Living in the North East
Introduction
Living in the North East of England offers a mix of affordability, lifestyle, and community that’s hard to match elsewhere in the UK.
The North East offers an exceptional quality of life with easy access to beautiful Northumberland beaches and countryside and vibrant cities like Newcastle, Durham, Teeside or Sunderland.
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Key reasons to live in the North East
Affordability & Value
The region offers some of the most affordable housing in the UK, making it ideal for first-time buyers and families. The area is increasingly attractive for professionals seeking opportunity without southern living costs.
Key reasons to live in the North East
Thriving Economy & Jobs
The area is increasingly attractive for professionals seeking opportunity without southern living costs.
The North East is a hub for:
Pharmaceuticals & life sciences
Renewable energy & offshore wind
Advanced manufacturing
Digital & gaming
Process industries
Key reasons to live in the North East
Friendly Cities with Character
The region is known for its warm, welcoming people, strong sense of community and combines deep historical pride with a focus on future, creative, and technological regeneration.
Newcastle upon Tyne is a lively, compact and walkable city that merges urban excitement with easy access to nature vibrant nightlife, strong cultural scene.
Durham is a picturesque, historic riverside city in North East England, dominated by its stunning UNESCO World Heritage Cathedral and Castle. It has a compact, charming, and scholarly atmosphere.
Sunderland is a coastal city in North East England known for its affordable living, sandy beaches like Roker and Seaburn, and a strong sense of community. It offers a blend of city, coast, and countryside, with significant ongoing regeneration.
Teesside is centred around Middlesbrough and the River Tees. It is characterised by its proud working-class heritage, low cost of living, and a mix of regeneration projects alongside areas of industrial decay. It offers excellent access to nearby North York Moors beaches and coastal scenery.
Key reasons to live in the North East
Strong Universities & Education
The North East of England has 5 universities offering undergraduate, postgraduate and research degrees which drive research, jobs, and a young, international population.
Newcastle University
Durham University
Northumbria University
Teesside University
University of Sunderland
Key reasons to live in the North East
Well Connected
The North East of England is well-connected, featuring fast direct rail links to London (under 3 hours), comprehensive road networks (A1, A19), and international connectivity via Newcastle International Airport and several ports. Regionally, it boasts the Tyne and Wear Metro, the UK’s largest rapid transit system outside London, offering low commute times.
Major cities like Newcastle, Durham, and Sunderland offer excellent transport links across the UK. With ongoing investment in infrastructure, getting where you need to be is faster and easier than ever.
There’s no extreme congestion compared to major UK metropolitan areas and people are considerate – they wave to let you join busy traffic. The region boasts one of the lowest average commuting times in the UK (23.6 minutes) and low average commuting distances.
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Supporting the North East pharmaceutical sector businesses and manufacturers to grow their employment, skills, investment, exports and supply chains through business-led collaboration.