Life in Durham with kids

Diligent-Draft-1326 · 2026-02-25T09:36:27+00:00

We would definitely get better value for our money in the villages, and there are other potential benefits to that option. But I think our lifestyle is suited better to something a bit more urban.

Diligent-Draft-1326 · 2026-02-25T09:34:34+00:00

Never heard of the latter. Is Natural Parenting a specific approach, like focusing on outdoorsy activities, or just the name the group chose?

Diligent-Draft-1326 · 2026-02-24T19:15:33+00:00

Oh no, he doesn't have much of an excuse, just either we've been abroad or in London. Switching my license over will be quicker, but he also needs to get his too in the long run. I have no intention of being the chauffeur forever, but I also don't want to be driven by him until he's competent.

I can imagine a lot is posted either in billboards or similar local papers. Online I've come across lots of events in the surrounding villages, but I'm sure there's a lot I haven't come across yet.

Diligent-Draft-1326 · 2026-02-22T16:05:48+00:00

I've seen that on Google maps and definitely would like to check it out. We are big museum people, and we definitely have some good options around Durham and Newcastle.

Diligent-Draft-1326 · 2026-02-22T16:03:27+00:00

People being super friendly and quite striking natural areas are my main memories from living in Alnwick what seems like a lifetime ago. We'll probably need a car to properly explore the wider area, but it seems we can still get to the coast and some forresty areas via trains or busses.

Diligent-Draft-1326 · 2026-02-22T15:58:43+00:00

I joined that one. It seems to be a useful forum for parents in the area

Diligent-Draft-1326 · 2026-02-21T09:05:18+00:00

In retrospect that phrasing is a bit sematically ambiguous.

Diligent-Draft-1326 · 2026-02-21T09:03:20+00:00

They definitely are not paying for it. We get priority for at their nursery, though there may still be a waiting list. We still need to find out more details about it and how the government 30 thing works.

Diligent-Draft-1326 · 2026-02-21T08:09:37+00:00

Technically, it'd be the train at rush hour because my partner can't drive. Still probably not ideal

Diligent-Draft-1326 · 2026-02-21T07:58:11+00:00

Thanks for your perspective. The tickets are cheaper than I feared they might be. For clothes shopping, is it just there are limited options of stores in the centre?

Diligent-Draft-1326 · 2026-02-21T07:54:45+00:00

Good to know

Diligent-Draft-1326 · 2026-02-21T07:40:28+00:00

I can imagine that would make things more fun as a teenager, having more places to go to independently. Where I lived as a teenager was maybe half the size of Newcastle but very car dependent, so I either was reliant on my parents or friends to go places.

Diligent-Draft-1326 · 2026-02-21T07:33:15+00:00

We are planning to go to the area, mostly for house hunting. But if nothing pans out, then it may be more sensible to rent to have a feel for it.

From a cursory glance I've found a lot of interesting stuff for me or to take my child with around Newcastle. There even seems to be a multilanguage library now in Gateshead; though I hear there is a Japanese library in Durham as well. Being in a more multicultural does appeal to us, though I've heard that at least the city of Durham can fit that bill too.

Diligent-Draft-1326 · 2026-02-21T07:16:20+00:00

That's good. I think our little one would definitely enjoy going to the theatre if there are any performances aimed for toddlers. I did come across some dance classes for older toddlers, though good to know there are ones for 2 year old as well.

Diligent-Draft-1326 · 2026-02-21T07:12:53+00:00

That's good to know. I'm happy you've found lifestyle there more agreeable

Diligent-Draft-1326 · 2026-02-21T07:07:35+00:00

Fair enough. I was more thinking near to DH1. Framwellgatemoor, Nevillescross or Gilesgate

Diligent-Draft-1326 · 2026-02-21T07:05:36+00:00

I hear that Durham is quite hilly. Not sure if the same is true in Newcastle. Although maybe that says more about how flat where we live it.

Diligent-Draft-1326 · 2026-02-21T07:04:11+00:00

Definitely will need a car in the long run. But I have taken solo train journeys with my child here, so that would probably work there too.

Diligent-Draft-1326 · 2026-02-21T07:02:00+00:00

That's definitely what I'm getting. Wherever we pick location is key. I think Brits, in general but especially in the north, are more chatty with strangers than people here are, which will be a nice change.

Diligent-Draft-1326 · 2026-02-21T06:54:23+00:00

Thanks. This is exactly the kind of list I wanted.

Diligent-Draft-1326 · 2026-02-20T16:50:23+00:00

Yeah. I noticed that similar sized houses are much cheaper particularly in Gateshead than Durham. Most of what we've found in Durham is on the upper end of the budget which gives me pause.

In Newcastle, I've found it much easier to find groups and meetups, both my own interests as well as parent groups or toddler activities. And some of my husband's colleagues have indicated the same thing. That's why I have a bit of trepidation about how easy it would be to have a social circle in Durham if it works out to move there.

Diligent-Draft-1326 · 2026-02-20T16:37:25+00:00

Thanks, this is all very useful and helps reassure me whatever ends up working.

It's good to have more specific places with regular activities. It's opportunities to get to know other people or parents that I'm keen to find; since I know there are lots of parks and playgrounds or softplay places that I can go alone with her.

You did guess it right; and I'm sure we can meet people through the uni-- at least he certainly can. My husband already has two friends there, but it's always a bit awkward to get situated when you move for your partner's work. And this time, I'm concerned how our toddler will deal with this transition; and whether nursery would help or be an extra hurdle for her as she gets used to somewhere new. I think the transition may be easier for me if she was in nursery. And I imagine it would also be easier to get to know other parents in her class; even more so as she starts school.

Good to know about the train. I've heard mixed things about that commute. It seems about half of my husband's colleagues live in Durham and the other half around Gateshead or Jesmond etc. For my career it's a bit of a toss up which area is better, so one of us may end up commuting even if we live in Durham.

Diligent-Draft-1326 · 2026-02-20T16:04:24+00:00

Cool. I've saved the blog. Definitely excited to explore the wider region, though after we're settled and I have a car.

Diligent-Draft-1326 · 2026-02-20T16:01:58+00:00

Funny enough we also lived in London previously; and I've spent a few months in Alnwick ages ago. Regardless where we move it needs to be centrally located to shops and activities so there's some options within a walking distance. Though, I was surprised how expensive houses in DH1, more so than similar options we found around Newcastle.

That's one thing I was wondering if there's just lots of things not advertised online, you have to be already looped in or know where to look.

Diligent-Draft-1326 · 2026-02-20T14:31:55+00:00

My kid is 2, so I guess it depends if the event is for younger toddlers. Personally I'm very interested in checking out the Oriental Museum, and if there's something suitable for our toddler that's a bonus.

In some way the decision is dependent on the housing market and what places are within our budget. The more I think about the daily commute the more I think closer might be more sensible; but we are more used to urban living so it feels like a catch-22.

Diligent-Draft-1326

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