Moving to Newcastle/ Northumberland?

Flapjacker48 · 14/04/2022 21:40

Cheaper housing - to a degree but nice places on the Tyneside or Northumbria coast are pretty expensive - great if you are selling somewhere in London and moving, if not......

Original poster

DontStopMeNow7 · 14/04/2022 21:48

My standards are not quite that high. I live in social housing right now and it’s shite, just in a nice area. Need anything from a posh 1 bed flat to a 2 bed house. More interested in the area.

OP posts:

Narcoanonymoose · 14/04/2022 21:55

Do only folk who've located from the south count ?

IbizaToTheNorfolkBroads · 14/04/2022 21:58

I lived in Newcastle for 7 years, as a postgrad student and beyond. I only left for a job, but would have stayed and out down deeper roots given half a chance. Yes it rains! But it is much drier and a bit chillier than a lot of the country. And yes…. Summers do get hot, but cool down sooner - I say that Newcastle is the only place I’ve ever worn my down jacket in September.

Newcastle is a pretty compact city with 2 large universities, theatres, museums, restaurants, concert hall (to be fair, the Sage is in Gateshead). It always had loads going on when I lived there (20 years ago…) for all walks of life. My landlady was in her 50s, ad always out at reiki/concert/storytelling/theatre /meals/choir/voluntary work etc.

If sea swimming is your thing, check local conditions - sea swimming is not advised at Alnmouth for example.

The coast and the inland moors are stunning. Far nicer than the Home Counties - bigger, wilder landscapes (I grew up
In London/Sussex). Now (50s) I’d live by the sea if money were no object, but as PP coastal properties in good areas are not that cheap! In my late 20s I was happier in the city zipping around on the metro.

Go and visit for a few days, it’s hard not to like.

lovelymama · 14/04/2022 22:00

I’m from County Durham and lived about 7 miles from Newcastle. I moved south once I left home as felt there was more opportunity for me there. That was 25 years ago and I know the north east has developed so much since then and there’s way more opportunity than when I lived there. I don’t miss the north east but that’s because I’ve made my home in south east London and I love it.

People are super, super friendly in Newcastle and mostly very genuine. Social side is excellent and you are likely to make friends if you put yourself out there. There are some beautiful areas with nice houses, although as someone said above, they can be expensive. I’m from an old mining town and they can be quite depressing as they can be quite insular with high unemployment or very low paid jobs so research your area carefully.

Winters are freezing - the wind goes straight through you. Beautiful beaches but do remember it’s the North Sea and it’s very, very cold!

mjf981 · 14/04/2022 22:06

Go spend a weekend there. It’s only 3(ish) hours on the train from London. It’ll give you a good idea of how you feel about it.

elidelochanthefirst · 14/04/2022 22:06

There's a huge sea swimming culture around Cullercoats and Tynemouth. It's a fantastic place to live. Great yoga, cafes, food. People are friendly. Cheap housing compared to the south east. Quick to get to the countryside. Transport is okay, there is a metro system. Buses a bit rubbish though. I find it quite a driving heavy lifestyle but maybe just my family.

apapuchi · 14/04/2022 22:21

@DontStopMeNow7

I’m not planning on moving anytime soon but I really like to have a plan, and as I’ve been thinking about this for ages I’d love to hear from people who live there and especially who’ve relocated there (from the SE especially). Can’t visit yet.

Lots of reasons for considering this. However I have a few things I’d like to know:

-Is it generally nice there?
-Does it rain (bit weird but I love the rain)
-Is it ever hot enough in summer to sunbathe?
-Is Newcastle itself nice, as in to work & socialise?
-As a single woman in my 40s will I find a decent social life?
-Is it worth it being near the sea (another bonus as I see it as I love to swim)
-Will I meet a wide variety of people and friendliness in my age group?
-How does it compare to the countryside and scenery of places like Surrey & Buckinghamshire? (Sorry for this question🤦🏼‍♀️)
-Would I find lots of nursing agency work if I want to work extra hours?

My reasons:
-Cheaper housing & cost of living (I’m a nurse and can’t really afford the south)
-Want a new start far away
-Near the sea/beach
-Potential for both peace and quiet and the city
-Countryside, national park
-Friendly people. Away from the ‘rat race’
-Love the accent.

Please correct my misconceptions! :-)

If NE isn’t right for me I’m thinking Wales or Lake District,

I think the North East meets all your requirements. I'm from Newcastle but have lived all over (UK and abroad) and am back here now.

It's generally nice, there are depressed areas and some rough bits. Some scary people 😂 but harmless for the most part and most are so friendly and welcoming.

It does rain, less than the NW but we get plenty of it. Can be very windy sometimes. My husband is Mexican and he likes the climate being from a desert area himself, but sometimes the weather is rubbish for ages and not enjoyable rain if you can understand what I mean.

You can sunbathe a few days a year I'd say. We've had a few lovely summers over the past decade and some awful ones, on nice days you can definitely lie in the garden.

