Tell me about North Carolina (Durham)

[TexasCourt]

Hello!

I have recently discovered that I will be attending school in Durham (at Duke) starting in August. I have never even been to North Carolina (I'm a Texas girl ), but have heard it is beautiful! Anything anyone has to offer is welcome!

I love any info on Durham, good/bad areas to live, must-do's, and anything else!

Thank y'all so much!

Courtney

 

[Swimnoid]

Congratulations!

Duke is a great school! What will you be studying? Sorry I can't help you with where to live though. But there is plenty to see and do in the area. You are right next door to Chapel Hill and very close to Raleigh.

 

[BethR]

I can't tell you anything about the area, but am eager to hear what others have to say.

DD will be attending Duke in in August too for their PA program. What will you be studying?

 

[TexasCourt]

I am attending Duke for an accelerated BSN (nursing) program. (It is a program for students that hold a B.S. in another field....these programs are intended to address the severe nursing shortage our country is facing).

Anyhow, it is 16 months long, and when I graduate with my BSN, I will also have 15 hours (practically one-third of the way) to having my master's (as a Nurse Practioner). Anyhow, sorry to ramble, if you can't tell, I am so thrilled I was accepted into this amazing school, and have been on ever since!

I would love to hear any feedback on areas surrounding Durham as well!

 

[BethR]

Congratulations! DD did visit the school for her interview a couple of months ago. She stayed with friends from Bucknell - her undergrad school - who are attending UNC.

I know that one of the reasons that she chose Duke over George Washington is because she liked the area - it is not real big and seemed easy to get around in. The cost of living was a lot less expensive than it would have been in the DC area. And she is looking forward to nice weather throughout the year (we are from PA where we have "real" winter.)

She has received a packet of information compiled by the current PA class that gives her tips on places to live, eat, etc. So with that and the info that she has from her undergrad friends, she should be pretty well informed before she moves there. Perhaps you will get information like this from the school of nursing as well?

 

[WonderfulDreamer2]

Beautiful. I would move there in a minute.

 

[TexasCourt]

She has received a packet of information compiled by the current PA class that gives her tips on places to live, eat, etc. So with that and the info that she has from her undergrad friends, she should be pretty well informed before she moves there. Perhaps you will get information like this from the school of nursing as well?

You are right, I should be receiving that packet sometime this week, hopefully! It is just a little nerve-wracking moving to somewhere you have never been, but I am sure it will be just fine!!!

 

[tar heel]

The best place to eat cheaply unless you're an Orthodox Jew or Muslim is Bullock's Barbecue. They serve EVERYTHING, but I would highly recommend the Brunswick Stew, eastern NC-style barbecue, fried chicken, hush puppies and sweet tea.

There are plenty of bad areas in Durham but also very nice ones. Sadly, a lot of what is being reported in the national media is true, and I expect the situation has been significantly worsened by the current episode. If I were sending a child to Duke, I would want her to live in an area where lots of students live. I wouldn't rent an apartment without seeing the where it is -- can you take a trip down to arrange housing?

 

[TexasCourt]

The best place to eat cheaply unless you're an Orthodox Jew or Muslim is Bullock's Barbecue. They serve EVERYTHING, but I would highly recommend the Brunswick Stew, eastern NC-style barbecue, fried chicken, hush puppies and sweet tea.

There are plenty of bad areas in Durham but also very nice ones. Sadly, a lot of what is being reported in the national media is true, and I expect the situation has been significantly worsened by the current episode. If I were sending a child to Duke, I would want her to live in an area where lots of students live. I wouldn't rent an apartment without seeing the where it is -- can you take a trip down to arrange housing?

Well, I am from Texas, and I love my barbeque! I willl definetely have to try this place out!

I am in all likelihood living with a friend that attended undergrad with me (she is going to Duke for P.T. school), and she will be headed out there in a couple of weeks to look for housing. She has mentioned perhaps getting a house to rent (3 bedroom with one other girl), but like I said, I have never been, so I know nothing about the area.

Any more suggestions?

 

[sajetto]

Any more suggestions?

I'm really close to Raleigh and my best friend and BIL both graduated from Duke. Its nice to drive over to the city and shop at Crabtree Valley or take a drive to the beach on the weekend.


A word to the wise, if the BBQ in Texas is tomato based and that's what you're used to you may not like Eastern Carolina BBQ. It is a strong vinegar base.