Newcastle: Embrace the Geordie lifestyle in this friendly city

What to expect living in Newcastle

If you only know the city of Newcastle for the famous football club, it’s time to broaden your horizons. With its friendly locals, vibrant history and lively entertainment options, this is also a special city to call home. Be swept away by a high standard of living, without the soaring prices you’ll face elsewhere in the UK.

Thinking of buying a new-build Shared Ownership home in Newcastle? We’ve rounded up a cheat sheet of everything you can expect from life in this wonderful city.

A rich history and vibrant culture

One of the first things you’ll discover upon living in Newcastle is the rich character and culture of the area. This is a city steeped in history, from the grand architecture to its role in the British shipbuilding industry. Take a walk through the historic Grainger Town area, and you’ll discover wonderful buildings that date back to the 1830s, as well as a busy area full of exciting pubs, restaurants and cafes. Fun fact – Newcastle is also the city where the first ever Greggs opened, way back in Gosforth in 1951.

Iconic landmarks

Living in Newcastle means you get to see iconic landmarks every day on your travels. There’s the historic Newcastle Castle, which gave the city its name, the famous Tyne Bridge, originally built by the Romans, and Grey Street, which is surrounded by eye-catching Georgian architecture. Newcastle has a proud past as a hub of shipbuilding and coal mining, and these impressive monuments give residents a tangible connection to the city’s history.

Understanding the Geordie accent

Newcastle is seen as one of the friendliest cities in the UK, with locals who will make you feel welcome in your new home town in no time at all. But if you’re not from Newcastle originally, it might be that you find the charming Geordie twang a bit difficult to understand at first. To make sure nothing gets lost in translation, here are a few classic Geordie phrases to get you started:

• “What ye uptee the neet” – What are you doing tonight?
• “Howay, man!” – Come on, hurry up.
• “Wey aye, man!” – Yes!
• “Canny” – Good or pleasant.
• “Bobby dazzler” – Someone or something great.

Entertainment and sport

If you live in Newcastle, you’ll never have any issues finding a lively night out. The city is celebrated for its active nightlife, drawing in thrill-seeking students and new residents alike. For a fun end to the week, head down to the Quayside area, where you can find an enviable selection of clubs, bars and restaurants.

Are you a huge sports fan? It’s difficult to speak about Newcastle without talking about the city’s iconic football team. With their distinctive black and white stripe, supporting this local team is a great way to ingratiate yourself with Geordie culture, and see St James’ Park stadium in all of its glory.

Nearby natural escapes

As lively as the city centre is, there may come a time where you crave more peace and quiet. Thankfully, Newcastle has tranquil green spaces in abundance. Your new-build Shared Ownership home in Newcastle will be surrounded by acres of Northumberland countryside, giving you a chance to come face to face with glorious natural landscapes.

Located just a short distance from the city centre, Jesmond Dene is a stunning woodland space with a waterfall and towering trees. Northumberland Park is also a wonderful place to take a hike, explore medieval sights, or get lost in the wilderness.

Best places to live:

Gosforth

If you’re looking to move to Newcastle with your family, it’s hard to overlook the gentle charms of Gosforth. As well as having a variety of schools on your doorstep, you’ll also have a ton of entertainment options to choose from. There’s two cinemas, a golf park, and a lovely central park to walk the dog. It’s also not too far from the city centre – perfect if you fancy a day out without the kids. This may be slightly pricier than the other areas, but it’s well worth the cost.

Quayside

On a trendy side of town sits Quayside, an area bustling with creativity and different entertainment options. Located across the River Tyne, this is Newcastle at its most picturesque, surrounded by green acres and stunning views from the Millennium Bridge. There’s also plenty of things to do in the local area. Eat at a great restaurant, see a concert at The Sage, or check out a new exhibition at the BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art. The world really is your oyster!

Fenham

Looking for a stunning residential area located close to the city centre? Fenham could be the perfect place to start life in Newcastle. Located just two miles from the city centre, Fenham couldn’t be better placed if you have a job or a need to be in the city. Take a quick cycle, walk or bus trip, and you can be at the heart of the city within just minutes.

Buying your dream home in Newcastle can be a bit of a challenge, but it doesn’t have to be. At Share to Buy, you can find a selection of new-build houses in Newcastle, available through the affordable Shared Ownership scheme. Designed to make your home-buying process smoother, check out our property portal to find out more.