Tips for Conducting a Housing Search Near the Duke University Marine Lab
1. The phone will be your best friend.
Start by calling property management companies rather than looking on websites. Websites can be out of date, and many properties are never event listed. Call weekly to ask about availability.
2. Ask about off-season rentals.
If possible, ask about off-season rentals rather than year-long leases. A number of management companies have owners that will rent to students from late August to mid-May.
3. Consider other short-term options.
Some students use Airbnb or VRBO to find housing.
4. Timing is everything.
Historically, most students do not secure leases until the late spring or early summer. While it would feel better to have a lease locked in by January or February, most rentals will not know availability until later in the spring semester. Be patient. DUML students always find housing, but you might have to wait or search longer than you'd like.
Some property owners have listed their places with DUML. Check that list here. (Updated 4.5.24)
Tips for Working with Local Property Management Companies
- Most properties are on Atlantic Beach, some in Beaufort and Morehead City. They mostly manage vacation rentals but do have some long-term rentals. They also offer some off-season rentals for their vacation properties that can span the academic year (late August to mid-May).
- Long-term rentals are few and far between and will likely only be available on relatively short notice. Call weekly to ask about availability.
- For off-season vacation property rentals, call the reservations team at 833.231.5892 or email bwreservations@bluewaternc.com. They will ask you what dates you're looking for, what you're looking to pay, bedrooms/bathrooms, etc.
Heads up: Bluewater no longer offers leases; instead, they offer "Vacation Rental Agreements." The short-term rentals are all offered on 90-day cycles. You can still secure your housing during the academic year, but it will not be a typical 9 or 10 month lease.
- Most properties are in Beaufort. One of the larger management companies in the area. They manage around 200 long-term rentals and around 30 vacation rentals. Turnover in long-term rentals is scarce.
- Long-term rentals turn over infrequently and will likely o nly be available on relatively short notice. You will need to call weekly to ask about availability - 252.728.5432.
- Ask if there are any opportunities to rent of their vacation properties during the off-season.
- Long-term rentals are few and far between and will likely only be available within 30 days of your desired move-in date. Call weekly to ask about availability.
- They manage about half long-term rentals and half vacation rentals. They are very excited about the idea of renting vacation properties to Duke students in the off-season.
- Long-term rentals are few and far between and will likely only be available within 30 days of your desired move-in date. Call weekly to ask about availability.
- For off-season vacation property rentals, call Greg Welsch (252.626.7292) or email greg@spectrumproperties.com.
An Incomplete Account of Neighborhoods/Areas of Carteret County:
Beaufort
PROS: bikeable and walkable to local shops & restaurants; close to DUML; community with other DUML students, faculty, and staff
CONS: difficult to get to DUML without a car
ETC: can be a more progressive part of the county
Atlantic Beach
PROS: the beach; accessible amenities
CONS: a little farther from DUML, difficult to access without a car
ETC: likely to find a year-round lease here; more off-season vacation rentals by property owner
Morehead City
PROS: many neighborhoods are bikeable and walkable to the water, shops, & restaurants; more affordable options
CONS: fewer DUML students, perception of distance (though many rentals are not far)
ETC: apartment complexes: