Moving to Newcastle upon Tyne area. Where to live?

[susanita]

Hi there
Due to hubby's work, we'll be moving to Newcastle upon Tyne once we?ve sold our house in West London. We?re initially looking to rent and then, with time, look around for a house to buy. Ideally we?d like to rent in a location where we?ll be buying; we have 2 primary school age kids so want to avoid moving them too much (if we can get them into school in 1st place!) Whilst we don?t want to be in the city, we don?t want to be too far and we don?t want anywhere too rural. We?d like somewhere with easy access to Newcastle as DH will be working in central Newcastle.
Ideally we don't want to rely on car for work, school run etc and we'd like facilities for children within walking distance. Are we looking for the impossible?

We have no family in the area although we have some friends who all seem to suggest different places.
We did consider Tynemouth but not sure about living near the coast.
One area we?ve seen and liked is Ryton. When I do a search for properties around Ryton, Crawcrook and the villages of Greenside and Walbottle come up. Can anybody say anything about these areas? Are there any other areas that perhaps we should consider? Last time we went up for a look we did look around Whickham but somehow, for no particular reason, it didn?t feel right.

Any help/thoughts would be greatly appreciated!

hmmmm
popsy twitches

Oh my goodness! I never thought my question would create such interest and such lively conversations (or that it would carry on this long!)
Although we've still got to go up and have a look again, it seems that we have settled for somewhere along coast - North Shields/Tynemouth, Cullercoats, Whitley Bay.
After lots of thinking, we thought that what could be more different to a London suburb than a coastal area? It also seems to have good schools, lots of facilities, near Newcastle without being right on top etc etc.
We think it would be best for us and the kids. Thanks Popsy for the suggestion, it made us think quite hard.
As for budget, we'd rather not pay more than 350k. I'll be leaving my job here and won't be working for a while so that kids can settle etc and we don't want to overstretch ourselves.
Have to say, since starting this thread, I've got more excited about the prospect of moving up. Not that I didn't want to go in the first place, just that it all seems so daunting. From my few trips up there, the area is gorgeous - the coast, the countryside, the city is just the right size....And, of course, the people are friendly. Feels like the right move.
Might get to meet some of you sometime!

you'll get a 3bed semi with a garden in High West Jesmond (Sturdee Gardens, Beatty Ave). currently approx 300k. Close to Metro, in catchment area for West Jes and South Gos primaries.

The wind on the coast is vicious in the winter....

Haven't read all the way through, but would second jesmond/Gosforth if you want to be in town. If not, I grew up and went to school in Corbridge/Hexham - beautiful places to live/grow up, and the schools - all the way to sixth form - are excellent. My mum teaches in a primary school teacher in Northumberland (Whitley Chapel), and rates the schools there very highly.

susanita - you should get plenty for your money

happy house hunting

The north east is fab. Much better than London and loads to do with kids. Great schools too.

I would second highlanders comment about the wind. If you are close to the sea up there and it csan be bitterly cold in the winter so make sure the house you buy is well insulated and not in a too exposed a position. I had four years as a student there and loved it. I still go back occsionally and would go more were it not for the distance.

I'm going to have to disagree with you Mog how can you say it's much better? It's different and both places are good in their own way.

We live about 12 mins brisk walk from seafront (on a clear day if you stand on your tip toes you can see a little bit of sea from dd's bedroom at back of house!) I wouldnt say the wind is worse here than anywhere else unless you actually go down to the seafront and walk along it, then it'll be windy but otherwise it's fine. Only prob you;d have would be if you bought a house actually on the seafront, and i'd prob still do that if i could afford to for the fab views. Obviously others must agree as houses actually on the front tend to be more expensive

Have a look at this.

I bet this is nice but no pics yet

some of the decor not quite to my taste but a fab house imo

bags of character

look at that kitchen!

Must stop looking at houses now as I'm absolutely NOT moving house.

Wow, thanks for those LaDiDaDi!

My DB lives in gosforth.We were brought up in Jesmond and went to West Jesmond Primary School then both took 11+ and went to Heaton High and Grammar.His son went to a primary in Gosforth but couldnt find any secondary school that looked ok at all.He sat outside each one and was not happy with what he saw.He has sent his son to Dame Allens which is pretty much a good school if you have the dosh to spare.Breaks my heart to think you can't get a decent state secondary.

Hello, hoping for some advice on best areas (this thread has been very useful already) to rent in the surrounding areas of Newcastle. My other half has a new job in Newcastle (NE15) so we shall be moving at the end of March. We have a 21 month old Son, and one car! Ideally, we are looking for somewhere out of the city but with good links for commuting. TIA :)