DURHAM - ANYONE?

[NotreDames]

Is there anyone living in the City centre? Or very close to it?

Looking at relocating to my roots but out of touch a little with the best areas now that students have taken over so much of it.

1 What is available within a reasonable walking distance to the city centre? ie 15 - 20 mins max? Nevilles Cross? Akeley Heads?

2 Are there ANY areas that are not saturated with students where houses have been bought up by landlords? (I know the radius for this has spread right out to Gilesgate and even Belmont.)

Sorry if this sounds a lot to ask but just trying to narrow down areas.
Schools etc not valid as DCs are adults.

Student city is the viaduct, the terraces around Nevilles Cross (plus there's a big accommodation block up.there now), and Gilesgate. Plus little groups of student housing in the smaller terraces dotted around- e.g. bits but by no means all of Langley Moor, Crossgate moor, Ushaw etc. In most areas outside the very centre there isn't enough critical mass of students to be annoying. As long as you are outside the immediate viaduct area there is a good community mix.

Not many students in Aykley Heads, Fram, Newton Hall, Merryoaks, or North End (where the cock of the north used to be).

That's really helpful @DuneFan.

Do you know anything about the new flats and townhouses at the back of the Gala, called Highgate, and also the Sidings at the bottom of the Gilesgate bank?

Looking for something as close to the centre as possible.

Quite like Clements Wharf but the road noise is awful across the bridge and I know there are students in some of the flats.

The Sidings has been heavily marketed at students.

Highgate I'm less sure about. The Highgate I know is sort of under the train station, rather than behind the gala, and was not studenty when I had friends living there a few years ago.

There's some newish flats at the Sands too that might be worth a look.

The bit around the gala is Walkergate. Highgate as @dunefan states is below the train station. It has a very busy road in front of it but is very close to the city centre. It wasn't originally marketed at students but I understand it has quite a few living there now.

Don't know much about the Sidings although there are university colleges in the area at the Bottom of Gilesgate (Hild and Bede) so youre bound to have quite a lot of students about.

North End is not the area near the Cock of the North. It is area around and behind St Leonard's School. There are next to no students in that area.

Just had a look on Rightmove and there isn't a great deal on there at the moment. Properties close to the city centre are seeking quickly. How many bedrooms do you need to and what is your budget? Do you need a garden, garage etc?

• selling, not seeking ☺️

Ah excuse me I confused north lodge and north end Guess you might also call the area i meant "Mount Oswald".

Yes I agree the property market in the city is tricky at the moment. I have a few friends trying to move and saying there isn't much about.

Yes, there are a number of new estates at Mount Oswald. The houses are quite nice. It's a probably on the edge of the 20 minute threshold of walk into the city centre. Some nice walks around that area as well.

@DuneFan

The Sidings has been heavily marketed at students.

Highgate I'm less sure about. The Highgate I know is sort of under the train station, rather than behind the gala, and was not studenty when I had friends living there a few years ago.

There's some newish flats at the Sands too that might be worth a look.

There is definitely a road called Highgate as it's on google maps.

Rightmove gives the address as Highgate, Milburngate.

There is flat for sale there but the entire road seems a mix of houses and flat.

DH wants easy walking of the city centre.

I know the Sands was also being sold as student housing because I called the agents when the development was being built and she said some had been bought up by the uni.

There is a lot of student housing on Highgate. If you google Highgate Durham Student you'll see it. It doesn't particularly appeal to family buyers because of the very busy road and the lack of gardens. It is central though. You'd be in the centre in seconds.

For two beds near the centre, maybe also look at the little house in St Margaret's on Crossgate. Just down the hill to the city centre and really close to a nice pub (Elm Tree). Mix of locals and students in that area.

There is very little though. Unless you need to buy now I'd wait until more comes on the market and be prepared to move when you see something you like.

I see the Highgate flat on rightmove. It's on the other side of milburngate bridge to the Gala (I.e by the station). It was previously an air bnb let . . .

I see some flats for similar budget on Archers Court which I'd be looking at instead.

For family friendly areas within 20 minutes walk of the city centre I would recommend Shincliffe, North End, Whitesmocks, Archery Rise, Parkside, Western Hill, Potter’s Bank, Nevilles Cross and Farewell Hall.

If you’re worried about having student neighbours/noise avoid the terraces near the viaduct, all city centre flats, all terraces near University buildings including Church Street, Hallgarth Street, Old Elvet, new Elvet, the Avenue, the terraces near St Oswald’s Church, South Street and the bottom end of Clayparh and Gilesgate.