Durham at a glance
- Durham has a population of about 260,000.
- It lies in North Carolina.
- New York, the largest city in the United States, is about 420 miles away.
- Close by: Chapel Hill (10 miles), Carrboro (11 miles) and Morrisville (12 miles).
Dating by city / United States / North Carolina / Durham
Dating in Durham, North Carolina
Looking for a date, something serious or new friends in Durham? Create a profile and you could be the first local on this page.
First-date ideas for Durham
Choose somewhere central in Durham that you both know — a café, a bookshop with a coffee corner, a market. Daylight and people around make a first meeting easier for both of you.
Staying safe
- Meet in busy public places and tell a friend where you are going.
- Never send money to people you met online.
- Report and block anyone who makes you uncomfortable.
Dating in Durham: questions and answers
Who can I meet near Durham?
Within 30 miles of Durham there are 19 towns and cities — Raleigh, Cary and Chapel Hill among them — with more than 1.2 million residents in all. In the app you choose the distance yourself: from 5 miles to 300 miles, or “Any distance”.
Is there a free dating site in Durham?
Yes. YADate is a free online dating site, in Durham and everywhere else: profiles, search filters, likes, messages, voice messages and gifts cost nothing, and there is no premium plan. Daily caps exist only to stop spam: up to 40 new conversations a day, for example.
Are the singles around Durham real people?
YADate never creates fake profiles or writes on behalf of people who don't exist. A moderator checks every photo before it appears, every member confirms an email address, and any profile can be reported. Anyone who asks for money or pushes you to move to another app straight away is worth reporting.
Can I date someone from outside Durham?
Yes. Pick any other city in the filters, at home or abroad, and YADate shows the people there.
Dating tips
Profile & photos
How to write a profile that gets replies
Your profile is your first hello. How to write a few honest lines and choose photos that make people want to start a conversation.
First messages
First messages that actually start a conversation
“Hi, how are you?” rarely gets far. How to write a first message that is easy and pleasant to answer — with examples you can adapt.
First dates
First date ideas that are easy and safe
The best first dates are short, public and relaxed. Ideas that leave room to talk — plus simple safety habits that let you enjoy the meeting.