The Basics
Life in Durham
Once you find a place to live, you’re going to need to know where the grocery stores are, where to open a bank account, and how to get your electricity up and running in your apartment. This section provides some information on essential services like getting a North Carolina Driver’s License or finding the best student checking account
Auto Registration and Insurance
When moving to North Carolina you must obtain a North Carolina driver license BEFORE you can register a vehicle.
You are required to register your vehicle for North Carolina license plates within 30 days of establishing residence or accepting employment in this state (non-residents do not need to do this). To register your vehicle, you must provide proof of ownership such as the title or current registration card, plus a notarized bill of sale for a used car, or a manufacturer’s certificate of origin for a new car. You must also prove that your car is covered by liability insurance from an insurance company licensed to operate in North Carolina. Visit ncdot.org/dmv for more information.
Local North Carolina License Plate Agencies
Chapel Hill
1704-B E. Franklin St.
Chapel Hill, NC 27514
(919) 942-4972
Durham
Downtown Durham: 1058 West Club Boulevard Suite 626
Durham, NC 27701
(919) 286-4908
Southern Durham: 5410 NC Highway 55 Suite AB
Durham, NC 27713
(919) 544-3662
Driver’s Licenses
North Carolina will honor an out-of-state driver’s license for 60 days after you move here, but after that, you will need a North Carolina driver’s license if you intend to establish residency. For a new license, see this fee schedule. You will need to provide proof of insurance and are required to pass a vision test, a road-sign recognition test, and a written test on driving knowledge. A valid driver’s license from another state usually exempts new residents from taking a road test. The North Carolina Driver’s Handbook, a study guide for the written and road sign recognition tests, may be checked out free of charge from any driver’s license office and should be looked at before taking the test. In the same vein, you may also consider updating your voting registration. There are typically opportunities to do this at the law school during elections.
For Local North Carolina Driver License Offices check the DMV website:
Carrboro
The intersection of NC 54 Bypass & NC 54 Business, 104 V Carrboro Plaza (919) 929-4161
Durham
Southern Durham: 277 NC Hwy. 54 West (Homestead Market, Exit 276 off I-40) (919) 560-3378
Eastern Durham: 101 South Miami Blvd(919) 560-6896
Hillsborough
1201 Hwy. 70 West; (919) 732-2427
Banks
Duke University Credit Union
Visit: 2200 West Main St, Durham, NC 27705 Phone: (919) 684-6704 ATM On Campus Locations: Brodhead Center dukefcu.orgBecome a Member. Duke Graduate Students qualify to become a member of the Duke University Federal Credit Union with a minimum deposit of $25 in a share/savings account. ($5 administrative fee will be waived). Your membership entitles you to financial services with better rates and lower fees than most banks. Nationwide surcharge-free ATMs.
Bank of America
Visit: 1058 W. Club Blvd., Durham, NC 27701 ATM On Campus Locations: Law School Second Floor, Lower Level, Bryan Center on West Campus bankofamerica.comNo monthly maintenance fee for eligible students.
SunTrust/Truist Bank
Visit: 2714 Erwin Road, Durham, NC 27705 ATM On Campus Location: The Bryan Center on West Campus truist.comPNC Bank
Visit: 500 Morgan St. Durham, NC, 27701 pnc.comWells Fargo
Visit: 2000 W Main St, Durham, NC, 27705 ATM On Campus Location: The Bryan Center on West Campus, Fuqua, Medical Center wellsfargo.comGrocery Stores
Whole Foods
Visit: 621 Broad StreetDurham, NC 27705 wholefoodsmarket.com
Whole Foods Market Durham is located in Old West Durham, directly across the street from the Duke University East Campus and nearby the Duke University Hospital System. Nestled in the heart of Durham near the 9th Street Corridor, Whole Foods Market Durham has been a well-known location for organic and natural foods and an active member of the local community since 1991.
Whole Foods Market Durham prides itself on selling only the highest quality natural and organic foods and providing customer service to every guest who walks through the doors.
Durham Farmer’s Market
Visit: Located in The Pavilion at Durham Central Park, 501 Foster Street, Durham, NC 27701 durhamfarmersmarket.comDowntown, Year Round!
Main Season Market: Saturday from 8 am-Noon
(April through November)
Mid-Week Market: Wednesday from 3-6 pm
(April through October)
The Durham Farmers’ Market is a community of farmers, growers, and crafters. We are strongly committed to local products: every item you see at the market was produced by the people selling it, and it all comes from no more than 70 miles away. Like small farmers and crafters everywhere, we believe in raising food sustainably and being good stewards of the environment.
