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Durham NC Real Estate

Duke University

Durham NC Real Estate

Welcome to the College Real Estate Page for Duke University in Durham, North Carolina. Many parents ponder whether they should buy or rent while their students attend college. For some the answer is to buy and for others the answer is to rent. College Real Estate hopes to help you find which is the right answer for you. Another great tool in helping you decide is our College Real Estate guide book that walks you through the entire process of buying student property. We hope you find this site useful and welcome any and all feed back. If you would like to be connected with a College Real Estate's exclusive Realtor in Durham, North Carolina please visit our buying page. If you have decided that buying student housing is not the right answer for you and would like to be connected with a leasing specialist please visit our leasing page.

Duke University

One of the most prestigious private schools in the nation, known for everything from cutting edge medical research to dramatic gothic architecture to crazed basketball fans, Duke University is home to 7,194 undergraduate students and 5,710 graduate students this year. Previously known as Trinity University due to its United Methodist Affiliation, Duke University changed names five times and locations twice before maturing into the school we know today. The majority of students flock to Duke from the 49 states outside of North Carolina and 85 countries, and 40% of students are minorities. .

Duke covers a sprawling 8,610 acres, including three campuses, a medical center, and Duke Forest, adding to the lush green spaces of Durham, North Carolina. As an undergrad at Duke, you are looking at a $34,200 bill per year, not including room and board, which will run about $8,800 per year. .

Devils Are Blue?

One of the most interesting tidbits and most frequently asked questions concerning Duke University concerns the origins of the school mascot, the Blue Devils. Apparently, the school administration neglected to address the issue of a school mascot until the 1920’s when it became painfully obvious to the editors of the school newspaper that the students needed a mascot as they struggled to write stories without one. A contest had been held the previous year, asking students to suggest mascots that would fit well with the school’s trademark colors of blue and white. One student suggested “The Blue Devils.” a popularized reference from World War 1 to the Chasseurs Alpins, or “Les Diables Bleus” a group of French soldiers known for their courage, great training and alpine knowledge. The editors decided to run with the suggested Blue Devils, despite concerns that the Methodist administration would not like it, and the name stuck! .

The Dish on Durham

Today, Durham is a home to 208,816 people and a core pillar of the Research Triangle. The city began as a depot for the North Carolina Railroad, but really took off as the tobacco industry put down roots in the area post-civil war. Durham is characterized by its progressive population that knows how to mix liberal free-thinking with southern hospitality. A strong activist community, annual gay & lesbian parades, sanctuary offered to immigrants, and a large African American population all contribute to the diversity and spirit found in Durham. .

Durham Real Estate Sales

If you are interested in purchasing investment property during your tenure at Duke, the areas south, west and north of campus have some great off campus housing options available. South of campus has the lowest average real estate costs, making the area quite affordable. For example, we found a historic two bedroom home in the Tuscaloosa-Lakewood neighborhood listed for $120K—a great investment opportunity. The Durham housing market usually experiences a 4-6% appreciation rate annually. .

Duke Leasing Options

Apartments are always a popular option for student housing, and most apartments in Durham can be leased for around $300-$400 per bedroom. Areas west of campus provide several apartment and town home rental options. There are also homes for rent in the areas close to campus, and many students gravitate toward the Trinity Park neighborhood east of campus. Plan ahead, but your off campus housing search shouldn’t take longer than a month.

Duke News

Other Helpful Resources

College Real Estate’s goal is to make the moving transition as worry and stress free as possible so we have created a moving center which provides you with helpful information from your utility providers to local grocery centers, restaurants, churches and much more.

College Real Estate also offers a How To database that will keep a new homeowner or those of you renting a house or an apartment from paying an arm and a leg for a service that can easily be done yourself. You can learn how to fix the garbage disposal, light the pilot light, the best way to get rid of rodents, and many other useful lessons. We invite you to take advantage of this knowledge or even post your own helpful article.