Moving to Newcastle - recommendations & advice please!

[ss777]

Hi Mumsnetters,

We will be moving to Newcastle (from London) in 3-4 months. I'm already finding the thought of moving with a DS (who has a few (now mild) medical issues and really hates change) slightly daunting. We have no contacts there and I have never visited - although I've heard it's a friendly place.

We're moving as it's a good career move for OH and we can hopefully offer DS a better life there - a similar job here would not really change our current situation.

I'd be grateful if anyone can recommend:

• A reliable removals company that could pack
  
• Nice areas for a young family which are commutable to the centre of town (we'd be renting on a budget of, approx. £600 pcm) and near a nice park - the plan is to eventually buy.
  

- Good nurseries for a 2.5 year old which have some decent outdoor space

• Nice, friendly toddler groups (it took me a while to make good Mum friends here)
  
• Other ways to meet Mums (I'll be freelancing for some companies in London 2 days/week while DS is in nursery so won't meet anyone there while working).
  

Many thanks if you've got to the bottom and for any recommendations/advice you can share! x

[trevortrevorslatterfry]

Low Fell looks affordable in your price range and is nice.
There's a decent high street and loads of buses along Durham Road into Newcastle (Low Fell's on the south side of the Tyne so actually in Gateshead not Newcastle).
Driving time to Ncl would be about 5 mins I'd say.

Saltwell Park is very nearby and is lovely. link

Sorry no idea about toddler groups but you're not far from the Leisure Centre which has swimming and other activities too.

[gamerchick]

Well the metro system covers a large area so you won't be restricted to just Newcastle and after experiencing the tube in London I'll never slag the metro off again

You'll find your way alright, it's a friendly place for the most part.

[IAmAPaleontologist]

I'm in Durham and I don't know Newcastle well enough to suggest places to live but as others have said it is friendly and there are lots of areas around big parks etc.

You could try this group onfacebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/mumsinnewcastle/ which is an off shoot of the higher mums in Durham group which could also be worth requesting to join. The groups are not perfect but they are a good place to get local knowledge of what's on, you'll be able to find details of toddler groups I the files sections and usually there are pinned posts for what's on at the weekend each week and in school holidays too.

The north east is a great place to live, you won't regret it.

[OllyBJolly]

So lucky! I loved living in Newcastle. Such a friendly city and so easy to get around. We lived in Gosforth and could be at the coast in half an hour via or in the city centre in 15 minutes via quick, clean, easy Metro.

Lots of kids activities. I was much shyer and quieter then but found it very easy to make friends and get involved in various groups.

[AmyInTheBoonies]

Do you want a house or flat for £600pcm. Is it a 2 or 3 bedroom you need?

If you don't mind a flat you could look at Heaton which has some nice nurseries and primary schools.

[ss777]

Wow - thanks for the replies! I'm trying to be really supportive of OH and us moving but do feel nervous (as well as excited) so appreciate your responses. I guess after having children, I'm not the same happy-go-lucky person I once was .

Trevortrevorslatterfry - thank you, I'll check out Low Fell and Saltwell Park.

gamerchick - lol, right now I don't think I'll miss the tube but who knows? The salty, warm, packed London tube carriages may bring a tear to my eyes once there.

IAmAPaleontologist - Very helpful, I'll join the FB pages - sounds like a good resource. Once we are there for a while, I'll check out other areas like Durham too.

OllyBJolly - aw, encouraging words - so glad you loved it there x Gosforth has been mentioned during OH's interview - it does look nice. The coast too was a huge draw but may be a bit on the bracing side for us to live, perhaps.

AmyInTheBoonies - Hi, I'm looking for 2 bedrooms (flat is fine) with even a scrap of outdoor space for DS who is a bit of a toddler Bear Grylls! Is Heaton overrun with students? I was one once but want to avoid the loud parties that we currently experience from resident students in our block of flats.

[MerylPeril]

Living on the coast is also an option with the metro.
It's an easy city to live in, good transport, good hospitals and lots to do.

[gamerchick]

See if you have a good scout about you can get a decent sized house for 600 quid a month with garden. If say you went into a town like south shields private rents are really decent and its easy to get to Newcastle.

[ss777]

Thanks, MerylPeril, I love the sea but I think it may be a bit too chilly for me by the coast.

Has anyone done the move from London to Newcastle or nearby and can recommend a good removal company please?

[IAmAPaleontologist]

Yes agree you should be able to get something decent for £600. If you are nervous of losing the city entertainment for your ds then I'd stick to being in Newcastle itself at least at first until you get your bearings, there are great museums and places like seven stories for example which is a museum of children's literature has lots on for little ones in the week.

[ScarlettDarling]

You should look at cochrane park which is a lovely family area, mostly 3 bed 1930s semis, in Heaton. Haydon Grange is a newer family estate just up from cochrane park, it's lovely but more expensive. Gosforth is gorgeous but very expensive. The Heaton area is perfect for families, 2 lovely parks (Heaton park and Paddy Freeman park,) and it's right next to Jesmond dene with pets corner. It's a 5 min bus ride into town and there are tons of baby and toddler groups.

[MarciaBlaine]

I used to live just round the corner from Jesmond Dene. Would love to move back there.

