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.
9. Saltburn-by-the-Sea - 5th
Saltburn-by-the-Sea is the 5th best place to live in the North East according to Garrington Property Finders, and the 61st best out of 1,447 towns, cities and villages in England and Wales. It is ranked 813th for house price, quality and value, 246th for heritage/culture, 32nd for natural environment, 612th for schools, employment and connectivity, and 346th for wellbeing. The average price of a family home there is £333,674, having fallen by 6.99% in the last year. | Google Photo: Google
10. Barnard Castle - 4th
Barnard Castle, in County Durham, is the 4th best place to live in the North East according to Garrington Property Finders, and the 53rd best out of 1,447 towns, cities and villages in England and Wales. It is ranked 209th for house price, quality and value, 629th for heritage/culture, 451st for natural environment, 667th for schools, employment and connectivity, and 39th for wellbeing. The average price of a family home there is £341,988, having risen by 9.82% in the last year. | Google Photo: Google
11. Newcastle - 3rd
Newcastle upon Tyne is the 3rd best place to live in the North East according to Garrington Property Finders, and the 51st best out of 1,447 towns, cities and villages in England and Wales. It is ranked 79th for house price, quality and value, 66th for heritage/culture, 221st for natural environment, 243rd for schools, employment and connectivity, and 1,379th for wellbeing. The average price of a family home there is £303,512, having risen by 4.37% in the last year. | Google Photo: Google
12. Alnwick - 2nd
Alnwick, in Northumberland, is the 2nd best place to live in the North East according to Garrington Property Finders, and the 50th best out of 1,447 towns, cities and villages in England and Wales. It is ranked 13th for house price, quality and value, 533rd for heritage/culture, 13th for natural environment, 947th for schools, employment and connectivity, and 475th for wellbeing. The average price of a family home there is £329,807, having risen by 11.87% in the last year. | Google Photo: Google