Spaulding Community - Durham, NC Area Guide

Much of the history of Durham has been largely influenced both by the rise and fall of the tobacco industry and Duke University. However, the Spaulding Community also has close ties to North Carolina Central University, which was founded in 1909 and remains one of a handful of historically black public universities. The community borders the university and provides housing to many students and faculty members.

The neighborhood was named after C.C. Spaulding who was a prominent member of Black Wall Street and the founder of the North Carolina Mutual Life Insurance Company. Residents can still visit Black Wall Street and learn more about how black businessmen were able to thrive despite segregation and discrimination.

Other local attractions include the Nasher Museum of Art, the Durham Museum of Life and Science, the Duke Lemur Center, and the Sarah P. Duke Memorial Gardens. Nearby Forest Hills also hosts annual holiday activities and events.

While the Spaulding Community consists entirely of residential spaces, locals have plenty of dining and shopping options just a few blocks from their doorsteps.

Residents head to Nana's to enjoy upscale dining and American-style food. This local favorite has been in business since 1992 and earned a national reputation for exceptional food and wine by creating dishes that utilize local and seasonal ingredients. The menu changes weekly in order to take advantage of the freshest produce, so patrons can continue to try and enjoy new dishes throughout the year. Popular entrees include pan roasted beeliner snapper served over Brinkley Farms’ purple hull peas with roasted peppers and bok choy and braised lamb shank with roasted potatoes and Brussels sprouts.

Just a few doors down at Nanataco, locals enjoy sophisticated versions of classic Mexican dishes. Residents flock to this eatery for the inviting outdoor patio, affordable food and selection of fresh ingredients. Order the fish tacos topped with mango-jalapeno salsa and black beans for a light and hearty meal.

For more dining and entertainment choices, locals head north to Main Street. The center of downtown Durham hosts a many popular bars and music venues. Bull McCabes serves as a prime local gathering place. This classic Irish pub delivers tasty burgers and garlic fries and pints of Guinness. At the Pinhook, which sits just a couple blocks down Main Street, patrons can enjoy local bands and performers while sipping on $2.50 PBR tallboys.

Sports fans can also catch a minor league baseball game at the Durham Bulls stadium, or get tickets for a division I basketball game at nearby Duke University.

Spaulding Community residents live just south of the Durham Freeway, which provides drivers with a quick route through town and a connection to I-40. Parking in the neighborhood and in downtown areas can be relatively easy and free during evening hours and on weekends. A combination of convenient parking decks and on-street spaces make it easy to park and explore. Residents who want to take a cab into downtown Durham should call ahead to schedule a pick-up or use Uber to hire a driver.

Passengers can access a handful of bus stops near the school that provide regular routes and affordable rides. Pedestrians can also use the Tobacco Trail to travel north or south into more commercial areas without having to worry about traffic. Cyclists enjoy a truly commuter-friendly city with plenty of dedicated bike lanes and trails.

Spaulding Community residents live next to the Forest Hills Park, which provides a family and dog friendly park that can be used for free throughout the year. This neighborhood park provides access to local greenways for bikers and joggers, playground equipment, tennis courts, baseball fields, grills, picnic tables and an indoor recreation center that holds educational events and classes. The nearby Tobacco Trail also hosts races throughout the year for competitive and amateur runners.

The cost of living in the Spaulding Community runs on par with other nearby neighborhoods that border downtown sections of Durham. A one-bedroom residence rents for $649 per month, and passengers can use the public transportation system for just $1.25 per ride. Gas prices trend slightly below national averages, allowing drivers to save up to 10 percent at the pump. While local bars provide plenty of drink specials throughout the week, resident usually pay $4 for a bottle of domestic beer.

While the Spaulding Community does provide a few gas stations and small corner stores, residents have to venture a few blocks out of the neighborhood to enjoy more shopping options. Just to the west, off of Highway 501, crafters and artisans can stock up on precious stones, handcrafted pendants and a large selection of tools for jewelry making at Rare Earth Bead Shop. The owner, David Sterling, trained in South Africa and specializes in rare gemstones. He provides customers with a wealth of knowledge and an inventory of products carefully chosen with expertise.

Just a little further west, residents enjoy bargain shopping at the Pennies for Change Thrift Shop. This store sells a wide selection of items from clothes and books to furniture and appliances. Shoppers can spend hours browsing the racks and shelves to find hidden treasures. All the proceeds from the store go to helping women and families in crisis, so customers can feel good about where their money goes.

To visit more recognizable, national retail chains locals can either head to the Streets at Southpoint Mall or the small Northgate Mall. Both locations host Macy's, Sears, Gap and other major stores.

Residents pick up groceries at the local Food Lion and Save-A-Lot discount store. On Saturday mornings, the Durham Farmers Market opens to provide fresh produce grown at local farms.