Moving to Whitley Bay/Monkseaton

[Fl33w]

Hello all, first post here. We're due to relocate (or more specifically move back after being away for 20 years) to the North East in the next few months and were hoping to move to Whitley Bay/Monkseaton. Our daughter is due to start school in Septemberso I imagine we're going to have to try and find a place to rent for a few months before we'll be allowed to apply for a mortgage. I wondered if anyone had any advice about renting in the area before buying?

Another question was abouttransport; I know there's the metro to Newcastle but what are the buses like? For eveningsout, what's a standard taxi price from Newcastle? In fact do taxi drivers get sniffy about going that distance?!

We're quite daunted about packing up and making this big move so any help or advice would be much appreciated!

The buses continue their slow decline, post covid the companies are losing money big time due to passenger numbers, Nexus are cutting the little money the do use to support buses to fund the Metro. I can't see how services can be maintained at the current level without a big change. I used to work as a bus driver.

The Metro is getting new trains soon.

Taxis and private hires/Ubers would think nothing of a trip to the coast, it's only a few miles and effectively a suburb of Newcastle. Depending on whether it's a proper taxi or a private hire I reckon 30 to 40 quid. Possible more but you could ask them, I would try blue line. Here is a link to their fare calculator. bluelinetaxis.com/fare-calculator

Thanks for the info, Shame about the buses but not a surprise, sounds like nothing much has changed from when I left...
Good to know taxis are happy to go that way. £40 is a bit of a shock so I'm pleased I've been warned in advance!
Thanks again

I have just used that calculator and for a journey right now it's only 19 quid, might cost more on a weekend. Only 9 miles from Whitley Bay to Newcastle. Cheap as chips IMHO.

One other thing, when I used to travel midweek to the coast, the Metro line that passes through Manors and the Meadowell was a nightmare for antisocial behaviour, in the end I used to get the bus.

Taxi to town is about £15-25 in my experience with pre booking, Uber £18-30 depending on surge etc.

Metro is great, about 25 -30 mins to get into town depending which route you go and which station you are near.

House prices / demand is a bit mad at the moment, selling for 10-30k over asking and in one instance I saw it went 177k over asking! But, it's a lovely place to live so worth it, might just have to be proactive - there are FB groups for private sales etc so join some of those to get a step ahead.

There are buses through that area and the metro runs too of course. Though I would say all my family tend to use cars a lot.

Coast to newcastle is a very standard route and taxis often do fixed fair. I've never paid over £20. It's only 20 mins - not far at all.

Whitley Bay and Monkseaton are getting lots of nice new cafes and food spots. It's a great location.

OP can I slightly jump on your thread to ask what the primary schools are like?

All are really good. Whitley Bay High/valley are often considered to better than Marden middle/Monkseaton high and this is reflected in the house prices. Catchment areas are odd so look at them carefully.

Southridge Primary is lovely and Monkseaton Middle is brilliant

Thanks all, really useful. I was slightly concerned about the metro route I must admit. Sounds like taxi back from town is the best option (although what am I on about, its not like we ever get the chance to go out late at night any!)
House prices s

Oops. Was going to say house prices sound like where we are at the minute although its even crazier here. Wondering if we'll need to rent first if we're in a rush for school registration

You might find you're more coast based anyway - my family usually go out for dinner and social around there to Tynemouth etc

If you live near monkseaton or Whitley bay metro station then it is quicker to travel back from the city centre on the metro line that goes through Jesmond. It is the nicer journey too.

Hi, we are looking to move to the same area. Sometimes I have gotten the impression that Whitley Bay is a little run down with some weird people around. Is that a correct impression? Or is it a nice, safe place to raise a family?
Thanks

My sister lives in Cullercoats, we hardly ever go to town from hers as there is so much in Tynemouth and the Fish Quay now, with a much cheaper taxi home, or a walk if you need to sober up!

@Sarmarl there are weirdos, most of my family live there😂

Seriously though, there has been a lot of regeneration there in recent years, if you hang out at the amusements you'll obviously find a different type of person to if you hang out at one of the many higher end cafes. It's a town, so a bit of everything!

@lanbro is it a friendly area? We are looking to move to that sort of area but have no connections at all to the area and I’m a bit worried we could be lonely (We have a child with Sen).

I've seen there's been a fair bit of anti-social behaviour at Whitely Lodge and on the Metro in the North East news in the last few weeks. I know that most areas always have sat least some bother and nowhere is perfect but it has made me a little concerned. Not enough to reconsider the area or anything

Hi - can you tell me the name of some of the Facebook groups you mentioned? about private sellers around Newcastle. Thanks