Welcome to the Triangle

Durham constitutes one of the vertices of the Research Triangle, along with Raleigh (the state capital) and Chapel Hill. In the late 1950's, visionary regional leaders conceived of the Research Triangle Park as a way to bring attention and investment to the area's remarkable collection of major research universities. As successful as the RTP has been in driving economic growth in the area, the impact on quality of life has been perhaps more remarkable. We've included a resources page that provides links to many of the programs and opportunities available for recreation, engagement, and entertainment, but we wanted to provide a high-level view of what makes this such a great place to live.

Big City Amenities, Small City Livability

The influx of talent and resources brought about by the creation of the Triangle gives the area the feel of a much larger urban area, but without the traffic. These days every city claims to be a "foodie haven", but we have the receipts from a range of novel restaurants with offerings from six continents.  Many of these are available here in Durham, but you can access similarly varied eateries within a 30-45 minute drive. And it's not just restaurants; the diversity extends to arts and entertainment options across the triangle.  Our medical systems are world-class, and we're only a 25 minute drive from an international airport (RDU).

Blue Island in a Red State

Yes, North Carolina is a reddish-purple political zone, with the exception of three areas: Charlotte, Asheville, and the Triangle.  Here in Durham you will find a welcoming, safe environment along with many opportunities for political activism. As you might expect in such a university-driven area, there is a sizable and active LGBTQIA+ presence, but more broadly, the area is welcoming and supportive of a diverse community.

From the Mountains to the Sea

Technically, this is the name of a hiking trail (or system of trails) that extends from the Appalachians to the barrier islands on the Atlantic seaboard, and is in fact accessible about 1/4 mile from VHC. But we're piggy-backing on the trail name to highlight another great feature of life in the Triangle. We're only a couple of hours from the Blue Ridge Parkway and all of the many attractions of the mountains (Blowing Rock, Biltmore House, Linville Gorge, Brevard, Ashville). But if you prefer the beach, just head in the opposite direction for completely different scenery, also a 2-3 hour drive. In addition to the pleasures of a day at the beach, you can explore historic sites like Kitty Hawk and Cape Hatteras.