Relocating to Durham

[Katiescarlet]

Hello, I wondered if anyone would be able to give me some advice on relocating my family of five to Durham.
My husband's job is moving to Newcastle and so we're researching both Newcastle and Durham as possible areas to live and at this point we know nothing of the north east.
We have three children from 7 months to 5 years. Some guidance on where the good schools are in the area as well as the area's overall provision for Children's services would be useful.
Also, where are the nice areas within Durham to live that are within easy reach of a commuter link by train or car to Newcastle.
Many thanks

Quite conveniently, Ed :o

I might just move to Cockfield :o

Of course don't mix Stanley or crook up with Stanley crook of you are getting muddled already!

Dh can't ever remember the difference between Langley moor and Langley park.

yve - day trip to the Lakes? Cockermouth is nice I hear.

Don't confuse me Paleontologist. I've lived here all my life and still can't get the Langley Park/Moor one right

Esh and Esh Winning are so very different, despite actually being quite close. (unlike Shotton and Shotton Colliery - I have no idea where one begins and the other ends, despite living near them and passing through every few weeks on the bus, because they're as grim as each other!)

esh and esh winning gets confusing when people who live in esh winning and waterhouses just call it esh. some call the other old esh or esh village. but some call esh winning esh village.

i think it is one of those things you have to be a proper local to understand. i don't and i live nearby and my kids go to school in esh winning.

Hi all,

Any feedback on:

• Brandon (around the local convenience store)
• Sherburn Village (eastern edge)
• Witton Gilbert (north part)

Many thanks in advance!

I'm not far from sherburn village, though don't know it's specific ins and outs, super local attitudes, etc.

There's a few shops there and it's very close to Durham. There's 2 large retail parks with supermarkets on the eastern edge, which is handy and access to the a1 just beyond there. plenty of buses into town.

Catchment secondary is Belmont, which is ok.

The main road through gets busy, particularly when there's problems on the a181, which runs parallel.

Thanks Yveeastdurham! Much appreciated.

Would be interested to hear more about Sherburn Village, Witton Gilbert and Brandon from anyone with personal experience.

Btw, we are a family with 3 children, all under 4 years old.

CHUK I live in Witton Gilbert - moved here 5 years ago! It's a lovely village with a strong sense of community.

Although I don't have children I have a young niece and pre-teen nephews and the local primary school is really highly rated by their parents.

Getting into Durham is easy by car and bus, or walking on a nice day! It's also handy for getting to Newcastle, again by car or bus. The shop and village pubs are also good and there's usually something in at the Traveller's Rest pub such as family fun days, talks from local sporting celebs, live music etc.

It's a great place for dogs and horses too with lots of walking and fields.

Definitely worth a look!

Hi Pleasehurryupspring (absolutely love the name!), thanks so much for the insights!

That only leaves Brandon and Sherburn...

Hi, could anyone give me some advice on the best areas to live in Consett and Stanley? We've been looking (on the internet, some viewings booked for next week) at places in Castledene Road and Southernwood in Consett, and various places around Stanley - Tanfield Lea, Annfield Plain, Quaking Houses. We've seen a really nice, but really cheap house in South Moor, but then I checked the crime figures and news and have been put off because of drugs raids etc. We don't have a massive amount of money so I don't expect the find somewhere in the really nice places, but I would like to live somewhere where I can feel safe.
Any help greatly appreciated.

Dh is retiring and we are moving near crook next week. Sober ours we are doing the right thing.

Eh bloody spellcheck should say so nervous.

Hello everyone!

We are considering moving locally to Durham from Newbury in Berkshire and are looking at new builds. Could any one local kindly recommend good areas to live. We live semi rural at the moment in a village called East End and only 2 miles from Highclere Castle (Downton Abbey) so would like all the charm of green open spaces, plenty of dog walks but within easy reach of nice shops, cafes, restaurants etc.

Many thanks in advance. xx

You'd quite easily get that in Durham, itself. It's a tiny city with lots of parks and open space. If you do want to be more rural, have a look around Lanchester. For a small town, look at Sedgefield.

Thank you for the information yveeastdurham. It would mean a move on my own possibly 4 days a week with two dogs whilst my husband continues to work at Thatcham Research Centre. I'm not sure moving away from family and friends and knowing and getting to know people will be an easy thing? I wouldn't want to feel isolated and I know it takes time to make friends in a new area.

There are several new developments but I'd like to know where we shouldn't be looking too. If we don't move now then we will stay out for 5 years. We sold up and are in rented thinking we will wait for the youngest boys have finished sixth form and now they're off to University my husband wants to move to a cheaper area and pay a mortgage off in 7 years. I don't know what to do for the best. I know it makes financial sense but....any advice would be gratefully received. I belong to David Lloyd down here in Newbury and have two dogs so walk quite a lot so would hope to meet people. I'm just a bit anxious about a big move and being lonely and isolated?

www.ilivehere.co.uk/

Our house is up for sale after 20 happy years, just fancy a change. The village is Whittonstall, on the border of Co. Durham, but in Northumberland. It has a lovely first school, feeding to Corbridge Middle School, then on to Hexham High. A pub and church, which is used as a village hall. Our house is 4/5 bedroomed, full of character, inglenook fire place, large kitchen diner, ensuite, conservatory, garden. It is on Rightmove, £294,50.

I moved recently to near where Indith is but we are in middle of nowhere. Thoroughly recommend it.

Ismovingtherightthing. Where are you moving to you’ll not be far from me.

Hi does anyone have any info on what Kirk Merrington is like? (Just below Spennymoor) Me and my partner have seen a house we like there. The area looks nice and tidy and I believe from what little I can find online it has a low crime rate but apart from that I know nothing! Any experience of the village or knowledge would be most helpful!

Thank you all so much :)

I've passed through a few times, as DS2 goes to school nearby. It seems quite lovely, though we discounted it when we were looking for a new home as the public transport there sucks! I couldn't give you any specifics, though.

Hey thinking of moving to County Durham and was hoping for some local knowledge primarily where the nicer areas are?
Thanks in advance :)