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Aurora Parker housing

Rent in Durham getting crazy

Curious what people think. I'm a remote worker and Rent is about $1,092/month for a decent place. The suburbs are where most families end up. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look.
7 upvotes

11 Replies

Everett Peterson
My experience has been mostly positive. it's exactly what I was looking for. The only thing I'd watch out for is public transit. Other than that, Hope this helps!.
40 upvotes
Everett Wright
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 2 years ago from Pittsburgh and here's my honest breakdown:

Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in North. It's surprisingly good for what you get.

Jobs: The market is reasonable right now, especially in education. If you're in real estate you might struggle.

People: Generally excellent. It took about 12 months to build a solid friend group.

Food: surprisingly good. Tons of options if you like Thai.

Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
38 upvotes
Harper Harris
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.

I'm a pharmacist who relocated here from Seattle about 6 years ago. The main reasons were retirement and family.

Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Good internet infrastructure
- Affordable housing options

Cons that are real:
- Rising rent and home prices
- Not very walkable outside downtown

Financially, we've found it pretty good compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are stable, gas is hit or miss.

Socially, it's not perfect but it works for me. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
36 upvotes
Sophie S.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.

I've been in South for 2 years. Moved from Phoenix for a fresh start. Here's my honest, detailed take:

**Housing:**
The market right now is underrated. We bought in 2021 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.

**Employment:**
education is strong here. hospitality is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are developing for the area.

**Quality of Life:**
it's been a really good experience overall. The outdoor scene is average - we have rivers within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.

**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. South schools are better than expected. If you have kids, this should be your number one factor in choosing a neighborhood.

**The Bad:**
I'd be lying if I said everything is great. Traffic during rush hour is rough. Not very walkable outside downtown. And weather can be frustrating.

**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 6/10. No regrets on my end.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
35 upvotes
Nicholas
Public transit is average here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now.
26 upvotes
happy_angel67
I work in manufacturing here and it exceeded my expectations. The job market for my field is underrated. No regrets on my end..
15 upvotes
Jaxon Scott
I've been living here for 9 years and I'd say it's improved dramatically in recent years. The food scene is decent compared to other places I've lived. Overall It's not for everyone but it works for us..
14 upvotes
Aaliyah Reed
As someone who grew up here, it's not perfect but it works for me. A lot has changed in the past few years though. job market used to be much established but now it's underrated.
12 upvotes
Everly Garcia
accurate
6 upvotes
adeline_guy
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.

Background: I'm a contractor, 30, moved here 8 years ago from Chicago. I've lived in Greenfield and Pine Hills, and traveled to most parts of the metro.

**What I love:**
1. Four distinct seasons
2. Close to major attractions
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally surprisingly good - I found my community within the first year

**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The walkability situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving

**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Greenfield: Great for remote workers. decent vibes, walkable.
- Pine Hills: More affordable, family-friendly.

**Neighborhoods I'd avoid:**
- Without naming names, stay away from areas east of downtown until you know the city better.

**Cost comparison:**
Coming from Chicago, everything felt pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $60K-$120K here.

**Final verdict:**
Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. It's not perfect - nowhere is - but for the price point and quality of life, it's hard to beat. DM me if you have specific questions.
5 upvotes
Bella C.
Public transit is decent here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I genuinely enjoy living here.
1 upvotes
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