Harmony Realty

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Best Neighborhoods in Durham, NC

Durham, home to Duke University and a newly revitalized downtown district, is more than just the city. This guide, focusing on the “best neighborhoods in Durham NC,” provides a comprehensive look at the top areas, including house sizes and other key details.

American Tobacco District, Durham NC

Living in Durham

Durham Homes for Sale

Best Neighborhoods in Durham, NC: A Detailed Overview

Woodcroft $170k – $700k

Woodcroft is a very friendly, affordable community with great optional amenities. Homes are older, traditional style, and there is a great variety of sizes at many different price points. The community is Included in the basic HOA are miles of walking trails and a community playground. For an extra fee you can join the Woodcroft Swim and Tennis Club. In addition to tennis and swim activities in their heated, saltwater pool, Woodcroft offers regular events like wine tastings, sci-fi gatherings and movie nights as well as plenty of camps and activities for kids. Find homes for sale in Woodcroft.

  • Housing Types: Condos, Townhomes, Single Family Homes
  • House Sizes: Typically range from 600 for condos to 3000 sq ft. for single family homes.
  • Lot Sizes: About ¼ acre 
  • Amenities: HOA Fees: Varies: $280+/year for single family. Plus $300/month for condos
  • Age of Homes: 1980s built
  • Walkability: Very walkable. Easy access to Hope Valley Commons with multiple restaurant, coffee and bars. 

The Hills of Rosemont $2mil – $5mil

The Hills of Rosemont is one of the few gated communities in the Triangle. This community truly has the best of everything. Stately homes sit on 4+ acre lots, in a community that feels like you’re in the countryside, but it’s just minutes from everything. Connection to the American Tobacco Trail provides miles of biking and hiking trails for outdoor enthusiasts. Exquisitely designed homes have all the bells and whistles… you’ll see sub Zero appliances, wine cellars, home theaters and glass elevators, to name a few. Although Rosemont has a Durham address, it sits on the border of Durham and Cary. Southpoint Mall is 1 minutes north in Durham. Whole Foods, Target and plenty of restaurants are even closer in Cary’s Parkside Town Commons and Alston Town Center.  Find homes for sale in The Hills of Rosemont.

  • Housing Types: Large estates 
  • House Sizes: Typically range from 6,000 to 15,000 sq ft.
  • Lot Sizes: Average about 5 acres
  • Amenities: HOA Fees: $80/month
  • Age of Homes: Mostly built from 2005 through 2015.
  • Walkability: Not walkable to shops, but plenty of trails nearby. 

Treyburn $400k – $2million

Treyburn is a beautifully planned and landscaped golf community anchored by the Treyburn Country Club. Curvy roads, roundabouts, stone walls and stately oak trees punctuate this lovely neighborhood. Treyburn has homes in a variety of sizes and price points. Located near the Eno River, which offers excellent hiking trails, fishing, and a kayak launch. Find homes for sale in Treyburn.

  • Housing Types: Townhomes and single family homes
  • House Sizes: Typically range from 1600 to 7000 sq ft.
  • Lot Sizes: Lots range from ¼ acre to 1 acre.
  • Amenities: Walking trails. Voluntary Treyburn Country Club Membership includes golf, tennis, pickleball, fitness club, and aquatics. 
  • HOA Fees: $575/year for single family, add $220/month for townhomes.
  • Age of Homes: Mostly built from 1998 through 2005.
  • Walkability: Walking trails in neighborhood.

Colvard Farms $950k – $2.6million

Colvard Farms sits in a little pocket of Chatham County, just a few minutes outside of both Durham and Cary. It feels like you’re in the country but you’re just a few minutes from everywhere. This collection of gorgeous custom homes was built by local builders, such as Lloyd, Hearthstone and Upright Builders. Lots are very spacious and residents enjoy a good number of amenities including miles of greenway trails, a clubhouse with a fitness center, junior Olympic-sized pool, tennis courts and a playground. Easy access to I-40 & just minutes from the vibrant Southpoint Mall in Durham and Cary’s Parkside Town Commons. Find homes for sale in Colvard Farms.

  • Housing Types: Single family
  • House Sizes: Typically range from 3500 to 6000 sq ft.
  • Lot Sizes: Ranging from .5 to .75 acres.
  • Amenities: HOA Fees: $770/quarter
  • Age of Homes: Mostly built from 2006 through 2018.
  • Walkability: 2 miles of trails within the neighborhood.

