The Best Areas to Live in Durham

Durham is a charming city in the heart of County Durham, a former coal-mining region, which still has a strong sense of community, and some of the UK’s most beautiful, unexplored countryside.

Whether you’re looking for city living or a countryside retreat, Durham and the surrounding areas provide the best of both worlds. We’ve rounded up the best areas to live in Durham for you, to help you make up your mind when deciding where to settle down.
 

1 – Crossgate

Crossgate is a popular residential area, and one of the oldest parts of Durham. Prior to 1128, it was a borough of its own, but in that year, it became part of Durham proper.

It’s a popular area with students due to its proximity to Durham University. Crossgate is centrally located, with the city centre just a five-minute walk away, making it an ideal location to buy a house if you have a job in the city. The majority of properties in Crossgate are terraced houses.
 

2 – Allergate

Allergate is a compact area in Durham’s city centre. It’s perfectly situated in the heart of Durham’s nightlife, with easy on-foot access to a range of bars, pubs and restaurants as well as the city’s shops.

This area is close to Durham’s train station, making it an ideal location for commuters. Newcastle is roughly twenty minutes by train, and there are over a hundred trains a day between the two cities.
 

3 – Gilesgate

Located just outside of the main hub of Durham city centre, Gilesgate is close enough to be considered part of the city, but it also has a real community feel in its own right. The area is well-equipped with amenities, including supermarkets, and two retail parks.

Gilesgate is popular with students due to the nearby campuses of Durham University, and it’s also an area in which many young families buy a house, as there are a number of well-regarded primary schools.
 

4 – South Bailey

South Bailey is a highly desirable area located within Durham peninsula. Its cobbled streets and proximity to the castle and cathedral make it a picture-perfect place to live, although you’ll pay above the odds to buy a house in South Bailey. Many of the buildings in this area are in fact owned by the cathedral and university, but there’s also a number of residential properties, including terraced and detached houses.

Living in South Bailey can be tranquil, as the area is protected by the Durham City congestion charge, which was brought into force in 2002 with the aim of reducing traffic congestion and air pollution.
 

5 – North End

North End is a highly desirable area in Durham city. A long, tree-lined street, the houses along North End are mostly large detached and semi-detached homes, perfect for families. The area is slightly outside the city centre, giving it a peaceful vibe, whilst still being close enough for easy access to all the amenities you could need, including Durham train station.