buying in northampton ??

where2start

does anyone know if Northampton is an up coming area to buy a house ? dont want to buy in the worng area nd they say location location location a key priority when buying as house prices may not always rise in a bad area !Any info on the northampton, wellingborough areas ??

tillboy

Northampton=Yes (if you choose the right area, avoid most of town centre and "Eastern Districts" East/West Hunsbury a bit lifeless Duston is nice)

Wellingborough=NO high crime, drug problems etc. I'm sure there are some nice parts

where2start

thanks for the info !!

kmate

Hello, I live 5mins outside Wellingborough, 15 mins outside northampton.

I agree that most of wellingborough is to be avoided, but there are some nice areas, and the schools are quite good, lots of jobs etc. If you are thinking of wellingborough, let me know where abouts and I will tell you if it would be somewhere that I would move to!!!!

In my opinion, most of the villages around northampton and wellingborough are still climbing up in value/ have very little crime/ and still have a good community feel. The roads and transport in the area is good, so unless you NEED to be based in a town, I would look at the villages first. Again, if you see anything and want to check it out - let me know where.

Im no expert, but have lived in the wellingborough area all my life. If you want to post the right-move details that would help!!!

Hope this helps in some way.
K

FatJock

where2start,

Kmate is correct, some of the villages can be reasonalbe priced. Brixworth is about 8 miles out of the town and if your prepared to do a little bit of work then you pick up a small property for about 125k to 130k (Obviously I do not know your financial circumstances) I recently view a ground floor one bed flat right opposite the racecourse on the market for 115k.

The town center and abington seem to be over priced but are close to all the major facilities. There is a place called Northampton House, right in the town center where you can pick up 1 or 2 bed flats from about 85k to 120k. However I have been advised to avoid these as they are really hard to shift.

You may consider looking at St James and Far Cotton areas as these are close to the town/train station etc.

Hope this is useful.

Regards,
FatJock

tillboy

FatJock wrote: »

The town center and abington seem to be over priced but are close to all the major facilities. There is a place called Northampton House, right in the town center where you can pick up 1 or 2 bed flats from about 85k to 120k. However I have been advised to avoid these as they are really hard to shift.

Blimey they were about 85K about 5 or 6 years ago when I looked at them not surprised they're still worth about the same as they're really pokey!

Hippychick

tillboy wrote: »

Northampton=Yes (if you choose the right area, avoid most of town centre and "Eastern Districts" East/West Hunsbury a bit lifeless Duston is nice)

I wouldn't say Hunsbury was that bad, East is nicer than West, yes it is a large suburb but I haven't encountered any major crime or anything. It is also a short hop to the M1 and the shops in town as well.

Try Wootton as well as Duston that is quite nice I would avoid Billing/Thorplands/Southfields and the Town Centre

tillboy

Wasn't suggesting anything wrong with the Hunsbury's just IMHO they're a bit sprawling and soul-less. Agree about Southfields, lived there for 2 years and couldn't wait to leave!

Found Wootton a bit overdeveloped myself

Again all IMHO

Also don't be tempted by Corby, it's cheap but there's not a lot else going for it

(I've lived in most of the places I've described BTW)

kmate

Yep, I too would avoid Corby!!!

Wellingborough gets a bad press for some reason, but in my experience is a safe as anywhere else, I am a mum of 3 now, but never felt uncomfortable out in the town/pubs/clubs etc. I think I am right in saying that it is a bit cheaper than northampton.

If you dont mind villages, you could try Earls Barton, Bozeat, Wollaston, all still quite old fashioned village life. It does rather depend on your budget though, so a rough idea would help, there are some beautiful properties around if you have the cash! Depends on what kind of environment too, some of the villages are quite rural (although not far from good roads) and if you have a young family - ideal, but perhaps not your thing if you are youngish/single/family-free!!!!

kmate

Sorry, also meant to say, Fatjock mentioned Far Cotton, and I am sure it was on a recent "location locatio location" and they had identified the area as "up and coming"....... might be worth checking that out with someone who can confirm that though.

beingjdc

I lived in Far Cotton, I liked it though I'm not convinced prices will rise. Lovely set of two-bed flats "Delapre Court" about halfway up the hill. I bought for 85k in Jan '04, sold for 93k in Summer '05, just got resold for 100k but I imagine you could pick one up for less than that - price a bit depressed as there's a "no letting" clause so it's all owner-occupied.