North Tyneside is well known for its sprawling sandy beaches, historical landmarks and proximity to the buzz and opportunities of Newcastle.
Post-pandemic, many of us are looking for an improved work-life balance, with an emphasis on access to outdoor activities and fresh air. Although the South coastal areas have been extremely popular this year – even overtaking London in property searches – with the low cost of living, great nightlife and beautiful scenery, we can see why the North has become a very attractive prospect for house-hunters. We love it up here! That’s why our first move outside of Cardiff had to be our Tyneside storage facility 😊
In terms of quality of life, North Tyneside really ticks all the boxes – so if you’re looking for a change, we’ve put together a list of the areas that you may want to consider when looking for that dream coastal move. Let’s begin…
Quick links
Tynemouth
Topping the North and North East regional Sunday Times’ Best Places to Live in 2018 , the newspaper quoted Tynemouth as ‘A 30-minute Metro ride from the city centre, it feels more Jane Austen than Geordie Shore, with elegant architecture and a thriving cafe culture.’
Why it’s great
- A must for history enthusiasts – check out the 2000 year old Tynemouth Castle and Priory, with views over the North Sea
- Although the priciest area on the list, Tynemouth boasts an impressive nightlife and food scene
- Driving is less than 20 mins and the metro is just over 30 mins to Newcastle
Average house price
£352,498
Average rental price
£768 pcm
What do the locals say?
“Great prices for renting and really nice neighbours. I’m near the Tynemouth golf club, great access to the coast, 15m walk to the shops and metro station.”
saxon-worldwide, Reddit user – ‘North Shields to Live?’
“Tynemouth is still amazing, I grew up there as a child and I love it so. It’s getting to be a very trendy place and lots of money is getting put into the local areas nearby.”
Aussie HxC, Reddit user – ‘Moving to Newcastle, where to visit?’
Whitley Bay
Whitley Bay is a very popular seaside town that has been frequented for generations – predominantly due to its 2 mile ‘Blue Flag’ awarded golden sandy beach and promenade attractions. It is also conveniently located a mere 8 miles from Newcastle.
Why it’s great
- Fantastic for beach-lovers and outdoor enthusiasts.
- Plenty of family activities: the seaside town holds a film festival, carnival, light parade, food and drink festival; and also provides entertainment via the local theatre, ice rink, skate park, water park and promenade arcades.
- The iconic Victorian-era St. Mary’s Lighthouse – which you can physically visit when the tide is out.
- The grounds also boast a Nature Reserve, containing ‘rockpools, clifftop grassland, a beach and newly created wetland habitats’.
- And don’t forget to visit the renaissance-style hall Spanish City!
Average house price
£259,522
Average rental price
£663 pcm
What do the locals say?
“It’s stylish but not extortionate, authentic without being forced, has heart but also decent planning behind it and nature is cherished and accentuated.”
alanpharrison, comment on Guardian article ‘Let’s move to Whitley Bay, Tyne and Wear’
“Whitley Bay has undergone a lot of regeneration recently and is definitely an up and coming place to be – lots of new bars, restaurants, cafes etc and it’s only getting more and more money spent on the area.”
Hogwarts–a–History, Reddit user – ‘Moving to Newcastle from the US’
View Whitley Bay on Google Maps
Image: @TheDeadCoolFool, Reddit – Cullercoats Bay
Cullercoats
Sitting between Tynemouth and Whitley Bay, Cullercoats comprises of a smaller, more secluded bay, which is blocked off by 2 piers. This makes it an attractive beach for young families to visit. Similarly commutable to Newcastle but lower in price, this could be an excellent choice for young professionals and families.
Why it’s great
- Average property prices and rental are slightly cheaper than popular nearby areas
- Part of a lovely coastal walk between Tynemouth and Whitley Bay
- Considered more ‘private’ than surrounding tourist hotspots
- A nice selection of cafes and eateries
- 25 minute drive or 39 minute metro journey to Newcastle
Average house price
£316,083
Average rental price
£594 pcm
What do the locals say?
“Beautiful beaches, great views, lots of activities for adults, children and animals. Nice places to eat indoors and out.”
