People from all over the country and the world are flocking to the Research Triangle, making it one of the fastest growing areas in the United States. One helpful side effect of this is the wide variety of apartment complexes available for students at (comparatively) reasonable prices! It’s highly recommended that you take the time to explore the pros and cons of each housing option before signing a lease—above all, you want a comfortable, safe, and reliable place to return to at the end of each day.

Buying Or Renting a House

Some students opt to purchase homes or townhouses for their law school years, hoping to resell and recover the value when they graduate. Homes will generally have more square footage than apartments and provide increased flexibility, but you may have to take a more active role in management and repairs.

Popular Apartment Complexes

Durham is a fun and affordable city in which to live, but there are two main factors to consider when selecting housing.

The first is location, location, location. The table below lists the distance from a given apartment complex to Duke Law, but you should check to ensure that the complex is close to other locations that you value. For instance, apartments to the north of Duke are closer to the heart of Durham and in greater proximity to restaurants and nightlife, while those to the south tend to be more spacious and relaxed. And, although Durham is a generally safe city in which to live, the City offers the LexisNexis Community Crime Map that you may wish to consult when considering apartments.

The second variable is price. The Financial Aid Office has a set amount approved for student housing based on the average cost-of-living—if you are going to be paying your rent with student loans, it’s highly recommended that you remain below that figure.

One simple way to reduce the cost of rent is to find a roommate from the incoming class. A list of people seeking housing is usually circulated by Facebook, Discord, or GroupMe as the class enrollment becomes finalized. While living with someone also going to Duke Law is convenient, it is not required—additional tools to find roommates include Doorsteps, Apartment Guide, College Rentals, and the Duke List. When choosing a roommate, it is important that you consider the compatibility of your living preferences—shared living spaces may be more affordable, but they can also get annoying very quickly.

Property Law Tip: If you have a necessary repair in your apartment that your landlord is not resolving and you have given them sufficient time to cure the deficiency, consider sending an email including the phrases “covenant of quiet enjoyment” and “warranty of habitability.” Well-employed legalese can have prompt results!

Prior students have reported having good experiences with the apartment complexes below, which are listed in no particular order. However, these are not the only options, and new construction is happening all the time. Before committing to a lease, it is highly recommended that you thoroughly evaluate your various options.

Finally, the prices listed in the table are a snapshot taken at one moment in time for one specific type of apartment. They are certain to fluctuate based on apartment demand, unit availability, floor plan, and other factors in the housing market generally.

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Non-Traditional Apartment Complexes

If you are looking for non-traditional apartment living, such as renting an entire house or a unit inside in a remodeled building, there are several recommended brokers.

Bob Schmitz Properties
1222 Broad Street, Suite A
Durham, NC 27705
(919) 416-0393

Trinity Properties
2723 Campus Walk Avenue
Durham, NC 27705
(919) 309-9765