If you’ve been accepted into the MMS program, congratulations and welcome to the Fuqua family!

With the weight of the application process gone, I’m sure you’ve asked yourself, “now where do I live?”

Well, you’ve come to the right place! As someone who desperately needed this when I was searching for a place to live a year ago, I’ll be giving you details that I wish I had known when I was going through this process. In this blog, I will be highlighting a few of the popular places to live among students in the Fuqua community.

Before getting into it, I have a couple of general tips that you may find useful as you go through your search. Durham has a plethora of housing options so these tips could help you with your process.

First, start early! The last thing you want is to be rushed into a lease at the last second. In fact, to further reiterate my point, most complexes increase their rental rates as you move closer to your move-in date. So, the more of a jump start you have, the better.

Second, do your research! There are so many factors that go into picking your apartment and before starting, it’s helpful to know what attributes you value the most. For example, will you have a car? Or will you most likely be walking or riding the bus to Fuqua? In the latter case, you may want to look into complexes that are very close to campus. Other factors include proximity to dining and nightlife, amenities offered, rental prices, and the complex’s pet policy. The list could go on, but it is important to know what you value in a home before starting your search process.

OK, now let’s get into a list of some of the top apartment complexes that MMS students live in. I’ve picked my top place for each of the following categories:

  1. Food scene
  2. Social scene
  3. Proximity to Fuqua
  4. Best overall

Food Scene: Foster on the Park

Located in the heart of downtown Durham, Foster on the Park is within walking distance of some of Durham’s greatest restaurants. Additionally, you are right next to Durham Central Park. This is home to the Durham Farmers Market which is a great place to support local small businesses and explore delicious food options every weekend. There are also a few craft breweries located around you as well as the Durham Food Hall which has so many great vendors. Aside from that, they offer great quality apartments that are brand new and luxurious to say the least.

Community Amenities

  • State of the art fitness center
  • Saltwater pool and lounge
  • Cozy terrace
  • Relaxing yoga room
  • Chic lounge with city views
  • Resident library
  • Pet spa
  • On-site retail
  • Firepit

Social Scene: Brightleaf on Main

If you enjoy being within walking distance to a large social scene, then Brightleaf on Main is your best bet. First and foremost, you are within steps from the infamous Shooters bar which, as you will come to find out, is where many Duke students gravitate on the weekends. Brightleaf on Main has direct access to Brightleaf Square which has a ton of dining options and is also home to one of my favorite breweries—Clouds Brewing! Aside from that, you are right near the city center of downtown Durham and have access to everything you need as a social butterfly! In terms of the community itself, it is a modern luxury apartment complex that offers studios, one, two, and three-bedroom apartments.

Community Amenities

  • Saltwater pool
  • Beer garden with bar and TVs
  • Outdoor lounge and grill pavilion
  • Cardio and conditioning center
  • Flex and yoga studio
  • Conference rooms
  • Game room

Proximity to Fuqua: Trinity Commons

Located just one mile from Fuqua, Trinity Commons is a great option for those who prioritize proximity to the Duke campus. For those who do not have access to a car, being within walking distance of Fuqua may be of the utmost importance. Especially since the Duke buses can be a bit unreliable at times. Additionally, Trinity is located right next to a very popular shopping center with close access to many restaurants. This apartment complex prioritizes three things: convenience, space, and luxury.

Community Amenities

  • Stunning pool with fountains
  • Grill area
  • Serenity courtyard
  • Outdoor fireplace lounge
  • Steam room and sauna
  • Hot tub

The Perfect Blend: Berkshire Ninth Street

If you want the blend of social life, great food scene, and a short trip to Fuqua, Berkshire Ninth Street (B9) is the place for you. I may be a bit biased since this is the complex that I chose, but my experience has been nothing short of great. B9 has high quality apartments with a great list of amenities and a variety of grocery shops and restaurants within walking distance. Additionally, Ninth Street is a great place to live because it seems to be a midpoint to Downtown Durham and Fuqua. Also, it seems like this may be the most popular place for Fuqua students to live.

Community Amenities

  • Dog park
  • Outdoor courtyard and grilling area
  • Pet spa
  • Social lounge with fireplace
  • Duke grad program leasing options
  • State of the art fitness center
  • Bike storage
  • E-lounge
  • Media lounge
  • Saltwater pool

I know that seems like a lot, but those four apartment complexes are very popular, and I’ve heard nothing but great things about each one of them. In addition to this blog, contact Admissions to receive the in-depth housing guide that is updated each year. There are certainly some other options with cheaper rent, and with how fast Durham is growing, there are new options opening every year.

Regardless of which complex you choose, I hope you find the place that perfectly suits you! Enjoy your time spent in Durham—it truly is a great place to be. Again, welcome to Team Fuqua!