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!

Pity Me isn't nice though

There are a fair few within your budget in Bedlington.

Lots of woods/walks close by, only a ten minute drive to the coast if you want the occasional change. Fairly close to Morpeth without the high house prices.

Fram and pity me are fine. I didn't link the lilac avenue property because it's not the most wonderful part of Fram but it's still safe and quiet with a mix of owner occupied, private rented, housing association and student housing.

And the public transport situation in Sedgefield is fairly dire.

Thank you. I liked Bedlington, don't know much about Cramlington but someone told me there wasnt much in terms of walkable walks, mainly private fields. I don't know if that's the case or not.

Thank you. Do you mind me asking where you walk in Bedlington? I like the area. I've just looked on alltrials and isn't flagging up much in terms of walks so just wondered. Thanks 😊

Definitely look at East of Newcastle. Bits of Wallsend are nice and in that budget and also Monkseaton. There are miles of waggonways round there. Look close to rising Sun country park.

I know you said not Newcastle however this is on the outskirts and next village up in Heddon on the wall which is Northumberland. There’s a lovely walk down to Newburn and then from Newburn to Wylam
www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/146133137#/?channel=RES_BUY

Thank you. I was warned off Crook due to crime and anti social behaviour but will have another look into the area.

How about new marske? It's walkable to errington woods, no supermarket actually there but it's walkable to marske which has a couple and only about 5/10 mins in the car to Redcar which has several.

Thank you. I hadnt heard of the waggonways....I will look into it!

It depends where in Crook. My elderly parents moved there from Yorkshire to be nearer us and they love it. Shops are actually decent plus good transport links. Doctor + dentist surgery etc.
Great walks eg disused railway lines up to Durham to walk along etc.
Yes it's not Northumberland standards but it's much cheaper, Wolsingham is a 10 min drive for longer walks and there are loads of footpaths and bridleways around Crook.

I found this property on the Rightmove Android app and wanted you to see it: https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/151868945
This on dale street is well below your budget and there are others.

Hexham area is nice and tend to get more for your money ,Newcastle link via train and wonderful walks out in Tyne valley.

If driving to dog walks is a no-go then Cramlington probably isn't the best idea. It has east Cramlington nature reserve for dog walks which is great, and Northumberlandia, but you might need to walk a fair way to actually reach them.

You can go through to Seghill easily (very short drive but maybe 45mins-1hr walk so it depends what you mean by "long dog walks!") which has walks through fields with a giant spoon sculpture (because why not) and then access to the wagon ways to Backworth and Holywell which are also nice, albeit muddy.

Weetslade country park also isn't far but again, would need a drive (10mins or so depending on where you are).

There are a fair few walks accessible and Cramlington is a great "hub" for them, but they'd all talk a bit of a drive (10/15mins) unfortunately. Someone mentioned Seghill which would be in budget and better for walks but doesn't really have much going on in the village itself AFAIK. Same for Seaton Delaval.

Yes, that's what I've heard (although obviously can't vouch personally).

Guisborough has got good walks nearby.
Stokesley is lovely as is yarn.
Do you definitely want the north east? As Northallerton, thirsk might fit the bill.
I lived in thornaby for a few years and didn’t have any issues with crime or anti social behaviour. Then I moved to a nice North Yorkshire market town and had many problems with antisocial behaviour. Definitely visit a few times for a few days and see what the place is like at different times of day before you decide. Also join the local Facebook moan, groan etc groups as that’s where people will be complaining that their parcel has gone missing or someone nicked their garden ornament

This is helpful info thanks!

Have a look along the tyne valley - prudhoe, Corbridge, Hexham - all lovely and on the train line into Newcastle

Also Killingworth maybe? Newcastle suburb within budget. Doesn't feel like the city though.

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/149859146

Thanks. I'm pushed more to the north east due to budget. The areas you have mentioned are very nice but mostly out of budget unfortunately.

Langley Moor? You've got Lidl, access to the network of railway lines, decent butcher etc on the high street but also plenty of buses to Durham or walkable depending on how far you are happy to walk.

Thank you. The house isn't right but will look into the area.

I liked Hexham but couldnt afford it from memory. I will relook. Thank you