Northern seaside town was 'rough' but now southerners want to buy its £40,000 properties
Seaside living remains a cherished aspiration for many people who dream of leisurely strolls along the beach after a hard day at work. Yet for many, this remains nothing more than a tantalising fantasy that stays frustratingly beyond their grasp.
Northumberland's Newbiggin-By-The-Sea certainly seems to be riding a wave of popularity at the moment - and if house hunters leave it much longer they might just be priced out. The most affordable property currently advertised on Rightmove within the town is a three-bed end of terrace property on Lynwood Avenue, listed for auction with a guide price of £40,000. Meanwhile, another three-bedroom house on the same street is listed for sale at £69,950. Whether you're planning a move or just curious about local property prices, our interactive map shows the house prices in each area of the country.
The typical selling price in the town stands at merely £129,063, which represents considerably less than half Britain's average property cost of £282,000, according to statistics from last year, as per the Express. Lawrence Jones works as a refuse collector for Newcastle City Council and became enchanted with the town four years ago. He lives with his wife Michelle Jones, having moved from Shiremoor.
He said: "We sold our house and the idea was to move to Durham - but Newbiggin was the only place we could get a rental. Twenty years ago I wouldn't have been impressed as it was a little bit rough."
However, Lawrence now treasures his new residence so deeply that within three months of arriving, he purchased a property which he claims has rocketed in value. He added: "You walk along the promenade and everybody speaks to you. It is so friendly."
Ian and Sally Boot are from Nottingham and were in Newbiggin for the day, visiting their son who lives in nearby Blyth. Both agree if their daughter was to also move to the area they'd take the plunge in a flash. Retired engineer Ian said: "I think it's nice - there's free parking, a new cafe and it's nice up the coast in Amble and Bamburgh. Retired civil servant Sally said: "It's quiet and that's why we have come today. We thought we would have a quiet day and it's nice and peaceful.
Marion Longstaff, has run business Pretty Things By The Sea since 2018 after relocating from Windermere in the Lakes. She said: "It is still cheaper than the prices in Amble - it's a hidden gem. Southerners are definitely taking an interest. After lockdown they were coming up for a break - one couple [I met] came up for a long weekend and fell in love. They sold up their property but haven't found a property they want here yet as they were gazumped."
Marion says she will never leave the little seaside enclave and says the coastline is "just my medicine. " Fellow local business owner Annie, a former mechanical engineer, originally from Manchester, has lived in the town for 35 years. She said: "I just like village life and everybody knows everybody. Everybody is very, very friendly. People come on holiday and then they love it here."
Andy Brown runs Jackson's Jewellers and More on the main shopping stretch which is packed with independent shops. He said: "I think the village itself has evolved and people should take note. There is a large variety of shops, all independent, as the rents and rates are all reasonable. The place is also kept as clean as a whistle and the people are beautiful."
Andy said a few decades ago the area was perceived as "rough" but it "always had massive potential" that is finally being realised. Dawn Duddridge, a sales negotiator at local estate agent Rickard, says the market in Newbiggin is booming.
She said: "Properties there don't hang around much, especially on the seafront. ""Often people who have been here on holiday come up from the south and buy a house outright - and have still got a decent amount in the bank."
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