Buying a house near Durham. Local knowledge needed.

7 replies

Newtothenortheast · 01/09/2023 07:44

We have moved to Durham and been here since March. We have always had the intention of purchasing a house and been looking since arriving.

We are currently living in Framwellgate Moor. It's nice here but out of our budget for what we want. We would like a detached with a decent garden. Our budget is £200000.

We have been visiting the Durham area on days off and weekends to get a feel of the different places but that is totally different to actually living there.

I would like to know if anyone on this forum could tell me a bit more about living in the below places and especially what they are like for an outsider moving in and what they are like in winter. Also interested in thoughts on whether they are up and coming or going downhill.

Lanchester- A couple of really nice detached properties have come up here within budget. This seems like a really lovely village and has great walks and countryside around. Only 15 minutes to the city centre as well.

Pittington- Only one place has come up within our budget. The village seems to be lacking amenities and also seems like a trek into the city even though its technically closer than Lanchester, it's also about 15 minutes into the city.

Sherburn - Town seems okay and only 5 minutes into the city. Some nice walks around and the estate we are interested seems nice. The main housing in the old estate seems to be ex council but can't be sure.

We like Belmont but nothing we like has come up that seems suitable.

Any help is much appreciated.

OP posts:

okthenwhat · 01/09/2023 11:46

I live in Durham and have done for 20 years now. I'd go for Lanchester over Sherburn and Pittington any day of the week. It's a lovely little village.

91BlackCat · 01/09/2023 11:56

I agree Lanchester is a nice place.

SuddenlyOld · 01/09/2023 16:39

Agree, Lanchester is lovely. I used to live in tanfield but it's been a few decades since I moved away

ne21802 · 01/09/2023 20:50

How many bedrooms? Do you have children to consider for schools?

ArticSaviour · 01/09/2023 20:55

You get a lot more for your money in Darlington - 20 mins on train and about 30 mins by car to Durham

housethatbuiltme · 05/09/2023 13:33

I grew up in Framwellgate/newton hall, its a wonderful area but prices have definately risen to reflect that since the 80s.

Lanchester seems nice overall, I live not far away and my DS attends a good school there.

Sherburn I would avoid, my family is originally from there and the surrounding villages, it is not good. We moved back for a while to be close to family but it was AWFUL. Lots of thefts, vandalism and huge amount of racing of stolen cars (including the regular crashes they cause) I moved away (close to Lanchester) because it was hell on earth over that way.