Anyone know County Durham? Specifically Stanley?

[Chipsahoy]

Relocating to the north east. Spotted a house in Stanley. Is this an area to avoid? Is it ok?
No need to commute, schools for primary and high children. Not bothered about weather as know it’s high up..
Should we view? It’s a three hour drive so wanted to check out the area first.

TIA

Where is Stanley? Some bits are nice, some are avoid at all costs. School, Durham North Academy, No, no.

Hope you like snow

Stanley is a very deprived area. I live near Durham City and I wouldn't consider it.

Thank you. It seems to be fairly central. Not too far from McDonald’s. The street view doesn’t look great to be honest!

www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-82196441.html

Avoid. Much nicer houses in much nicer areas of Durham for a similar price.

That’s not a bad part. It’s a town not a village. Some lovely villagers further out, Beamish is nice.

Thanks. It’s hard buying blind. We should probably rent but i don’t want to!

Housing market is dead, not a lot to choose from. I need to be patient I know but so desperate to start a new life away from my home town.

I had no idea you could buy houses that expensive in Stanley! County Durham has lots of beautiful places and nice towns but Stanley isn’t one of them. It’s very deprived, the shopping area is extremely depressing, even the charity shops don’t survive. The bus station is dire. On the upside, you can walk to okay green places fairly easily. Have you looked at Lanchester or Chester-Le-Street?

We want a big garden so Chester le street and lanchester are out.
We are able to move anywhere really but love Durham and Newcastle. So Northumberland is also an option. Dh wants countryside and I want sea. We live far from both currently.

I'd agree that Chester le Street or Lanchester would be a better option than Stanley. What's your budget? You can get a lot for your money in the North East

350k. There were loads of houses last year but we weren’t ready to sell. Now house is sold we can’t find anywhere to go. Luckily buyer isn’t fussed when he moves in.

There's a swingers/sex hotel in Stanley. Look up Stanley Spa hotel.

@HennyLenry oh well that’s me sold then!

Avoid! It's a tiny town with barely anything.

Do you need to commute into Newcastle or Durham?

If Newcastle, Northumberland is much nicer (and has a great coast).

Stanley is not the nicest of places to be honest.

Other than sea and countryside, what are your must haves in a property? £350k is a really good budget in the north east and it's got a massive amount of really lovely areas that you could look at

We don’t need to commute at all. Northumberland has my heart but County Durham is lovely and cheaper I think?

Three beds, large garden are my must haves. It’s the garden causing the issue.

I like one in Seaton Delaval that needs work but is lovely. Dh isn’t so keen on the work..

I lived in crook for a bit. In Billy row. It was horrible. But I looked on the map and it's about a 25 min drive from where you are. So you may be ok . But in general I do agree with others about it being derived area. Also I'm wondering about jobs in the area/not to far 🤔

It's not where I'd pick for your budget. If you like the Country but want some facilities have a look at Hexham in Northumberland.

I wouldn’t pay that much to live in Stanley.

Look at Seaham, Hawthorn, Castle Eden in East Durham or the likes of Cleadon/Whitburn a bit further up the coast

I don’t really know Stanley apart from that it’s a bit hmm, questionable.
My mil lives in Seaham in the Dene area, it’s quite nice and you can see the sea from her house. There’s a newish estate nearby Eastshore village, don’t think they have big gardens but the ones in the Dene area have reasonable sized gardens.

@Chipsahoy

We don’t need to commute at all. Northumberland has my heart but County Durham is lovely and cheaper I think?

Three beds, large garden are my must haves. It’s the garden causing the issue.

I like one in Seaton Delaval that needs work but is lovely. Dh isn’t so keen on the work..

In that case, I would probably come down the A1 a bit and out towards the east. Places like Guisborough have fabulous countryside and easy access to the coast. Prices are still very reasonable and you can find some real gems

I second Seaham

Thanks so much for the suggestions! Now if people would start putting their properties on the market that would be great!