To love living in the North East?

[DrSeuss]

Following yesterday's thread about the "horrors" of living in Manchester and the North in general, what do you love most about the North East? Where do you recommend people to visit? What aspects of life do you like best here? I would nominate Durham, especially the cathedral, the fish and chips in Whitby and the architecture of Grainger Street. Anyone else?

The stunning Northumberland coast; Lake District a hop away; a million castles; Durham dales. Lower popluation density making transport a breeze. And, yes, the wonderful Durham cathedral.

Durham is a beautiful city. The catherdral, the marketplace, the castle, the viaduct.

Plus Cafe Continental on Elvet Bridge

I love Whitby as well. I live on Teesside, and I really like it here, nice people and not too far from the Yorkshire Moors, which are pretty spectacular.

I love Berwick and Alnwick - lovely places for walks and picnics. I used to live in Durham and loved it when younger - just has a nice welcoming atmosphere.
Now live in Yorkshire and love Harrogate (possibly because it reminds me of Durham?) and shopping in Leeds, walks in the North Yorks Moors, tea at Betty's and being a bit further south for ease of travelling to other places.

Also love the fact that house prices are affordable and there are very good unis and university libraries in Durham and Newcastle.

Kara, I live in Eaglescliffe and love it. Where are you? We have lovely neighbours and DS got into the excellent local primary without any trouble andall the facilities we want are within a short drive. In-laws live in Oxfordshire and are amazed by how cheap everything here is.

Don't forget the fabulous, and frequently quite empty, beaches! :)

In Tyne & Wear the public transport to most places is reasonable, and in some places fantastic. County Durham and Northumberland not so good since they're rural of course. Don't forget that the Metro, and all of the stations, are wheelchair and pushchair accessible, which makes life sooooo much easier. :o

Again in Tyne & Wear, plenty of free museums with a wide range of attractions. I'll have to give this some more thought. :)

DPs' parents live in Cumbria, we live right down in the South (any furhter South and we'd be in the sea.

I love The Lakes, the walks, the views, the water is softer and better to wash in and drink, the water even makes the beer much better.

I also love the house prices, but hate the fact there is no work.

The best thing of all is that people speak to you, in the shops, the pub even just passing on the street. DP is from a small village and the first time we visited his parents I asked him if he knew everyone in the village (he moved away 30 years ago when he joined the Army) as they all said hello to us, he said no, thats just how people are here.

Empty beaches
Angel of the North
Durham Dales - Weardale, Teesdale, High Force
Durham city - riverside walks, Cathedral
Bowes Museum
Arbeia Roman Fort at South Shields
Grainger Street and the Theatre Royal
Hexham Abbey
The Metro
The Sage
You can get lots of places quickly - Scarborough, Whitby, Harrogate, Lakes, Edinburgh.

Pease pudding, corn beef pasties and chicken parmos too!

I know it's North West - but I'm sure the same applies both sides of the Pennines.

We holidayed in Northumberland last year and I actually cried when we left because I wanted to stay. It was beautiful, there was loads to do, the beaches were amazing - just perfect!

Our Teesside water is lovely, tastes good. In Oxfordshire at in-laws it tastes and smells like a swimming pool. And I second the friendly thing. SIL's husband hated the locals when he was at York Uni as he thought they were "nosey". They were just being friendly!

Having just moved to Durham from Edinburgh I can vouch for the lovely people in the North East! Am still looking to meet some new mums though....

Hamsterly Forests is lovely and so is High Force for a walk.

I also love the Tyneside cinema and its bring Baby sessions on a Wed.

hmmm...the Metro is also fun but a bit soulless...

The Gala at Durham is also good (you can tell I like films)

Also plenty of lovely bridal paths for horse riding :)

Oh, yes. Lovely water. Only downside is that it takes for ever to rinse your face because water lathers so freely.

County Durham or Durham City? Both are good. Metro is functional but otherwise dull. Tell me more about the baby sessions at the Tyneside, please.

YANBU at all :) The North East is a fantastic part of the country (just don't tell the Southerners else they'll all want to move to the North East)

DH is from Oxfordshire but has no wish to return! We don't want to live in a rabbit hutch while commuting miles and paying a small fortune for the priveledge.

Erm, when I said The Metro, I didn't mean the Metro Centre - which is dull.

I meant the transport system, which is cheap and efficient

Oh, sorry, yes the trains are good. Regular and reasonably priced.

I love EVERYTHING about the North East.

i love durham cathedral, the riverside in newcastle, the whole city centre in newcastle is pretty amazing. lived there for years and do miss it. we live in whitby now and i can well recomend a visit during goth weekend its something everyone should experience i think

You're not Sadie the much advertised Bra Lady, are you? She is a legend!

DrSeuss - we do live in Oxfordshire, in a rabbit hutch, paying a small fortune for the priviledge. :( We do our commuting by bike though. Have holidayed in the North East and agree it's beautiful, mostly uncrowded and has very friendly people.

Don't live in the NE but grew up there and we generally stay in Northumberland every year. The beaches are fantastic, love Lindisfarne, and all the castles.

Durham City my favourite place - remember nearly crying every time the train pulled into Durham station, just looking at the view as you pass over the viaduct of the Castle and Cathedral, especially lit up at night. Just that 'oh, I'm home' feeling.

The River Wear snaking through Durham all lined with trees is very beautiful, taking a boat out always great fun.

This is the nicest AIBU I've read for ages :)

SO glad I stumbled across this thread! I grew up in Chester-le-Street, near Durham and though my family still live there, I've lived away for 12 years (in Manchester and now in Berlin)

I miss the Geordie accent and the way you can talk to anyone when you're out and about and generally get a nice friendly reception.

LIke ClaireDeLoon I love coming into Durham on the train- the view of the cathedral and castle is amazing!

Further North, Alnmouth was one of my favourite day-trips as a child. The beach was amazing and the river flowing into the sea made the perfect place to swim and play.

Fenwick's window in Newcastle at Christmas... ahhhh, the memories!