Newcastle has a fab social scene and people are accepting of newcomers in clubs and at events in my experience. There are lots of women of a similar age to you (and me) who do wild swimming, in the WI, sports, craft, other clubs. The sea is really accessible even if you don't live near it per se, the metro and bus links the coast at Tynemouth, South Shields and Seaburn to the rest of the inner bits pretty well. There is loads of wild swimming going on at S Shields and Seaburn which are my local beaches south of the Tyne. I live in Gateshead.

Not sure about comparison of scenery as not familiar with those places, but Northumberland is amazingly scenic, you can walk Hadrian's Wall, Kielder Reservoir, the Northumberland beaches are absolutely beautiful like Bamburgh, Creswell, Craster etc. They are wild beaches though and can get very cold and windswept out of season... Beaches at Whitburn, Seaburn, South Shields, Tynemouth have beach cafes, ice cream, and places like Riley's Fish Shack which is just wonderful.

Nurses are always in high demand, the RVI in Newcastle Trust is the big hospital for the NE but there are others in Newcastle too depending on your specialism, and big teaching hospitals in Gateshead, Sunderland, South Shields and Cramlington too.

Lots for you to explore and think about and as has been said, visiting would be a great idea. Am here if you want to bat around ideas. I'm sure you can find all you want here but not to say it's the only place you can.

I sound like a NE tourist board advert and, of course, there are problems up here with poverty and things like anti social behaviour in areas like everywhere... but you can certainly have a great quality of life here compared with the SE (for your money I mean, no disrespect at all) and while establishing and maintaining a brilliant social life, getting out into wonderful nature and I'm sure not being short of work!

Good luck! Am here if you need advice :)

minou123 · 14/04/2022 22:24

I moved from Reigate/Croyden to Newcastle 20 years ago. And I am 40 and single!

Is it generally nice there?
I love living in Newcastle

-Does it rain (bit weird but I love the rain)
yes

-Is it ever hot enough in summer to sunbathe?
hmm, not as much as SE, but you can sunbathe. You just have to grab the sunny days when they happen

-Is Newcastle itself nice, as in to work & socialise?
it's a beautiful city. Whatever your hobbies are or what you want to do to socialise, it's available

-As a single woman in my 40s will I find a decent social life?
Yes. I'm always getting invited to do things. I suppose it's like everywhere though, if you are open to meeting new people and making an effort, then people will make an effort with you

-Is it worth it being near the sea (another bonus as I see it as I love to swim)
I think it Northumberland has some of the most beautiful coastline. I don't live by the sea, but 5 mins on the metro I can be on the coast, eating an ice cream

-Will I meet a wide variety of people and friendliness in my age group?
Yes. Incredibly friendly. I've even met people chatting to them on the bus, still friends 30 years later

-How does it compare to the countryside and scenery of places like Surrey & Buckinghamshire? (Sorry for this question🤦🏼‍♀️)
it's incredibly beautiful. I can jump in the car and be in the countryside within 10 mins

-Would I find lots of nursing agency work if I want to work extra hours?
I don't work in this area, so I'm not sure

RampantIvy · 14/04/2022 22:41

-Is it generally nice there? Yes
-Does it rain (bit weird but I love the rain) Yes, but not as much as where I live on the edge of the Pennines. It is on the East coast so it rains less.
-Is it ever hot enough in summer to sunbathe? Yes, sometimes
-Is Newcastle itself nice, as in to work & socialise? Yes. It’s brilliant
-As a single woman in my 40s will I find a decent social life? I should think so
-Is it worth it being near the sea (another bonus as I see it as I love to swim). Tynemouth is lovely, but expensive
-Will I meet a wide variety of people and friendliness in my age group? Probably
-How does it compare to the countryside and scenery of places like Surrey & Buckinghamshire? (Sorry for this question🤦🏼‍♀️). It’s beautiful
-Would I find lots of nursing agency work if I want to work extra hours? There are a couple of large hospitals in Newcastle

Original poster

DontStopMeNow7 · 14/04/2022 22:47

Wow…everyone. Thank you so much 😊
This gives me hope for something to look forward to. I’m so fed up with life at the moment. I will probably be back to ask more questions and will definitely visit!!

OP posts:

RampantIvy · 14/04/2022 22:57

DH is from Northumberland, so I know parts of it very well, and DD is at university in Newcastle. I really like Newcastle. It has so much to offer.

MsFrog · 14/04/2022 23:07

I absolutely love it here, couldn't imagine living anywhere else. Loads going on, but there's space and peace where you need it. Lovely people. Beautiful beaches, beautiful countryside. Lots of great places to eat 😁👍

Bet it would be a great move for you, OP. Good luck with whatever you decide.

