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!

More of an anonymous place....which is where I'm struggling. I'm fine with not having a sense of community if I'm honest. But does seem the smaller places are quite isolated. I've always lived in bigger cities and although that's not what I want now, feel I would struggle in a small community as such. So trying to find a 'middle ground'.

Thanks. I hadnt looked at Washington as appears quite built up on the map - not really a place to escape for a long quiet walk? But could be wrong.....?

Have you looked round about Hexham? Whilst you may have a limited amount of property in Hexham itself, there may be stuff nearby. Haltwhistle is a nice little town. It’s got loads of good walks and an easy commute to Newcastle or Carlisle. There’s sometimes a bit of drama but no worse than many small towns. I do think you’d want a car, if you are outside Hexham though, as it can be a bit of a pain getting around sometimes.

I know you said you didn’t want to be in Newcastle but you could afford to buy in a suburb like Chapel House which is really very quiet and safe, and right on the edge of the city. You can do some nice walks around that area on the old waggon ways built for the long closed mines.

I'd rather not the shitty area of a nice town if I'm honest. Somewhere safer in a more 'average' town is fine by me. I'm looking into Sedgefield and you could be on to something there! Thank you! Will do further research!

https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/150850730#/?channel=RES_BUY

Northumberland has a discount scheme if you have connections to the area. That tends to mean a job that requires you to live there, or elderly parents who need you nearby - that sort of thing. You would have to pay back the discount when you sell, but it can be 20 or 30% off the market value, so will get you something more expensive than your budget would otherwise allow. You can see more details on the county council website.

https://www.northumberland.gov.uk/NorthumberlandCountyCouncil/media/Housing/FAQ-for-Affordable-Housing-Updated-April-2019.pdf

A friend's son bought a house under this scheme.

This is interesting....not somewhere I had looked at but will look into it. I appreciate your input. Thank you!

If you are drawn to CLS have a look at Lumley eg https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/87014973#/?channel=RES_BUY or near Finchale Priory https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/149213384?utm_campaign=property-details&utm_content=buying&utm_medium=sharing&utm_source=copytoclipboard#/&channel=RES_BUY. Lots of lovely dogwalking along the River Wear.

I don’t think houses in Thirsk are moving very quickly atm and I have noticed more and more older properties coming to the market instead of the normal masses of new builds.

https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/146518412

Thank you. Unfortunately I don't have a connection to the area. These schemes are very good tho and helpful for people.

I don't know how long a "long walk" is to you, but if you're in some suburbs of Newcastle, the Town Moor is popular with dog-walkers but probably doesn't show up on walking websites...?

Try Sacriston next to waldridge. Lovely woodland dog walks and 20 mins from Durham city centre

I'd look further down, Guisborough is expensive in my opinion but only a kick in the arse away from from Skelton, Redcar, Marske etc that all have access to the North York Moors as well as the coast and are more reasonably priced

Thank you. This is a nice house (the lumley house). I just wasn't sure about walks (I keep going on about walks don't I 🤣). But it might be worth a look actually. Thank you!

I'd look around Barnsley if that's not too far south. A lot of property for your money and the town is being redeveloped.

Chester-le-Street would be suitable, as is where I live in Washington. We’ve lived here for 12-years and love it. It has everything and is right on the A1/A1m and A19, so getting anywhere else is easy. Don’t take the recommendation for Stanley. It’s quite rough.

I did look around Barnsleys actually but anywhere I could afford had awful high crime rates (on paper). I still do have my eye on the area tho. Thank you

https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/152365253?utm_campaign=property-details&utm_content=buying&utm_medium=sharing&utm_source=copytoclipboard#/&channel=RES_BUY. Have a look at Washington too. It's where George Clarke grew up https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/article/2024/aug/01/new-town-architecture-labour-washington-tyne-and-wear-planning

Yes it was an estate agent who recommended Stanley to me 🤣....so I took it with a pinch of salt.

Thanks. Are there decent walks in the area or is it quite built up and walks are a drive away?

Barnard Castle? (May be a bit pricey, but Teesdale has fabulous walks.)

Seaton sluice, Seaton delavel, Bedlington would all fit the brief. I have a friend with exactly the same requirements and she has always lived around those areas.

Easy access to dog walks by the river.

Also cramlington, though as per pp depending on which area
You may need transport to access dog walks.

Pegswpod ok but not as nice as those areas.

Bedlington or Ashington. There a new railway line opening soon to connect them to Newcastle. Not far to the coast at Newbiggin.
Plenty of 2/3 beds under £170k.