Would you relocate to - Whitley Bay or Morpeth?

[Viking75]

We are on the move (from NE6)..shortlist is the North end of Whitley Bay (around the swimming pool area - not Whitley Lodge) or Morpeth.

We have two primary school aged children.
We have two busy professional jobs.
Our house budget is 265K.

Which location would give us the best lifestyle and would be the best place for our kids to call 'home' when they are older?

Opinions and experience welcomed!

Well I don't know the areas intimately but I know Whitley Bay high has a good reputation, and WB is more accessible to Newcastle on the metro - better for kids as they get older I would think. So I'd go for the latter.

sorry I mean I'd go for WB over Morpeth. Morpeth is a bit small town and I am not sure what the school catchments are like for high school.

WB has me 100% for schools but the seafront is such a state I don't know if I could proudly call it home! Morpeth more quaint, but less sure about school catchments like you say. Mmmm

yes but your kids won't care about quaint will they? And its fantastic being near the beach - I like WB just as much as Tynemouth tbh!

I know, you have a point. Adore Tynemouth - we lived there in flat as a young couple but now out of price league, but it's reason we are looking at coast again.

This is a random point but it is so much colder in Whitley Bay than in Morpeth because of the cold wind... I think Tynemouth is nicer than Whitley Bay, but why you are not considering Gosforth?

We moved to Whitley Bay from London almost 3 years ago and we don't regret it. We actually live in the area you're considering - near Waves but not Whitley Lodge.
Wonderful schools, great transport links into Newcastle so you're not always dependant on a car. Beach is great,lovely walks.. You're on the Northumberland border so easy to get to places - Alnwick, Cragside.. (although TBH it does take almost an hour to get them).

Yes, it is colder than elsewhere in Newcastle (the wind coming in from the sea) but I just wrap up and enjoy the horizon. The view over the Links to the lighthouse always fills me with pleasure.

Tynemouth is nice, there's a villagey feel but it is expensive. Also, unless you can afford the private school or you're Catholic you'd have to look into the other secondary/high schools in that area. Whitley Bay High is very good - mine aren't there yet but I know many parents and children who are really pleased with it.

My 2 children are 7 and 10. In this area we still have a 3 tier system - first school, middle school, high school. I have one at a first school and one at a middle school.

If you'd like any specific info. just send me a private message and I'll try to help.

Gosforth - for the very reason that when everyone I know says they live in Gosforth, it is almost as if I have to kiss their feet!!! What the hell is that all about? It makes me cringe. Yes, it's nice but can't see why it would give me anything special in terms of lifestyle. The coast is just as affluent & middle class in plenty parts, but with less egos, IMHO!

I'm sorry you feel like that, of course there are some well-off people living here, but luckily so far I haven't really come across attitude like that. In fact, most of the people seem to be really polite. Are those people you are referring to really loaded & shallow, or ordinary people who are just pleased to find a nice to live? (We are only renting a flat here so definitely not swimming in money.)

The reason why I prefer Gosforth to some other nice areas closer to coast is that all the services (from softplay areas to evening classes)are within walking distance, metro/bus is so much quicker to town, commute to work is easy both to me and DH and the random fact about the weather that it is so much warmer here. I don't drive so it is essential that I can get to places with a baby in buggy and a toddler walking next to me. And when it comes to weather, the real test is to wait for public transport or stand in a park in strong cold wind and see can you handle it! However, fair enough if you don't like Gosforth. Good luck with the move though, I think you will get more value for your money (like a larger garden) closer to coast.

Oh dear. You don't have to kiss my feet, Viking!

I live in Gosforth and like it for the same reasons as BlueandPink, and the local schools are excellent. We don't live in the very expensive bit, but even so I'm sure that you get more house for your cash elsewhere...

If I didn't live here I would go for the coast rather than Morpeth, though. (But I love the cold wind straight off the North Sea!)

Gosforth High isn't as fantastic as everyone thinks..Ponteland. Whitley high, Sacred Heart and St Thomas More all do better consistently better

I grew up in Morpeth, and still have family there with primary children. Schools are very good, at primary, middle and high school (three tier system, at least for now, there's been talk of abolishing it). Fab park, good amenities for its size, access to great countryside is easy.

I know quite a few people who left to go to university, lived elsewhere for a while, then returned to have families.

Can any of you recommend somewhere for me? I've started a new thread in Mumsnet local. Thanks