Loading listings
Off-Campus Housing Near Duke University
$2,642+/unit
Fees may applyOne City Center
$1,725+/unit
Fees may applyStation Nine
$1,582+/unit
Fees may applyThe Flats Exchange on Erwin
$2,199+/unit
Fees may applyThe Novus Apartments
$1,745+/unit
Fees may applyTrinity Commons at Erwin
$1,400+/unit
Fees may applyEllis Station
About Off-Campus Housing Near Duke University
Duke University is a prestigious research university in Durham, North Carolina, known for its Gothic architecture and top-ranked programs in law, medicine, business, and the liberal arts. Durham has transformed into one of the most dynamic mid-sized cities in the South, with a thriving food scene and a growing tech and biomedical sector. Students who move off campus find rental options ranging from historic bungalows near East Campus to newer apartment developments further into the city. Durham is more affordable than comparable coastal college cities, and the combination of a walkable campus and accessible neighborhoods makes off-campus living a popular choice for upperclassmen.
Duke University Housing Requirements
Freshman Live-On Requirement
Duke University requires all first-year students to live on East Campus, the university's residential campus dedicated exclusively to freshmen. This requirement applies to virtually all incoming students and is a foundational part of the first-year experience at Duke. Exemptions are rare and generally limited to students who have documented extraordinary circumstances.
Off-Campus Eligibility
Students who have completed their freshman year at Duke are generally free to seek off-campus housing beginning in their sophomore year. Most students choose to live in on-campus housing through their junior year given the strong residential community, but off-campus living is an option for any student past freshman year. Those who leave the residential system should be aware that re-entry is not always guaranteed.
Lease Timing
The rental market in Durham and the surrounding areas near Duke moves fast, with many landlords listing available units as early as fall for the following summer or fall. The most competitive properties near East and West Campus tend to be claimed between December and March. Students who delay their search past spring break may face limited inventory and fewer options in the most desirable locations.