Harris Teeter
Visit: 2107 Hillsborough Rd, Durham, NC 27705 US harristeeter.comA large supermarket, nice meats and fruit, pharmacy, and western union services.
Durham Co-op
Visit: W Chapel Hill StDurham, NC 27701 durham.coop
The co-op is community owned, and community-focused health store, but You don’t have to be a member to shop there. The co-op is supporting local farms, selling locally made products, and supporting local jobs. Featuring a cafe, hot bar, and salad bar, that offer ‘Meatless Monday’ on the hot bar, every Thursday is $3 Dinner night from 4 – 8 pm and Brunch is on the hot bar every Saturday and Sunday from 9 – 1 pm!
Trader Joe’s
Visit: 1800 East Franklin Street, Chapel Hill, NC 27514-5816 traderjoes.comAt Trader Joe’s Chapel Hill, is your neighborhood grocery store. Step inside and you’ll find unconventional and interesting products in the Trader Joe’s label like Mandarin Orange Chicken and Cold Brew Coffee Concentrate, as well as everyday basics like milk, eggs, meat, and fresh produce.
Aldi
Visit: 7906 NC Hwy 751, Durham, NC 27713 aldi.usGerman retail chain selling a range of grocery items, including produce, meat & dairy, at discount prices.
Religion and Spiritual Centers
Baptist
White Rock Baptist Church
3400 Fayetteville Street, Durham
919.688.8136
The Summit RDU
2335 Presidential Dr.
Durham, 919.383.7100
Buddhist
Eno River Buddhist Community
4907 Garrett Road, Durham
919.220.0321
Catholic
Duke Catholic Center
Sunday Masses:
11am – Divinity School Chapel
9pm – Duke Chapel
Holy Cross Catholic Church
1400 S. Alston Avenue, Durham
919.682.4852
Holy Infant Catholic Church
5000 Southpark Drive, Durham
919.544.7135
Immaculate Conception Catholic Church
810 Chapel Hill Street, Durham
919.682.3449
St. Matthew Catholic Church
1001 Mason Road, Durham
919.479.1001
Christian Science
First Church of Christ Scientist
1800 N. Roxboro Road, Durham
919.688.6181
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints
3902 Berini Drive, Durham
919.383.5799
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints
Durham North Carolina Stake Center
1050 Airport Road, Chapel Hill
919.967.0997 (Office)
919.967.0989 (Foyer)
919.967.0988 (Family History Center)
Durham 1st and 2nd Wards
3902 Berini Drive, Durham
919.383.5799 (1st Ward)
919.967.0989 (Hall)
Durham 3rd (Young Single Adult) Ward
400 Country Club Road, Chapel Hill
919.967.0987
Chapel Hill 1st and 2nd Wards
1050 Airport Road, Chapel Hill
919.967.0986 (2nd Ward)
Episcopal
St. Joseph’s Episcopal Church
1902 W. Main Street, Durham
919.286.1064
St. Luke’s Episcopal Church
1737 Hillandale Road, Durham
919.286.2273
St. Philips Episcopal Church
403 E. Main Street, Durham
919.682.5708
Greek Orthodox
Greek Orthodox Church of Saint Barbara
1316 Watts Street, Durham
919.682.1414
Hindu
Hindu Society of North Carolina
309 Aviation Parkway, Morrisville
919.481.2574
Islam
Masjid of Jamaat Ibad Ar-Rahman
3034 Fayetteville Street, Durham
919.683.5593
Muhammad’s Mosque #34
304 South Driver Street, Durham
919.957.4850
Jehovah’s Witness
Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witness
635 Bon Air Ave., Durham
919.220.9205
Jewish
Beth-El Conservative & Orthodox Synagogue
1004 Watts Street, Durham
919.682.1238
Freeman Center for Jewish Life
1415 Faber St., Durham
919.684.6422
Jewish Federation and Family Services of Durham & Chapel Hill
3700 Lyckan Pkwy., Suite B, Durham
919.489.5335
Judea Reform Congregation
1955 W. Cornwallis Road, Durham
919.489.7062
Lutheran
Advent Lutheran Church
230 Erwin Road, Chapel Hill
919.968.7690
Our Savior Lutheran Church
2109 N. Duke Street, Durham
919.220.6104
Christus Victor Lutheran
Evangelical Church
1615 E. Highway 54, Durham
919.544.7195
Church of the Abiding Savior
1625 S. Alston Avenue, Durham
919.682.7497
Grace Lutheran Church
824 N. Buchanan Boulevard, Durham
919.682.6030
St. Paul’s Lutheran Church ELCA
1200 W. Cornwallis Road, Durham
919.489.3214
Mennonite
Durham Mennonite Church
