<p>Is there anything to do outside of campus? Does the surrounding town stink?</p>
<p>If you don't have a car then staying at Duke would be your only bet. There isn't really anywhere in Durham within walking distance that has stuff for you to do. The surrounding town doesn't "stink"--Southpoint is amazing and it's 15 minutes away if you have a car so I think that makes up for a lot of it. Chapel Hill's also 20 minutes away, but once again, you gotta have a car or you take the Robertson bus. There's enough stuff going on on campus all the time that you won't need to worry about a lack of things to do.</p>
<p>There are a few places within walking distance of East Campus which I enjoy going to. Ninth street has a bunch of restaurants and a few (hippieish) shops, but that's always fun. Brightleaf Square is also within walking distance, and that has a bunch of restaurants/bars that upperclassman like to frequent. Between stuff going on and off campus lilpixytiff is right...there's always something to do.</p>
<p>Chapel Hill is really fun too...and the Robertson is actually really convenient. I have a car and a lot of times I'll choose to take the Robertson bus just to save gas.</p>
<p>Plus chances are you'll know someone with a car so you can get places like Southpoint/other within-driving-distance places.</p>
<p>Brightleaf Square has EXCELLENT restaurants. 9th street has restaurants (Cosmic Cantina--yeah) , shops, etc.</p>
<p>S does not have a car on campus, but several friends do. He goes as part of a group to places. I'd say that his only limitation in regard to accessing cool stuff to do is time. Engineering does take a few hours here and there.</p>
<p>Going to the Durham Bulls (Triple A minor league baseball team) games are always fun. Right next to it there is the american tobacco campus which has the best pizza place in the raleigh/durham area (Mellow Mushroom) and also has a great bar (Tyler's)</p>
<p>It sounds like Durham has a decent amount to do...how come people always talk about Durham sucking a lot then? Or being dangerous?</p>
<p>Going to Duke isn't like going to school in DC, NYC, Boston where there is a wealth of opportunities (that many times students don't regularly take advantage of) but it's not the boonies. I think there's fantastic restaurants in many different price ranges in the surrounding area, lots of independent coffee shops nearby (short walks off campus), independent bookstores, vintage stores, dessert places. There's fun bars nearby. I'm usually very occupied on campus, but when I want to do something lowkey and chill, it's always incredibly accessible, and if not, there are always friends with cars. And I ditto the Durham Bulls comment... my friends and I are going to a game on LDOC-eve and I'm super excited. I've also personally never felt unsafe walking around Durham at night either.</p>
<p>Another thing I've noticed about Duke is that it doesn't really have the college town atmosphere outside campus because the campus is basically the size of a college town anyways and has just as much going on. Is this an accurate judgment?</p>
<p>I wouldn't call the campus equivalent to a college town, but it seems to be more active than some of the urban campuses I visited.</p>
<p>Did anyone else get a DVD from Duke about Durham?</p>
<p>Yeah I watched it today...seems like a decent area to live.</p>
<p>DVD? When'd you guys get it?</p>
<p>Yesterday, but since you're out of the country you might have to wait a bit.</p>
<p>Yeah, I guess so. Unless they FedEx it, like they did for the acceptance package. :D</p>
<p>Walked over to Cosmic around 12:30am on the last night of Duke Up Close and spent about 3 hours there :]</p>
<p>Felt totally safe. The area reminds me of the old downtown area of my city... it's safe and fun if you know what you're doing. But from talking to people, it isn't too hard to go into Chapel Hill and whatnot if you want to, and that's where there's more stuff to do off campus.</p>
<p>On campus, it appeared that the students had plenty to do - but it was like Tuesday-Wednesday really close to exams so we didn't see any massive events.</p>
<p>I guess Duke doesn't bother to send the DVD to ED students..</p>
<p>Yeah, you're not important; you're going there anyway. :p</p>
<p>Seriously though, just wait a while it'll be in the mail.</p>
<p>I'm so mad I wasn't invited to Duke Up Close...ew. Like I totally would have paid to go...whatever. PS I want this DVD badly...if only cuz I want something to do with my life.</p>
<p>I respect everyone's tastes, likes and dislikes because a lot of our choices are just personal. However, there is no way that anyone can say that Durham is a nice town!. That's a total lie! Durham is dead! It is a horrible place to live. Students never go to Durham and EVERYONE in the school will tell you... "you do not go to Durham".....Period. If you go out, somewhere, it has to be Raleigh or Chapel Hill. Duke is an awesome university and one may feel that there is no need to leave the campus. That is just fine. </p>
<p>And I got the DVD. Just like any other University it shows you the best positive light of the town because they are not going to highlight the bad side. I have been to Durham...a lot. I have never encountered anyone in over 5 years that has anything good to say about this town. The only bad thing that many people think Duke has is just ...Durham!</p>
<p>Yeah what the hell I didn't get a DVD</p>