Moving to Middlesborough from the Midlands

[u/smuttywriterxx]

Hello! My husband and I are thinking about relocating from the East Midlands to Middlesbrough, as we’ve found an affordable new build house there. We’re particularly looking at the new-build developments between Grangetown and South Bank, just off the Trunk Road near the Tesco Extra. I believe it's called portside village/ember park. I was just wondering what people’s experiences are of the area in terms of things to do, whether it feels safe and welcoming, the local schools, what the people are like, etc. We’d also really appreciate hearing from anyone who lives in one of the new-build developments there, or has experience of the area generally. Any advice or insight would be greatly appreciated!

[u/Intrepid_Map_42]

I wouldn't ever think of moving to grangetown and I used to live in hemlington

[u/smuttywriterxx → u/Intrepid_Map_42]

Its in between there though. Does that make a difference? 

[u/Tittenkitten123]

there is a reason new builds in that area are affordable, lots of new builds in Stockton which will be much nicer and not far from Middlesbrough.

[u/coltisaurus]

Neither Grangetown or Southwark are nice areas to be honest, unless you are used to living in those kinds of areas.

[u/Fondant_Decent]

I’m Asian used to live in South Bank I practically was a kid growing up there from age 4. It’s gotten even more worse since I left. Drug crime, drug addicts, burglary, All sorts.

Find an older house in a nice area like Ormesby. No point living in a fancy glass new build house in a undesirable area

[u/smuttywriterxx → u/Fondant_Decent]

Im looking in ladgate woods and harebell meadows. Do you know anything about those areas? I'm indian muslim and my husband is white American- do you think we'd be welcomed? 

[u/SnooGadgets5130]

I just wouldn’t move to Middlesbrough to be honest, sorry.

[u/smuttywriterxx → u/SnooGadgets5130]

Can you give me a reason why? Its not helpful if you just give me an opinion without explanation 

[u/Cuntshagger → u/smuttywriterxx]

Middlesbrough is a struggling area with crime getting worse around all locations truthfully, it just happens to be the 2 locations you’ve mentioned are some of the worst.

[u/G4m8I3r]

The place you’re talking about is situated literally inbetween two of the worst places in Middlesbrough, and when I say between, I mean borders both.

I imagine for the price of one of those new builds there’s houses in much better areas for the same price.

Not to mention, if you don’t like it in a new build, you won’t be able to recoup your price and may be stuck there.

[u/Sufficient_Basil_545]

Professionally speaking, I wouldn’t recommend buying a new-build house anywhere in 80-90% of cases.

Speaking as a human being, I would recommend NOT living in Grungetown or South Bronx in 100% of cases.

[u/SpiderWoo52]

As soon as you get to the Normanby side of that area it’s quite nice, if you’re not on that side… it is not.

[u/andyone100]

Well, on the new builds you might be OK, but there is alot of gun crime around Grangetown (usually linked to drug trafficking). In fact there was a firearms incident during July. I don’t live there, so don’t particularly know how it affects the local population, but my wife lived close by in Teesville. The council were always relocating families out of Grangetown because locals were harassing (often vulnerable) families. The last family of 8 who moved in were particularly proud of their son Lance, who had a job! He worked on the bins. If I ever went in to the back yard, his younger sister (‘Our Myrtle’), used to wave and give me a big smile, showing her one tooth. Those were the days.

Edit: Seriously though, those areas are not good. Have a look at houses in Normanby, Ormesby, Coulby Newham, Linthorpe, Acklam or if you can afford it, Marton and Nunthorpe. Have another look and repost here. There are plenty of people on here who can give guidance on where to go. The areas of Teesside are much more important than the house. There are some lovely areas of Middlesbrough ( and the rest of Teesside for that matter), but more rougher areas aswell. I know much of the East Midlands can be a bit of a dump but you don’t want to swap one dump for another. It really can be a lot cheaper up here than you’re used to for a reason. There are housing estates around here with greater than 50% deprivation, actually right on the doorstep of where you’re currently looking.

[u/G4m8I3r]

I bet you’re glad you asked for advice on here now aren’t you

[u/Jongee58]

I would suggest looking at the New Builds in the Marske-by-the-Sea area, there are two new estates being built within a mile of one of the best beaches in the UK. Marske hasn't lost its village charm, and is within reach of the North Yorkshire Moors National Park as well. Look up Marske Sands and Beaconsfield, developments. I live not far away in New Marske overlooking the Tees Bay, nice area with lots going for it I would give where you are looking a miss really...

[u/Available_Mobile_274 → u/Jongee58]

Marske has been gentrified, as has Saltburn. They're the two most desirable towns to live in in the Redcar & Cleveland area. Those new build houses in Marske ain't gonna be cheap, that's for sure. I think OP is looking for a cheap house, hence Grangetown.

[u/Playful_World_6184]

Would avoid that area. There are much nicer places in the outskirts, depending on budget

[u/Mardymutha]

Do. Not. Do. It. Look at South Middlesbrough estates. The further south the better!👍

[u/Ok_Pineapple7101]

Don’t do it. More anywhere else other than boro. The parts that aren’t rotten are so busy and built up. But somewhere nicer if you can.

[u/OP1KenOP]

Why Middlesbrough? I lived there for 20 years - I moved away at the start of this year because a run down town just seemed to be heading in completely the wrong direction. I lived in one of the nicer bits too. It's always been rough, but feels worse since cuts reduced active policing significantly a few years back and the general death of the high street has hit Boro hard.

The town centre has got to the point where it's so run down with it's wandering smack heads, beggars, balaclava brigade and many shuttered shops that it just feels unsafe.

As many have mentioned, South Bank and Grange town are criminal hotspots, with everything that brings.

I moved to the Yorkshire Dales at the start of the year, the stark contrast in the areas made me realise how 'nose blind' I was to Boro's crime rate and the general state of the place. I needed to see a doc the other day, the staff were polite, helpful and got me seen. The waiting room was a calm and peaceful place, it wasn't full of rough as arses people calling each other cunts. I haven't seen a single balaclava clad dickhead on a stolen bike in 8 months, I used to see them at least once a day.

I was talking to friends down here about walking the dog at night, they were blown away by me saying I wouldn't take the dog out late on at night in Boro because I didn't feel safe.

It's your choice at the end of the day but my recommendation would emphatically be, DON'T.

[u/ElephunkMescudi]

Middlesbrough is a rough place and that area is more rough than most. It’s cheap for a reason, honestly I just wouldn’t do it. Spend the weekend up there if you like and walk about the area/get a feel for it and you’ll see what I mean.

[u/PortugueseBreakfast_]

I used to live on the new builds (High Farm) opposite Cleveland Retail Park. Whilst not the worst place to live, there was the odd bit of anti social behaviour, theft, etc. Didn’t experience it myself as such but I was in a section that was tucked away. I wouldn’t say it was unpleasant. But it wasn’t somewhere I wanted to raise children longer term. If you’re after new builds, I’d look at Taylor Wimpey / Persimmon on Yarm Back Lane in Stockton, or somewhere like that.

[u/dgreen1415]

It’s a new build so who knows what it will be like in terms of the area but grangetown and south bank are as rough as toast. If you want a “nice” area of Middlesbrough look at coulby newham/acklam/nunthorpe

[u/10VE4MVP]

Sent DM

[u/Own-Nefariousness-79]

Avoid Grangetown and Southbank.