603 Lynn Road, Durham
919.596.4702
Chapel Hill Mennonite Fellowship Friends Meeting House
531 Raleigh Road, Chapel Hill
Methodist
Asbury Temple United Methodist
201 S. Alston Avenue, Durham
919.688.4578
Bethesda United Methodist Church
2309 S. Miami Boulevard, Durham 919.596.3948
Duke University Chapel
West Campus, Duke University
Duke Memorial United Methodist Church
504 W. Chapel Hill Street, Durham
919.683.3467
Epworth United Methodist Church
3002 Hope Valley Road, Durham
919.489.6557
Glendale Heights United Methodist Church
908 Leon Street, Durham
919.220.6138
McMannen United Methodist Church
4102 Neal Road
Durham NC 27705
Mount Sylvan United Methodist Church
5731 N. Roxboro Road, Durham
919.471.0032
Resurrection United Methodist Church
4705 Old Chapel Hill Road, Durham
919.489.6552
University Methodist Church
150 East Franklin Street, Chapel Hill
919.929.7191
Moravian
Christ The King Moravian Church
4405 Hope Valley Road, Durham
919.489.1711
Non-Denominational
Duke Chapel
11am Sunday Non-Denominational Worship Service
Chapel Hill Bible Church
260 Erwin Road, Chapel Hill
919.408.0310
Christian Faith Center
101 S. Peachtree Street, Creedmoor
919.528.1581
Churches Serving Internationals
1305 Odyssey Drive, Durham
919.544.6304
Cornerstone Bible Church
5707 Guess Road, Durham
919.479.0189
Durham Congregations In Action
504 W. Chapel Hill Street, Durham
919.688.2036
Hope Creek Church
4723 Erwin Road, Durham
919.490.0685
King’s Park International Church
1305 Odyssey Drive, Durham
919.544.6304
http://www.kpic.org/
Raleigh Christian Chinese Church
1426 Wake Forest Road, Raleigh
919.834.3815
Triangle Vineyard Christian Fellowship
3915 Western Boulevard, Raleigh
919.233.8463
Pentecostal
Upper Room Church of God in Christ
3300 Idlewood Village Dr.
Raleigh, NC 27610
Presbyterian
Blacknall Memorial Presbyterian Church
1902 Perry Street, Durham
919.286.5586
Church of the Good Shepherd PCA
3741 Garrett Road, Durham
919.490.1634
Covenant Presbyterian Church USA
2620 Weaver St, Durham
919.682.1484
First Presbyterian Church
305 E. Main Street, Durham
919.682.5511
North Carolina Korean Presbyterian Church
116 Tom Wilkinson Road, Durham
919.471.1168
Presbyterian Urban Ministry
305 E. Main Street, Durham
919.683.2647
Trinity Avenue Presbyterian Church
927 W. Trinity Avenue, Durham
919.682.3865
Westminster Presbyterian Church
3639 Old Chapel Hill Road, Durham
919.489.4974
University Presbyterian Church
209 East Franklin Street, Chapel Hill
919.929.2102
Seventh-Day Adventist
Five Oaks Seventh-Day Adventist Church
4124 Farrington Road, Durham
919.489.7777
Immanuel Temple Seventh Day Adventist Church
1309 Lincoln Street, Durham
919.682.5210
Unitarian Universalist
Eno River Unitarian Universalist Fellowship
4907 Garrett Road, Durham
919.489.2575
United Church of Christ
Pilgrim United Church of Christ
3011 Academy Road, Durham
919.489.1381
Zion Temple United Church of Christ
508 Sparella Street, Durham
919.596.4705
Shopping Centers
Brightleaf Square
On the corner of Main St. and Gregson St., downtown Durham, Brightleaf Square is a restored tobacco warehouse with very nice though somewhat expensive specialty shops. Contains a travel agency, a record store, and several restaurants including Satisfaction, a favorite Duke hangout, The Little Dipper “fondue on main”, El Rodeo, and Mt. Fuji.
Bull City Market
Broad St. and Main St. Contains Whole Foods, Hair Cuttery, Mad Hatter’s Coffee Shop and Bakery, Vine Sushi.
9th Street
This shopping area is very popular with the Duke community. Eats, errands, and eclectic gifts – everything you need in a unique, walkable district with a rich history and a friendly neighborhood feel. Referred to by the Herald-Sun as “Durham’s Greenwich Village,” Ninth Street is a cure for your shopping-mall blues. This is a street with character, a street with a soul. The area has a Panera Bread, Full Lotus Juice Bar & Cafe, Juju, Zen Fish Poke, Elmo’s Dinner and several other small shops.