Trinity Park $400k – $1.9million

Trinity Park is right in the middle of the best Durham has to offer. Walkable to Duke’s Campus as well as popular restaurants like Elmo’s Diner and Vin Rouge, (and Whole Foods) if you’re looking for charm and history, Trinity Park is for you! There are a wide range of housing options, from small cottages to condos. Most homes are historic and many have been remodeled. The Ellerbee Creek Trail and the Pearl Mill Nature Preserve are nearby. Find homes for sale in Trinity Park.

  • Housing Types: Historic single family homes and historic condos
  • House Sizes: Typically range from 1000 to 5000 sq ft.
  • Lot Sizes: Average ¼ to ⅓ acre
  • Amenities: HOA Fees: none
  • Age of Homes: Many built in the 1920s-1950s, with some modern builds thrown in.
  • Walkability: Very walkable. Urban.

Duke University Homesites/Duke Forest $740k – $1.6million

Charming neighborhood just south of Duke University filled with dogwoods and mid-century homes. If you like modernist architecture and plenty of trees, this is the neighborhood for you! Adjacent to Cornwallis Road Park, with miles of trails, disc golf, outdoor fitness equipment, basketball courts, picnic shelters and a playground. Find homes for sale here.

  • Housing Types: Single family
  • House Sizes: Typically range from 2300 to 5000 sq ft.
  • Lot Sizes: Ranging from .5 acres to .75 acres.
  • Amenities: HOA Fees: none
  • Age of Homes: 1960s-1970s.
  • Walkability: Not very walkable

Hope Valley Farms $300k – $1.3mil

Great south Durham location, centrally located to everything. There is lots of variety in the housing options at all pricing levels. HOA fees are low because amenities are optional. Amenities are located at the Hope Valley YMCA which has pools, tennis and tons of classes for kids and adults. The neighborhood has parks and is on two different greenway systems:  Third Fork Creek and American Tobacco. Just a couple miles from Southpoint Mall and 5 miles from RTP. Minutes to Duke, UNC, and NCCU. Find homes for sale in Hope Valley Farms.

  • Housing Types: Townhomes, Single Family Homes
  • House Sizes: Typically range from 1000 to 4000sq ft.
  • Lot Sizes: Ranging from .15 to .3 acres.
  • Amenities: HOA Fees: $31/month
  • Age of Homes: Mostly built from 1990 through 2005
  • Walkability: moderately walkable

Placid Valley $500k – $1.3 million

Lovely rural feeling North Durham neighborhood adjacent to the Eno River, with a wide variety of homestyles. Homes sit on larger lots, many are custom built. Some are more stately and some are moderate. Find homes for sale in Placid Valley.

  • Housing Types: Single Family
  • House Sizes: Typically range from 2000 to 5000 sq ft.
  • Lot Sizes: Ranging from .5 to 1 acre.
  • Amenities: None in the neighborhood but Eno RIver State Park is a few minutes away and Eno River trails are right next to the neighborhood. 
  • HOA Fees: None
  • Age of Homes: Mostly built from 1970’s through 2023 .
  • Walkability: No, but easy access to Eno River walking trails

Brightleaf at the Park $320k – $800k

This incredible master-planned community is just minutes from Research Triangle Park! Resort like amenities include zero entry pool, playground, trails, and green spaces. Tennis courts, pickleball courts, and fitness center available for additional HOA fee. Close to RDU airport, I-540, and Brier Creek Commons shopping center. Find homes for sale in Brightleaf at the Park.

  • Housing Types: Townhomes, Single Family Homes
  • House Sizes: Typically range from 1500 to 4000 sq ft.
  • Lot Sizes: Ranging from .15 acres to .35 acres.
  • Amenities: HOA Fees: $285/quarter
  • Age of Homes: Mostly built from 2007 through 2018.
  • Walkability: Not walkable to commercial, but nature trails within the neighborhood.

American Village $365k – $775k

Incredible Northwest Durham location, adjacent to Duke Forest. Miles of trails are available in Duke Forest, Duke University is 2.5 miles away and downtown Durham is 5 miles. Traditional style homes sit on large lots with sunny front yards. Find homes for sale in American Village.

  • Housing Types: Single Family Homes
  • House Sizes: Typically range from 1700 to 3200 sq ft.
  • Lot Sizes: Ranging from .3 to .75 acres.
  • Amenities: HOA Fees: No HOA
  • Age of Homes: Mostly built from 1980 through 1990 .
  • Walkability: Walkable to Duke Forest, but not to any commercial districts.