Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Flip

Original poster

Where to move to around Newcastle/Northumberland?

20 replies

Undermyduvet · 12/03/2023 19:00

We are looking to move up to North East. We’d be moving with two autistic teenagers so would be moving them over to adult services. If anyone has any experience of adult services for autism and learning difficulties that would be great.

I work remotely and my husband works in finance so will probably need to be near ish to Newcastle.

We’d like to be relatively near the sea. Budget will be around £500K maybe a bit more.

We would really love a friendly community. Neither of us have roots in the North East but would look to integrate ourselves into the community. Can anyone recommend where to start looking?

OP posts:

emmathedilemma · 12/03/2023 19:05

I don’t know about the support for your teens but I love the coast around cullercoats, tynemouth and Whitley bay, you’ve got the metro for access into Newcastle and the beach on your doorstep. I think in general people from the NE are naturally very friendly.

Original poster

Undermyduvet · 13/03/2023 07:58

Hi @emmathedilemma, that’s really helpful thank you 🙂

OP posts:

RagzRebooted · 13/03/2023 08:10

We're planning a move to the NE next year, also with teens but half your budget. I spent the last 6 months researching areas, if I had your budget I'd go for Whitley Bay or possibly Tynemouth if you're wanting coastal. If I wanted inland/rural I'd go Morpeth or Hexham.

We're looking more at C. Durham as lower budget and we need 4 bedrooms. With £500k you could get something really nice in a nice area.

Lullabies2Paralyze · 13/03/2023 08:21

Alnmouth is a bit more small and rural-esq from what I remember (been years since I’ve been there) but it’s on the coast and may have regular /semi regular trains into Newcastle.

closer and more town like then definitely tynemouth, was just there yesterday and it is very nice- I have family who have moved there and they seem quite happy there.

there is also south of Tyne to consider as they still have good connections into Newcastle (train bus metro depending on where you looked)

SliceOfCakeCupOfTea · 13/03/2023 08:23

I live in Northumberland and commute into Newcastle.
Can't comment on the adult services aspect but it is very friendly up here.

What maximum commute into Newcastle would work for your husband? There are some lovely towns further up north but whitley bay is turning into a proper family friendly area. That said, I live inland and still only a very short drive to the beach

Original poster

Undermyduvet · 13/03/2023 08:54

He’s got a 40 minute commute at the moment. So probably up to an hour. Don’t mind a bit of a drive to the beach. We’re mainly just looking for a lovely community friendly area. Will have a look at Tynemouth as well and add that to our list.

OP posts:

Original poster

Undermyduvet · 13/03/2023 08:58

This is really helpful thanks everyone. Are there any areas that we should definitely avoid?

We’ve got on the list:
Morpeth
Alnwick
Tynemouth
North Shields
Whitley Bay

I know this is probably daft but we’re both from the South and have seen before some areas in the North aren’t always overly welcoming to people from outside the area. I’m guessing if you integrate into the community this wouldn’t be an issue?

OP posts:

inigomontoyahwillcox · 13/03/2023 09:17

I don't know too much about the coast near Newcastle from a residential perspective, but I spent my teenage years living in Hexham, which is a 30 minute train journey (or about 45 on the bus) from Newcastle. Beautiful small market town and surrounding countryside, the Northumbrian coast is spectacular and you're minutes from Hadrian's Wall.

I haven't lived there for years, my parents still do - I know that the local GPs and hospital are great, but I can't really comment with any authority about support for your daughters. There does seem to be a lot of things going on for people with additional needs.

SinnerBoy · 13/03/2023 09:18

Undermyduvet · Today 08:58

This is really helpful thanks everyone. Are there any areas that we should definitely avoid?

We live in Whitley Bay and it's mostly pretty nice. We have a good set of local shops, good access to the Metro and bus service. We're in town, so there are the occasional problems, as there are a couple of half way houses in neighbouring streets.

That's not the case close to the Links and you'll definitely get a good sized place with change out of £500 k.

Original poster

Undermyduvet · 13/03/2023 09:43

@inigomontoyahwillcox, Hexham looks lovely. I’ll add that to the list thank you. I’ll have a little look at local offers as I’m guessing different areas are covered by different local authorities.

OP posts:

riotlady · 13/03/2023 10:19

Undermyduvet · 13/03/2023 08:58

This is really helpful thanks everyone. Are there any areas that we should definitely avoid?

We’ve got on the list:
Morpeth
Alnwick
Tynemouth
North Shields
Whitley Bay

Depending on how much independence your teenagers have or will want in the future, I would say Alnwick makes that a little tougher than the others as it’s less well connected. Morpeth has a train station and the rest have the metro, as well as buses. There are buses from Alnwick to Newcastle but it takes a lot longer and it’s harder to access things like the cinema.

I wouldn’t worry about not being welcomed as a Southerner- my sister has a very posh southern accent (she was born here but moved away as a child and came back) and has never had any bother for it, even in high school. The places you mention will have plenty of transplants from down south.

SinnerBoy · 13/03/2023 11:02

Yes, there are loads of kids in school with my daughter, Southern, London and Midlands accents.

Original poster

Undermyduvet · 13/03/2023 11:11

@riotlady, that’s a really good point on ease of transport. One of the girls could be fairly independent, the other will never be we don’t think but accessibility is a good point.

OP posts:

Pushkinia · 13/03/2023 12:03

I’m Scottish and came to live near Riding Mill 37 years ago. I’m still here! I’ve found it a very friendly area and have no desire to move back North again.

SinnerBoy · 13/03/2023 13:31

Oh, I used to be up at Riding Mill and Stocksfield all the time. I was working for English Heritage, at Allenheads, back in the late 80s / early 90s. Nice bit of countryside there.

Bex268 · 13/03/2023 13:36

Check out Corbridge - Dilston college just around the corner too that provides services and education for autistic adults

Original poster

Undermyduvet · 13/03/2023 14:57

@Bex268, that’s super helpful thank you. That would probably suit the youngest as she’s got very complex needs.

OP posts:

Bex268 · 13/03/2023 15:01

@Undermyduvet Corbridge is a beautiful place to live - expensive though but I think you’d do fine on your budget and there is a train link into Newcastle and Hexham. There is also a support group in the NE, a charity, called Little Treasures that might benefit your two children, it’s for both adults and children and is on FB.

Original poster

Undermyduvet · 18/03/2023 15:06

I hadn’t thought about Corbridge but I’ll also add that to the list @Bex268. I’ve also joined the little treasures Facebook which looks really helpful. Thanks for everyone’s advice.

OP posts:

Iam4eels · 18/03/2023 15:43

I'd look around Whitley Bay, Tynemouth, Holywell, etc where there are good links into the city both by car and public transport. £500k will get you a really decent house, for example

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/131351873#/?channel=RES_BUY

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/125046623#/?channel=RES_BUY

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/127179500#/?channel=RES_BUY

Flip