Buying in Central Lincoln (on a budget)

hegg

Hi!

I am moving to Lincoln in the next few months and will be starting a job near the South Commons. Husband, baby and I will be leaving East London and want to buy a 3 bed within walking distance to central Lincoln with good access to buses and train station (none of us drive).

We are on a bit of a budget and looking to buy a 3 bedroom house for 100-140k but need a little bit of guidance on areas to be looking at/avoiding. Obviously, upperhill Lincoln is lovely but is out of our budget.

I liked the look of Ermine and St. Giles due to their central location and avoidance of flood areas. They seem to be quite residential areas with bigger houses for the price. Also, there are many properties appearing in Bracebridge and North Hykeham - but these seem a little far out for us not being able to drive.

I really welcome any advice you could spare!

movingtomacc

We moved last summer from Whitechapel to Macclesfield town and had housing requirements much the same as yours (mainly because we don't drive) - walking distance to the town centre, work and station.

However, we rented a place first and are now looking for a place to buy. We are glad we did that because even with the small area that we are looking to buy in, there are many different preferences that have emerged - spots that we know to avoid, roads that are perpetually busy during rush hour, roads with impossibly narrow pavements, better parks, etc.

So if you haven't made the decision to buy straight-away, I would definitely consider renting initially. I don't know about Lincoln but Macclesfield town centre area has a very active rental market with plenty of properties on the market at any time. Might be the same in Lincoln! Plus, unlike zone 1-2 London, rents for town-centre properties are very reasonable up north.

zenshi

The Ermine and St Giles have always been rougher areas, unless it’s changed dramatically over the last few years!

Brace bridge and Nth Hykeham and nice areas to live, as is Branston but they might be too pricey. Saxilby is on the train line into the city, not sure of prices there currently. Out Hartsholme way is also lovely

hegg

Unfortunately we are in a position where we would need to buy before first renting... Makes it a little harder!

SneaksyWhippet

hegg wrote: »

Unfortunately we are in a position where we would need to buy before first renting... Makes it a little harder!

Why do you need to buy before renting?

hegg

personal and financial circumstances. Renting just isn't an option available to us.

pinkshoes

When the title said Lincoln, and before I had read the post, my head said ‘not Ermine and St Giles’ which always used to be the sh*tty sink estates. No idea if they are still a dump?!

(I lived in the area for 18 years)

A friend of mine lived in the Ermine estate and I hated going back to his after a night out!

Would much rather have a smaller house in a nicer area.

This?

markin2

St. Giles looks ex-council, but yet at least 2+ streets all weirdly seem to have new identical roofs and porch roofs and look quite new like they were built in the 90's?


...


Or Many are still council? Or they are getting beatification grants? This street are all getting the roof level walls rendered.

https://www.google.com/maps/@53.2480095,-0.513786,3a,75.3y,124.17h,94.73t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sB4za4pUyoUQ5kH3VRYUmDA!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

hegg

Thanks for the advice! Just so I am sure which parts of Ermine - it seems quite large....

Would Laughton Way / Bassingham Crescent / Lissington Close be considered areas of Ermine to avoid?

jellie

Ermine and St Giles estates are both uphill, central Lincoln is downhill. I don't think I'd describe them as being in walking distance, especially with a baby. That hill is steep.


Also, you'd have to get through Lincoln to get to work near the South Common. That's not going to be quick or easy.

bertiewhite

How about looking at Metheringham or even Ruskington - both on the train line into Lincoln.