Moving to the North East (Newcastle area)

[dreamingofnature]

Hello

Hoping for some ideas on locations in the Newcastle area.

I am originally from the north east, but haven’t lived there for 22 years. I have been living in London for 20 years and have decided I want to move back to the north east.

I am starting to feel rather trapped in London, getting out and about further afield involves a tube journey into/across central London and a train, the majority of my friends have left or now live quite a journey away...I’d love to be able to hop in a car for a short distance, or walk and have the feeling of space and nature. Additionally, I do not make use of what London has to offer, rarely going to museums, theatre, concerts etc – I go into London once a week for work, but almost never otherwise – so paying large mortgage for a 1 bed flat no longer seems sensible.

I don’t want to move back to the place I grew up (south of the Tyne). I have a couple of friends in the region but they are very spaced out. I’m looking for somewhere north of the Tyne in Newcastle area/potentially Northumberland, my initial thoughts of things I want are:
· North of the Tyne
· Minimum 2 bedroom house with garden, budget £250,000 – could potentially go a little higher
· Short distance to nature, sea/woods/walks from the doorstep would be great
· Be able to walk (within 20 minutes) to a couple pubs, couple restaurants
· A village/small town feel
· Reasonable access to Newcastle by train, or if anywhere fits the bill that is a 20 – 30 minute walk from a metro station would be ideal. I’m a bit unsure on this one as in my mind I feel I want remote....I’m just conscious of how big a change from East London it will be

I am 40, single, no kids. If my current job will agree for me to move, I would work from home 100%. If not, I will need to find a new job.

Also, I’m a bit terrified to make this move. Any stories of similar experience (positive or negative) are welcome.

Thank you in advance.

What about somewhere like Morpeth? It's a town so there's lots to do. There's a lovely park, countryside and the coast nearby. There's also a station with direct trains into Newcastle. However it can get a bit busy, especially in the summer.

Would you consider the bus rather than train? You may end up a long way from the station.

Morpeth or Cramlington for the train . Kingston Park , Shiremoor, Whitley Bay for metro.
Amble or Alnwick in Northumberland. Tynemouth, Earsdon , Holywell in North Tyneside all have a bit more character. Then there's lots of villages in Northumberland.

Would you have a car if you lived there? Most of the North East is a very short drive from the seaside and there are lots of country parks and outside spaces close to most areas.

Hi

Just wondering if you have got anywhere with your search? I too am considering the same move. I was born in Sunderland but moved to Sussex at 10. I am 38 now with 3 young kids and a husband. I never thought I'd move back and it will be tremendously hard to leave life here however I keep feeling a pull. I feel we would have a much better quality of life living up north not only because we would be so much better off financially and that in turn would have a knock on effect on time/money etc. I have predominantly been looking at morpeth and plan to visit in October. Both me and my husband both have family there still, albeit not direct and not much but I'd like to think we'd make new friends etc and family would visit. Thanks for reading.

For access to the sea - Whitley Bay, Monkseaton, Cullercoats, Tynemouth - all on the metro.
Morpeth - bus or train into Newcastle.

I did a lot of driving around the area and realised its important for me to be more rural that places like Whitley Bay, so have dropped my metro requirement!
I like Morpeth, Hexham and villages surrounding both. I haven't fine tuned exactly, more research to be done - but I think I am leaning towards the villages in the Tyne Valley.
It's more expensive than anticipated though, so will also need to see how much I get for my flat, should help me make some decisions

Hexham, Wylam, Hayden Bridge?

Hexham is great for education, it's very safe and there is an increasing number of independent shops.

Your budget should be fine for a two bedroomed house too.

Haydon Bridge is cheaper but it has a nice village feel and it's not far from the facilities of Hexham.

Wylam is closer to Newcastle so lots of people commute, I thinks it a little more expensive than Hexham.