Initially known for its industrial roots, Newcastle has evolved into a popular city in the North of England, full of vibrancy and buzz. Today, it’s a cultural hub with iconic structures, artistic expertise, a lively social scene and excellent housing opportunities.
If you’re thinking of moving to Newcastle, we’ve got the lowdown on The Toon and what it’s like to live in this northern metropolis.
A brief history of Newcastle
Newcastle’s history dates back to Roman times when it was a fort and bridge crossing the Tyne known as Pons Aelius. After the Roman departure from Britain, Newcastle became part of Northumbria during the Anglo-Saxon times. It was also England’s northern fortress throughout the Middle Ages.
Where is Newcastle?
Newcastle, officially called Newcastle-upon-Tyne, is located in the north of England. It’s situated on the River Tyne’s northern bank, a little over eight miles from the northern sea. It’s the largest city and metropolitan borough in the north of England.
Moving to Newcastle
Newcastle’s property scene offers plenty of choices. There is a lot of different types of houses, from eye-catching period properties to award-winning apartments. Popular areas in Newcastle include the city centre, Jesmond and Spital Tongues.
Listed as one of the UK’s happiest, friendliest and safest cities to live.
Buying in Newcastle
The average sold price in Newcastle is £234,702, which is lower than the UK national average of £251,000. Expect to pay an average of £407,525 for a detached home, £191,093 for a terraced house and £140,275 for an apartment.
There’s a varied selection of estate and letting agents in Newcastle, with chain and independent options available to help you find a home.
Renting in Newcastle
One-bedroom homes rent for an average of £600 per month in Newcastle, with two-bedroom properties fetching in the region of £750 per month. For larger homes, expect to pay an average of £1,000 per month.
Cost of living
If you’re moving to Newcastle, you can expect to pay similar prices to the UK national average when it comes to everyday living. A meal for one person is around £11, while a cappuccino is about £2.80 and a pint of milk is £0.90p.
Utility bills are marginally lower than the national average in Newcastle at around £146 per month for electricity, heating, cooling, water and waste disposal (UK average £155). Broadband is also in line with the average at about £27 per month.
Living in Newcastle
Open spaces
There are plenty of green areas and parks in Newcastle, with Town Moor covering 1,000 acres of open space. Leazes Park is the city’s oldest park and was first opened in 1873, while Jesmond Dene offers a vast woodland area.
Transport links
Newcastle train station services large parts of the UK, including London, Edinburgh, Leeds and Doncaster. Trains from Newcastle to London take around three hours. Motorists have access to the A1 road, which runs north to Edinburgh and south to London. There’s also an international airport in Newcastle, with planes flying to more than 80 destinations.
Shopping
There are several shopping outlets dotted around Newcastle, but the most well-known is Metrocentre, the second largest shopping centre in the UK. Located in Gateshead, it spans 2,076,000 sq ft, equating to more than 3.5 miles of retail space. But if it’s high-end shopping you’re after, head to Northumberland Street, home to Fenwick’s department store.
Eateries
You will find just about every type of food in Newcastle, whether you’re dining at restaurants, cafes or pubs. House of Tides offers fine British cuisine, while Las Iguanas has flavours straight from South America. For a traditional pub experience, visit The Bridge Tavern with its artisan ales from an on-site microbrewery.
Nightlife
Newcastle enjoys a status as one of the best cities in the UK for nightlife. Tup Tup Palace offers an extravagant night out with multi-level dance floors featuring waterfalls, mosaic lamps and booths. If you should also try one of the many clubs, bars and pubs in Bigg Market and Quayside.
Art & culture
There’s plenty of art and culture to soak up in Newcastle. Browse The Discovery Museum with its science exhibitions and local galleries before heading to The Theatre Royal, which is located in a Grade I-listed neoclassical building and hosts more than 400 performances a year.
Things to do
Even if you’re not into football, it will be hard to escape the buzz of St. James’s Park. The 52,000 seater football stadium becomes the city’s focal point on weekends, with residents flocking there to watch their beloved Newcastle United play in the Premier League.
What’s not to like?
As with most cities, there’s always something going on in Newcastle, and it’s a popular destination for students. If you’re after more low-key living, Newcastle might be a bit too full-on for your liking.
Who lives there?
Newcastle has a population of more than 818,000 and a median age of 41.
Typical broadband speeds
The average broadband speed is 58mbps in Newcastle, which is only slightly lower than the UK national average of 67mbps.
Crime rates
The overall crime rate in Newcastle averages around 104 crimes per 1,000 people.
Moving to Newcastle?
Move iQ’s property report provides an in-depth analysis of specific properties as well as details about the local area of Newcastle. If you’re thinking of moving, make sure you get one first!
Last Updated: October 17th, 2022
