Moving from the East Midlands to County Durham - Are we mad...

Grizebeck

We both like where we live and have a nice house,  no mortgage etc
Wife wants a new job and i have always wanted to live back in the north (originally from Cumbria). So we have decided if she can find a new job in the north east then we would move ( wont if she dont!)
The job market for what she does is not really viable in Cumbria.  So we looking round county Durham.  Ideally west Durham as i am not a massive fan of the area east of Durham , although id happily live in Seaham!,  
Wife would be looking for a job Either Darlington - Durham - Newcastle.  Darlington looks decent place to live in to! 

One thing i noticed about the housing market is there a lack of decent older properties (detached) but lots of newish houses (which we don't want!)

Budget 350/400 (with no mortgage which we don't need or want).  We can move into rented until we find the right house for us whilst current house sells if easier

What i am wondering is the lack of "older houses" due to the area ?, ie being an ex mining area?, there a LOT of terraced houses , am i mad for being happy to move into a large end terrace with a big garden......

I don't want a big house but i do want a big garden! - am i being unrealistic for this area?

GDB2222

I’m a bit confused, which happens a lot. What question are you really asking? 

If it’s whether you are mad to move from the area you are currently, well it will be a bit of a wrench.

Grizebeck

Sorry i am often unclear
Are we mad moving to an area just because we want a change of area and ready for a new challange!
Also would anyone move from a detached to end terraced if the house and garden fitted the bill.....

GDB2222

We want to downsize, but we want to stay very close to where we are now. I think it’s difficult to move areas completely and have to put down new roots, make new friends, etc. At least, we would find it hard.

Detached to end terrace? That’s less of a problem, but you do rely on your neighbour being considerate about noise. 

Garden size. You maybe could accept a smaller garden and get an allotment?

Grizebeck

GDB2222 said:

We want to downsize, but we want to stay very close to where we are now. I think it’s difficult to move areas completely and have to put down new roots, make new friends, etc. At least, we would find it hard.

Detached to end terrace? That’s less of a problem, but you do rely on your neighbour being considerate about noise. 

Garden size. You maybe could accept a smaller garden and get an allotment?

Thanks currently got an allotment (two) so hoping to find a place with a big enough garden BUT the area in general does have a lot of allotments and the waiting lists are less in the less "posh" areas
Luckily we are at an age where we can make friends
We are lucky in the sense this is all choice so we dont have to accept 2nd best! 
I think some terraces offer much better value then some houses these days and are deceptively big

peterhjohnson

Grizebeck said:

Also would anyone move from a detached to end terraced if the house and garden fitted the bill.....

No! I made such a move in the opposite direction and it's heavenly!

Grizebeck

peterhjohnson said:

Grizebeck said:

Also would anyone move from a detached to end terraced if the house and garden fitted the bill.....

No! I made such a move in the opposite direction and it's heavenly!

Aye i do love being able to play music as i wish!

Linton

Having lived in Darlington I can confirm it is a pleasant town with good transport links and easy access to the dales - much more interesting countryside than the East Midlands. There are quite a few terraced houses near to the town centre. https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/133293731#/?channel=RES_BUY for example.

Could you consider some of the smaller towns eg Barnard Castle? Richmond? 

artyclarty

We moved from the West Midlands back to Durham. I'm from here and my partner is from there.

It really depends on where you  end up working and getting to know the area. Like the Midlands, the county hasn't recovered from the loss of mining in many areas. Coming with that is the kind of property available - the good old-fashioned miner's terrace house.

That being said, any towns and villages in more rural areas faired a little better, having most of their employees being agriculturally based. Think Barnard Castle, Staindrop, Brancepeth, West Auckland, Castle Eden etc. The properties are often much older, the downside is, still likely to be terraced housing but, much older, so thicker internal walls between properties and often have longer plots than you would expect. I used to live in the local mine's paymaster house, so a little more premium, but nonetheless still a terrace. Never once heard the neighbours, had a big yard, workshop and massive (long thin) garden.

I don't think you would have any problem getting a property at your price point unless you literally want to be in Durham City Centre! It's just about getting to know the area and having patience. Some lovely older detached properties will come up eventually, but be prepared to pay a premium as you are right, not many about. But certainly don't discount older terraces in good locations.

My personal choice would be to stay west of the A1. If you would like a quieter life, consider the villages along the A roads heading out from Durham/Darlington towards the Pennines and the Dales, but be warned, the public transport is pretty ropey outside the main population centres if this factors in at all.

Grizebeck

Thanks @artyclarty great advice as you say lots of terraces due to coal mining.  Thats why i am thinking of an end terrace
The west of the A1 is infininately better!
Dont like Peterlee

My great great (i think 2 or 3) grandfather owned brancepeth colliery and built new brancepeth. ,(brodie cochrane) and owned eshwood hall / aldin grange near Bearpark. Unfortunately the wealth never came down lol 🤣

Garden size is more important then house size.
Id consider down to darlington west to consett and up chester le street (ideally)

Public transport is a bonus 

Grizebeck

Linton said:

Having lived in Darlington I can confirm it is a pleasant town with good transport links and easy access to the dales - much more interesting countryside than the East Midlands. There are quite a few terraced houses near to the town centre. https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/133293731#/?channel=RES_BUY for example.

Could you consider some of the smaller towns eg Barnard Castle? Richmond? 

Yes the durham dales is lovely!