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Original poster

Can anyone help me?

70 replies

feelslikethewaltonshere · 25/07/2017 19:06

Me, dh and dd (6) are planning a relocation from Scarborough to Durham area later this year. We basically can live anywhere as we work mostly from home (dh has a contract job 1 day per month in Sunderland so travelable distance is important).
We want a nice, welcoming area...good schools, plenty going on and with a country or attractive feel. I am quite interested in the new grammer school opening up (in Durham)Wanting to spend up to £220k on a house. I'm just looking for the best fit for us..any suggestions.

OP posts:
StealthPolarBear · 25/07/2017 19:40

I don't think it's a grammar, it's a free school. Be careful...

StealthPolarBear · 25/07/2017 19:41

Lanchester sounds perfect for you BTW. Commutable to Sunderland and nice rural feel with lovely village feel.

FreakinScaryCaaw · 25/07/2017 23:01

Newton hall in Durham is nice area. Castle eden is lovely. Seaham has nice parts. Shincliff, Bowburn, agree Lanchester.

FreakinScaryCaaw · 25/07/2017 23:07

www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-67829777.html

I like that house but that's because I love older houses and don't mind terraced. There's outstanding secondary nearby. Can you tell I like looking on rightmove? Wink
There's a nice newer detached too.

Whitegrenache · 25/07/2017 23:08

Lanchester perfect for you. The 2 primary schools in Esh village are also awesome. Or there are some lovely houses just outside lanchester towards Satley or tow law area if you want land and extra space. Consett is a nice town Witt plenty of amenities and cheap houses. Chester le street also nice x

FreakinScaryCaaw · 25/07/2017 23:15

www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-47657526.html
This is canny. Outstanding secondary 1 mile away.

I'll stop now. Usually I'm looking at headland houses as that's where I want to move. I'm Durham coast.

FreakinScaryCaaw · 25/07/2017 23:18

www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-49099989.html

Just one more. Has a nice conservatory for you and your new friends us Grin

StealthPolarBear · 26/07/2017 05:15

I'm not sure esh meets the 'plenty going on' requirement. In fact I'm not sure Lanchester does really. Newton Hall or fram probably do you're right.
That new school I hope will never come to be.

Original poster
feelslikethewaltonshere · 26/07/2017 08:47

Thanks so much....I'm about to ring the Headmaster...it's the fee paying one but will be low cost fees. Are there bad vibes about it?

OP posts:
Original poster
feelslikethewaltonshere · 26/07/2017 08:48

Thanks again.. good advice

OP posts:
Original poster
feelslikethewaltonshere · 26/07/2017 08:50

I think I might have to engage you as relocation consultants...(he he!)...brilliant advice...and I even have some houses to look at now!. Thanks so much everyone.

OP posts:
StealthPolarBear · 26/07/2017 08:52

I will pm you.

YoureAllABunchOfBastards · 26/07/2017 09:03

Avoid IGS like the plague!

I always recommend Darlington in these circumstances. Much underrated.

FreakinScaryCaaw · 26/07/2017 09:30

I'm from Darlo originally. It has some really nice areas and plenty going on.

FreakinScaryCaaw · 26/07/2017 09:39

That Darlo one has been on market a while. You could knock them down and use spare cash to change old fashioned decor. GrinDoes not one look past that? Nice area.

YoureAllABunchOfBastards · 26/07/2017 09:42

Nice house in great area - although the road is quite noisy (used to live just over the road). Loads of nice houses in West End of town.

FreakinScaryCaaw · 26/07/2017 10:00

West Park is popular. I'm more into old houses though but op might like it?

Original poster
feelslikethewaltonshere · 26/07/2017 10:15

Thanks again everyone...I'll wait for the pms but what is wrong with IGS? Obviously I know nothing and I haven't even started to look yet so please talk to me like I am a 2 year old...I don't even have any background to the story. Help!

OP posts:
Whitegrenache · 26/07/2017 10:34

Esh has the good schools. Not suggesting this as a place to live

YoureAllABunchOfBastards · 26/07/2017 11:00

repoorts.ofsted.gov.uk/index.php?q=filedownloading/&id=2509498&type=1&refer=0

This was the school the head resigned from.

Durham City has excellent primary and secondary schools in the state sector, and well established independents if that floats your boat.

The previous free school in the city was an unmitigated disaster, partly because it wasn't needed. Why set up a Grammar School?

I'd also be interested in how they will expand as time goes on, given that there is very little room for development in the city centre and every available site seems to be being obtained by the university.

Original poster
feelslikethewaltonshere · 26/07/2017 11:02

What's Stanley like?

OP posts:
Original poster
feelslikethewaltonshere · 26/07/2017 11:05

Ahh....I see...I can't really afford the private school fees for the "proper" private schools but I see there are some lovely state schools around Lanchester. It's difficult for me because we moved to Scarborough from Cambridge and I miss the "old" feel and the villagy feel so I don't want to make the same mistake. I just want dd to go to a good school..nothing fancy..just good. Hope that makes sense. xx

OP posts:
DurhamDurham · 26/07/2017 11:07

Please buy my house Grin
We're downsizing as both girls have left home now. V nice 5 bedroom in Great Lumley for a bargain £210k

Seriously though, there's loads of lovely villages around County Durham and all are close to Durham city as well as Newcastle and the coast.

StealthPolarBear · 26/07/2017 11:16

Great Lumley is nice isn't it - don't know that area well but get good vibes

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