Mark P, Tripadvisor – Cullercoats Beach
“Cullercoats has a real bustle about it at the weekends with all the swimmers, paddleboarders & visitors. With its art and fishing history plus the boom in watersports, it is a really original place with so much going for it in its own right. Its cafe and restaurant scene is also really strong.”
Mark Deakin, Facebook – Cullercoats Collective
View Cullercoats on Google Maps
North Shields
A working fishing port, North Shields is steeped in history and boasts 900 years of maritime heritage. With the historic Fish Quay, market and many restaurants, it’s a great place for foodies, especially lovers of fresh seafood and good old fish ‘n’ chips 🍤
Why it’s great
- The freshest seafood and an abundance of eateries to try
- Historical landmarks and the buzz of a working Quay
- Fish Quay Sands is a sandy beach with great views and free parking
- Regular short ferry service to South Shields
- Newcastle is a 20 minute drive or Metro journey away
Average house price
£212,963
Average rental price
£603 pcm
What do the locals say?
“The Fish Quay is lovely, especially for a few drinks. It’s nice walking from just below the bridge all the way along to Tynemouth.”
Anonymous, Reddit user – Just moved up to North Shields from that horrible London
“I love its placement for transportation links, the river and sea front – all just a short walk away.”
Wendy Cardno, Facebook – North Shields Fish Quay Opinions
View North Shields on Google Maps
Wallsend
Abundant in Roman and shipbuilding history, Wallsend is situated at the end of Hadrian’s Wall and home to the Segedunum Roman Fort. It also has some lovely parks and arboretums, including the Rising Sun Country Park.
Why it’s great
- Excellent commuting distance to Newcastle – driving and the metro are around 20 minutes journey
- ‘Kids go free’ at the Segedunum Roman Fort and there are learning programmes and play areas available
- Great for those who enjoy countryside walking – the Hadrian’s Wall Path starts at Wallsend!
- Prices are significantly cheaper than more coastal areas
Average house price
£137,585
Average rental price
£489 pcm
What do the locals say?
“I lived in Wallsend for several years and loved it; quiet area and generally a good central location to easily get to other places.”
Visualdescript, Reddit user – ‘What are the best parts of Wallsend?...’
“There’s a fantastic bakery on the farm in the rising sun country park which bakes fresh loaves and sausage rolls at the weekend for Tynemouth Market – best in the north east! The park has been newly refurbished too. Wallsend is a fantastic place to live, welcome!”
Shiffrondo, Reddit user – ‘I’m moving to Wallsend in August, where should I visit?…’
Moving to Tyne & Wear?
We genuinely think you’ll love it here! It’s a beautiful and friendly county, which is steeped in history and infamous landmarks. You will also find an abundant choice of outdoor activities, plus the added bonus of excellent travel links (including the handy Metro services). And of course, Newcastle is regularly voted one of the top UK cities for its infamous nightlife.
And if that’s not enough, you have your favourite Tyneside storage facility very close by… 😉
Before you get here, we wanted to suggest our 5 top things to see, do or visit when you arrive…
- Walk the Hadrian’s Wall path – running from Wallsend to Cumbria, the full walk is 84 miles! However, the majority walk smaller sections of this UNESCO World Heritage Site. There are even cafés, fort remains and a Roman museum along the way
- Sea Kayaking – paddlesport and surfing are very popular around the coastal areas of this county. Check out commercial companies or local clubs such as Tynemouth Canoe & Waveski Club for information on hire and coaching
- As detailed above, there are many amazing fresh, locally-sourced eateries within the coastal areas of North Tyneside. If you would prefer to sample the coveted food & drink scene in Newcastle, check out articles on recommended city bars and restaurants
- Visit the Angel of the North – Antony Gormley’s now infamous and striking work of public art is considered the most viewed piece of art in the world!
- Shop ‘til you drop! – from the large modern shopping district of Newcastle’s Eldon Square to the historic Grainger Market, and with plenty of independent retailers, vintage shops and coastal markets to visit nearby, you’re sure to find what you need (and more)
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House prices in this article have been found using zoopla.com while rental prices have been found using home.co.uk. All figures are correct at the time of publication.
Some quotes from Newcastle / North Tyneside locals have been edited for grammatical consistency and length. blue self storage is not responsible for any third party opinions or content linked to on other websites.
Feature image: Friends in Tynemouth, by Toa Heftiba on Unsplash
