the best places to live in the North East?

[FoxesSitOnBoxes]

I'm moving back home after living away for nearly 20 years
We're looking for somewhere rural but not too much in the middle of no where. Thinking South Northumberland or Just south of the Tyne.
Was hoping someone who knows the area could help me out with their suggestions?

We live in Choppington, which is a small place slightly north of Bedlington. We like it, been here about 5 years now.

Other quite nice places locally are Morpeth, Cramlington is quite nice, Bedlington is lovely. It depends what you're looking for - I've heard mixed reviews about Blyth and Ashington - but I also have friends there who are very happy.

Oh I should add, I'm from South East Durham originally - it's marvellous there too: Barnard Castle, Middleton-in-Teesdale, Hamsterley, Staindrop... all good places :)

My house. Purely because I've just made a spectacular dish of mince and dumplings
On a serious note, have you looked at Ponteland?

Ponteland- yes. It's definitely on the list! Thank you MrsSmith. Ooh, I love a dumpling (I once mistakenly called them bollocks at school and got told off. Am still slightly embarrassed)
Bigsnugglebunny- I am now googling all your suggestions. Thank you

Have just spent the last hour or so searching for property in SE Durham and will be heading over for a drive about in a few weeks. Thank you!

Durham, obviously

I have a fantasy about living in Berwick on Tweed and commuting to Newcastle - twice a week!

Not Berwick, Alnwick!

My sister lives in prudhoe and it's great, loads of facilities and a cute high street but nice walks and not far to Hexham or Newcastle.

EML mainline does not go thru Alnwick!

I don't live in Newcastle. I took my kids on the metro (thats the geordie tube) to Tynemouth beach. They were impressed with that - taking a tube to the seaside.

Oh, and the beaches are a lot better than the Southcoast, which, bar Bmouth, are just pebbles.

We stayed near Hexham in the summer and really liked it, and Corbridge. Both are within easy reach of Newcastle. OH has relatives in Choppington and Bedlington. I wouldn't say they are particularly nice.

Ashington isn't very nice at all. The town centre is very run down. Morpeth is lovely and is going places. I like Alnwick and Alnmouth, but you are going further away from Newcastle.

Deffo Durham! You might also want to look around the western edges of Gateshead. Spitting distance of fab countryside but easy to get into the city.

Ah, thanks everyone! I am planning our next trip and your suggestions have been really helpful

Whitley Bay or Tynemouth! We moved back to NE after 10 years away from Newcastle and decided on the coast. Great schools, beautiful beaches, some good restaurants and cafes. Oh and only a short drive or metro ride from Newcastle. We love it - I can never understand why everyone doesn't want to live here.

I'm with Plumstrum.

I've been to Brighton numerous times. I find it a piss poor, 4th rate Tynemouth, which I like.

Depends on your house budget. If I had a big budget I'd look at the coast like Whitley Bay, Tynemouth etc.
You could look at Sunniside or Whickham in Gateshead, both nice places and very close to Newcastle with a nice feel to them.
I live closer to Durham and love it here, half an hour to Newcastle and Durham and house prices are very cheap but schools are also very good. Lanchester is lovely.

Thank you all! Tynemouth on the list!

Tynemouth for me, though I live in Chester-le-street and like it a lot!

I'm in a village West of Durham. Rural but walkable to school and shops, easy to get to Durham, easyish to get to Newcastle as can go on the back roads and avoid A1. Cheap houses and good schools. Been here a little over 6 years and you'll have to carry me out in a box.

My mam says Stanhope is nice. I've never been.

We like Durham. Castle Eden and Shadforth are nice too. Probably not the area you want?

Happy house hunting

I'm torn at the moment between north of the Tyne/ south Northumberland where I grew up and Durham area - don't know it as well but villages look lovely and schools are good.
Everyone has been v helpful, thank you

Tynemouth/ whitley bay depending on budget.

Prudhoe (I used to Live here!) mickley, Rowlands gill, Heddon on the wall, stocksfield, Stamfordham.

Corbridge, Hexham and surrounding villages.

Come here! It's lovely!!

Morpeth! Just lovely little market town, great community and excellent schools.

I live in Tynemouth. It's beautiful, has great schools, beautiful beaches, a really nice mix of restaurants and cafes, a theatre, a tiny independent cinema only two miles away in Whitley Bay and is about 25 minutes from the centre of Newcastle by metro or car. A village atmosphere but close to everything you need. I love it

Oh and good friends live in Morpeth which is also beautiful.