I recently separated after 19 years' marriage and now have to leave the flat we've rented for 18 years in SW London as my landlord won't accept me staying on and seeking housing benefit (he's never paid tax on the rent...) I'm in my late 40s, with friends in London only and no family other than the father of my 12 yo son. I am self-employed, working from home, with no chance of ever buying and don't see myself as ever standing a chance of an income that would allow me to pay full London/Surrey rent without benefits - not the way I want to live my life.
An acquaintance who is looking to get a buy-to-let property would be happy for me to choose a house anywhere in England I like; she would then buy and let it to me for as long as I'd want it, at minimum possible rent. I would take care of the house, any internal repairs, decoration, etc; the budget is max 120k (at the top of the budget it'd have to be ready to live in). Having looked around, it seems to me that in order to get a good home in a decent area on that budget I'll have to go North to the Durham/Newcastle area. Obviously I'll have to visit the area and try to get a feel for it myself, but I wonder if anyone here could tell me more about the area? Are there places I should definitely not look at, or any that are cheap but absolutely should be considered? I dont mind the climate as I grew up east of there, across the North Sea (been in London since 1991), but are there other things I should know about living up there? Are people open and friendly to 'foreigners'.
My son has always been home educated, so I would prefer living in an area where there are other home educators nearby, or at least where we wouldn't stand out like a sore thumb and be viewed with suspicion for having made that choice. Also, I wont be able to find a btl before we have to leave this flat, do you think I should rent up there whilst looking or stay where my supportive friends are until I have found a place (I'd need a place that accepts dss, so hard to find)? My current state of mind is fragile and I am so afraid of being completely isolated if I make the move now, on the other hand, it would obviously make it easier to look at properties. What would you do?
Sorry, so many questions, but I sorely need guidance and I am so grateful 
for any helpful advice any of you might be able to give.