Where to live? North England

[Ck1005]

Hi, this is a bit long winded and complicated but any local help would be much appreciated.

Ive been looking to buy first home for a while now but im not really getting anywhere (mainly due to small budget and not knowing the areas well enough).

I have a budget of £170k for a 2 or 3 bed semi or end terrace. Thats max budget and wouldnt be able to afford a new kitchen / bathroon etc with that so house would need to be in reasonable condition.

The main problem im struggling with is having some good dog walks on my door step (they dont have to be amazing, just around 1.5hours plus, bit of variety would be nice). Also, hoping not to be a million miles away from some shops.

Another problem, that is hard to explain, i do struggle driving and find motorsways and driving up hills etc too much (i can do it, just not all the time). For example, ive been to Sheffield and Huddersfield, did like both the area but couldnt manage the driving (the anxious driving is my problem i understand).

I was looking at south of Barnsley as there seems to be a few country parks for walks and i could get to the town easily but i honestly dont know the area.

I started to look further up north at county durham and viewed some properties in chester le street but i wasnt sure about the walks near chester le street, there wasnt too much in terms of shops, and a heavy to road system to the north and south.

So im currently really not sure. I feel there must be a suitable area and ive somehow overlooked it.

I do like Guisborough, and could just pop into middlesborough etc if needed for more shops but Guisborough seems just out of budget.

I work from home so commuting anywhere isnt a problem. Its really trying to find some local walks that i dont have to drive too but also not being a million miles away from some shops / socialising.

Does anyone have any ideas? Or am i just expecting too much?

Thanks for any help!

Northwhich, Cheshire. Just moved from South Manchester and we love it here so much.

There are motorways everywhere so can't help re that.

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/150635189

Shipley between Bradford and Leeds is lovely and relatively cheap. There are beautiful walks all around (moors, parks, woods, Canal, river etc) and good public transport links.
It's the friendliest greenest place I've ever lived, especially for dog walkers, I love it.

I live in a village near Lancaster. It's lovely here 😁 Those in town have a great park for dog walking but if you're willing to make a short drive there are infinite country walks. It's close to M6 so easy to get anywhere 👍

170k and in reasonable condition won’t get you much , even up north OP ….not if you want a fairly decent location…..can you up your budget at all?

Macclesfield is nice, fast trains to Manchester but on the edge o the Peaks.
Some nice looking 2 beds in your budget

Properties For Sale in Macclesfield | Rightmove

Small but near everything

https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/145522637#/?channel=RES_BUY

Bingley is lovely

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/150356615

It depends how big the hills have to be for you to feel uncomfortable... around sheffield/barnsley it is a bit hilly. Have a look at towns and villages off the train line that runs from Sheffield to Leeds. Chapeltown, Elsecar etc. You might find something in your budget that works for you. There's a mix of housing from old terraces to shiny (and some tiny) new builds.

OP ive seen your posts before. What happenned to Spennymoor? You've got the world heritage site of Durham Catherdral just 10 minutes away.

Im not sure what you mean by having a variety of walks. Chester le Street has that lovely huge park you can walk around and you can head up to Pelton and get on the Coast to Coast path.

County Durham is a great place and 170k will go far. You're right to swerve anything immediately south of there like Hartlepool, Stockton and Boro. I can see why Guisborough appeals but it's just a big hill and full of uppity twits whilst the other half is rough as hell.

I've a good knowledge of that whole north east patch and seriously many parts of county Durham are gems. Not so far from civilisation e.g. Newcastle and Metrocentre not far, train links, straight on A1 etc. Meanwhile often quite rural with old mining railway lines for walks.

We live in one of the villages near to Beamish. Nearest proper supermarkets would be in Chester le street or Gateshead- literally 10 min drive. Plenty of dog walks straight from the house, both in terms of footpaths through the fields and nearby coast to coast cycle way.

Short drive away parks, 30 mins to beaches etc. worth you having another look up this way and looking at OS maps etc for walks.

£170Kish would get you a 3 bed semi in decentish repair (although needing a lick of paint and bathroom/kitchen update at some point.)

https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/146272067#/?channel=RES_BUY

This is less than 10 minutes walk from Seaburn Beach. You coukd walk for hours along our coastline. The quary is nearby too whixh attracts dog walkers.

Otherwise look at Seaham. I know lots of people who've moved there from the south. My BiL is considering it too.

Gah - ignore me. It has tenants!

South Shields?

If you would consider the western side of the country, there's a large coastal plain (flat) area of Lancashire which, apart from a few hot spots, has reasonably priced property. It often surprises people, but Lancashire is predominantly rural and most towns have very easy access to to the countryside. You'd also have very easy access to the coast (which is not just Blackpool) and the road links are good. Basically, just look at the areas west of the M6.

What about somewhere like this? https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/150335642?utm_campaign=property-details&utm_content=buying&utm_medium=sharing&utm_source=copytoclipboard#/&channel=RES_BUY

Plessey Woods nearby is nice for walks.

Remember if you live near Beamish you can get a yearly pass and walk your dog there! Busy in the holidays but much quieter in term time.

I live near to where you are thinking of, and it's hilly everywhere. How about somewhere outside York (not York itself)? Not as hilly, beautiful countryside, A roads to travel on and nice market towns.

Pocklington, Selby, Stamford Bridge areas might be worth a look.

East Notts? Would have dog walking at Sherwood and clumber park close by. Maybe a place like Edwinstow would be nice, not sure if the budget would work. Nicer areas of Worksop or Retford?

Actually if you want flat then go to Hull. It's as flat as a pancake.

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/150438071#/?channel=RES_BUY www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/150438071#/?channel=RES_BUY]]]]

Check the flood risk carefully if you go for either Worksop OR Retford - I work up that neck of the woods and it's beautiful, but there are areas of both I've known to flood regularly - indeed the library at Worksop has flood defence barriers that just slot into place if there's a flood alert up after it was incredibly badly flooded a few years back.

Could probably just about get something 2 bed for £170k in my neck of the woods - Notts/Derbyshire border - nice dog walks along the canal or some of the parkland around here - but my dog is a lazy bugger greyhound so not the best at voting on longer dog walks. Drawback is you're on the M1 corridor which actually I don't mind - there are routes to avoid the motorway if required, but even me - as a massive motorway hater, manages it OK.

I used to go running with a club around here. It's a mixed bag but worth checking out. Lots of access to countryside around...

www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/map.html?locationIdentifier=REGION%5E9400&maxPrice=190000&numberOfPropertiesPerPage=499&radius=3.0&propertyTypes=&viewType=MAP&mustHave=&dontShow=&furnishTypes=&viewport=-1.49202%2C-1.48378%2C53.4591%2C53.4677&keywords=

Blackhall rocks or colliery is by the sea and castle Eden dene. You'd get a nice house for that money.

You'd also regret your life choices.