What's it like to live in coundon or ferryhill

[Fishfeet]

Hi, I'm looking to move up from London to county Durham to get on the property ladder and finally have somewhere to call my own. My budget is not very high around £70000 and need a 2 bed, so quite limited. I've found places in coundon and ferryhill and wondered if anyone can tell me what's it like to live there. I'm not bothered with shopping as have a car. I'm more concerned about crime and nightmare neighbors. If you have any insight into these areas or others I can look into, please share.

I wouldn't if I were you. They're very rough, especially Coundon. Even Spennymoor would be preferable to these two places.

Take a look at Coxhoe and Bowburn instead. Both have up and coming developments and a more varied demographic. They have a friendly feel and are safer.

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/98991926#/

Coundon used to be absolutely notorious
I helped run a play scheme there after Uni and a 12 year old asked me if I fancied a fuck. When I politely declined he threatened to stab me.
We ended up having to cancel the play scheme when someone slashed the bouncy castle.

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/85058110#/

There are lots of villages around Durham where 70k will get a nice 2 bed. Have you looked at Ushaw Moor, langley park etc?

Honestly, Coundon is very scary.

Coundon and Ferryhill are not the best. Look at North Bitchburn just outside Bishop Auckland, terraces there for £60,000 and very quiet and safe.

There's a few two bedroomed terraces in Chester le Street which are within your budget.

Avoid The Avenues area.

If you're from say Tower Hamlets or old school Hackney (pre hipster) then why not.

If you're worried about neighbours though these are not necessarily places for a peaceful life (parts are ok but parts very much not). Coxhoe, Brandon, or Spennymoor maybe instead. Bits of Bishop Auckland are ok too.

Dont go to Coundon!!! Coxhoe million times better

Thanks everyone for your insight! Really appreciate the links too Bellropes :-) I'm really glad that I reached out on here, it's nice to meet helpful people (albeit online) and to get a few pointers. Thanks Bellropes, StealthPolarBear, StrawScarecrow, Acunningruse and Gatekeeper, definitely good that you were all on the same page. It seems like you've all helped me dodge a scary one. Your example Hoppinggreen really put things into perspective.
Cheers again everyone, and stay safe!

Absolutely do not touch counden or ferryhill! Kirk meeting tonight is between them both and is nice and quiet but no local shop and I think just one pub (used to have 5!).
North close is just down from there but is £££
What made you look at those two areas? Where do you need to be close to? So many villages and towns and the differences between them in close proximity is huge. Bit like London really!

Also agree coxhoe could be within budget but stay away from west cornforth known locally as Doggy!!

Look again. If I had to choose between those I’d go with Ferryhill but I’d really look elsewhere. Bowburn and Coxhoe are much better, as is Spennymoor.

@waynesbluestreak

Absolutely do not touch counden or ferryhill! Kirk meeting tonight is between them both and is nice and quiet but no local shop and I think just one pub (used to have 5!). North close is just down from there but is £££ What made you look at those two areas? Where do you need to be close to? So many villages and towns and the differences between them in close proximity is huge. Bit like London really!

I meant Kirk merrington. But not sure your budget would stretch to there

What about affordable housing, ie buy using say £50-£70k and pay rent/mortgage on the rest.

I would also avoid coundon and Ferryhill they are both rough IMO. There's Darlington which is the first town leaving North Yorkshire and heading into County Durham.

Depends really what you are looking for, but with that budget I'd be inclined to use it as a deposit and get a mortgage if you're in a position to.

Will you have a job? Are you retired, children, etc. All are perhaps relevant to where you might choose to live. In any event I'd rent for a min of six months in the area you are wanting to buy in as it will be money well spent.

Also make sure when you look at houses you look what they've previously sold for, an awful lot have decreased in value in the areas you mention.

PM me if you want.

Decent part of Darlington

Longfield Road, Darlington
www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-73251834.html

Another good rule of thumb when looking at areas is if you can buy a house for less than £50k avoid it!

I live in Ferryhill. Moved here from from Spennymoor after I split from exDH. I like it and I live on a 'rough' street, neighbours are fine, I have a lovely big 3 bed victorian terrace that was £50k. Village has a few little shops and a decent butchers. There's a nice park and some lovely places to have a wander about. Easy to get to the motorway. I will say that my kids go to school in spennymoor, but they were already at their schools when we moved and didn't want to change.

I probably wouldn't want to live in Dean Bank in Ferryhill (watt Street, Davy St, Barrington terrace etc) but exDH lives near there and never has a spot of bother and again has a similar house. We both have nice cars that are parked on street and not had any trouble. If you want any further info, please feel free to ask.

Another one to say no!!!!

Depending on your budget but Belmont, Broompark, New Brancepeth, Coxhoe are all nice. I am from Ushaw Moor and wouldn't go there or Esh Winning, but you might like it. Langley Park and Langley Moor.

Wayne. Do you mean kirk Merrington

Countdown very rough, as others have said. Maybe more toward Weardale?

@StealthPolarBear

Wayne. Do you mean kirk Merrington

I did indeed!

If you like rural there’s some nice little villages in Bishop Auckland, like cockfield, but I would avoid the town centre, tudhoe is more urban, but again I would avoid Spennymoor town centre.

Unfortunately our town centres are quite run down but we have some pretty villages.

What, you mean Ferryhill doesn’t match up to The Ferryhill Philosophers like on the radio a few years back? (Disillusioned,
but still wish it would be repeated. That nice sounding Alun Armstrong and Deborah Findlay.)