Durham/Newcastle/Northumberland

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We are planning a house hunting trip to the above areas and could do with some help with best areas to visit please. We have £180k cash. Area is more important than size of house - we have dc to get into school. Close to the coast is a bonus!

I'm on the North East cost. Look at Whitley Bay, Monkseaton, Cullercoates, Seaton Sluice and Holywell. Tynemouth is also lovely but probably too expensive. All are right on the coast or within a mile or so. Lovely, friendly area. Lots to do. Only 10 miles to Newcastle city centre. Great schools around.

North East coast that should say.

Thanks @RainbowZebraWarrior I will take a look. I've seen lots of properties come up in North and South Shields in our price range. Do you know these areas?

Bumping

Hi, NC as could be outing.

I have lived in 2 of your 3 places listed, but have lived in other areas of the North East (but not Northumberland)

I also agree with Rainbow, have a look at the coastal areas around Cullercoats/W.Bay and the area. I too dont think you would get anything in Tynemouth. Great to get into Newcastle but far enough away to have the coast. Newcastle is fine in places but not in others like everywhere.

As far as North Shields goes, I am not a fan (sorry anyone from there) South Shields used to be a nicer place but like many areas its really gone down hill in recent years, lack of investment and a almost none existent shopping area, a real shame from what it used to be like, but the beaches are nice.

Same with areas in Durham, but if I was looking to move it would be either Northumberland or the North side of the river on the coast but not North Shields

I also agree about North Shields. Not a fan. Will probably throw up some great period houses at good prices, but it's never been the nicest area.

I know South Shields reasonably well, but as it's south of the river, I've never looked at living there as I've always worked this side of the river (Tyne tunnel adds around £4 per day and extra time commuting would always put me off)

I think with 180k you will get either

1. nice area, good schools, a drive to the coast (25mins) Or
2. coastal but crappier area.

The better coastal areas are Whitley Bay and Tynemouth. Both are very pricey.

However there are some nice more inland areas. Whickham and Low Fell on the Gateshead side of the Tyne, for example.

@BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz - yeah I was coming on to say that I think you'd struggle to get something in WB or Cullercoats for that price and definitely not Tynemouth

Thanks for all your suggestions. We really don't mind driving to get to the coast and appreciate we may not be able to get a decent place on the coast. I think we are basically looking for a nice, safe place to live where we can afford to buy a 2 bed house within our budget.

Seaham (Co Durham, close to Sunderland) is quite nice, very up and coming and not super pricey. And obviously by the sea! I've heard primary schools are good but no info on secondaries.

You might be better in a Newcastle suburb or as pp mentioned Gateshead for that price range. Seaton sluice is a nice place to live for good prices but slightly disconnected from the city. I’m born and bred Durham and it’s a gorgeous city but you’d need to inland for somewhere nice - Belmont area is nice and reasonably priced. The northern coastal areas are much better though.
It’s bloody great up here though ;)

There’s been a lot of investment on the coastal area of seaham but it’s still really dreadful in places inland. You’d need to be careful where you chose to live.

There's some lovely areas along the Northumberland coast. Avoid blyth and ashington tho!

What sort of facilities/location type would you prefer? Village feel in the countryside or more of a town/suburb?

Hi if all you're looking for is a 2 bed house then the world is your oyster with that budget! I live in a big newbuild estate just outside of Whitley bay (5 mins drive, less than 10 to the gorgeous beach and I go daily) and there is a 2 bed terrace there in your budget. The area is called 'shiremoor' which isn't that that lovely on paper but this estate has been built basically in middle of what used to be fields etc so it's not in the heart of Shiremoor and I feel 100% safe living here. Such a lovely estate, families, kids, community feel, amazing transport links, A19 and coast road, 20 mins to Newcastle city centre, 10 to beach, 20 mins to Northumberland for gorgeous walks etc. Lovely bridle paths for walks just behind the houses. Can't recommend it enough, will post a link of the available home I've seen.

I agree North Shields is a dodgy one. It's quite a broad term and can mean different places. Certain parts of North Shields (along by north Tyneside general hospital) could arguably be monkseaton/Whitley bay and are really nice (estates like Abbots way) but other areas such as Meadowell which are miles away, but still North Shields, are pretty run down and would be a completely no go for me.
Happy to tell you yay or nay to any houses you have found or any areas you have found x

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/98486564#/?channel=RES_BUY

This is also a great location. Not as much curb appeal as the house previously posted but this is just outside of a really fancy estate that you pay a premium for ('red house farm' and 'Beaumont park') and right next to good primary and secondary schools. Lovely peaceful residential area, 1-2 min drive/5mins walk to the beach. Next to a big Sainsbury's. And only additional 5 mins drive to the city centre etc. Very nearby the other house.

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/112070480#/?channel=RES_BUY

In Newcastle everyone will recommend Gosforth and Great Park, Gosforth I'd say you'd be priced out but you may get a 2 bed in great park (it's a new build estate - not my cup of tea for various reasons).
I live in Fenham which is more affordable, close to town, 25 min drive to coast. It's a diverse area and very friendly. I'd look at Prudhoe, Ryton and Crawcrook too all inland but I have family there and prudhoe which I know best has a lovely community feel.

Great Park is awful. Not even on a crime/scruffy level - just utterly soulless and devoid of any heart or joy.

The nicer areas of Newcastle might be a struggle at 180k for a house. I was c just having a look the other day and there isn't much at that price range anymore.

Your money would go further in Durham. I've just been to Seaham beach today and it's lovely but as others have said the general area can be rough in parts.

You are safest in Durham in the City. You'd get a two bed in Neville's Cross for the best schools. Or a 3 bed with a garden in Newton Hall for around that price. I like Newton Hall. Safe, friendly, walking distance to the city, decent schools, nice country walks, close to supermarkets. It isn't very edgy or cool though.

May be a 2 bed flat in Jesmond might be better as you get the area and then when you are both earning more you could upgrade to a house www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/112249067#/?channel=RES_BUY

( I am from Newcastle, not too far from there)

Thanks everyone I'm going through everyone's posts and taking notes! Very much appreciated.

Rowlands Gill? We looked at a lovely 3 bed semi there for 180k earlier this year.

I'm just going to name some places that you can get a house within your budget;
People will come along with some advise on schools etc;
High heaton
Cochrane park
Benton
Forest hall
Shiremoor
Chapel park/chapel house
Westerhope
Wideopen
North Shields (as pp nearer the hospital)
Fenham
Kingston park
Killingworth
Westmoor

I don't know anywhere over the water 😂

Over the water:-

Shipcote
Low Fell

• both of these are midway between Newcastle city centre and the A1 south, great primary schools. Mixed bag re secondary.

Whickham
Lobely Hill
Rowlands Gill

• both good access to Metrocentre and A1. Good primaries, reasonably good secondaries.

Heworth
Pelaw

• good for coastal access. Cant speak for schools at all.

I'd avoid:-
Most of Dunston (some good pockets!)
Deckham
Bensham (some good pockets!)
Birtley
Felling

My lists basically only cover the area immediately south of the Tyne.

North of the Tyne you have morpeth, bedlington all in beach distance, countryside and 20 mins outside Newcastle