[LaundryQueenHatesIroning]

I agree with trevor, it sounds like Low Fell has everything you are looking for. Also there are TONNES of young families there and lots of resources for young children and great nurseries. Everyone is very friendly and would make you feel very welcome and there's a lovely village feel to the place despite being really close to Newcastle

[RosieTheQueenOfCorona]

Come out to Whitley Bay, on the metro, by the beach, fab schools for when your ds is a bit older, cheaper than eg Jesmond or Gosforth

[FeckinCrutches]

Hi, we use www.rapidtransportremovals.co.uk

Speak to Andy the owner, all the lads are great, and so quick to pack. I've used them 4 times, and the last two were from Durham to London then back again a year later.

They do a full packing service which is well worth the money.

Do you definitely want to be in Newcastle? Durham is great and it's only 12 mins on the train to Newcastle. You would get a good house and garden for £600 here.

[JulesJules]

Newcastle is great, you won't regret it! A compact city centre, the river, lots to do, easy to get to the coast and a few miles drive and you're in Northumberland, gorgeous coastline, wildly romantic castles, lovely market towns etc

I'd recommend Gosforth, it has a High St with everything you need, buses from the High St to town take 7 minutes and there are loads of them. A nice park, and Metro if you want to go to the coast (25 minutes) or 10 minutes to the airport. The metro is more expensive than the buses.
Excellent schools, several of the first schools and middle schools are rated excellent by Ofsted as is the High School.
It is expensive, but you can definitely get a flat for your budget, or a house a bit further from the High St.

Whitley Bay/Tynemouth are lovely too if you fancy the coast. Whereabouts will your OH be working?

[ss777]

Thanks for replies, everyone.

IAmAPaleontologist, I think being/near the bright lights of Newcastle until leaving London and its hustle feel a bit more normal and we find our feet, would be a plan.

Thanks, Scarlettdarling Cochrane Park does sound like a good shout and is now on our hitlist with Low Fell, mentioned by trevor and Laundryqueen.
I will definitely also look around Heaton, Gosforth and Jesmond but think that the last two may be a little pricey...and after living in a tiny flat for years here, it would be great to have a house if we can. MarciaBlaine - thanks for the tip - what did you like about Jesmond Dene?

RosieTheQueenOfCorona the coast appeals in theory but the thought of the bracing weather there, really puts me off from living there. Is it as cold as I'm imagining there?? JulesJules- OH will be in central Newcastle so I guess we have lots of options.

*FeckinCrutches - thanks a million! I was getting a bit lost with all the removals companies onlie. I will give Andy a bell as soon as I can.

[ss777]

gamerchick - again with South Shields as it's so near the coast, I have the idea it may be a bit nippy and I'm a total wimp with the cold. I wear my NorthFace almost 3 out of 4 seasons here .

[SolomanDaisy]

Unless you live right on the seafront, I don't think the weather difference at the coast is worth worrying about.

[Twogoats]

South Shields is a lovely, and very affordable, town!

[TheInternetIsForPorn]

I live in Low Fell and love it. I used to live in Heaton in Newcastle and have also lived in Gosforth. I also lived at the coast. Both nice areas but from a family point of view I love the fell. An easy journey to Newcastle centre for work, lovely parks, excellent schools and nurseries and a nice high street. Being just south of the river you get more property for your money.

The coast is beautiful but I found the journey to an from Newcastle a bind. Not everyone would but it irritated me.

Good luck.with your move.

[AmyInTheBoonies]

When I say Heaton I'm thinking High Heaton. Around the Freeman Hospital.

It's not studenty - lots of families. There are a few two bedroom flats on rightmove that look decent.

I'd get established in an area with good schools, get your school place then you could always move to rent a house in a slightly less good area. I used to live in Walkergate which is cheap and I found it very quiet and respectable.

[PickAChew]

Yep, south of the river, Low Fell is very affordable and a great place to live. 10-15 minutes on the bus into Newcastle city centre.

Pickfords is cheaper than Low Fell Removals, mind!

[PickAChew]

Saltwell park nearby - forgot to mention that one.

[ss777]

Thanks, All - I'm really touched by the helpfulness!

• Does anyone have any experience of hospital care in Newcastle for their kids - namely gastro & neuro departments?
  
• Any nursery & Primary School recommendations?
  
  SolomanDaisy - you're right about the coast, lol, I'm just a wimp about the cold - compared to DS who refuses to wear coats come rain or snow!
  Twogoats - that's reassuring, the only memory I have of South Shields is a bit of a grey, shabby place - but that was a good 25+ years ago.
  TheInternetIsForPorn - thank you. Yes, journey time/enjoyment is a factor. OH has over an hour's packed commute each way at the moment. He leaves before we wake and comes back around 7pm on a good day so that should improve. Interesting that the cheaper South of the river thing applies to Newcastle too!
  PickAChew - another shout for Low Fell - and thanks for the removals names too.
  AmyInTheBoonies - Thanks, good to know there is a High Heaton and a Heaton - those kind of things pass me by. Also, yes, school places first, then area...you're right. It's not the biggest move (Vs people who go abroad) but I should get the order of stuff right.
  
  I'm going to do a few one-day day visits while DS is in nursery, work on the train, and have OH pick him up.
  
  BTW, you've all got such cool screen names, can't believe I went with ss (my initials, rather than any dubious affiliations). Can you tell I'm a forum newbie?!