Shops at Erwin Mill
The Shops at Erwin Mill offer a hip collection of commerce that appeals to an energetic demographic. Nestled in the heart of the Ninth Street Business District and Duke University, the Shops at Erwin Mill features nationally acclaimed and locally owned retail establishments and restaurants. The area has a Panera Bread, Harris Teeter, Full Lotus Juice Bar & Cafe, Juju, Burger Bach and several other small shops.
New Hope Commons
15-501 immediately before I-40. A strip mall containing Barnes and Noble Bookstore and Cafe, Best Buy, Marshall’s, Michael’s, and several other stores and eating places.
North Pointe
Off of Guess Road at the I-85 exit. Includes Home Depot, PetSmart, and several small stores. Costco, a members-only discount warehouse club, is next door.
South Square Area
On 15-501 Business. The area has a Super Target, a Carolina Alehouse, El Rodeo Mexican and a Sam’s Club. Three smaller strip malls are very close to South Square Mall: Westgate, Regency Plaza, and Parkway Plaza. These strip malls contain a K-Mart, Food Lion, Office Depot, and several other stores and restaurants.
The Streets at Southpoint
The mall is located at I-40 and Fayetteville Rd. Contains many upscale specialty stores and most major mall chain stores including, Nordstrom, Macy’s, and Sears, Apple Store, a movie theater, and an open-air walkway boasting larger stores such as Barnes and Noble and Pottery Barn, Restauration Hardware, and several restaurants including Maggiano’s Little Italy, Cheesecake Factory, Firebird’s Rocky Mountain Grill and California Pizza Kitchen.
Transportation
Airport Travel
Approximately 11 miles from the city centers of both Durham and Raleigh, Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU) is conveniently located off exits 284 and 285 of I-40. Parking is available at the airport along with several Park and Ride lots to help avoid parking congestion close to the terminals. For parking rates and other airport parking, visit the ParkDRU website.
Airport Shuttles
- Lyft at RDU Airport
- Uber at RDU Airport
- RDU Airport Taxi(919) 840-7277
- Airport & Intown Taxi(919) 942-4492
- Airport Transport & Taxi Company(919) 667-0800
- Brad’s Airport Transportation(800) 467-3302
- Dave’s Airport Transportation Service(919) 632-5509
Amtrak
The Carolinian route travels daily between Charlotte and New York City with stops in Durham, Raleigh, Richmond, Washington, D.C., Baltimore and Philadelphia, among other stops.
Duke Share the Ride Program
Duke’s Share the Ride NC platform is the digital ride-matching service you’ve been seeking! This website will help you quickly and securely find carpool partners anywhere in North Carolina! Using your home and school or work addresses, you will be matched to nearby commuters with similar schedules. Your home address will never appear on match lists.
Regional Bus (for eligible commuter)
Duke is offering GoPass, a free local and regional bus pass, to students and eligible Duke staff and faculty. To be eligible, employees must work on East, West, Central and Medical Center campuses; the American Tobacco Campus; or within one-half mile of the East,West, Central or Medical campuses. All undergraduate, graduate and professional school students are eligible. Local and regional bus transportation is provided off-campus by the Durham Area Transit Authority and Triangle Transit. Be sure to check out the Bull City Connector, a fare-free service that connects downtown with Duke University and medical facilities.
Bike
Staff, faculty and students who bike to Duke and do not regularly bring a vehicle to campus are not required to purchase a parking permit and may register as a bicycling commuter.
Duke Parking Permits
With nearly 13,000 students at Duke, the university is continually making strides to provide the best and easiest ways to park on campus.
Utilities
Electricity
Applications for service can be made by phone or in person at the Duke Energy on 410 W. Chapel Hill Street. One business day’s notice is required for connection of service. Customer service: (919) 382-3200.
Gas
Dominion Energy (formerly PSNC Energy) supplies North Carolina residents with natural gas. Unless you have had service in the last 12 months, you must go to the office with a copy of your lease and I.D. The deposit, which is based on the number of rooms in the house, may be waived by obtaining a cosigner or three letters of credit. Customer Service: 1-866-366-4357. Customer service is available from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday – Friday.
Water and Sewer
These utilities are provided by the City of Durham. Most apartment complexes will take care of arranging this service. Houses may or may not need this service. Ask your landlord if you are not sure. Located at 101 City Hall Plaza. (919) 560-4411