If quayside cities and surfing beaches appeal to you, then a new home in Tyne & Wear might be your idea of heaven. But how do you ensure your moving experience is more blissful than hellish? By collating reviews from people living in developments across the county, HomeViews separates the wheat from the chaff. So, which builders impressed our residents? Read on to find out.
Where is Tyne & Wear?
You’ll find Tyne & Wear in North East England. The county is named after the Tyne and Wear rivers, around which the region’s five metropolitan boroughs extend. These are Newcastle upon Tyne, Gateshead, North Tyneside, South Tyneside and the City of Sunderland. Bordered by Northumberland and County Durham, the county also features a long North Sea coastline.
Living in Tyne & Wear
Watched over by the famous Angel of the North, Tyne & Wear is undoubtedly a county blessed with many benefits. Butting up against the North Sea, the area has some lovely lighthouse-strewn coastline, such as Long Sands Beach in Tynemouth near Tynemouth Priory and Castle. South Shields comes with its own pleasure park, while a little further along, the National Trust owned Souter Lighthouse was the first to be powered by electricity. Here you can also explore beautiful coastal walks or cycle unhindered for 10.5 miles.
The city of Sunderland has award-winning beach resorts too, which you can enjoy alongside shopping malls and landscaped Victorian parks. Looking for some culture? The Empire Theatre – the largest between Edinburgh and Leeds – frequently welcomes touring West End shows.
Over in Newcastle, the Royal Theatre is the northern home of the Royal Shakespeare Company. United with Gateshead by seven iconic bridges, the city is also known for its fantastic club and restaurant scene, as well as St James’ Park stadium and Newcastle Racecourse. In addition, Sutherland and Newcastle are both home to independent schools and universities.
Looking for a wild adventure or two? Tyne & Wear is well placed for day trips into the North Pennines AONB and Northumberland National Park. The English-Scottish border is also just over an hour away.
Transport in Tyne & Wear
Tyne & Wear’s transport links are excellent considering its status as the smallest county in the North East. With several intersecting A-roads converging here, the area is the beating heart of a region interspersed with AONBs and national parks.
Entering Tyne & Wear in the south, the A1(M) cuts through the county’s western half before heading north on its journey to Edinburgh. Meanwhile, the A19 connects many settlements to the eastern side before joining the A1 again in the north. The A69 also provides a road bridge between Newcastle upon Tyne and Carlisle, while the A696 take you directly to the Scottish border.
Newcastle International Airport – the largest in the North East – offers flights to 80 destinations, but the Tyne & Wear Metro is another fantastic benefit of living in the area. Serving Newcastle upon Tyne, Gateshead, North Tyneside, South Tyneside and the City of Sunderland, it runs frequent trains from early morning until around midnight, Monday to Saturday.
Tyne & Wear property prices
The average price for property in Tyne & Wear was £192,936 in December 2021, currently below the national average. According to Zoopla, flats sold for an average of £129,430 and terraced houses for £162,310. At the same time, semi-detached properties went for around £192,066, while detached homes achieved £345,918.
Rental prices in Tyne & Wear currently stand at around £941 PCM. At the lower end of the market, one bedroom lets come in at about £567 PCM. In contrast, five bedrooms cost around £1,560 PCM. These figures fluctuate slightly based on daily calculations by the property search engine Home.co.uk but were accurate upon publication.
New homes in Tyne & Wear Top 10 developments
So, which new homes in Tyne & Wear got our residents’ approval? Time to guide you through the best developments the area has to offer – from riverside apartments to spacious detached houses.
4.26 (15 reviews)
4.26 (15 reviews)
Miller Homes at Potters Mill is the highest rated development in our Top 10. It offers energy efficient three, four and five-bedroom homes. With fast access to the A19 as well as shops, leisure amenities and nearby Herrington County Park, Potters Mill has lots to recommend it.
Our residents have commented on the modern and stylish finish, including anthracite windows and black roofs that are ‘sympathetic to the surroundings’. They also comment on the generous garden sizes, the accessible bus routes, and the walks along the old miners’ railway and the nearby forest.
Read reviews and details of Miller Homes at Potters Mill, SR3
4.03 (14 reviews)
4.03 (14 reviews)
In second place, Fairfields Manor offers a variety of three and four-bedroom homes in Crawcrook. Each home features well proportioned rooms and high-quality kitchens with integrated appliances. The development is nine miles from Newcastle, offering excellent commuter links.
Residents say the estate is peaceful, with beautiful streets and well spaced out houses. There’s also plenty of parking for residents and visitors alike.
