Million pound budget - Newcastle

[BackToWhereItAllBegan]

After 30 years of constantly moving around the UK and overseas, we're ready for retirement and I have a strong desire to return back to my roots in the North East.
When I was growing up, Jesmond and Tynemouth were considered the 'posh' areas (I'm not posh, just lucky to have made money on property over the years!), are those still the nicest areas in the Newcastle area and are there other areas we should be considering?
We have a budget of up to a million, but we're empty nesters so not necessarily looking for a big detached property and would be more than happy with a smaller house or a nice apartment.
Living within walking distance of restaurants, coffee shops etc is a huge priority for us, I'd also like good public transport links as we'd like to only run one car in retirement if practical.
I'd appreciate any suggestions of areas to look at or confirmation that I'm on the right track with Jesmond and Tynemouth, I'm overseas for a few more months but will be coming back to start looking early next year.

I know both Morpeth and Newcastle (Gosforth/jesmond) well. Morpeth shops are amazing for a market town and more than just M&S and charity shops - Oliver bonas, Hobbs, crew, mint velvet off the top of my head. It's a good shout but is around 30 mins from Newcastle. Decent bus links and a train station on the main East coast line although not every train stops there.

In jesmond the streets to the north and east of Osborne road e.g. Towers Avenue are amazing but I don't know how much they would cost.

We stayed in the area for a long weekend last month. We got the train into Newcastle and if it's one that doesn't stop at all the little stations it only takes 15 mins.
It didn't feel isolated in any way. We didn't use our car the whole time we were there.

There were enough shops, bars and restaurants that it would take a while to try them all!! We tried a Turkish restaurant, the Thai and a lovely bakery/brunch cocktail place.

I went along to parkrun in Carlisle park which is alongside the river. They were lovely and welcoming. They had a family fun day going on over the weekend as well. We want to go back again soon as lots more we wanted to see and explore!

Super helpful, thank you @Sewsew0 I have looked at some properties on Rightmove just north of the Northumberland Club (in my imagination, I'll be a pickleball champion in retirement!) so it's good to know I'm looking in the right areas.

Osborne Road can get very noisy along the main drag where the hotels and bars are. This looks like it is in the quieter part.

Is Morpeth a market town with a reasonable number of restaurants, shops etc or does it have more of a village feel?

Yes. I know Morpeth well. DH went to school in Morpeth. I like it a lot. The area round the Sandersons arcade was redevloped a few years ago and is lovely.

I can recommend some of the restaurants there as well as a cracking Indian restaurant in Shilbottle.

Would recommend living in Jesmond. A great mix of old and young. Easy walk into town. 14 minutes on the Metro to Whitley Bay. That house featured is on a busy road (traffic not bars.) Spital Tongues hasn't been mentioned - some stunning properties there for your budget and quieter. Good luck!

Not sure if any for sale right now but perhaps something like Princess Mary Court apartments on the site of the old memorial hospital in Jesmond might fit the bill. Beautiful building and location, I know of a couple who’ve bought there for the same lifestyle you are seeking and it fits the bill for them perfectly. Worth a look.

Agree, think there are a few misconceptions re the price of property particularly in Newcastle and the more desired spots, certainly no bargains to be had.

Morpeth is a lovely town, some good shops in Sanderson Arcade and on the Main Street as well as a good selection of bars, cafes and restaurants. There is a train station that gets you into Newcastle in about 20 mins, and also direct trains to London and Edinburgh. Plus there's the bonus of being close to the Northumberland countryside and about 20 minutes from the beach! Definitely worth a look!

So jealous OP!
I’m also from the area, and looking to relocate back, but for various reasons, can’t do so for another 5 years 🥺

Regarding Tynemouth, the streets around Front St can get a little rowdy and noisy at night (maybe the reason the gorgeous flat has been on the market for ages, and I’m sure been reduced a lot).

My mum has a weekend place in Hexham, and can’t recommend it enough. Lots of shops, restaurants, etc, good transport links.

Agree with others that prices have shot up in the nicer parts of the NE.

Dream house!!!

https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/147081653

@tigerbear just beautiful

I love Whickam and East Boldon.

Wow that seems like a lot of money!

@Pipsquiggle gorgeous isn’t it! (Sigh!)
I would buy that in a heartbeat.

Hi OP, I live in the NE and would avoid Jesmond (students) and go Gosforth. Public transport is great and all the amenities of Jesmond are walking distance so best of all worlds! I also had a flat in the quayside and I wouldn’t discount that, many retired couples lived in our building! Happy to chat further if you want to DM me.

Tynemouth, beautiful properties, walks, cafes. Metro to the Toon.

And the fabulous Tynemouth market at the weekends.