W. Chapel Hill St. Durham??? (for sale, renting, crime)

[Zeelee]

Hi,
We are considering a house for sale that's located at the corner of W. Chapel Hill St. and Gerard St. Can anyone tell me about this neighborhood? Is this considered Old West Durham or the Burch Ave. area? I plan to use the crime mapper but would love locals' opinions about this neighborhood. Thanks!!!

[jill7930]

I have a good friend who rented a house on nearby Gattis St for a couple of yrs. She really liked the neighborhood and was friendly with many of the neighbors- at one point even considered buying the house. Then one day (about 3 yrs ago), her home was mistaken for another a few doors away, and about 6 shots were fired at the house. At least two bullets entered the bedroom where she was sitting with her son. Thanksfully, no one was hit. Needless to say, she moved from there quickly. Then there was this last year, also on Gattis
newsobserver.com | Duke student says she was raped (http://www.newsobserver.com/1185/story/542368.html - broken link)

I am not trying to say anything good or bad about that area.Things like those I mentioned could happen almost anywhere. Just thought I'd share what I knew. I don't have additional experience with that area, other than driving down that stretch of Chapel Hill Street almost every day. Someone did buy the house not long after my friend moved out. And I want to reiterate that she really did like the neighborhood (she ended up just renting and not buying anything at all). I just don't think she felt she could stay there after what happened.

[Zeelee]

Thank you for your insight. We have a two-year-old and another on the way. Your info is exactly what I was looking for! Thanks!!