Thinking of moving to Northumberland alone, how safe and welcoming is it to South Asian people or people of colour?

[TheQuaintPeer]

I'm thinking of moving to Northumberland but I've heard that there is a lot of racism and hate crime in the North East compared to the south of the UK. I'm a single woman and will be moving alone. Has anyone experienced this type of thing and do you think I'll be safe? I can't afford to live in the south anymore and I've always wanted to move up north but I'm a bit worried with the resurgence of the right wing and the violent riots after the Southport murders in Sunderland and Middlesborough were scary. I was born in England but my parents are of Indian origin.

I live in the North East not Northumberland but nearby. I don't think it's any worse than anywhere else to be honest and it's nowhere near Southport. Newcastle itself is like any big city and pretty culturally diverse, rural Northumberland is not a very ethnically diverse place however that doesn't mean it's full of discrimination more than it's more unusual to see people of other races..or even from the south of England!!!. Where u thinking of going I work in a job where I am out and about in the community and whilst I can't say there isn't any racism I don't see or hear of lots of incidents either through work or my own kids secondary school

We are a mixed family it would never cross my mind to move anywhere that is run by reform we as a family will not visit or spend money in reform areas. Why should I spend money in area that supports the deportation of my husband because he was born in South Asia .
However people are different if you really want to live in the area stay there for a week and get a feel for the place and speak to other South Asian people of what is like for them

Northumberland is a big place. Was there anywhere in particular you were looking at?
Sunderland and Middlesbrough aren't in Northumberland.

You do realise Northumberland is still a Conservative majority council ?

To OP which area where you thinking of ? I live in Northumberland and there are a couple of places where I’d advise against but the majority are welcoming

Northumberland is a very large county. Some parts are very rural with very little ethic diversity. Some towns in the south of the county I would avoid such as Blyth and Ashington. The market towns are very welcoming but not necessarily affordable and these will be vast majority white British with few other cultures represented. You’ll be nowhere near Sunderland or Middlesbrough if you move to Northumberland. You could consider the North Tyneside coast but some areas better than others.

Why would yoir husband be deported? Is he here illegally?

I’m surprised that you’ve heard that, and hope that it’s not the case.

I’m not English, but have in-laws there and have only had positive experiences.

Of course, I do understand that there can be a difference in reception based on colour rather than nationality.

You are being very bigoted in this post.

Which is ironic.

Try renting wherever you decide on first. I'm of South Asian heritage and tried living in a different area and the low level racism was unbearable after about 4 years so I moved back. I didn't go that far up North but going to a new area is a big step and renting can give you a quicker way out but also a more flexible way to see if you like an area. You might move to one place, get to know it and prefer a more specific area if that makes sense. Good luck OP.

I’ve found one to one pretty much everyone is polite and kind. It’s large populations of “others” - tourists in Cornwall, Londoners in market towns, the Polish in seaside towns that are problematic.
I don’t think ethnic groups are any different really.
I’ve found being the one brown person in a white village isn’t a problem. I grew up like that as did the one black kid.
Now the town is more diverse it’s weirdly worse.

The op also talked of Sunderland also

It's so true. I grew up as the only non white child in my school (primary and secondary) and could count on one hand how many racist incidents I experienced. Since 2023 I've never felt more unwelcome in the area I grew up in. Attitudes have changed due to the huge influx of immigrants. It's difficult.

I think @zeddybrek has given great advice. I did the same and moved back down south in the end. There is a world of difference between experiencing racism and feeling included as part of a community. Especially if you are single (having kids can help you bed in). I bought instead of rented so felt like a costly mistake (though eventually I recovered). Renting is best until you are sure it's for you.

What crime has your husband done that means he would be deported??

Hi, do you mean Northumberland or the wider North East? I think that there are pockets of unpleasantness in any region and the North East is no different. However, there are also many great places to live where you will be very welcome (and also likely not the only person with Indian heritage).

If you give some ideas of what you’re hoping for, we can probably suggest some places to start your search.

Since Reform have grown things in the NE have got a lot worse for anyone non-white. Some areas of Newcastle would be OK, frankly, the more ethnically mixed areas. But there are areas that I wouldn't recommend. And Northumberland would be quite alienating.

I've worked in the area and it is very insular. There is lots of flag flying and a few months ago, plenty of roundabout painting.

I wouldn't move here again if I weren't already settled.

Racists don't ask for a passport before being hostile or shouting abuse. I've witnessed it happening to 12 year old girls, just because they were Asian in Northumberland. Thanks Nigel.

You witnessed a 12 year old girl being deported by Nigel Farage?

This thread is getting wild!

I was wondering about moving somewhere near South Asian people and people of colour. I hear a lot of nasty things about them including that loads of rapists. How safe will I be?

Or do you think making such presumptions about people based on skin colour and associated stereotypes is racist?

I have an African friend who lives in a small town in Northumberland. He has found it really hard, with daily micro-aggressions and regular threats (but also has lovely friends, meets and works with lots of nice people every day). His wife and Children experience it less, but they are applying for other jobs so they can leave the area as soon as they can.

The Southport murders were scary too, as well as the subsequent riots. I wonder if the parents of the three little girls who were murdered were afraid of living in their area and of hate crimes. Obviously they should have been 😥

WTF. This thread.