Having a wobble over buying cheap house in 'bad area'

Better_Days

ruggedtoast wrote: »

Is there anywhere named Hardwick that is anything other than horribly rough?

Hardwick Heath, Bury St Edmunds - lovely place to walk the dog, and even a pond with quacky ducks. We used to have an old black lab, Ben. We took him up the heath and he scuttled off towards the pond. When we got nearer we found he was scoffing the bait from the people fishing round the pond. They didn't dare stop him as he was so determined, but he was a real softie. :A

Lovelyjoolz

I lived in Banbury once and, to be honest, when Hardwicke is refered to as a 'bad estate' it means it's 'bad for Oxfordshire'. It's not 'bad' as many readers will know as bad. If that makes sense!

I think the best advice has come from becool. Go where the schools are good. The catchment areas around the good schools are likely to be OK.

I always thought Bretch Hill was worse than Hardwicke anyway.

What is your price range?

Thebestmumalive

I've lived near Banbury all my life. Really as Lovelyjoolz says - its not bad at all. In all of the areas mentioned there are good and worse areas - but not bad! If I had school age children, I would also go by catchment areas - you can judge a house by the neighbours but just as likely they will move and you get someone awful next door (and this can happen in the very best of areas).

Kayles86

Some parts of Hardwick are alright, i'm a bit picky and there are areas there i would consider. Which road if I can ask?

kyana

you need to find out why people think it's rough. i lived in a 'rough' area of london for a while and people often told me there was no way they'd ever live there. However, the main reason it was considered 'bad' as far as i could see was the high Turkish and immigrant population. Actually, it was quite friendly and the shop keepers got to know you which was quite nice.
It depends the kind of road you are on too, i find. we were down a cul-de-sac so it was quiet and no one really came down it unless they lived there which makes it feel better. and it was well lit.
currently i am two roads away from an area of houses i wouldn't live in but my road is lovely, very quiet and well-maintained.
i'd second renting for a bit to see.