RampantIvy · 14/04/2022 23:27

Tynemouth
Simonside
Jesmond Dene

Original poster

DontStopMeNow7 · 15/04/2022 03:34

Wow! Lovely scenery! Thanks:-(

OP posts:

katienana · 15/04/2022 03:59

Channel 4 recently did a documentary on the RVI it was quite uplifting in tone but gives you a good idea of what people are generally like.
The climate is dry and cool, in summer our temperatures wouldn't be quite as high as in the south but it can still get to 30 degrees. In lockdown 1 we had the amazing weather like everyone else and I went to the beach when it was allowed and sunbathed! Tynemouth/whitley Bay is the main coastal town but there are other options, I quite like Seaton Sluice but there isn't as much going on there.
I live in Fenham which is close to the RVI and lots of medical people live in the area. A 3 bed on a nice street would be around £230k. It's cheaper than other areas like Heaton or Jesmond so your money goes a bit further. You'd need another £50k at least for an equivalent property in Tynemouth.
Your best bet is to stick to somewhere on the metro line or close to city centre if you want to access the nightlife easily. There is loads going on, 3 cinemas in town, 3 theatres, city Hall for concerts/comedy as well, the arena, couple of museums and art galleries, town also has Fenwick and John Lewis. Loads of restaurants and quirky places.
Good luck!

ChiselandBits · 15/04/2022 08:02

I relocated from the SE too. Its fab. I can only second what everyone else has said but id add the Tyneside Cinema to your list.. My favourite place to go and treat myself on a kid free day.

IbizaToTheNorfolkBroads · 15/04/2022 08:17

I think, because it’s not near anywhere else of similar size, Newcastle is pretty self contained, and shops/touring productions etc go there, rather than choosing somewhere else nearby. I’m on the border of S/W Yorkshire now, gigs tend to be Sheffield OR Leeds (or even Manchester), big shops tend to be Sheffield, Leeds or Meadowhall. Newcastle doesn’t have a regional “or”.

catfunk · 15/04/2022 08:31

I'm from NE but live in SE.

The countryside and coast are beautiful. Prices are cheaper for everything so you can have a better quality of life. Although some parts are expensive (jesmond, tynenouth, Hexham etc.) I'd stick to Newcastle rather than teeside if you need to be near a hospital.

Note there are still lots of economically depressed ex mining towns and villages around that never really recovered since the 80s.

It's definitely a bit colder and greyer ! But can still be nice in summer.

RampantIvy · 15/04/2022 09:20

I agree with Ibiza. One of the reasons that DD chose Newcastle to go to university is that it is more compact than other cities, but has as much to offer. We are rural and the bigger cities - Bristol and Manchester didn't appeal because getting anywhere involved having to use public transport all the time. Whereas most places are within walking distance.

Jesmond Dene is astonishingly pretty - see my photo upthread, and you can eat your way around the world in Newcastle.

The Tyneside metro is an excellent public transport system with well organised park and ride places. Even parking in central Newcastle doen't cost an arm and a leg compared to other cities (you need a second mortgage to park in York for example).

And getting to the coast is so easy. Some places that were once a bit rough and ready are now becoming more upmarket. I'm thinking of Amble which is becoming a bit of an unexpected gem these days.

Ohquietone · 15/04/2022 09:21

I love the NE. Am trying to sway my DH that once the kids have finished education (they’re secondary age) that we move. We holiday up in Northumberland every year and I feel such a pang when I leave. I’d definitely go up and spend some time there. I’m always so envious of people who live there. I live in the SE and our town regularly features in national papers about what a desirable place to live but I would leave in a heartbeat.

Flumpaphone · 15/04/2022 09:30

I moved to the NE 20+ years ago, I came for a 2year job and I'm still here.

I love it and it gets under my your skin. I don't quite live in Newcastle but I work there and I'd say it ticks all your boxes, it really is a fabulous city.

Countryside wise I can't think of anywhere I'd rather be than Northumberland, it's as beautiful as Cornwall and there's no-one here. I'm never happier than when I'm doing the Craster to Dunstanburgh walk or diving at Beadnell. I can't afford to buy a house in those places but they are a very doable drive.

Where I live I am no more than a 1 hour drive from 4 national parks and 30 mins from the coast, I'm also on the East Coast Mainline connecting to London, York and Edinburgh if I want to.

A word about house prices though. I've seen a lot of threads on here lately about people wanting to move North for some utopia of dirt cheap housing. It isn't really like that. Yes you can buy a house in parts of the NE for £50k but as with everywhere, it will be somewhere you probably wouldn't want to live. Good areas with nice housing are still expensive and prices are rising.

That said, come and see us, we're lovely, we're welcoming and we live in a stunning part of the country.

Ohquietone · 15/04/2022 09:33

Those who live in and around Newcastle, is it generally friendly and welcoming? I know you’re likely to find unfriendly people everywhere and Newcastle and the areas aren’t just one big lump but are places quite welcoming especially to those from the South?

SunonmyFace · 15/04/2022 09:42

Just to add that you could look at South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS trust. If you lived in South Shields or Sunderland you can be living on the Coast, and close to work and be in Newcastle on the metro in 25 minutes.

SunonmyFace · 15/04/2022 09:43

Happy to pm some areas to look at