Housing Resources

It is important to consider and plan ahead before securing your housing. Below are some additional things to keep in mind as you begin your search. Rental Deposit:  When signing your housing contract, you will have to pay a deposit and typically the first month’s rent. Typically, management companies and landlords will ask for a deposit equivalent to a month’s rent.  This incentivizes tenants to take good care of the property.  If you damage the property or don’t properly clean up before leaving, some of your deposit will be withheld. One note about foreign nationals renting, some management companies may require that you find a guarantor or pay two months’ rent as a deposit to make up for the lack of a SSN (social security number) thus credit history.  A guarantor is typically a family member or close friend who lives in the US and can sign the lease agreement promising to pay your monthly rent if you do not. The guarantor will have to have an SSN and good credit to qualify. Furniture: Most apartments in the U.S. are equipped with major appliances (stove/over, refrigerator, etc.).  However, unless stated otherwise rentals to not come with any furniture.  It is very easy to obtain furniture (new or second-hand).  You can do it!  Many people order items online and have it delivered straight to their apartment/house.  Take a look at the iHouse Shopping Resource Page to see where you can purchase second-hand furniture, rent a small truck if you need to transport your furniture, as well as where to rent furniture. Location: We STRONGLY urge you to find a place to live within the Duke Transportation zone. However, you may choose to take public transportation to and from campus using the GoDurham Transit System. Check out this useful map for locating apartments near city bus stops. If you need assistance with finding a suitable place to live, email IHouse@duke.edu.  

Duke List: http://dukelist.duke.edu

Duke Off Campus Graduate Student Housing: https://www.durhamgradhousing.com/

International House Email Listserv: http://studentaffairs.duke.edu/ihouse/join-email-listserv  Scroll down to International House Listserv and join there. Once your membership is approved, email a message to: intlhouse@duke.edu

Near Duke: www.nearduke.com/housing

Non-Duke  Websites: www.zumper.com    www.padmapper.com   www.rent.com   https://www.zillow.com/

Facebook Group: Housing for Lovely People / Durham, NC

Roommates:Having a roommate is one of the cheaper housing alternatives.  It is typical in the United States for students who do not know each other to share a house or an apartment. Normally you have your own bedroom and share the rest of the house or apartment. Generally, apartments are not furnished in the United States.  But it is easy to obtain furniture.  We list ideas on how to obtain furniture on our SHOPPING handout.

Private Homes:Students sometimes rent a room in a private home of a Durham resident. Typically, a student will have general use of the entire house. Bath and/or toilet facilities may be private or shared with the family. Be sure to ask what will be included if you are thinking of renting a room in someone’s home. Prices range from $600-$850/month.

Tips/Suggestions for Living with People who are not Family.  Be as clear as possible about expectations before moving in! Be very specific about what will be shared and what will be private. Discuss the obligation of bills, including utilities.  Don’t be afraid to ask questions about the personal habits of the people with whom you will be living.  Your expectations and your housemate’s expectations very likely will not be the same.  Be sure to discuss topics of concern such as cooking, cleaning, visitors, policy for having people over, etc.  Ask questions such as: Are you a smoker?  Do you study late? Get up early?  Have a boyfriend/girlfriend who will visit or stay over?  It is okay to ask these types of personal questions.

Some students may prefer to book temporary housing for their first few weeks of arrival so that they can visit more permanent housing in person before making a decision. Below is a list of options for this purpose.

Airbnb https://www.airbnb.com/ A platform for hosts to accommodate guests with short-term lodging and tourism-related activities. You can search for lodging using filters such as lodging type, dates, location, and price. Use Duke University for the location filter. Prices range depending on the lodging type.                               

605 West End apartments https://www.605westend.com/ 605 West Chapel Hill Street, Durham, NC 27701 Tel. 919.344.0605

Bell West End puts you in touch with Cort Furniture Rental to furnish your apartment for an additional charge.  A minimum lease is three months.  If you have a 3,4,5 month lease you can expect to pay an extra 20% on your apartment rental 

Blue Light Living apartments www.bluelightliving.com 1605 Erwin Road, Durham NC 27705 Tel. 984.219.1040 Email:  info@bluelightliving.com Brand new furnished two- and three-bedroom apartments.  Individual leases.   Rooftop pool, Study Rooms, Coffee Station, Fitness Center, Washer/Dryer, Café, Bike Stations, Walking distance to Duke.  Currently minimum lease is 6 months.

Extended Stay America: University: Ivy Creek www.extendedstayamerica.com/hotels/nc/raleigh-durham/university-ivy-creek-blvd 1920 Ivy Creek Boulevard, Durham, NC   27707 Tel. 919.402.1700 Fully equipped kitchens in rooms and coffee bar in mornings. Note:  Use the Company Code DUKE UNIVERSITY when booking.  There is a direct shuttle van to Duke & back 7 days a week.

 

Vrbo https://www.vrbo.com/ A vacation rental platform similar to Airbnb. You can search for lodging using filters such as lodging type, dates, location, and price. Use Duke University for the location filter. Prices range depending on the lodging type.

Home2 Suites by Hilton Durham/Chapel Hill https://www.hilton.com/en/hotels/rduhtht-home2-suites-durham-chapel-hill/ 3305 Watkins Road, Durham NC 27707 Tel.  919. 680.9000 Email:  lindsay.teasley@hilton.com Large and spacious suites equipped with full-size kitchens; complimentary breakfast every morning; complimentary shuttle services; located within walking distance to several shopping and dining options; on-site workout facility; outdoor pool; on-site complimentary laundry; on-site market.  2020 Rates for Duke:  1-4 night stays: $104/night; 5-11 night stays: $94/night; 12-29 night stays: $84/night; 30+ night stays: $79/night

Homewood Suites by Hilton Durham/Chapel Hill https://www.hilton.com/en/hotels/rduhwhw-homewood-suites-durham-chapel-hill-i-40/ 3600 Mount Moriah Road, Durham NC 27707 Tel.  919.401.0610 Email: lindsay.teasley@hilton.com Large and spacious suites equipped with full-size kitchens; complimentary breakfast buffet every morning; complimentary shuttle services; complimentary grocery shopping services; located within walking distance to tons of shopping and dining options; on-site workout facility; outdoor pool; on-site complimentary laundry; on-site market.

Pearl Mill Flats Condominium Hotel, managed by West & Woodall Real Estate https://westandwoodallpm.com/rentals 1901 Hillandale Rd, Suite 100, Durham, NC 27705 (rental office) Tel.  919.419.1200 Email: info@westandwoodall.com Fully furnished condo/hotel with full kitchen (basic pots & pans, towels, linens).  Internet/WiFi, cable TV, and utilities included in rent.  No telephone in the room.  Coin operated laundry facilities on site.  Outdoor swimming pool.  Walking distance to East Campus.  Duke Rate: $55 per night and tax, with a one-time cleaning fee of $125 and 15% discount on monthly stays. For stays of longer than 30 days, we apply a 15% discount to the nightly rate, bringing the cost down to $46.75 per night. On average, a three-month stay will cost about $1450/month.

Temporary Living Company www.temporaryliving company.com 8831 Westgate Park Drive, Suite 109, Raleigh, NC 27617 Tel. 919.881.2364 Email: templiv@temporarylivingcompany.com Furnished apartments and homes in the greater Triangle area including apartments walking distance to Duke.  Short- and Long-Term Leases.