Original content by Carl Johnson
We continue our tour of neighborhoods with some South Durham gems. This collection of neighborhoods is sure to have something for everyone and are home to some interesting history fun facts. An area of "firsts", one of the earliest HOAs in the United States is found here, and one of the first communities designed around a country club. This area is perfect for someone who wants quick access to both Durham and Chapel Hill.
Parkwood & Audubon Park
Parkwood is a community of about 3,000 homes. Historically, it is one of the first communities to have a home owners association in the United States starting in September of 1960. In addition to being the first of its kind with an HOA, Parkwood also has an unheard of low neighborhood dues (~$250/year) which includes a community building with a private kitchen available for residents and two swimming pools. The association also hosts social events throughout the year for all residents. This neighborhood has a mix of single family homes, town homes, and apartments. This is a community with a mix of new and more established homes. Audubon Park is a newer neighborhood built in the 2000s in the Parkwood community with larger lots and focus on landscaping. Parkwood also sits on 100s of acres of parkland including a community garden, a ball field, four playgrounds, three ponds, maintained trails throughout, and a lake! You can find a Mediterranean deli/grocery store and a convenience store within the neighborhood itself as well as walking distance on Parkwood’s trails to a pharmacy, hardware store, and a car repair shop. And if all of this isn’t enough, Parkwood’s convenient location to RTP, SouthPoint Mall, and numerous other food stores and much more offer unlimited opportunities for your needs.
Hope Valley, Hope Valley Farms, & Marydell
Hope Valley is situated between Durham and Chapel Hill, originally begun as a Country Club community built around a Donald Ross Golf Course. The Country Club and Golf Course were renovated in 2013 and are surrounded by single place dwellings which boast large and herbaceous lots. Access to Durham and Chapel Hill is convenient for those who need to commute from one town to another. Many shops and restaurants border this neighborhood that is located in the heart of South Durham.
Hope Valley Farms is a small community just off of Martin Luther King Jr. Parkway. Minutes to downtown Durham and convenient to I-40 and shopping. Close by to Hope Valley Farms is Marydell, a small community of homes. This neighborhood is built around Lake Marydell.
Woodcroft & Copper Creek
Woodcroft shares its landscape with its name including 200 acres of permanently preserved woodlands and fields. This makes for a neighborhood with six miles of beautiful trails to walk, bike or to simply bird watch. Woodcroft has an active Swim and Racquet Club with access to fitness center, summer day camp, and other amenities. Close by shopping and restaurants, plus nearby schools and I-40, make this location attractive for all kinds of experiences in Triangle living. Single family homes as well as townhomes and apartments adorn this neighborhood of natural beauty. Copper Creek is a neighborhood located off Woodcroft Parkway with mid-size single family homes. This established community was completed in 2002.
Chancellors Ridge
Located minutes away from Southpoint Mall, Chancellors Ridge includes 455 total wooded home sites with a mix of single family and town homes. This neighborhood has access to the American Tobacco Trail and also a pool with a lounge, dining tables and picnic area. If water is your place to get away, this neighborhood is a short drive to Jordan Lake. Founded in 1998, these home are spacious and modern with a true neighborhood feel.
Colvard Farms
Colvard Farms is a custom built expansive luxury home community nestled close to Southpoint Mall and Jordan Lake. The community was started in the early 200's but a glance at their website shows homes are being built for this exclusive property neighborhood right now! This land was once a collection of farms being located between Durham and Chatham Counties. One-third of this property will remain undeveloped to preserve the natural and historic beauty of this neighborhood. Colvard Farms amenities include walking and hiking trail, swimming pool, playground, a picnic area and fitness center.
Fairfield
The Fairfield neighborhood is located in the Southwest Durham County just outside of city limits (so no city taxes!). It’s less than half a mile from American Tobacco and Herndon Park. Great for people who want to live in a more rural community with the convenience of being minutes from the city. The community of Fairfield was established in 1997.
Lakehurst
Lakehurst neighborhood started in 1998 and continued to grow and develop over the years. However, the community remained small with only 102 single family homes. This neighborhood features mostly larger homes, but more reasonably priced than other comparable areas. If you are a nature fan, you will enjoy the community lake where waterfowl, turtles, fish and rabbits are often seen.
Wellington Forest
Wellington Forest is located just off of Fayetteville Road and HWY 54 with a short 7 mile commute to both UNC and Duke. This 145 home neighborhood started in 1993, offers tons of amenities including a newly renovated saltwater pool, plus a playground as well as basketball and tennis courts and a clubhouse.
Auburn Square
Auburn Square is a small development nestled in the corner of Barbee Road and Woodcroft Parkway. Conveniently located to both Southpoint and RTP, construction was completed on this mid-sized single family homes in the early 2000s. Amenities include a pool and club house!
Penrith
The Penrith neighborhood is an established community located convenient to Southpoint Mall, RTP and NCCU. This neighborhood has a mix of single family homes, townhomes, and apartments. Easy access to HWYS 55 and 54 with just minutes to Raleigh, RTP and Cary. The Penrith community started in the 1990s.
Woodlake
Woodlake is a community of 600 homes which features two lakes between Fayetteville and Barbee Roads. Established in 1993, the community enjoys coming together around volunteerism and has variety of home places including single family, townhomes and apartments. There's little chance of being bored with access to a swimming pool, clubhouse, and playground. If that isn't enough to keep you occupied, this neighborhood is also home to over three miles of paved walking trails.
Grandale
The Grandale neighborhood, established in 2005 with construction completed around 2010, has modern transitional homes. These large lots have retained their original wooded feel, and amenities include a community pool. The proximity to both Durham and Chapel Hill make this a great location for anyone looking for a short commute.
Carl would be honored to assist you with buying or selling your Durham home.
Contact Carl at (919) 880-0904 with any questions.
To learn more about the Durham area, click here.
To see an overview of North Durham neighborhoods, click here.