“Tynemouth – view of South Shields pier –” (CC BY-SA 2.0) by Glen Bowman
If you love to be beside the seaside then why just settle for a couple of weeks in the summer? In the North East we’re very lucky to have one of the most unspoilt coastlines in the whole of the UK, all within easy reach of Newcastle, Sunderland and Middlesbrough.
What’s more, the property prices are nowhere near like the crazy figures you could end up paying in the South, or even on the North Yorkshire Coast around Whitby and Robin Hood’s Bay. Plus living near the sea may even have some mental health benefits – so where should you head for this exciting new chapter in your life?
Blyth
Just 15 miles from the centre of Newcastle and 24 miles from Sunderland, Blyth is definitely a town on the up and up. Much of the centre has seen serious regeneration in recent years so new-builds have added even more options to the Victorian and Edwardian properties that line many of its streets. You can expect to pay around £122,000 for a semi and as little as £106,000 for a typical terraced house so it’s even good for first-time buyers. The long, sandy beach is a surfer’s paradise, and just as good for walks with the dog. Shopping and nightlife are good too with many bars and restaurants just waiting to be discovered.
Tynemouth
Just 20 minutes on the Metro to Monument in the centre of Newcastle, this accessibility does mean that prices are a little higher in Tynemouth. But even with semi detached houses going for an average of £370,000 and terraces for £200,000 upwards it just takes a little more time looking for a mortgage to suit. So your first step should be to check out a free mortgage comparison online to search out the best deals with all the features you need, whether it’s a fee-free loan or one with cashback included. The really great thing about Tynemouth is its unique, and quite quirky, character. For example, where else in the UK can boast a fish and chip shop where Jimi Hendrix once dined?
Whitley Bay
“Spanish City, Whitley Bay” (CC BY-SA 2.0) by malivsey
Price-wise, Whitley Bay sits somewhere between the two already discussed with semis at around the £270,000 mark and terraces at around £190,000. It’s a true English seaside resort, but one that has preserved its original character and grandeur especially well. The coastal walk is stunning. Then, when you’ve worked up an appetite, you’ll find plenty of places to get a bite to eat with countless independent cafes and restaurants centred around the Park View area. Like our other suggestions, it’s also very commutable being just half an hour on the Metro to Newcastle with a five times an hour service – and driving takes around the same length of time.
So, hopefully our suggestions have whetted your appetite for a move to the coast. Yes, the bracing wind in off the North Sea can be an issue in the winter – but it’s more than made up for by all those warm, sunny summer days on the beach.