.com/index_f.html

next to a duke bus route h3 & h5 that go to the hospital & within biking or walking distance. many people walk from the duke parking lot next to station nine to get to the hospital. this is also within the hospital safe rides area so if the buses are not running there is transportation 24/7. my friends there never mentioned undergrads living there but you'll have to call the apt to find out. they fill up early.

the lofts at lakeview

http://www.loftsatlakeview.com/

closest apts. to the hospital- 1/4 mile so many people walk or ride bikes. there is one bus h5 that stops near the lofts. also within hospital safe rides area. i heard they allowed some undergrads to move in one section recently so make sure you are not placed in apt. near them.

colonial village- deerfield

http://colonialprop.com/property-info/?cid=958

if they are looking for a little cheaper or a little further way from the hospital there are a lot of hospital staff/students that live in the place helen & i are in. i found deerfield on an online med school suggestion list for housing. it's a little older though & backs up to duke forest. if they don't like nature or have bad allergies probably not the right place. unless you take the city bus or bike to the hospital you'll have to drive to a parking lot then take the duke bus or walk to the hospital.

as for renting houses it's hard to tell online what the neighborhoods are really like so i wouldn't sign a contract without visiting the neighborhood.

duke mba student website: http://www.llrice.com/duke/apartments.htm

when i was looking for housing there were a couple of websites or group pages by medical and nursing students with housing suggestions but the links i used no longer exist.

duke bus routes:

http://siren.auxserv.duke.edu/parking/transportation/transit_schedules.htm

http://siren.auxserv.duke.edu/parking/images/bus_booklet_2008.pdf

duke parking & transportation can tell you which parking lot you would probably end up in if you purchase a parking pass.

previous students also suggested:

pinnacle ridge: http://watertonresidential.com/propinfo.php?cid=699

alexan place: [color=#247cd4] http://www.alexanplaceapts.com/s/homepage

alexan farms: [color=#247cd4]http://www.alexanfarms.com/s/homepage

there are some apts on lasalle drive, campus walk and morreen road. despite their proximity to the hospital

there have been security issues in multiple complexes including duke manor, the belmont, campus walk & georgetown manor.