3.72 (28 reviews)
3.72 (28 reviews)
Our third contender, Highfield Park is just a ten-minute drive from Sunderland’s city centre, with local amenities and travel links close by. The development offers affordable new builds with wonderful size gardens.
Locals say that they feel safe and secure in the friendly neighbourhood, which is made up of a mix of ages. There is also lots of green space around the area and some local shops and takeaways nearby.
3.48 (16 reviews)
3.48 (16 reviews)
Six miles from the centre of Newcastle, High View is a modern new development with shops, entertainment, parks and schools all within easy reach. It has been reviewed into fourth position by our residents, who like the easy five-minute drive to amenities and the A1, with Newcastle just 15-minutes away.
You’ll also find good bus links and a railway station a few minutes’ walk down the hill, along with a good shopping centre that includes a major supermarket.
One resident said: ‘The area feels semi-rural due to the fact that there are allotments and mature trees opposite, and there are spectacular views as we drive down the hill. The neighbours are all very friendly and there’s a great sense of community on our part of the development. There’s also plenty of parking, and the road is wide enough for parking on the sides without affecting other users.’
3.37 (42 reviews)
3.37 (42 reviews)
Sitting pretty midway on our list, The Rise offers two, three and four-bedroom homes and apartments, with views of the River Tyne. It’s also only minutes from the city centre, with easy access to the A1.
A resident told us: ‘I think the entire site has developed a great neighbourhood spirit, where so many people look out for each other. There are good cycle paths to promote safety and I am also able to walk to the Metro Centre with ease. Most buyers get at least one parking space for two-bedroom properties and two spaces for three-bedrooms and upwards.’
4.63 (48 reviews)
4.63 (48 reviews)
Our sixth development was previously owned by Moorfield but bought by Grainger in 2021. Managed by Allsop, it is situated at the heart of Stephenson Quarter next to Newcastle station. It comprises of 283 pet-friendly, one, two and three-bedroom apartments.
Residents have access to range of facilities and amenities. These include a 24-hour on-property concierge service, a private gym, and a landscaped courtyard garden. In addition, apartments are available in furnished and unfurnished options and come in modern designs with premium furniture packages.
4.48 (9 reviews)
4.48 (9 reviews)
At number seven, Cygnet Park offers a range of two, three and four-bedroom homes in North Tyneside, each featuring bi-fold doors, exclusive kitchen designs and integrated appliances. Cygnet Park is located just 6 miles to the north of Newcastle’s city centre, while the town itself benefits from numerous local amenities, including shops, cafés, pubs and restaurants.
The area is very close to the A19 and A1, which provide excellent transport links. There is also a small Sainsbury’s and a Shell garage a 5-minute walk from the development and a larger supermarket 10 minutes away. Walkers will also enjoy strolling around Gosforth Park and Weetslade, both just 5 minutes away.
4.40 (8 reviews)
4.40 (8 reviews)
City Quadrant is a mixed-use development located at the western entrance to Newcastle City Centre, just a short walk from Central Station. Reviewed into eighth place, the development also includes office and retail spaces and some restaurants.
The idyllic location means that residents here can also benefit from various local amenities. Residents describe the apartments as ‘new and clean’, ‘beautiful and warm’ and ‘well maintained and secure’.
4.35 (14 reviews)
4.35 (14 reviews)
Developed by Omnia Property Group, Northumbria House comprises of a range of ‘modern and bright’ one and two-bedroom apartments available for rental only.
Voted into ninth position and situated in Gosforth, Newcastle upon Tyne, the development is a few minutes away from Gosforth High Street. The nearby A1 makes travelling around the area easy too. Residents like the contemporary bathrooms and kitchens and having a range of pubs and supermarkets on their doorstep.
4.18 (14 reviews)
4.18 (14 reviews)
Nabbing the last spot in our Top 10 and situated on Newcastle Quayside, Hanover Mill boasts views of the River Tyne. The development is only a 5-minute walk away from Newcastle Central Station and near a host of bars, clubs and shops.
A resident told us ‘the flat has thick walls and the property feels secure. It also has a balcony with great river views that lets lots of light into the flat’.
Are you ready to further investigate our Top 10 new homes in Tyne & Wear? Just click on the link below to read all the reviews for each development.
HomeViews provides verified resident reviews of the UK’s housing developments. We’re working with developers, house builders, operators, housing associations and the Government to recognise high performers and help improve standards in the built environment.
The post New homes in Tyne & Wear: 10 best developments appeared first on HomeViews.