I've lived in Newcastle.. or just outside it.. for the length of my life so far
If your appartment is near central station then as mentioned above your smack bang in the middle of everything.
You will be 5 mins walk from majority of things.. I'll break it down for you:
Work
If your working near Longbenton then I'd probably use the metro for the first few months until you get used to the area. There is a metro station in Longbenton itself.. and there is a metro at central station too.. It would be 7 stops on the yellow line. It would take about 15 - 20 mins and cost about£4 for a day return. Monthly passes are available too.. at about £46.50 a month or £475.00 annually.
I'm not from up that end so I'm not sure about the road travel..
Shopping
You will be around 5 mins from Northumberland Street and Eldon Square.. these are the main areas in Newcastle itself for shopping. They have outlest like HMV, John Lewis, Fenwicks, Apple, Debenhams, Game and Boots.
There are also shopping around the street surrounding that area and down towards central.. these are still quite big brand name shops but there are some bespoke smaller businesses too.
If you want to go a little further afield then you have the Metro Centre in Gateshead which was until recently one of the biggest shopping malls in Europe. This is full of large brand shops and places to eat, also it is the only place in the north east you will find an Imax cinema.
The metro centre can be accessed via the metro but requires a transfer ticket and a stop at the gateshead station to board a shuttle bus.
A little further is Durham which also has a smaller shopping district.. not been there much myself so not sure what is there.. This can be accessed via the central station rail ilnes.
Socialising
This is where Newcastle really comes into its own.
There are a ton of bars etc around town but these are pretty much split into commonly known areas.
The Gate
Big glass fronted structure.. has a few food joints in there like TGI Firdays, Frankie and Benny's and Ask. Bar wise it has a few at the front called Above and Bananatynes.. and a nightclub towards the back called Mood.
On the third floor there is an Empire cinema.
Big Market
Chav central.. fully of them looking for a ruck. Fully of dance music and 80's music. Cheap drink but a good possibility that you will get a black eye or two.
There is an Indian restaurant and from what i know Newcastle's only Greek Restaurant.
Diamond Strip
This runs from central station down to the Big Market.
This road had bars called Revolution (Vodka Bar), Florita's. Tokyo and Perdu.
Lasses dress to the eyeballs, fake tan, lashes and no clothing.. but to counter act this your hit with spice boys. Blokes who also self tan and work out loads so they can wear tight jeans and v neck tshirts.
Osbourne Road
Jesmond area... a long road with loads of bars and a few restaurants.
Popular with students and always rammed on a bank holiday.
Whitley Bay / South Shields
Both of these have loads of bars and also are located by 2 of the best beaches in the area. Also rammed on a bank holiday.
South Shields can be rough.. I can say that as I live there lol.
Both have a few canny restaurants too.
Durham
A bit out of the way but still a canny might out.. a couple of good bars like the champagne bar.. and one of the best asain restaurants around here in the Fat Buddha.
A few bars worth a mention are Popollos and Bar Luga.. great bars with good drinks menus.
Eating Out
A few places worth a mention:
Sachins -
www.sachins.co.uk
Top of my list everytime.. Punjabi cuisine..
Amazes me everytime I go.. friendly staff and decent prices.
Based at the top of the quayside behind central station.
Sabatini's
Small Italian on the quayside.. almost directly under the tyne bridge.
Again the food is outstanding and the prices a very good.
Marco Polo
A very nice Italian at the bottom of Grey street.
Been as few times and the food has always been great.
And now for the most important thing...
Clothing!
It is FREEZING up here.
Winter last year was insane.. minus 14 in some places I was working (I too am a contrator.)
If your likely to work in warehouses then your gonna need a thermal boiler suit or some thermal socks and boxers.
Otherwise a thick pair of jeans + Tshirt and jacket should do you fine for most days.
People generally are pretty nice up here as long as you approach them in a friendly way.. but geordies are quick to react angrily if you speak in the wrong tone.
I'm sure I've forgetten stuff but I'm sure other people will add stuff
