Duke Chemistry Graduate Student Housing
Chemistry graduate students were polled in December 2023 about their housing. 37 graduate students responded.
Most graduate students rent places to live in Durham with almost half graduate students living alone and the other half with a roommate.
For those students that have roommates, they have found them in a variety of ways, which can be seen below!
For the students that rent, over 75% of them live in apartment complexes, while the rest rent from landlords. Graduate students can pay anywhere from $500 to $1651+ to live in Durham. Prices that our graduate students pay individually in rent each month can be seen below! Note that many of the students paying between $500 and $900 for rent have roommates.
For getting to campus there are different options including driving, walking, biking, or taking public transport. Approximately 75% of chemistry graduate students drive to campus. Chemistry students park in Science Drive Garage (10 minute walk from French Family Science Center) for $258 per year.
Some advice from our graduate students when looking for places to live in Durham
If you have a car and can drive to campus, living 10-15 minutes away from campus can mean lower rent prices.
Look to find somewhere you could comfortably live for a few years so that you get legacied into lower rent prices.
Look on websites like Zillow and Trulia to rent places from private landlords as that’s typically the cheaper option in this area. This is a great place to find townhomes and single family homes to rent.
Try to see a place before signing a lease, and ask questions about amenities, community safety, pet rent, etc. Ask about all associated fees.
Prioritize what matters most to you for living (amenities, proximity to campus, roommates, cost, safety, etc.)
Finding roommates through visit weekend, Facebook Duke Housing groups, or Duke list can be extremely helpful in not only decreasing rent price, but making a friend/connection in the area.
Find a place where you feel safe and comfortable, whatever that may be.
Ask your host and other graduate students you meet where they live and how much they pay!
Apartment Complexes Recommended by Graduate Students
Southpoint Crossing
Lodge at Southpoint
Crossdale Flats
The Flats at 55 Twelve
Lenox East
Woodstone at Croasdaile Farm
Alden Place at South Square
The Belmont – walkable/bikeable
Poplar West (Trinity Properties) – walkable/bikeable
Creekside Landing
Ticon Properties
Berkshire Main Street – bikeable/access to public transport
Station Nine – access to public transport
Apartment Complexes NOT Recommended by Graduate Students
University Ridge Apartments
Icon Downtown
Patterson Place
The Forest
Chapel Tower
Springfield Apartment Homes
Glenbrook West
