Considering moving to Sunderland

[TheMaskOfZorro]

Hello,
I'm investigating moving to Sunderland and wondered if anyone could tell me there experience of it.

I'm after somewhere by the coast, where the rent isn't too high, and Sunderland seems to match the criteria.

I don't need to worry about schools and I work online. I would like somewhere peaceful but not dead.

Any opinions and suggestions of naice areas would be great.

[Advancesingle]

The last mine in South Shields closed in 1993. Shipbuilding ? Are you having a laugh ? It's all gone, gone gone. No, it isn't like Cornwall. However, the beach at South Shields and the coastline from South Shields to Sunderland with it's rare Magnesian Limestone cliffs are very pleasant indeed.

[BikeRunSki]

OP, go and spend some time in the area. The coast around Sunderland and the Shields, and down to Hartlepool/Teesside is heavily post industrial. Heavy industry -shop building, coal mining. The area has been redeveloped in places, but it’s not like the Cornish coast. Sunderland has benefited from being a university town, but is still a bit overshadowed by Newcastle. Further north, Tynemouth, Cullercoats etc is pricier, but but nicer.

[ElizabethWoodviIIe]

@StrangeAddiction I think it's more that the city centre in Sunderland isn't so great compared to Whitley Bay town centre/Tynemouth. Sunderland used to be great (and there are still some lovely bits like the museum/winter gardens and Mowbray Park), but so many shops have closed and sadly it has a bit of a down at heel feel. Whitley Bay has a real community feel and in the last couple of years has become quite buzzy - I live in Newcastle but often go for an evening out in Whitley Bay. The new Spanish City is gorgeous. Also it's that bit closer to Newcastle - you've got all the plus points of living on the coast with the convenience of having a major city nearby.

[StrangeAddiction]

Can I ask the people who are saying Sunderland isn't nice what isn't nice about it?

Op I live in Sunderland and just like everywhere else there are nice parts and some not so nice parts.

Places like, Ashbrooke, East/Middle Herrington, Barnes, Fulwell, Whitburn, Roker, Marina area, are the more affluent areas. As someone upthread said Roker does have some HMO's but a lot aren't and are absolutely gorgeous houses.

We have the biggest international air show every July, music festivals, a blue flag beach although unless you want to either walk/sit on the beach and go for food there's not much to do there as unfortunately our fair was closed years ago, however a short drive to South Shields where they have a fair which is really good for the kids. Not only are we by the sea we also have plenty of petting farms and other activities in and around the area.

[ElizabethWoodviIIe]

Absolutely agree with PPs who say that a bit further north is the way to go.

Tynemouth is beautiful but quite expensive. Whitley Bay is excellent - really up and coming and housing is cheaper than Tynemouth. Loads of lovely little shops, micropubs and cafes/restaurants have opened recently and the walks along the coast are stunning. Also a really quick metro journey to the centre of Newcastle.

[Mammyloveswine]

Haha @Glitterandunicorns but but manhattans nightclub?? Not the best selling point

[Mammyloveswine]

Haha @Fldn33r 👋

[Glitterandunicorns]

@Mammyloveswine I know Wallsend well! I lived there many moons ago. The park is lovely, and it is handy for getting to Newcastle but it is quite rough (sorry!) Quite right that there are nice parts and not so nice parts of any town though.

@Fldn33r Whitley Bay is lovely too!

[Fldn33r]

at @Mammyloveswine from the other side of Rising Sun

[Fldn33r]

Another Geordie who may be biased but, as someone that has to go to Sunderland often for work, I wouldn't live there. Admittedly I don't know the coastal villages so they may well be lovely, but the rest is...not.

If I were you I'd look at Whitley Bay, Tynemouth (if you can afford it), or further up Northumberland way. I live about 10 minutes drive from Whitley bay (and on the Metro line so can be there by public transport easily in 15 minutes) and I love it because I have both the coast and Newcastle on my doorstep.

[Mammyloveswine]

@Glitterandunicorns ha when we were on lockdown my 4 year old said the first place he wanted to go after lockdown was "North Shields"!

I think North Shields like most places has lovely parts and not so lovely parts.

The advantages are that you can easily get the metro (into Newcastle or the coast),the fish quay is great for bars and restaurants, there's a lovely marina at the royal quays and you'll get somewhere decent within budget.

