Living in Chester vs living in Durham

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Which city would you prefer to live in? Budget is up to 700k. Though ideally I'd keep to around the 650k mark. No kids to consider. I'd like a two bedroom house or flat. Preferably with decent public transport and a relatively safe neighbourhood.

I'm swayed towards Chester because of the proximity to major U.K cities but Durham looks very appealing too. And the North East coast is gorgeous.

I'm also considering a few other places but I'm gradually narrowing down my options and wanted to compare these two.

Any thoughts would be very helpful.

Well the good news is that you'll struggle to spend that much in either city on a 2 bed place. Pretty much no 2 beds over half a million in Chester or Durham, so you'll either come in comfortably under budget, or you'll be able to afford something bigger.

If I can spend even less, all the better. I certainly won't complain. The budget is up to 700k for London or my dream house . I don't know that I'd want a really big house because of the maintenance involved. And So probably no bigger than a three bedroom. Four bedroom at a push if it's the perfect property. A decent sized garden would be great though because of my dogs.

The public transport in Chester is woeful. Do you drive? If not, unless you live in the less desireable areas, there are no buses to speak of.

Having lived near both I’d pick Chester. The beaches in north Wales are as stunning in pets as Northumberland. Plus Manchester/Liverpool are handy.

You'll get a mansion for that money in durham

I definitely don't want a mansion. I want a fairly roomy house/flat but nothing huge as it'll just be me and the two dogs. Also I really hate decorating. Not the actual painting and putting wallpaper up, I always pay someone to do it, but the actual choosing the paint and furniture. I'm useless at that. So the less I have to do of that, the better. So if I can save money I'll be delighted.

I looked on right move and there are some actual gorgeous mansions around Durham but they're way over my budget.

It's disappointing to hear how bad the transport is in Chester, as I prefer to use it, but I'd still consider Chester and I WFH.

Does anyone know how transport in Durham is?

Durham is lovely but oh so hilly.

Basically if you're living in London or any other big city, you will be spoilt for public transport options compared to any other part of the country.

It all depends on which area of Chester you're looking to move to and where you need to travel to. You can get a train easily enough to Liverpool or Manchester. But if you live on the outskirts of the city and want a bus into the city centre, you've got no chance.

Basically if you're living in London or any other big city, you will be spoilt for public transport options compared to any other part of the country.

Wise words. I do live in another major U.K city so I'll have to keep it in mind that public transport is unlikely to be what I'm used to. Though I think it could definitely be improved here too.

How about The Wirral? Close to Chester but you could live near a beach. I'm just about to go and have fish and chips in West Kirby on the beach.

I'm not that familiar with The Wirral so I'll go do some research. Thank you for the suggestion. I hope you enjoy your fish and chips.

Durham city centre is lovely but it's not a big place and once you're a bit further out there's probably not much in the way of really nice houses, and there's some really quite depressing old mining villages.
Have you considered Edinburgh?

I don't know Chester but have lived in and around Durham since uni and love it. The countryside and coast are wonderful. Lots you could buy my entire street and have some change for your budget.

Durham is choc full of students, as a non-student it can be very annoying at times. At other times they just look so young and hopeful and ready to take on the world.

I've never been to Chester but I'd imagine the tourists get on the local's nerves.

Chester - right in the city centre - offers over £500k

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/102458216#/?channel=RES_BUY

I love Chester. I don’t think transport is that bad?

If you want town, good transport links and love the coast as well as a healthy budget, then how about Tynemouth?

If you can get a flat on Back Western Hill in Durham you’ll be laughing

You know you can pay someone to choose the paint colours and furniture ? Just a thought.

With your budget and 2 dogs I’d go for smaller house in a good area with a medium sized garden.

You can pay someone to do the garden if you need to.

Chester. Durham is very small although Newcastle is just up the road.

Chester is a lovely city in its own right, you're close to North Wales, the Peaks, Delamere Forest, Liverpool, Manchester - no contest as far as I am concerned.

Durham is really Tiny, so only go there if you are a more outdoorsy person happy to drive to countryside/ beaches etc and take advantage of northumberland rather than wanting to be in a big city with everything on your doorstep.

tynemouth is the best if u want easy access to bigger city like newcastle and a lovely thriving town to be in, right next to the beach.

TalbotAManThat is a gorgeous property.

emmathedilemma I had considered Edinburgh. I ruled it out for a few reasons but I put it back on my B list not so long ago. I'm planning on visiting it again soon and looking at some other areas there.

PotteringAlong I've heard some very positive things about Tynemouth so I'd definitely put it on my list. I'm not that familiar with it so need to do some more research. Is Whitley Bay also worth considering?

How about Newcastle?