Moving ideas - potentially North East

[Talkischeap1005]

Nervous buyer here whose spent 18 months trying to find a house with little success so wondered if anyone could assist before I lose my marbles altogether.

I will keep it short as possible.

I have been looking to buy a 2/3 bed in the North East (not mid terrace) but I am struggling with my requirements and don't really know the areas well enough. My budget is only £170 max (lower if possible) which is the issue and for that I could only afford painting / carpets etc (wouldn't be able to do up any kitchens / bathrooms).

So my requirements were:
No big cities / towns (so not Newcastle / Stockton etc).
And no very small isolated villages.
So small / medium sized towns.
Inland as opposed to coast.
Having a long couple of dog walks available without a drive for his walks.
Reasonably near a supermarket (which I guess wouldn't be a problem in a town) maybe potential decent gym.

My budget does hit areas of higher crimes which being a nervous person does worry me but im realising I may just have to accept that.

I keep coming back to Chester le Street and do like the newer build areas near Waldridge fell which would tick my boxes (problem is I can't afford it).

I went on a wander around area Urpeth (not sure if it's ouston as well). I like the look off the area and asked some locals about it and they said they have been struggling with anti social behaviour and their which put me off but I've looked at the crime rates and they are lower than surrounding areas so unsure.

I like Whickham but again can't afford it.

Someone directed me to Stanley but that seems a bit out the way, might be too small and online has some bad press.

I haven't been to Bishops / spennymoor or Darlington so can't vouch for these areas. Mainly couldnt pick up many local walks but looking at spennymoor there does 'seem' to be some walks near Tudhoe potentially but looking today, it's slightly out of price range In Tudhoe.

So I feel I'm back to the drawing board.

Daughter has finished school so schools aren't an issue. I work from home so employment not an issue.

I feel not really knowing the areas is difficult and I guess you never really know an area until you live there. But I'm wondering if I need a reality check and my budget just can't afford what I'm looking for.

Does anyone have any knowledge on the above areas or any different areas?

Thanks for your help!

Newton Aycliffe is awful, just a sprawling mess of estate housing
Ex pit villages are cheaper but along with that can come some issues
The rural villages are nicer but more expensive and public transport is frankly shit
We are Weardale way because of those issues
Personally I would avoid Chester le Street because again it is now just a sprawl of estates however Waldridge Fell is good for dog walking and it's where we do gundog training
Bishop is being regenerated ie millions of ££ being spent in the centre but not great shops etc at the moment

Crook could hit the spot: cheap ish housing, semi rural but decent transport and a half decent town centre. 20 mins drive to Durham/A1 so easy access to coast. You can get to Bamburgh etc within 1 and a half hours. Close to Hexham and Corbridge off A68 and in Weardale within 20 mins.

Thank you. I did look at Eaglescliff / Yarm area but then cancelled them out as could only find walks along the river which is fine, but that's pretty much was I have here and walking back and forth down a river (well its a canal) gets a bit unexciting after a while. But I will go relook at the areas.

I've literally lived all over the place but mostly in the SE with has quite a different landscape to the NE, so taking me a while to get my head around it.

I'm struggling to find anywhere that fits your requirements but I don't think anyone's mentioned Washington yet.
www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/152825135

Morpeth could be affordable
https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/153130526

You said you liked Whickham but it was too expensive. Have you considered neighbouring villages like Burnopfield, Sunniside, Streetgate and Rowlands Gill? I think you’d find more for your money.
https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/152205305#/?channel=RES_BUY
https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/149557733#/?channel=RES_BUY
https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/145969910#/?channel=RES_BUY
https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/149887532#/?channel=RES_BUY

I looked at Ryton but it felt a bit 'out of the way' and apart from the river couldnt see many walks (I'm relying on alltrails) so I may be wrong. I did like the area tho.

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/144678059

Ahhh that's interesting thank you! I will look into this further!

Consett could be worth a look and some of the villages around.

Thank you. I will look into these!

Norton has a lovely green and duck pond and plenty of reasonably priced properties. It's on the periphery of Stockton (which I know you said was too big), but has a village feel. You could even get a detached house there https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/142837958#/?channel=RES_BUY

@Talkischeap1005 Lanchester is nice

Spennymoor absolutely fine- middlestone moor end is nice or burton woods. Aldi, Lidl, small Morrisons and Asda all in the town, several gyms, leisure pool just been done out and new library too. Absolutely beautiful countryside and lots of walks- walk Durham does loads. Plus regular and cheap buses to Durham, Newcastle, Darlington, bishop Auckland and then great train links from Durham to Newcastle, London, Manchester, Leeds, York, Edinburgh. Lots of regeneration of the town plus bishop Auckland is getting a huge makeover. Moved up here 4 years ago and was the best decision ever!

Look out for wagon ways nearer coastal area for walks. Wallsend has a series of lovely parks.

Cramlington does work price wise and has supermarket and such and is generally a reasonable area

It's a reasonable place to walk around ( lots of paths off the main road ) but you would need to be a good walker to get out in the countryside - it possible to walk to plessy woods for example , and walk to the coast if you have time - but the cheaper houses are more on the centre than the ouskirts

I don't think there is much less wind inland than on yen coast - depending on direction the coast can be sheltered

I have been keeping an eye on these areas. But nothing has come up suitable really. They are a bit small for my liking if I'm honest. But do look like nice areas.

Ah that's interesting. I didn't think Durham was in budget. I will have a look. Thank you.

Durham city won't be but the villages around should be. Lots are ex mining villages though hence the lower price tags which can come with issues and lack of amenities etc

Have a look at Norton, Billingham, Sedgefield and perhaps Hartburn.

I just had a quick look further down the coast and there’s actually a few bungalows in Marske, which is very close to Guisborough.
That area gives you access to North York Moors.
Actually there are a few places in Guisborough too.

I did a 5 mile search radius on rightmove and there’s definitely properties out there.

Yes, this is a good one. Some good walks, good public transport if you need it, shops nearby and quiet and safe.

https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/150167915#/?channel=RES_BUY

Or on the outskirts in the other direction, a good sized bungalow in need of a little tlc www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/130834244#/?channel=RES_BUY

Thank you. Marske was too small. I liked Guisborough but couldnt afford anywhere that wasn't flagging up quite high crime rates. But still have my eye on the area.