Ponteland?

[Sarmarl]

Im thinking of moving to this area, does anyone have any advice? If its a good place to raise a family? Schools? nice activities for kids etc? Safe? Easy to make friends or create a community for family? I know it's a bit expensive but that's not the biggest concern. More important is a place for kids to have a good childhood, mom friends etc.
Work commute isn't an issue. We prefer the coast, but haven't found the style of home we would like. Thanks so much.

It's a really lovely area for a family with a great community feel. I'm not sure about the schools but they seem very popular and lots of kids attend from outside of the area. Where in Ponteland are you looking?

Hi thank you so much for your response. We are looking at Darras Hall area. My husband and I both work from home mostly. We have a 7 year old, another on the way. We like to lead active lifestyles like golf, riding, tennis. I really just want a nice, clean, safe community for my daughter with lots of activities like sports or extracurricular, and hopefully make nice friends. I do prefer the beach, but we haven't had much luck with the housing in Whitley Bay or Tynemouth. We will also take a look at Gosforth. Do you find people to be friendly in the area? Is it easy to meet people? We are from the America so don't have family or know many people in area....

I lived in Gosforth for a while and loved it. So very friendly and lovely community feel. (We were in South Gosforth not very posh Gosforth!). The Metro was great for getting into the city or to the beach.

Having a newborn is the best way to meet new people. I had a choice of baby groups etc. Guess it depends on whether you work full time and office hours.

Darras Hall is where the footballers live, a nice house there will easily be £3-4m. I personally find it a bit soulless; the houses are all set well back, and the facilities are not cluse so everyone drives and neighbours don’t tend to know each other.

What sort of budget are you looking at? There are other places nearby which are more “normal”, including the next town along, Cramlington, and the villages around Morpeth.

If you want to be more in town then Jesmond is very nice. A good town-house there can be found for under a million pounds.

On thé question about people being friendly, it’s one of the things the North East is most known for.

We've got friends who used to live in Darras Hall. I agree most if the houses seem to be set back from the road in big gardens so not really conducive to meeting the neighbours.
Other friends have lived in both Jesmond and Gosforth. They are not locals but have lived there for many years. They did seem to know and socialise with the neighbours. Also seemed to have a good group of friends met at the school gate and also the gym. They are very happy there with a great social life even though their DC are now adults.

Sounds like you’ve a healthy budget and there are some really lovely (and pricey) properties in Gosforth particularly around the conservation area. Great for families, excellent schooling and plenty of sporting facilities. Easier to get to coast and city from there too. Ponteland more of a village feel and seems lovely with some nice restaurants and green spaces but no direct experience beyond that. Gosforth market incredibly competitive at the moment though so be prepared to battle if it does take your fancy !

What about somewhere like Alnwick or Rothbury? Ponteland is a bit soulless imo.

I wouldn't want to live there. It's very footballers wives.
I'd keep looking I'm Whitley Bay, also Gosforth, Tynemouth or even a bit further out like Morpeth. Much more character and community.

Look at Hexham too.

In general if you want to meet people in the U.K. then an established area of older style housing with a high street of shops and cafes will be the better bet. People are drawn to these types of areas because they like the community that exists there and want to carry it on.

Have you looked in Monkseaton, Cullercoats and Tynemouth as well as Whitley Bay?

We moved over here when our son was 2 and it was a great decision! Loads of activities for all ages, friendly communities with a lot going on good golf and watersports clubs. Also some great independent cafes and shops plus excellent schools. And the beaches!

Easy transport to Newcastle plus close to countryside and more beautiful beaches of Northumberland.

