Newcastle/Duram Properties

Cute_'n'_Quirky

o_t_e wrote: »

I wrote that I found it depressing that other people have had bad experiences of the north east because I also come from the north east - I was not tarring everyone in the North East with the same brush but highlighting the need to buy in an area where the efforts of decent people are not thwarted by an over representation of chava scum. The original poster writes from Ireland and is asking for explicit guidence - it was not my intention to cause offence but there is no point in sugaring the pill. I actually have two homes in the North East one in Newcastle and one in county durham - the newcastle property is worth 180k and the durham one barely 60k - despite this I would tell anyone that asked to avoid the area of Newcastle I live in like the plague due to the feral kids who delight in breaking windows and damaging cars - this is the sort of info "CL" needs to know.

The thing is that Newcastle is a "big" City and like all cities it has its problems and its problem areas.

Durham is a City, yes, but it has charm and character with it. Also, the university students are some of the best students in the UK, second only to OxBridge unis.

We get a bad reputation for being "in the north east" as you say, which is totally unfounded!

typeractive

Cute_n_Quirky wrote: »

Oh and by the way, Coundon is not a good place to live. It has a very bad reputation for gangs and trouble.
Same goes for Ferryhill and Spennymoor.

I agree....though perhaps Spennymoor isn't quite as bad. Some areas are ok there. Look at Kirk Merrington which is between Ferryhill and Spenny for example - that's a lovely little village...which is good as I might be lookign to buy there

Shildon has nothing going for it at all.

I would agree, though after the regeneration of the 'town' centre, and the train museum, perhaps they are revamping it a bit more. A year or so ago people thought it was a good place to buy in. The estate agents there - Alison Dyson, seems to sell most properties in the area. Though the website is crap as everything is always gone...so why bother advertising it? lol 9obviously to show how good they are)

West Aucland and St. Helens Auckland have some nice newer build houses.

Some newer building yes...but are they nice? Some are absolutely tiny. However all this new building is good for the area, it will pick the area up. I have a friend whom lives on the brink between West and St helens, I think he got lucky and bought at the right time. Albeit his house needs work doing tio it, but with the area picking up he could have just increased the value without even knowing it!

Durham is a City, yes, but it has charm and character with it. Also, the university students are some of the best students in the UK, second only to OxBridge unis.

It is a beautiful little city, I would describe it as a 'sister city' to York - which truly is beautiful! As for the students, high calibre and silver spooned some may be, though don't let this overshadow your thoughts of responsibility - students are students, some sensible some not - regardless of who they are and where they study. Anyway I doubt it has any impact when deciding to buy a place in/around the Bsihop Auckland area. I know you are trying to make clear the unfair reputation of the North East - which I can agree with. The North East has some stunning landscapes and character to it. The majority of the people are really nice.

Cute_'n'_Quirky

There are some lovely villages - the only problem being the prices of the houses there!

I was on a Course last week with a student, a right madam, from Yarm - the drug capital of the Teesside area - declaring that Newton Aycliffe/Bishop Auckland/Shildon/Darlington were where the dregs of humanity live!

I made sure that everyone else knew the drugs connection with Yarm - that soon shut madam up!

typeractive

well done Cute 'n' Quirky

Yarm has the stigma of wealth attached to it. Yep, a lovely market town with pretty much nothing to offer. That may sound harsh I guess, but it's overhyped in my opinion. I know it's a big place for all the Boro' footballers and has links to Teesside (ugly place) and Boro....yet to decide upon :S

So what do you do then Cute? I'm interested. Work for the police perhaps?

Cute_'n'_Quirky

No, nothing like that - I just happen to know about Yarm!

Drugs follow money. Incidentally Coundon also has a big drugs problem.

typeractive

Cute_n_Quirky wrote: »

Drugs follow money. Incidentally Coundon also has a big drugs problem.

yeah - but no money

Dani85

Newton Aycliffe is a lovely place to live and has very reasonably priced houses!

typeractive

I guess it depends what ya like. Personally I don't like 60's architecture, unless it's the angular lines that lend them selves to skateboardin! heh. I prefer more character. Aycliffe for me, doesn't give anything like this. Not knocking it though. It does have space.

Cute_'n'_Quirky

Most of Newton Aycliffe was built between 1950-1958, actually!

The later, more modern, houses were built in the 1970's.

typeractive

...is that you being cute or quirky? lol

Maybe out by a few years, but it's stereotypical of 60's architecture - the majority of it anyway.