Any advice on Seaham (North East).

[MySassyCyanOtter]

Hi guys.

I'm wondering if any kind souls could offer up some local advice on Seaham. There's a potential house I've seen that sits inbetween Dalton Heights and Deneside. I've actually been looking to move to Chester le street but pretty much out priced now so need to branch further afield. (I work from home so location no problem).

Anyway, a house has come up in Seaham but I don't know the area at all. The Internet doesn't give it the 'greatest' of reviews. I'm not really a coast person but getting fed up of house hunting. I'm living down south and do find some places in the NE a bit remote and lacking in amenities (I do not mean that in an offensive way at all). I've read Seaham hasn't always been over welcoming to people down south but I've read that with a few places and obviously no idea how true that is. It's obviously not that far from Durham, Sunderland etc but im just not sure. I was told to go 'west of durham' I appreciate Seaham is east of Durham 😂.

Its really the crime and potential problems in the area I'm worried about (and trying to save myself a 7 hour journey if not suitable). Is the area safe?

I just wanted what the general consensus of the area is from people who live in the North East or have visited / moved there?

Also, ive looked on alltrials and most walks seem to be coastal....are there any local inland walks at all?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Having breakfast on the prom at Roker this morning (as the fog lifted) was beautiful.

My dad was born and lived in Seaham until he met my mum and moved to where we are now.
"Nonotseaham " is absolutely right.. I had lots of relatives living there and we used to visit them . Weird strange people..

For £170k you could probably manage a 2 bed in Sedgefield. 20 mins to Durham and to the coast. Good schools.

My friend lives in Middlesbrough, they like it, visiting it’s very pleasant too. Your budget gets you a better area too. Hartlepool however apparently is dire. I like Seaham to visit by the way, beach has the added interest of the glass, just have no direct knowledge of living there.

I think like many places it partly comes down to what you make of it, get involved in the local community and settle properly and you’ll probably like living most places whereas others spend all their time thinking it would be better elsewhere and never settle in

Wolsingham is extremely remote!

Seaham is a bit of a strange place OP although the seafront is nice now.

i would look further into Sunderland. Roker, Seaburn, Tunstall, Ashbrooke, Barnes, parts of Washington, and out towards South Sheilds.

Wolsingham isn't extremely remote at all! It's 15 mins from Bishop Auckland and 25 mins to Durham. Has great local shops etc. Further than Wolsingham yes you get remote

I’m from Teesside, there are some lovely areas and some that I’d avoid. Sedgefield and Yarm are nice with good amenities and nice country walks.

I have only really spent time around Seaham coast when we've gone there for food, it seemed a bit quiet. If at all an option I would much rather be around Sunderland coast/ roker park or in South Shields or Stockton up near Preston Park if you aren't fussed about being right by the coast. I found people welcoming to a Southerner generally when I moved to Sunderland. Some of the kids ran a bit wild with boredom (but low level mischief rather than anything serious).

Have a look at Whickham. It has a village feel but is close to Newcastle and Gateshead plus there are great walks and a back way into Gibside. There's a mix of house types and good access to the A1.

Whickham is expensive in my opinion bearing in mind it is full of pubs so the weekends get busy. You could look at Rowlands Gill/Blaydon/Ryton. Plenty amenities, near metro centre, easy into Newcastle and near the river so lots of walks. Also not too far from derwent walk. Most places in the north east aren’t far from coast or walks though.

Thanks. Yes, coming from big towns I'm finding a lot of these places too remote for me. They are nice but not manageable for me personally. I will look into your suggestions . Thanks

Yes, I really like both. Sedgefield is out of budget and generally Yarm is too. I would like Yarm tho!

You could get a decent 2/3 place in a nice bit of South Shields for 170k. Definitely not isolated (close to Sunderland, Metro to Newcastle). It’s a friendly community and a nice coastline there.

Yes Blaydon and Winlaton is a good shout, lovely walks on the Derwent walk but more affordable than whickham, Ryton etc

@MySassyCyanOtter if you like Yarm but it’s out of budget you could try Eaglescliffe, Fairfield.
wolviston is a nice village, there is probably going to be a new housing estate built, despite the residents objections.
Norton is a nice village, the Glebe and Crooksbarn are decent estates close by.