Sandwiched between Newcastle upon Tyne and the North Sea, North Tyneside offers the best of both worlds.
The coastline is blessed with sandy Blue Flag beaches, so, unsurprisingly, water sports are a big part of life there, from surfing and paddleboarding to open-water swimming, according to Jason Roberts, of Strutt & Parker.
Yet the bright lights of Newcastle upon Tyne are less than 30 minutes away by metro.
Good schools, more affordable prices than Newcastle’s suburbs and proximity to Northumberland also help make this area suitable for families looking to settle, Roberts adds.
The seaside communities of Whitley Bay, Cullercoats and upmarket Tynemouth are firm favourites, while North Shields, a fishing town on the River Tyne, has an up-and-coming feel.
It’s a family-friendly borough with a strong community spirit.
“It’s the kind of place where you say ‘hello’ to people when you pass them on the street,” says Roberts. “It’s very neighbourly as well. You’ll find that most people are very willing to muck in.”
