Now, the region’s best places to live in 2026 have been ranked, based on everything from schools and jobs to heritage and natural beauty.
Garrington Property Finders has rated rated 1,447 towns, cities across England and Wales.
Whickham, near Gateshead and Newcastle, is top of the pile in the North East, according to its rankings, and the 41st best place to live nationally.
The estate agency Sanderson Young describes it as a ‘charming’ and ‘delightful’ village, with a ‘vibrant community’, ‘outstanding’ schools and lovely parks and green spaces.
The average price of a family home in Whickham is £332,413, having risen by 9.16% in the last year.
Below are the 13 best places to live overall in the North East, according to Garrington, listed in reverse order.
Where do you think is the best place to live in the North East?
If you’re looking for somewhere affordable to move to as a family, you might be interested in the list of best places in the North East with good value homes.
1. Wallsend - 13th
Wallsend, in North Tyneside, is the 13th best place to live in the North East, according to Garrington Property Finders, and the 131st best out of 1,447 towns, cities and villages in England and Wales. It is ranked 161st for house price, quality and value, 312th for heritage/culture, 286th for natural environment, 301st for schools, employment and connectivity, and 1,398th for wellbeing. The average price of a family home there is £253,181, having risen by 10.05% in the last year. | Google Photo: Google
2. East Boldon and West Boldon - 12th
East Boldon and West Boldon, in South Tyneside, is the 12th best place to live in the North East according to Garrington Property Finders, and the 124th best out of 1,447 towns, cities and villages in England and Wales. The area is ranked 112th for house price, quality and value, 247th for heritage/culture, 1,123rd for natural environment, 645th for schools, employment and connectivity, and 309th for wellbeing. The average price of a family home there is £309,710, having risen by 17.01% in the last year. | Google Photo: Google
3. Hexham - 11th
Hexham, in Northumberland, is the 11th best place to live in the North East according to Garrington Property Finders, and the 111th best out of 1,447 towns, cities and villages in England and Wales. It is ranked 270th for house price, quality and value, 465th for heritage/culture, 1,159th for natural environment, 366th for schools, employment and connectivity, and 104th for wellbeing. The average price of a family home there is £351,221, having fallen by 1.71% in the last year. | Google Photo: Google
4. Egglescliffe - 10th
Egglescliffe, in County Durham, is the 10th best place to live in the North East according to Garrington Property Finders, and the 98th best out of 1,447 towns, cities and villages in England and Wales. It is ranked 337th for house price, quality and value, 844th for heritage/culture, 507th for natural environment, 276th for schools, employment and connectivity, and 324th for wellbeing. The average price of a family home there is £317,407, having fallen by 2.76% in the last year. | Google Photo: Google