Nice but cheap places to live within 45m drive of Newcastle?

[Fantapops]

DW has a new job and will need to commute regularly (weekly/every two weeks) to Newcastle. We are settled up in Scotland but we are thinking about buying a small flat nearby after a year or so, so that DW isn’t resigned to airbnbs forever. We have both never lived in England and don’t really know where to look… any thoughts? Is Newcastle itself ok?

No kids yet but will have them in a few years although of course they will only be visiting. Thank you!

How cheap?

What's your budget?

Saltburn

Depends on budget, things you want from an area really. Tynemouth/Cullercoats/Whitley Bay area is lovely, lots going on, gorgeous beaches, on the metro line so easy access to central Newcastle. But it is quite an expensive area. Great park/gosforth is also a nice place to live and a bit closer to town. Houses might be a little bit cheaper and easier to get at the minute.

Depends on your budget but I'd look along the North Sea coast where you have the sea in one direction, countryside in the other and Newcastle within commuting distance. Northumberland would be your best bet, part way between Newcastle and Scotland, but again it's hard to advise without a rough budget.

Prudhoe

According to Google Maps thats a 90 minute commute and that's assuming no hold ups.

Saltburn is much longer than 45 minutes. Even if they put the tunnel in between Redcar and Hartlepool!

Price? Washington is reasonable, Low fell. Even Chester le Street straight onto A1. Birtley.