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!

Oh well i am indeed over the water!

But I would say county durham is tricky to get right with kids outside Durham City. Particularly secondary school provision can be hit and miss (had one of the lowest a level achievement rates nationwide this year), and the coast has suffered from lack of investment for years. North of the Tyne has had more investment. It's a beautiful county though.

What age/sex are you looking for with schools?

Thank you so much everyone! I will add these to the list :) we have a primary aged child.

If I was you, I'd be looking at somewhere like Cramlington or Morpeth. They're not too big, but still plenty to do for the kids as they get older and just a short train to Newcastle. Good schools and safe.

I'd be looking at Morpeth or Cramlington. Both are short drives to the coast, but good areas with good schools. Morpeth you're money doesn't go far, but it has good transport connections. Bedlington is beautiful, but there's not loads there and lots of newbuilds popping up considering its size. I don't know it massively well though. Alnwick and Amble are lovely too. Amble is right on the coast and has lots of investment at the minute. Its near Druidge Bay too which is a fab place to take the kids.

So we recently sold our 2 bed + home office semi in Low Fell (nice suburb of Gateshead good schools etc) for about your budget. South Shields is very hit and miss likewise coastal county Durham like Seham etc. I think Whitley Bay is prob worth a look as would be places like Low Fell and maybe Newcastle suburbs like Longbenton As they are on the metro which goes to the coast.

Agree go for Durham City. Very good schools, lots of things walkable, mainline rail, coast half an hour or less.

Bit further south but how about Hartlepool? Has some great schools, good transport links and a gorgeous beach.

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/112059242#/?channel=RES_BUY