However the dead centre of North Shields is a bit run down.

I live in wallsend (some refer to it as rough) and love it! The shops are handy, the park is fantastic, beautiful big Victorian terrace houses, 15 mins from town and the coast.. the rising sun country park within walking distance..

You definitely need to visit though! There are so many areas that would fit what you're after!

[Glitterandunicorns]

Hi OP. I'm a Geordie so may be slightly biased, but if you're after coastal life in the North, Sunderland wouldn't be my choice. As a PP said, Tynemouth is incredibly beautiful but it'll cost you an arm and a leg to rent anywhere near the coast. It is one of my favourite places in the world though.

North Shields is not very nice to be honest. The town centre is fairly rough and def not villagey in the way that Tynemouth is.

I'd recommend somewhere further north, like Northumberland. That should offer you a better mix of coastal and village, whilst still not being too far from relatives in Sunderland. It is also beyond beautiful there.

You definitely need to do some visiting to get a feel for the places though. Best of luck!

[Eeeeeeeok]

Its a good few degrees colder with a bracing wind and lots of rain. I lived in London for several years and moved back to Newcastle where I'm from a few years ago. It's been hard at times. But lots of these things depend on the individual. But the weather thing is true regardless!

[charpley162]

@TheMaskOfZorro I'm from Sunderland and I love it. I think it's very underrated! Barnes/ashbrooke are lovely areas, will parks near and only a 15 minute drive to the beach and 5 minute drive into town.

But if you want to be closer to the beach cleadon is lovely but a bit more expensive. I've lived in Barnes for years now and when I rented it was always around the £500 mark.

[WentworthPrison]

@underneaththeash

It wouldn’t be my cup of tea. You need to visit before you move.

I completely agree. I don't like the Sunderland area and the beaches aren't as great as people say. Go further North.

[Mammyloveswine]

I live in north Tyneside and wouldn't move to Sunderland at all!!

But North Shields is ok and actually quite up and coming (the fish quay is quite the place for new bars and restaurants!).

I also really like South Shields! You get a lot of house for your money, lovely beaches and marine park is lovely!

[underneaththeash]

It wouldn’t be my cup of tea. You need to visit before you move.

[Bunnybigears]

Some parts of Roker are nice, near the park etc but the part I live in is definitely not middle class, lots of HMO's etc. Although even though we quite often have police etc visiting houses in the street I feel my children are safe to walk the streets (although they are streetwise kids).

[Summerhillsquare]

Whitburn is the prettiest villagiest bit. Seaburn is more trad seaside resort. Rocker nearest city centre, more up and coning. I like South Shields personally. All the beaches are sandy and pretty clean.

[MrsPworkingmummy]

Hi OP, I recently moved back to Sunderland after living in North Tyneside/Northumberland for 10 years. We lived in a farm house in a semi - rural area, and now have a completely different lifestyle after moving to Ashbrooke which is slap bang in the city centre. Whitburn is absolutely beautiful, with lots of period stone housing and a village feel. Roker is also lovely, and we wish we'd moved there last year when we had the chance as we had no chain. Both fairy affluent and middle class. House prices here are amazingly good value. We've over halved our mortgage after using our equity! There is lots of investment and improvements going on in the city behind the scenes, and a great music culture.

[4forkssake]

Clemson & Whitburn are lovely, but it depends on if you want to be near the beach or right on the beach.

Here's an example of places in Cleadon

https://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-to-rent/property-95235299.html

https://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-to-rent/property-82572121.html

[Bunnybigears]

www.rightmove.co.uk/property-to-rent/property-95177423.html

[Bluemooninmyeyes1]

My partners family are from Sunderland and it’s lovely! Good shops (not far away from the metro centre), some beautiful parks, lovely beaches, friendly people and rents are pretty cheap too. Good luck OP

[Bunnybigears]

I dont really know how much things rent for around here unfortunately but if you want village like you are best of looking in Fulwell or Whitburn but neither are villages really. Seaham and South Shields also might be worth a look although again there are places you want to avoid. North Shields and Tynemouth are lovely but will be more expensive.

[TheMaskOfZorro]

No I haven't yet visited, although I have family connections. I live in Cornwall and renting down here is crazy, so I'm looking for coastal but cheaper.

My budget is from £500 to £700. I guess something villagey and quiet near the beach is what I'm after.