Darlington is a historical town with great transport connections, affordable housing, amazing local hotspots and so much more…
The market town of Darlington lies in the Tees Valley in the north east of England. The town comes with a distinctive Victorian feel to it. But, at the same time, it's a town that's undergoing extensive restoration and redevelopment, further adding to its appeal as a fantastic place to live.
Living in Darlington
There are plenty of reasons why so many people are packing up and moving to Darlington. One of the big reasons is its transport connections. You can find yourself in Newcastle, Middlesbrough or Sunderland in no time at all or you can head down to London in just over 2 hours. Commuting to these big cities is a doddle and you’ll still get to enjoy a quieter life in a historic town with lots of green space and fantastic local amenities.
Is there much to do in Darlington centre?
If you are looking for things to do in Darlington, then your options are by no means limited. Take a trip to Raby Castle and soak up all the history and culture or head over to the Hippodrome Theatre and catch a show. If you are looking for a bite to eat, there really is something for everyone. You’ll find a huge selection of local restaurants, offering a variety of different types of delicious food, not forgetting about Raby Hunt. Plus it has two Michelin Stars. Not too shabby.
Is Darlington expensive?
Buying a house in Darlington is extremely reasonably priced. Houses for sale in Darlington sold for an average of £175,900* which is less than half of the national average of £366,247**. The majority of homes for sale in the area are semi-detached homes which sold for an average of £181,034*. So, if you’re looking for a high-quality town that isn’t going to cost an arm and a leg, then Darlington might be the place for you.
Is Darlington a good place to buy a house?
Darlington is a great place to buy a house for both property investors and those who are looking for somewhere to call home as a result of its affordable prices and its variety of attractive properties. Houses for sale in Darlington sold for an average of £175,900* which is less than half of the national average of £366,247**. The majority of homes for sale in the area are semi-detached homes which sold for an average of £181,034*. So, if you’re looking for a town with high quality of living that isn’t going to cost an arm and a leg, then Darlington might be the place for you.
Darlington is a great place to invest in property too. With reasonable property prices and a growing rental market, now could be a great time to invest in a buy-to-let property within the area. Lots of major companies, such as Amazon and EE, have moved there so many people are heading to the area in search of new job opportunities. Thanks to the town's close connections to bigger cities, Darlington also serves as a commuter town for many professionals.
Where is nice to live in Darlington?
If you are looking to buy a house in Darlington but are stuck wondering where to live then you aren’t short of great options. Here are our top picks:
1. West Park
It is easy to see why West Park is popular amongst buyers. It’s the perfect area for nature lovers with multiple parks offering scenic walking routes and bike rides. Despite being surrounded by nature, you’ll still be well connected and you’ll have a wide selection of local amenities including local independent shops and restaurants and some of the biggest brands. If it is an easy commute you are after, then you are only 1 mile from the A1 and 3 miles from Darlington train station.
Houses for sale in West Park sold for an average of £202,324* with the majority of those properties being semi-detached. There’s a number of new build homes in the area so quality housing is in no short supply.
2. Mowden
Mowden is another highly sought-after area with great local amenities, transport connections and culture. The local Mowden Hall provides an interesting dose of Victorian history as well as being a stunning architectural creation and if it is green space you are after then Mowden is home to Bushel Hill Park which is home to lovely walks and fun playgrounds for kids. This area is well suited to young families thanks to its highly rated local schools, Mowden Infant School and Mowden Junior School.
Whinfield
Whinfield is another great pick for families thanks to its selection of schools for all ages. Whinfield is home to the ‘Education Village’ which is one site that is home to three schools. There is Haughton Academy for kids aged 11-16, Springfield Academy for children aged 3-11, and Beaumont Hill Academy which specialises in students with special needs between ages 2-19. This site was the first of its kind in the world. There’s a good selection of local amenities too including pubs, shops and a medical practice.
Staindrop
If you travel a little further outside the town centre of Darlington, you’ll find the picturesque, leafy village of Staindrop. Often regarded as one of the prettiest villages in County Durham, Staindrop has a large village green at its heart, Raby Castle just down the road and Barnard Castle a short drive away, so if you want to explore the outdoors and culture in the local area, you’ll never find yourself short of somewhere to visit. Staindrop is also supported by a whole host of local amenities, including shops, restaurants, cafes and a primary school and a high school.
Darlington Town Centre
Darlington is an attractive market town at its centre. In the town centre, you’ll have easy access to all the great transport links and nearby countryside as well as a wide variety of local amenities including great shops full of local produce and independent restaurants serving delicious food. Not forgetting about the extremely reasonable house prices, it seems like there is no reason to not want to live in Darlington! After all, it was voted one of the happiest places to live in the UK for a reason…
