Hi all, looking for some advice!
DP has been offered a job (along with a promotion and big raise - yay!) in Durham.
We don't know the area at all. I have been there once, about 15 years ago - DP never.
Whereabouts is good to live in or near Durham?
We are currently and for the foreseeable, at least the next three years, 'living apart together'; that means DP lives at his place of work, whereas myself and the DC live elsewhere in our family home, with DP visiting frequently. (He is an academic which allows for a lot of flexibility and working from home even in non-pandemic times.)
This means that we are not concerned about good schools or the area being particularly family friendly, and we don't need enough space for all of us to be there permanently, though we will of course want to visit occasionally (the kids can bunk).
A two-bed place with large rooms, or a three bed place, would be sufficient.
As we are essentially running two homes, it can't be unreasonably expensive. On the other hand, DP should have some comfort, and should occasionally be able to host a work-related social event without having to feel embarrassed.
Having had a look around on Rightmove, we've been wondering:
- city centre high-spec flat? Would cost us ~£250k. But is city living good in Durham, worth the extra cost?
- or would you go for Durham non-central, small house? Looks like we could get a decent 3 bed place for ~£200k. But which neighbourhood?
- in contrast, it seems like there is a lot more to be had for our money (or pay less for something similar) if we go into the nearby villages. But where? And how is life in these places?
- we are also considering getting something in a nearby city, where the city centre could be more affordable than in Durham itself. E.g. Chester Le Street, Bishop Auckland, Darlington. It looks like we'd get a bigger/better spec place than in Durham itself.
But why live in one of those places when your job is in Durham and you don't have to worry about schools etc? DP will be living a bit of a bachelor's life when he's there, and living in Durham itself would allow for uncomplicated trips to the pub with colleagues after work etc. On the other hand, he does enjoy his countryside walks and cycling too, so if it is a bit more rural (and maybe within cycling distance to work) then that is fine too. And it seems a bit silly to pay £250k+ for a two-bed appartment when you could have a 3-bed house for £150k, a little further out.
Any thoughts and local knowledge would be much appreciated!
TIA.