Anyone live in Washington/Sunderland/Newcastle?

SideWinder · 23 Jul 2020 at 20:35

As topic obvs.

I applied for a role and unexpectedly have a zoom interview next week (it is dream job territory due to the company). It is based in Washington and i am curious to know what people think about these areas.

I am assuming people live in the bigger cities and commute to the area? I would be using public transport from wherever.

Is there a 'cool' part to live in?

I am a Londoner so be kind.

Gray2233 · 23 Jul 2020 at 20:36

Any specific parts?

I've lived in or around those areas for most of my life.

Like most parts of the UK there's good and bad areas, certain parts of Gateshead might be a good bet. Harlow Green for example is a fairly nice area and not far from Washington, excellent views depending on where exactly you end up and fairly cheap to rent/buy.

SideWinder · 23 Jul 2020 at 20:43

The role is close to Albany Park if that helps.

Would need to be a lively 'going out' area close ish (public transport < 45mins each way) to Washington.

Just pondering really and thought OCUK would know...fountain of knowledge.

Ayahuasca · 23 Jul 2020 at 20:44

Parts of Washington are pretty rough, avoid Concord lol. As for a lively going out area you're pretty much limited to Newcastle. Durham and Sunderland aren't great nights out.

There's a decent "new" build estate called Teal Park Farm over that way but tbh if you're on good money I would look for somewhere near the coast like Cleadon.

Is the company Nissan, Vantec, Unipres or Amazon by any chance?

Gray2233 · 23 Jul 2020 at 20:47

Here's an example for you going off Harlow Green:

https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Har...0baa49ba992!2m2!1d-1.5285338!2d54.9109901!3e3

Roughly 40-50 minutes depending on the route you take.

It's ten minutes from Low Fell which has a good amount of decent bars, and it's 30 minutes on the bus to Newcastle city centre if you're looking for a night out on the town.

The public transport in the Gateshead/Newcastle/Washington area is pretty good.

Dis86 · 23 Jul 2020 at 20:58

Washington is rank. Avoid like the plague. If you can afford it then Gosforth and Jesmond have good transport links via the metro, both have a fairly good 'pavement' culture and Newcastle city centre is a 5-25 minute walk depending where you live within them. Alternatively Washington is very easy to get to via the A1 so if you're driving then it opens up a much more vast area.

Edit: Also sod off you dirty cockney!

vanpeebles · 23 Jul 2020 at 21:03

*shake fist anarl!*

SideWinder · 23 Jul 2020 at 21:08

Mmm Newcastle was the one that sprung to mind initially.

@Ayahuasca None of those!

I did have a 5 second look on Google Streetview and yes...did think Washington looked dodge.

Noted on the other places guys, thank you!

vanpeebles · 23 Jul 2020 at 21:11

If you like boxing stances and bare knuckle pursuits then down Durham on a Friday night is good.

Mucky_Pup · 23 Jul 2020 at 21:20

Washington is a bit of a dump, I live 5 miles away from Albany Park, easy enough to get to Washington from anywhere in the surrounding area if you have a car though.

vanpeebles · 23 Jul 2020 at 21:21

Unless you have to go through the tunnel, commuting isn’t bad in the north east, why the need for public transport? Paul Kersey would get edgy on the metro.

Gray2233 · 23 Jul 2020 at 21:24

I honestly despise the Metro, I avoid it like the plague.

If I was forced to commute by public transport I'd rather add another 20 minutes to my journey and walk/cycle/bus over using it.

SideWinder · 23 Jul 2020 at 21:31

vanpeebles said:
Unless you have to go through the tunnel, commuting isn’t bad in the north east, why the need for public transport? Paul Kersey would get edgy on the metro.

I can't drive.

vanpeebles · 23 Jul 2020 at 21:35

SideWinder said:
I can't drive.

Best get set for learnin then! Most folks up here live on the outskirts and travel about. Durham City is for students living, Newcastle is for getting mortal and Sunderland is a bit more spread out and home to the "townie".

LeMson · 24 Jul 2020 at 01:57

Looked grim when I was playing the division 2, games are so realistic these days though

Deleted member 77746 · 24 Jul 2020 at 03:14

SideWinder said:
I am a Londoner so be kind.

London to Washington, Albany Park?

Stay down London.

robfosters · 24 Jul 2020 at 08:58

What’s Chester-le-Street like?

Dis86 · 24 Jul 2020 at 09:20

robfosters said:
What’s Chester-le-Street like?

Pretty meh. Some ok areas but a lot of awful ones.

wesimmo · 24 Jul 2020 at 09:29

The Metro is great if you ask me.

If you've got a station near work, you can live almost anywhere on the metro line.

I personally live near Wallsend.

15 mins to either the coast or town by car, 30 mins if you're using the excellent bus links.

I used to hate public transport, but to be fair, up here I use it a lot.

vanpeebles · 24 Jul 2020 at 10:13

robfosters said:
What’s Chester-le-Street like?

The main part is just a long street with shops, my gran and granda like to shop there. Used to have an ace market years ago with a stall of speccy tapes. Had a model shop too!