Views on Bishop Auckland

[MySassyCyanOtter]

Hi there,

I was just looking to gauge some local knowledge before I do another long drive house hunting. I'm planning to view a new build on Bracks Farm, Bishop Auckland but quite unsure of the area. There's also two properties in Etherley Dene area - looks quiet but have to admit I really don't know the area. I can see the town centre has high crime but wondered if it filtered to the edges? If people would advise against the area as a whole? Also been looking at Spennymoor but assume it's much of the same but without as many shops?

I know there's 'good and bad' with every town. Just wondered on those areas- I was warned off Helens Auckland and West Auckland a while back. Unsure if Etherley or to the north of Bishop is any better or much of the same?

Thanks for any help!!

I don't know if crime filters to the edges, but, on the whole, it's considered a pretty undesirable place to live.

Spennymoor is considered to be worse than BA and Ferryhill is meant to be the absolute worst of the three of them.

Have you driven around BA? It's depressing. Very underfunded. Much like many of our high streets, really. A friend of mine whose family are from not far away who hadn't been there for 10 years remarked at how much worse BA was looking than when he was last there.

I'm guessing given the areas you're looking at that Darlington is out of your budget? Are you specifically only looking at new builds?

I visited BA a couple of years ago. Lovely central but with a couple of nice cafes then we turned the corner!! Really run down. It was very tired I felt very sorry for the place.