To ask you where to live in the North East

[ShouldistayShouldigo]

I want to start uni at one of the ones around Newcastle or the surrounding areas. (Newcastle/Durham/Northumbria/Sunderland/Teesside).

I'm a mature student with 2 school age DC (4&8). The youngest has additional needs.

I vaguely know the areas, but not well enough to chose somewhere to live. I would just live centrally but i assume that rent prices are crazy the closer to the city you get.

I'm happy to commute. I drive, but would catch the Metro or train for ease if needed. I'd qualify for a council house if anyone could suggest decent housing areas? Or good mainstream schools for kids with EHCP's (childcare plan for special needs).

If someone was moving to where i live, within a certain mile radius i feel like i'd be able to say "oh avoid that school", "that area has a lot of crime", "youre a bit too far on the outskirts if you live at such and such", "that town is dying but this one is doing pretty well". I think that's what i'm looking for if possible! Please feel free to brag about your hometown and lovely upbringings I grew up rurally, but in... what i would nicely call... a shithole. And i don't wan't that for DC. I've known lovely families move to this town/area and i've cringed when they've said where they've moved to (and they've been miserable after).

Or if anyone wants to tell me which uni to avoid or go for that would also be helpful advice! Thank you

Sorry, my 'stars' seem to have made my text bold instead of what I really meant!

Substitute As for A*s in the post above.

Newcastle and Durham will be harder to get into and more expensive to live. Teeside and Sunderland are ex polytechnics and cheaper. I’m originally from Sunderland, lovely beach, ok town centre, mostly lovely people. However, I live in the south as it’s bloody freezing.

Northumbria will be easier to get into than Durham. If you were to get into Durham, somewhere like Consett is very cheap housing wise.

If you’re looking at Northumbria/Newcastle, areas like Kenton, Kingston Park, parts of Fenham have a fair amount of social,housing, but I can’t see how straightforward that would be given you’re moving areas.

Jesmond is very studenty but also extremely expensive compared to Kenton etc. Heaton is decent.Cullercoats/Tynemouth/Whitley Bay are much more likely to have expensive housing. Cheaper to live nearer the Uni.

I wouldn’t want to live on Teesside, no offence to those living there, but the crime rate in certain areas would put me off, as would the second heroin addiction recovery house that’s just been organised! There are, of course, some lovely areas on Teesside, big footballers’ type estate.

Durham isn't great with mature students imo.

I was offered a place there on the English Literature course and they expected me to live in which obviously wasn't suitable. It took a few emails and calls before they decided I could live out. Also the college system at Durham means there are more costs than say Sunderland.

I did an access course and finished it with a distinction.

I know that you want to physically attend a university buy in your shoes I would consider the Open University. I have a child with SEND & with all the appointments & Admin, attending university would be difficult. Not to mention trying to find a decent school which will cater for his needs.

Also, it's not a given that you will get a council house immediately, lots of people are on the list for years. Speak to the university accommodation and ask if you'll qualify for family housing. These are very rare and you'll need to move out during holidays.

The open University will give you the flexibility to complete your degree while staying where you are. You'll be around for appointments and your kids and can work it round your life.

www.open.ac.uk/