Thinking of moving to the North East

loveandlight

Hi guys,
We are thinking of moving to the North East of England and are wondering what areas to head for where the schools are very good and the people are very friendly and what areas to avoid.

Any replies would be greatly received. Thanks!:D

currynchips

I know what Newcastle is like if that's any good. The best normal school's are Gosforth and Kenton, followed by Heaton Manor. They are all relatively close. The west and east ends are a little more rough. Depends what your price range is, we have some lush suburban areas.
Sunderland doesn't have so many good schools tbh, and whilst Middleborough is ok education wise, it is small and a little on the dead side.
Northumberland is a gorgeous area, with many smaller areas like Hexham and Consett.
Can help more if you need.

lufcgirl

Hey
I'm from just outside Sunderland and it's a lovely area, and now live near Newcastle so can offer a bit of advice towards the two.

Sunderland - Has a private school along with an all girls and all boys comprehensive, all of which are heading league tables for the area (according to local press so don't take it as totally correct). Town centre isn't all that good TBH but lots of supermarkets, restaurants and retail parks. Easy access to Durham and Newcastle too and is on the main Metro line which links Newcastle (through to the Airport), South Shields and Sunderland.

Gateshead - This is where I currently live, 5 minutes on the Metro system to Newcastle City Centre. In a place called St James Village, it's recently built and full of young families and couples. If you have a car or don't mind travelling it's excellent for the town centre and again links to Newcastle, Sunderland and South Shields.


Avoid - Seaham (Co. Durham) - Had a lot of regeneration but still rough and lots of crime
Fenham, Cowgate, West End of Newcastle in general...well known dodgy areas of Newcastle

My personal favourite area is Whickham, 15mins drive from Newcastle and on the other side of the Tyne. It has two schools, one which requires an entry exam and also the local Comp which includes an A-Level Centre and again is excellent in league tables. It has a lovely family atmosphere, front street and is 5 minutes drive from the Metro Centre, the huge shopping complex here.

Hope this helps

JF77

Do you want to live in a rural or urban area?

The North East is a fairly big area. Do you need to commute to anywhere i.e. Newcastle.

Most places have good and bad bit's. I live in Gateshead and it has nice areas and not so nice areas.

Are you planning to buy or rent and if buying what price did you have in mind.

My wee one is going to a fab primary school this september and I could certainly advise on Gateshead Primary Schools if thats the area you decide upon.

Good Luck.

loveandlight

Thanks for your replies, guys. We work from home so we can be very flexible on where we move to. Budget wise we can go up to £250k but would like it to be cheaper than that and we will definitely rent for a while anyway until we feel a bit more settled. We would like a desirable semi rural area but it must be where people are friendly and not snobby as we have a 12 year old son who will need to make friends and we would like to make friends as well.

lufcgirl

Looking at your requirements I'd definitely say Whickham is brilliant to your needs. The school is amazing and it has a great sense of community there. Everyone seems to know everyone else! Theres a part called Fellside Park which is the newer/nicer area...5mins walk to the Comprehensive and 20mins walk into the front street. Easy to get into Newcastle too and some lovely places to go in the opposite direction. It's about 12 miles from Durham, so you have everything on your doorstep.

knuckledragger

loveandlight,
check this thread:
http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=867345

In my humble opinion, you can't beat the beach/coast...

JF77

Yes, Whickham is the first place that jumped into my mind lol!

Nice community feel, great schools, nice houses which despite being at the higher end for Gateshead still very affordable.

JF77

Just for fun and cos I've had a wee bit too much Rose Wine, I thought I would play the part of Kirsty Allsopp and actually find you a house lol!

Here is my pick for £250,000 and it has been reduced from OIEO £279,950 with still some room for movement in my opinion.

http://www.rightmove.co.uk/viewdetails-20478140.rsp?pa_n=1&tr_t=buy

What do you think?

loveandlight

posted by JF77
What do you think?

Consider it sold!

Eon4

Hi
I grew up in a village in Northumberland about half way between Newcastle and Hexham along the Tyne and I love it round here, we have just relocated back with a very young family after 13 years in Yorkshire. The schools here are very good and seem to be a bit better than some in nearby parts of Co. Durham as we also liked Shotley Bridge, Ebchester areas. They are really pretty places to live but the Ofsted reports didn't compare to N'land schools for early years. Some areas of Gateshead, Rowlands Gill, Whickham are also very nice places but I know nothing about their schools....however my frined in Rowlands Gill says their primary school is great!
It is a massive area the NE so it will depend on where you need to be for work and how rural you want?
Eon