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Original poster

Sunderland Move?

18 replies

fairy445 · 04/09/2023 19:04

Hello, we're thinking of moving to Sunderland due to the cheap house prices. We don't have to worry about schools as our DC have left home but we are wondering whether Sunderland is a nice place to live? What are the good\bad areas? Is it safe?

OP posts:

supermamio · 04/09/2023 19:07

Im not far from sunderland, is there any specific area your looking at. Most areas in the city have their good/bad parts. Will tell you that shopping in the city centre is dying, a lot of people would rarher drive a bit further afield to the metrocentre in gateshead for free parking and its indoors. The makem accent is very much like marmite.

northernfairy8 · 04/09/2023 19:10

Used to live in Sunderland, Seaburn and Fulwell are nice. I would avoid Southwick, Hendon and Millfield. The town centre is dying sadly.
Crime rate looks like this: https://crimerate.co.uk/tyne-and-wear/sunderland

satellitesunshine · 04/09/2023 19:11

i’d avoid the whole place personally 😅

SuddenlyOld · 04/09/2023 19:11

Nope, don't do it. Not Washington either. Cheap for a reason.

Mind in my 30s the night life was amazing

miracleworker38 · 04/09/2023 19:16

Sunderland is a dump, lots of far nicer places nearby

Hellocatshome · 04/09/2023 19:22

I'm going to comment on this post then ignore it as I feel I'm going to get irritated.

Sunderland is perfectly nice. It has good and bad bits as does everywhere. Ashbrooke, Tunstall, High Barnes, Fulwell, Seaburn and Cleadon and Whitburn are all lovely (although Cleadon and Whitburn aren't really Sunderland)

The city centre is dying but you have Durham, Newcastle, Metro Centre all in easy driving distance.

Areas to avoid Hendon, Pennywell Ford Estate, Pallion, Milfield, Marley Potts, Carley Hill.

IDriveMySupernova · 04/09/2023 19:26

Where are you moving from?

My family are from Sunderland. Seaburn, Roker and Fulwell are nice, and there are lovely beaches. I have fond memories of the museum and winter gardens. The last time I went the city centre was looking very run down though.

Have you considered a bit further up the coast? Neighbouring Marsden and Whitburn are very pretty areas.

Hangingoctopus · 04/09/2023 20:22

Sunderland city centre is abysmal- however a lot of regeneration plans just like a lot of northern towns.
Seaburn & fulwell, are nice. Keep away from Hendon, Pallion, Southwick.
If you’re not focused on living in Sunderland there are many areas close by that maybe worth a look at.

Thelondonone · 04/09/2023 20:32

The beaches are beautiful. An ex colleague moved from London to Sunderland and is very happy. I personally wouldn’t move back as it’s cold. Some really nice new bars and restaurants along the seafront and metro to Newcastle. Go and stay in the premier inn or seaburn inn and have a look. You might be pleasantly surprised!

berrypop · 05/09/2023 00:18

East and Middle Herrington are lovely, and right on the A19/A690 so easy for travel to Newcastle/Durham etc. There are lots of new houses going up in the SR3 postcode, which is one of the better ones.

DesolationRow · 05/09/2023 00:23

The city of Sunderland is irredeemably grim. There are some nice areas close by, especially Seaburn and Whitburn, but that's not where the cheap housing is. What's your budget and is there any particular reason you've chosen Sunderland? I reckon there's better places with cheap housing...

Lovethatforyou · 05/09/2023 00:29

I live in Sunderland. Near the beach. It’s a great place to live - fab beaches, cafes, bars, restaurants. Great schools, theatres, parks… and football team! Plus great transport links to Newcastle, Durham, metrocentre for shopping.

If you’re gonna move here, concentrate on Seaburn, Fulwell, Whitburn, Roker.. or Ashbrooke/Tunstall.

cold2 · 05/09/2023 09:24

It's cheap for a reason, its not a very nice place at all (used to live there for years.)
Seaham is a seaside town close by which isnt that bad. I would look around there instead of Sunderland

housethatbuiltme · 05/09/2023 12:02

Cheap by whose standard?

I viewed a house recently and the owners moved from London and where AMAZED at the 'cheap' prices but they where just 'standard' prices for here.

I'm not in Sunderland but have lived in many villages around Durham county.

You do get dirt cheap houses in rough areas, some that are £18-50k are likely to be in very rough areas and/or need a LOT of work. however £70-£100k will get you a standard house in a decent area here. If you have enough for £200-£300k you will usually get a big historic house in a decent area or a new-ish house in a good area.

Compared to big city prices where it can be 1 million+ for a studio flat I can see why Londoners think a detached 4 bed for £250k is 'dirt cheap' but its actually quite expensive here.

I live at the opposite side of the county but if I moved out that way I would aim for a beach location personally. Maybe somewhere like Marsden, Roker or South Shields.

StrongandNorthern · 05/09/2023 21:30

You won't get a 'big historic house' for £200 - 3OOK 😂.
Sunderland is really just pretty awful tbh.
There are reasons why it's (relatively) "cheap'.
You get what you pay for.

housethatbuiltme · 06/09/2023 10:31

StrongandNorthern · 05/09/2023 21:30

You won't get a 'big historic house' for £200 - 3OOK 😂.
Sunderland is really just pretty awful tbh.
There are reasons why it's (relatively) "cheap'.
You get what you pay for.

There is a detached large old house for sale on my street right now for £210k. You definitely CAN get houses that price, thats just a fact.

ISeeTheLight · 06/09/2023 11:05

Sunderland is perfectly nice and safe. It also has improved a lot in recent years - you can tell generally people are better off than they were around the last financial crisis. There's quite a lot of jobs in tech these days.

Obviously some areas are better than others. We used to live in hyper-posh Herts (Oliver Dowden's constituency) and are perfectly happy here. Agree with others re city centre - there isn't much to do, but for shopping the MetroCentre, Newcastle and Durham are easily reached. The local theatre (Empire) gets some fantastic shows. The cinema has recently closed - we usually go to Dalton Park now. Restaurant wise there's a fair few and the Sheepfolds development will have more.

The countryside is stunning, being near the sea is brilliant too.

School wise there are some excellent state primary schools. Secondary is trickier; the catholic schools are decent.

AllesAusLiebe · 29/09/2023 04:23

Sorry I've just noticed this thread, I know it's from a few weeks ago.

I'm living in one of the 'nice' coastal areas that have been mentioned on the thread and my advice is look elsewhere. I agreed to move here because it's where DH is from.

We have real problems with antisocial behaviour here including, but not limited to, car theft, vandalism and a proliferation of idiots on off-road bikes making life an absolute misery.

My property is going on the market before the end of the year and I can't wait to get out!

We're looking at moving back in the direction of Newcastle, if that helps. The only thing that it has going for it here is the excellent primary schools.

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