North East folks - can you help me out with schools and villages please?

[LeevMarie]

Long story short - we've recently moved and realised pretty quickly that we've made a mistake. We're looking for another move in the next year or so but need to make sure we get it right this time.

I work just outside of Newcastle, DH is remote. What I'm looking for is a quiet location, possibly semi-rural, with good schools (DS is nearly 4) and within commutable distance. Schools is the big one, though.

We've mainly been looking around Durham, but also around Northumberland. Budget is up to 500k and ideally we'd like a 3/4 bed detached. Am I kidding myself to think it is possible to tick all of the boxes?

I'm not from the UK and DH hasn't got a clue, so any help would be really appreciated! Thanks everyone.

We moved to weardale in Durham last year and there are lots of lovely spots round here. We are quite isolated but the kids school in Wolsingham and like it. My H commutes to Cramlington on his in office days.

Hexham, Corbridge and Ponteland would all fit the bill. Corbridge house prices are high, but you should be able to get something. schools good in all areas.

If you are wanting to commute into Newcastle what about Durham (Neville's cross gives you Durham Johnson) or if your catholic st Leonard's is good. We have lots of friends who went to framwellgate and have done well in life but the building need work (plans to rebuild). I don't know of any bad primaries in Durham itself. Have you looked at pittington semi rural but minutes into the town. Finchale and brassside are also really popular.

You also have places like Lanchester which is just the dream (I work south of Durham so we can't realistically move further north. Can also recommend Langley park (new builds currently going up)

500k should get you something lovely but their is so little on the market at the moment. If you don't need to move asap I would keep looking.

Consett, Stanley, sacriston etc are fine but if your not from round here mightn't appeal as old mining town.

Chester le street both comps are good and slightly closer to Newcastle.

You also have Sunderland, South Shields, etc where are you based now?