Thanks for all of the tips, it is helping me to understand the environment more. I liked Ponteland bc it seemed to remind me more of Southern California where I'm from. I understand the soulless part. We are more suburban where we drive everywhere. It seemed to be very clean, spacious, and safe, newer buildings. I thought there could be a social life around the golf course, gyms, or tennis, children schools. I did like Tynemouth but wonder if it's a tourist trap or people really live there. I will look into Gosforth a bit more, I'm not used to living inside a city so much. I've shopped around the Eldon Square area and felt a bit unsafe and uncomfortable if that makes any sense...like not a relaxing area to be around. Whitley Bay also feels a bit "rough" or unsafe. But has excellent schools. I like surfing and every beach activity, but year round may be too cold to enjoy here....its very difficult to choose.

There are areas of Whitley Bay that are rough and to be avoided but there are also really lovely areas.

I'd be happy to answer any questions about the area that you might have if you want to PM me at any point.

We've also lived in Gosforth and Wylam which are both really lovely.

If you like suburbia then look at Cramlington. It’s a commuter town, very good for families, and with very good transport links.

She isn’t going to want to move to Cramlington if she’s got Darras Hall money.

I don’t think you’d find it the same as California with a social scene at the golf club etc. It’s not really that big an area for one thing. I think you’d be better off looking at some of the towns in Northumberland like Alnwick. Very safe, beautiful, near the coast and very community minded.

And people definitely live in Tynemouth. It’s very much a residential area. The vast majority of visitors only come for the day. It’s not somewhere to go for a holiday or have a second home as it’s only 30 minutes from Newcastle.

Darras Hall is not a kids making friends and playing out in the street kind of an area. Most houses are set back in their own grounds with big gates. Not much socialising with the neighbours/community at all. Tynemouth sounds a lot more like what you are looking for.

From what you’re describing it sounds perfect for your preference. There are plenty of shops, park, leisure centre close by that if you’re happy to walk then it’s good to go!
I’m not too sure about the dislike that it’s received, whether it is from personal experience or guessing.
However, personal experience it’s a very friendly place and schools are excellent.

Darras Hall = proper posh......... [Grin]

You could look at Corbridge/Hexham.

Maybe not, but there are some houses on the outskirts that cost in the millions, and she doesn’t seem keen on being in town.

Irrespective of budget it’s closer in character to the US suburbs than Darras Hall is.

I’d favour Hepscott Park or the like over Ponteland.

It's definitely worth looking into the Morpeth area, and Hepscott Park as suggested above. Morpeth is a beautiful town, nice riverside walks, local events, good schools, etc. It depends what you want from a place though. Further up the Northumberland coast has some beautiful beaches etc too, houses tend to be more expensive as there's a lot of demand for coastal properties as holiday homes and second houses, sounds like you have the budget for it though :)

What is it about Eldon square and Whitley Bay that feel unsafe to you? North east folks can be very loud and friendly and like a good party, they're generally lovely folk though :) Certainly no worse than most cities!

If you're worried about crime etc, check the UK deprivation map link below, click on the handcuffs button at the top and you can see which areas have more crime (the darker the area, the more crime): dclgapps.communities.gov.uk/imd/iod_index.html

NC for this.

I live in Ponteland, on Darras. I don’t recognise the characterisations here, maybe from people who don’t live here?

I moved in 2.5 years ago. House cost nothing like six figures. I have found it to be lovely - friendly neighbours ( street gatherings for jubilee), local FB group, really nice people. Schools are great, and lots of young families. Easy to settle into.

It’s also quite a mobile population with lots of people moving in from out of area. That’s important in thr NE for settling in., particularly if you’re coming from abroad.

from what you’ve said it does sound closer to your experience and preference than some other areas. I’d suggest you go for a tour round the schools and leisure centre etc. They are great.

house cost nothing like 7 figures I mean!

I think each area has its benefits. I'm from a suburb of San Diego, I have never really lived in a city, although close to the city. Eldon Square I felt unsafe walking in the car park to the stores. Whitley Bay every now and then some people who seem they could do drugs or a bit off. I think they are all nice places, I just feel uncomfortable. I think I'm just not used to cities and safety is super important to me. Are there any gated communities? Thanks