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.
5. Wideopen - 9th
Wideopen, in North Tyneside, is the 9th best place to live in the North East according to Garrington Property Finders, and the 97th best out of 1,447 towns, cities and villages in England and Wales. It is ranked 11th for house price, quality and value, 971st for heritage/culture, 211th for natural environment, 912th for schools, employment and connectivity, and 178th for wellbeing. The average price of a family home there is £340,638, having risen by 7.67% in the last year. | Google Photo: Google
6. Whitley Bay - 8th
Whitley Bay, in North Tyneside, is the 8th best place to live in the North East according to Garrington Property Finders, and the 86th best out of 1,447 towns, cities and villages in England and Wales. It is ranked 282nd for house price, quality and value, 346th for heritage/culture, 626th for natural environment, 246th for schools, employment and connectivity, and 719th for wellbeing. The average price of a family home there is £399,785, having risen by 4.83% in the last year. | Google Photo: Google
7. Tynemouth - 7th
Tynemouth, in North Tyneside, is the 7th best place to live in the North East according to Garrington Property Finders, and the 85th best out of 1,447 towns, cities and villages in England and Wales. It is ranked 164th for house price, quality and value, 122nd for heritage/culture, 351st for natural environment, 307th for schools, employment and connectivity, and 1,270th for wellbeing. The average price of a family home there is £309,371, having risen by 2.65% in the last year. | Google Photo: Google
8. Yarm - 6th
Yarm, in the Tees Valley, is the 6th best place to live in the North East according to Garrington Property Finders, and the 66th best out of 1,447 towns, cities and villages in England and Wales. It is ranked 57th for house price, quality and value, 858th for heritage/culture, 402nd for natural environment, 535th for schools, employment and connectivity, and 233rd for wellbeing. The average price of a family home there is £342,986, having risen by 5.40% in the last year. | Google Photo: Google