Durham, the Romance is Gone!
-
1/26/2021
I'm no newbie that thinks so highly of their opinion that I would write a review having lived here for a month let alone 5 years. I moved here from Cali in 97 and although my life has revolved around living here ie (family, kids, friends and work), I cannot say I would do it again. It's unfortunate that you have to rate it 1 star when I surely would have given it less if allowed to. Durham is an odd dichotomy of "We are a stunningly progressive community" to "well, that's just the way it is and you just have to get used to it." Aside from few close friends, I would have to rate it as overall unfriendly. People here are definitely the have's and the have nots where the have nots constantly want what the have's have. I credit Dr. Suess for that one. Yes I've had my car broken into way more than I would like to admit and have had numerous thefts of property at my job sites. Once you "get used" to the crime, then you will have much more time to deal with the "special" individuals that hail from Duke and UNC and Central. I give each credit because it's not the school so much as the entitled kids that go there, the ones that use daddy credit card and refuse to tip. People will say that there is a vibrant downtown scene happening "RIGHT NOW" and it's the best thing that has happened to Durham since the beginning of time. As someone who's profession is/was building the structures necessary for this vibrancy, I will tell you straight out that the 30 something SWF/SBF that chooses to take up residency in the areas that have this newfound resurgence/scene, need to grow a set of eyes on the back of their heads. Nowhere is safe downtown, and I'm always amused when people mention it as being such. I used my work downtown as a reason to get a concealed gun permit. I knew everyone around me was packing a piece, so I had better too. It doesn't take a genius to realize that this massive downtown resurgency/renewal is all centered around the Courthouse and Jail. I'm speaking quite literally when I say that there are massive condo complexes with food and venues, and they are just down the the street from the Jail. The DPAC is right across the street from the Jail. Remember the Dichotomy I spoke of earlier. Where else can you go dressed nicely to a musical and have Jail Bird Crap cat calling your wife from across the street? I'm a scruffy guy and I feared for my innocence working down there. Downtown is no joke and Durham's ghetto trash will steal your stuff with you watching them. I'm not implicating any one race here. I've had stuff taken by them all. The police are passive at best when it comes to major crimes. I witnessed a drive by shooting and after staying with the victim till they left for the hospital, the overall attitude from the cops was nehhhhhh, happen's all the time. Desensitized is the best way to describe Durham. Big city problems happen wherever you are so why worry about them. There are beggers /homeless on every corner and it's getting worse. I do have to say there has been a recent crackdown/eviction of these pauper camps and that makes me happy. As for jobs, tech and medical have the nod and there are ample opportunities for professionals in those areas to get and retain well paying positions.
The building industry has been good to me, but retirement is looming near and I can't find a reason not to look somewhere else for my golden years. The housing market is crazy with my last 2 personal houses selling from the time I actually listed them, in an average of 34 minutes for above what I was asking. I've had buyers come to me and offer me money to let them have first crack at my sale. Demand is stupid high and there is little supply. Import's moving in have definitely rammed the prices sky high with little regard for the locals wanting to upsize or relocate to a better neighborhood. With the average 2200sqft house squeaking by the 425K range, present day value, I would have to say NO, not necessarily affordable. This is great for sellers, bad for buyers!
Food and entertainment are exactly what you would anticipate with a growing number of Foodies amongst the ranks. I'm not impressed with any food around Durham. For the people who say they go somewhere for the atmosphere and not the food...you need to stop lying to yourself. If you go somewhere and end up curled over a toilet for 3 hrs after eating an overpriced fuzion truffle, I can guarantee your attitude will change when asked t go back there for the atmosphere. Entertainment is ok as we have the ballpark and DPAC etc, etc, etc....I've been to them all less than I can count on both hands since I moved here. They can make for a fun outing, albeit expensive one if you're looking for something to do. Just try to not to get robbed as none of them are in a great part of town and the ghetto trash knows that as well as both you and I.
Everything else here is on par with the national average when it comes to food, healthcare and everyday expenses. Our taxes aren't cheap, but I do have to say we have great access to healthcare...really good healthcare (as long as you have insurance). There's no shortness of hostility towards people using the system and there's plenty of people that use the system here. If you love everyone when you move here your attitude will quickly change, I give it 5 months. There is grotesque misuse of welfare and people that work detest those that don't. I guess that's true of all major cities though.
I'm not trying to deter anyone from coming here, but rather just to give you one more opinion to add to your arsenal for some competent decision making prowess. I haven't found race to be an issue in regards to employment and have never been a victim of reverse racial discrimination. I will tell you that there are some that will try to abuse you just because they think they can and the cops won't do a thing about it. I'm referring to the afore mentioned "get used to it comment". I just tell it like I see it and that might not sit well with some folks, and that's ok. Yes the beach and the mountains are 2 hours each way from us.....YIPPPPEEEE. How often do you go to either and how often do you get a gun stuck in your face at a stoplight. Apples to Oranges if you ask me. Think twice about coming here. There are many better places, better schools, better people all around us. Durham is on the Downward trend not Upward, no matter how much they would tell you different.
Michael | Durham, NC