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!

A piece of advice I was once given was to be in an area at pub chucking out time to see what it was like. I don't suppose this is practical in most cases but worth bearing in mind.

I also think ruling out small villages is a mistake. You might look at a village and think it has absolutely no amenities, but join their Facebook pages and you could be very pleasantly surprised.

Sometimes the bus/car journey into towns for shopping is really easy, too.

If I'd seen the FB page of the village I currently live in before I'd moved here, I probably wouldn't have bothered - they're all bloody awful to one another. Snippy, sarcastic, rude, passive aggressive, and stuck in the bloody 1950s.

But I've since come across some genuinely charming communities, and unexpected amenities that turn up once a week in trucks, mobile libraries and post office service, and even Uber Eats delivering in unexpected places.

And I'm seconding the recommendation for Stokesley - although I have never actually been there, I have ONLY ever heard good things about it. Never seen anyone say anything bad about it, and it gets recommended on MN a lot.

Staindrop. A very charming, old-worldly village smack bang in between Barnard Castle (which you already like), Bishop Auckland (which apparently has five supermarkets) and on the doorstep of Raby Castle, which would be absolutely brilliant for dog walking. Last time we were there, there were a couple of hundred deer just wandering around. And lots of folks with dogs. Swans, geese, etc.

Iirc you can get an annual membership for £100 and they're adding a bunch of interesting stuff there. [just checked, it's £40!]

That would probably be my pick - but the housing stock doesn't suit me. I viewed a house backing onto the grounds which was lovely, but too small. Then the numbers started to hurt my head :)

BUT

You would probably have to concede to a 2 bed, and maybe with a yard instead of a garden.

Having the grounds of Raby Castle on your doorstep is worth losing a bedroom for, imo.

Chester-le-Street is a good choice, as is Washington.

Some of these suggestions are very much in the middle of nowhere. You either like North Yorkshire villages or you dont. If you want a bit of life then I'd totally avoid the backwaters that fetch a premium as you've already ruled out small villages anyway.

Washington is one of those new towns, weird districts and road layouts. As far as the Durham area goes Chester-le-Street is worth a look.

Thanks. The villages are lovely to visit but yes I'm not looking to move to a village location currently.

Yes, I keep going back to Chester le Street, think it's probably my best bet. Thank you.

There are walks at Billingham Beck and at Wynyard. The green in Norton is nice to walk around and there are some nice independent shops/restaurants etc. Not sure about crime rates, but like anywhere, it will depend on which part you move to. Here's a picture of the green. https://www.alamy.com/the-green-norton-stockton-on-tees-cleveland-england-image357441753.html?imageid=0CAF0C68-3DB3-4E08-8214-670D380EDBF9&p=271051&pn=1&searchId=cda0839db815d05438fd4e95775edca4&searchtype=0

I like CLS ease of transport - A1M by car, buses and trains to Newcastle and Durham (though I prefer buses), buses to Sunderland. Drive to Boldon Colliery for cinema. Drive to Arnison Centre for good normal big shops. All very liveable.

Consett, well Blackhill or Shotley bridge, Rolland’s hill way. Lots of lovely walks and easy enough to get into Durham or Newcastle

I saw this one for £170,000 in Bellingham, which does have a supermarket, a few other shops, pubs, cafes etc and lots of lovely walks, so thought it might be worth a look for you. Possibly a bit remote for you, but on the plus side, next to beautiful countryside.
https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/148057700#/?channel=RES_BUY