Relocating to near Newcastle.

[Wotrewelookinat]

DH and I are planning to retire, downsize and relocate in the next couple of years. We're considering the area around Newcastle as we want access to the coast and areas for cycling and hill walking. We'll be moving from semi-rural Suffolk and are desperate to get away from the flatlands, and like the idea of being closer to Scotland and the Lake District as well as the Northumberland NAtional Park and North Pennines. We'd like a small town with amenities, plus a good main hospital not too far away. We'll be visiting the area in September to start exploring.

Do you have tips on where we should look/explore or where to avoid?
Thank you!

Jesmond on the outskirts of Newcastle is beautiful.. Lots of nice restaurants in walking distance and good hospitals in Newcastle itself.. The Metro system is fab for moving around...goes direct to the coast also.. And Newcastle City Centre if you want more shops.

@Shesellsseashellsnotinmystreet thank you! Are there any places around Newcastle which are slightly more rural you think we should consider?

Consider Monkseaton/Whitley Bay. You have the coast and you're still near the Metro/tram

Whats the budget? Wylam, Hexham, Morpeth and Corbridge would be worth looking at. They are rural but decent size villages/towns not too far from the city.

We lived in a london suburb for several years and would like access to the city, but not to live in a suburb.

@Okdaisy thank you, approx £300K probably, though we havent decided how small to downsize to yet..

Hexham and Morpeth are both nice towns with decent links into the city, possibly Ponteland although that’s much more suburban these days. Might you consider going up as far as Alnwick for the proximity to the coast?

Depends what you mean by access.

the big hospital thereabouts is Newcastle - royal Victoria infirmary.

if you want easy access ie metro then you are looking greater Newcastle area.

if you are talking say 30 mins drive to the hospital/central Newcastle then that’s a different level of access.

try Hexham, Alnwick (very touristy these days), Morpeth.

Tynemouth, Cullercoats, Whitley Bay if you want to be within walking distance to the beach. Beautiful beaches, lots of restaurants, cafes, shops and loads going on and a great community. Monkseaton also lovely. Jesmond is very studenty and you would have to drive to the coast - not far but parking at the coast is very tricky and busy at weekends.

What about somewhere on the new train line in Newcastle?
But I prefer County Durham.

Hexham is lovely, and corbridge. They're on the a69 so perfect to get to the lakes, north east or Scotland. Hexham is pretty much bang in the middle of them all

Thank you everyone for your replies.

Cullercoats. Cheaper than Tynemouth and very close to the beach. There is Rake lane hospital up the road, and Cramlington hospital 20 mins drive. Cullercoats also has a fairly large retried community.

Another recommendation for Hexham and Corbridge. Hexham has a hospital, a lovely abbey and lots of smaller shops. It also has big supermarkets (Tesco, Waitrose, Lidl and Aldi).

There are nice walks along the river and there are train and bus links to Newcastle. There is also easy access to lovely countryside and the A69 takes you to the M6 in just over half an hour.

There is also an independent cinema and Queens Hall which has all kind of productions .

We live just on the edge of the National Park and are about 25/30 min drive to Hexham and the same to the Scottish border.

It's a beautiful part of the world.

Definitely look along the coast at Cullercoats, Whitley Bay, Seaton Sluice, Holywell, New Hartley, Old Hartley, and the near end of South Beach. You'd have the coast on your doorstep, access to several towns/amenities within very close distance, transport links, easy access to countryside, leisure facilities, etc. There are a few hospitals around about - NSECH at Cramlington (Cramlington also has a shopping centre called Manor Walks which has entertainment venues too), Wansbeck General near Ashington, RVI in Newcastle, Freeman in Heaton, and North Tyneside General just outside of Whitley Bay, they're covered by two different Trusts but it tends to make things faster as each hospital covers different things.

There are many lovely places as others have noted. Word of caution, are you OK with the much earlier darkness in winter? I was glad to move south for the extra winter daylight, after spending seven years working there.

Ponteland 8 miles from Newcastle. It’s lovely

Almost all the areas suggested are "naice" (white middle/upper class) where your budget doesn't get so much. Also terrible traffic, and overheated and competitive in terms of househunting.

Morpeth - good access to nearby countryside, lots of lovely walks by/near the town and an easy drive to the coast. Nearest hospitals are in Ashington and Cramlington. Morpeth is pricy but you could get something decent for £300k.

https://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/find.html?searchLocation=Hexham%2C+Northumberland&useLocationIdentifier=true&locationIdentifier=REGION%5E634&radius=3.0&maxPrice=300000&propertyTypes=detached%2Csemi-detached%2Cterraced&_includeSSTC=on

This is what's on Rightmove in and around Hexham at the moment.

Try Wooler we moved her and best decision ever. Has the drs,library,small shops lovely community. Loads of hill walking as the Cheviots are here,loads of good cycling. 15 mins to Scottish border

Barnard Castle……. Beautiful x

Maybe have a look at some of the areas mentioned with your maximum budget @Wotrewelookinat

Jesmond & Tynemouth you could purchase a flat. Hexham & Alnwick, a wider range of properties.

Hexham and Corbridge are closest for access to both the North Pennines National Landscape (aka AONB) and Northumberland National Park. Also closer access to the Lake District. Both lovely.