What is Newcastle and the surrounding areas like to live in?

Question

Basically, myself and the family are thinking of moving, there is myself my partner and our two children, we have a 3 year old daughter and an 8month old son. We have been thinking of moving for a while, and are biding our time until the housing market loses momentum so we can get the right place at the right money. My family, well grandmother and her brothers and sisters were from Newcastle and moved down to Northamptonshire when they were young, set up families as they grew up. I have always loved it when we have gone up north to see extended family, and have put it to my mrs about it being a possibility. Basically would like your opinions about what the area is like to live in and would you recommend moving there. I have had a look at job prospects around where we were thinking of, there are a fair few driving jobs around, i'm a class 1 lorry driver, and my mrs can get transferred to a store wherever we move to, so in terms of income I think we'd be fine! Have seen a few very nice places for sale in the Long Benton area, if you live there or have any opinions thoughts etc of that particular area it would be great to hear. Thanks in advance.

Answer 1

Fenham is a better school area, and you should particularly look at the West Monkseaton area, for the very best schools, that are not private, if you have little girls, or boys...or even Whitley Bay/ Cullercoats,  if you are not too close to Spanish city....even this far out the coast road is an excellent way to reach central Newcastle in about 10 minutes ! Long benton is not that great, and has the disadvantage of overhead planes from the airport, constantly, Jesmond Dene, and Gosforth are also good areas, particularly near the high school for girls, on Gosforth high street....

Answer 2

Newcastle is one of the friendliest places in the world! Seriously, ask anyone. AND it has the 8th best night life in the world :P

Beautiful coast and countryside, plenty of history, loads of shops (Metro Centre in Gateshead being the largest indoor shopping centre in Europe).

Great education system too.

Hope you move here! :)

Answer 3

I know a few people from that neck of the woods, and they have all said how friendly it is up there.

Your best bet is to go and stay for a few weeks (if you haven't already) and see what you and your family think of it!

Answer 4

Most of it seems quite rough at the moment, sorry wouldn't like to live there permanently.

Answer 5

Lovely place, nice people.  Houses are quite cheap too if you know where to look.

Answer 6

its cool i live there

Answer 7

It's a brilliant place. Newcastle is vibrant and has lots to do. You also have the wonderful Northumbrian coast and countryside nearby. Bamburgh Castle is my favourite. Go for it!

Answer 8

Longbenton used to have a rough reputation, but in the last few years since they builders have taken over the estate and with the modernisation and development, its quite nice now.

In Longbenton, you are close to an infant school on the estate and a high school on the other side of the Metro line.

There are a few bus routes that runs through the estate to good locations, city centre, hospital, killingworth shopping centre etc.  Also the Metro line runs through with the City Centre being only 10 minutes away.  

As you have pointed out, there are now houses for sale on the estate.  A lot were bought in the beginning to rent out, but are now selling on.  I have always found Longbenton to be a quiet area and an ideally situated place to live.  

Answer 9

no work, nice people, good beaches

Answer 10

On the whole, its a grat place to be.

Obviosuly, like everywhere else, there are a few bad location, and places to avoid, but on the whole its spot on.

Theres not many places where you can go from being the in the middle of busy city to countryside in a little over 10minutes.  It has everything that a family would need.

If im honest, theres not many other places i would want to live instead! (perhaps somewhere with considerably more sun!!!, and without Newcatle United football team lol)

Answer 11

About the school area have you heard of south shields?

It is a lovely area around 30 minutes drive from newcastle and there are metros to get there aswell.

There are nice homes there and really good schools.

Especially senior schools, harton technology college is meant to be the best in te area.

xo