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Original poster

Is Durham a nice place to live?

89 replies

Mrshermit · 07/02/2023 18:29

We are desperate to move due to how expensive it is to live in the midlands. We are currently paying 1k in rent which gives us no chance of saving to get on the property ladder.

We have found lovely properties in Durham for around 6-700 much bigger than what we are living in now.

scared to make the move but seems like our only option!

OP posts:
RitaBea · 07/02/2023 19:13

Can’t believe all the Durham hate on here! It’s my favourite place and I’ve lived in multiple towns in 6 different counties across the UK. It’s very beautiful and the people are so friendly. It’s not bitterly cold - it can’t be, I don’t even own a coat!

Yes, some areas are deprived - particularly East Durham - Hartlepool, Peterlee. The main thing to consider is the houses are cheap for a reason. I’d say decent 3/4 beds in the better areas are actually more than £700 a month and closer to £1k.

SliceOfCakeCupOfTea · 07/02/2023 19:15

I live in Northumberland and it's stunning and not mega expensive. 3 bed semis in my town range from £600-£1k

Sittingonabench · 07/02/2023 19:20

Durham is a beautiful place. I love it, and hope to move there in the future but objectively I would echo some of the things said - mainly about employment.

FriedasCarLoad · 07/02/2023 19:21

I loved living in Durham - stunning city with so much beautiful countryside close enough for easy walks.

I eventually bought a house in one of the more deprived villages surrounding the city. Not as pretty! But a strong sense of community and I was accepted, even as a strange soft southerner 😁

Pearfacebanana · 07/02/2023 19:25

I've only been for the day. I thought it would be like a Worcester. It made Worcester look like London 🤣 Tiny.

stbrandonsboat · 07/02/2023 19:32

The countryside is nice and the A1 and east coast train line gives good access to both the north and south, but there's not much to do here and it's quite flat culturally so you have to travel for things to do. The university makes the actual city a bit more lively and diverse, but the surrounding areas are dull. There is a mix of poor and better off areas. It's not particularly cold and we don't get much snow and the west of the country gets more rain.

We like it here because it feels safe and we have a car to travel to the coast and countryside. Personally, I prefer Northumberland (which is colder 😂). If you're an easily bored, restless or creative type you'd probably struggle to cope with the lack of culture and activities.

Housing is affordable, but some of the outlying villages can be dicey. The further you get towards the Durham coast, the dicier it gets, remain closer to the city. Avoid Sherburn Road Estate 😂 and the Tesco at Dragonville is the single most depressing place in the Northern Hemisphere with an atmosphere of utter desolation and soullessness 😂 other than that, the place is okay.

RitaBea · 07/02/2023 19:48

Lack of culture? It’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site!

stbrandonsboat · 07/02/2023 19:55

RitaBea · 07/02/2023 19:48

Lack of culture? It’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site!

Yes, because of the Cathedral.

jollypostwoman · 07/02/2023 19:59

Only a small part of Durham City is a world heritage site. County Durham is basically a large collection of pit villages. Each one has a working men's/ miners club, a bookies and occasionally a corner shop.

OakleyStreetisnotinChelsea · 07/02/2023 20:06

Gosh. Well, you lot keep on hating it and leave it to us, we don't mind!

OxanaVorontsova · 07/02/2023 20:11

jollypostwoman · 07/02/2023 19:59

Only a small part of Durham City is a world heritage site. County Durham is basically a large collection of pit villages. Each one has a working men's/ miners club, a bookies and occasionally a corner shop.

Utter nonsense

stbrandonsboat · 07/02/2023 20:12

I don't hate it, I just find it a bit dull. There's not that much to do unless you're inclined to travel or enjoy being stuck in front of the TV every evening. We sometimes have a walk to the village shop for a chocolate bar, but that's not exactly riveting 😂 if we really want a lively night we go to the other shop in the estate and run the gauntlet of the yoofs who shout at you and occasionally throw stones.

The community centre has a stamp collecting fayre every few months. I can hardly contain myself when this is on I can tell you 😬

stbrandonsboat · 07/02/2023 20:13

OxanaVorontsova · 07/02/2023 20:11

Utter nonsense

Show quote history

Yeah, she forgot the hairdressers and nail bars 😂

Wisterical · 07/02/2023 20:14

@jollypostwoman as well as the pit villages there are many old farming communities which are beautiful, welcoming to incomers and with far more to offer than the Club and a bookies.

OxanaVorontsova · 07/02/2023 20:19

We live about 9 miles south of Durham, moved here 20 years ago never thinking we’d stay. I’m a southerner and love it here, can’t imagine living anywhere else.

NotMyDayJob · 07/02/2023 20:22

stbrandonsboat · 07/02/2023 19:32

The countryside is nice and the A1 and east coast train line gives good access to both the north and south, but there's not much to do here and it's quite flat culturally so you have to travel for things to do. The university makes the actual city a bit more lively and diverse, but the surrounding areas are dull. There is a mix of poor and better off areas. It's not particularly cold and we don't get much snow and the west of the country gets more rain.

We like it here because it feels safe and we have a car to travel to the coast and countryside. Personally, I prefer Northumberland (which is colder 😂). If you're an easily bored, restless or creative type you'd probably struggle to cope with the lack of culture and activities.

Housing is affordable, but some of the outlying villages can be dicey. The further you get towards the Durham coast, the dicier it gets, remain closer to the city. Avoid Sherburn Road Estate 😂 and the Tesco at Dragonville is the single most depressing place in the Northern Hemisphere with an atmosphere of utter desolation and soullessness 😂 other than that, the place is okay.

But it's got an escalator 🤣 personally I'd challenge that with the Sainsbury's in the Arnison

It's a nice place to bring up young children, if you choose where you live carefully. I live in a new build estate on the outskirts of the city, DD attends v near by walkable distance lovely small primary, lots of kids near by attend. Lovely atmosphere, but not the most cosmopolitan. Lots of lovely places for days out like Beamish, Hamsterley Forest.

Barnard Castle is also lovely, but you're far from trains if you need to leave on a regular basis

Coxspurplepippin · 07/02/2023 20:23

jollypostwoman · 07/02/2023 19:59

Only a small part of Durham City is a world heritage site. County Durham is basically a large collection of pit villages. Each one has a working men's/ miners club, a bookies and occasionally a corner shop.

And the glories of Weardale and Teesdale, some beautiful towns and villages, the city itself has festivals and art, music, theatre (and one of the UK's top universities).

I love living in the county. Best of all worlds.

emmathedilemma · 07/02/2023 20:25

doadeer · 07/02/2023 18:57

I'd rather live north east coastline (Tynemouth, Whitley Bay etc) than Durham

Same here! I lived in Durham as a student but whilst the castle and cathedral etc are lovely there’s some very deprived areas nearby and last year when I was in the city centre it was like a ghost town with so many empty shops. Also, students are really annoying!!

stbrandonsboat · 07/02/2023 20:29

I reckon our car insurance is higher than other areas due to all the students who wander aimlessly in the road, jump out in front of cars and ride bikes with no lights on when it's pitch black.

The Arnison Sainsbury's has been going downhill for years. I forgot the Tesco escalator and will agree that it adds a certain degree of excitement when going to the other level.

AlviarinAesSedai · 07/02/2023 20:30

Please don’t move to Durham, it’s awful.
Other than the Cathedral and castle the rest is a dump.

AnchorWHAT · 07/02/2023 20:33

Richmond is nice so is Darlington, love Durham but have no idea what's its like to live in as i just visit from relatives in highPittington.

Dashel · 07/02/2023 20:43

I moved north to the Durham Dales about 4 years ago. I live in the sticks with no neighbours but everyone has been very welcoming and we have made lots of friends. I don’t have a local bookies or nail bar. Yes there isn’t the sort of things you get in the big cities and public transport isn’t great with no trains.

The lifestyle isn’t for everyone but if you like walking and nature it’s amazing. We have some great local pubs and lots of local things like fetes and quizzes. There is a good community which you can be as involved in as you want to be.

There are some less desirable towns in County Durham but there are some really lovely places here too.

BCBird · 07/02/2023 20:59

I am.in the Midlands and have a good friend who I have known for 30 years who I see regularly who lives near Durham. It is colder up there without s doubt. There is some stunning scenery. I've just asked her about Belmont, she said it ok and the secondary school is great. I agree you coukd explore areas nearer to.the coast if that suits. I am.setiously thinking of locating in retirement if I can't move somewhere nicer round here.why not try an sir bnb for a holiday? The person who.mentioned crap takeaway? No.idea,it would probably not be everyone's deciding factor for relocation

IsThisIt2021 · 07/02/2023 21:19

@stbrandonsboat
Sounds like you may be local to us, the local
youths at the estate shop had me wondering but the community stamp fayre may have just sealed it!

OP I moved here 12 years ago. It totally depends on what you’re looking for from the area, don’t move here just because rents are cheaper. Think about what you want from the local
area and we may be able to help with areas to look at.

OneCup · 07/02/2023 21:23

What is your situation jobwise? I wouldn't just expect to find a job in Durham itself. Newcastle looks close on the map but traffic can be bad on the a1 and trains not the most reliable (strikes etc) and coming from Belmont wouldn't be that great.

I think Durham is fine if you are not after great cultural events etc. I guess it's the sort of place I would have hated to live in when younger but wouldn't mind now that my lifestyle is slightly tamer.

Belmont is fine. it's not the best area but absolutely safe and with lots of families.

There are some lovely villages not far off. Sedgefield (Blair was an MP for the constituency I think?) comes to my mind. No idea about prices though.