Quality of life in the North East

Move over, London - you're not the only cultural hub in the country. North East England is a buzzing, thriving place for anyone seeking leisure, entertainment, arts, culture, world-class shopping and a high quality of life. The North East is full of passionate, friendly residents and visitors relocating to the area permanently would be hard-pushed to find a more entertaining, exciting area of the country.
Education
Education is not just extremely important to families moving to the area but to would-be parents thinking about the future. However, those moving to the North East are in safe hands as the region's state schools and private schools are some of the finest in the country.
Figures show 72.3 per cent of pupils in the North East achieved five good grades across all subject areas compared with a national average of 69.7 per cent. Furthermore, half of Durham's schools are in the top 10 per cent nationally for value added scores, which measures "pupils' progress from age 11 to 16," according to this source.
Entertainment
When school is out, the North East offers a tremendous number of entertainment opportunities for all ages. With Newcastle known for a nightlife that rivals any city in England, the city is perfect for students and young adults looking to unwind after a hard week at work. Alternatively, the Theatre Royal in Newcastle has over 380 performances every year from Shakespeare to touring West End hits.
The North East also has a thriving music scene. From the Stadium of Light in Sunderland to The Sage Gateshead, there's a wide variety of small and large event venues that bring the biggest international artists to the region every year.
Environment
The North East is not just vibrant cities and towns; gorgeous coastlines, epic mountains and sprawling lakes form many sites of natural beauty to residents looking for adventure and exploration. Head to the C2C for a gigantic 174-mile coast-to-coast cycle route or hike through the Northumberland National Park.
Perhaps visit Tynemouth for a glorious beach that attracts surfers from up and down the country or head to the Marine Reserve off the Northumberland coast at St Abbs - it's one of the top dive sites in Europe.
In addition, the North East boasts two World Heritage Sites in Durham Cathedral and Hadrian's Wall. What more could you ask for?
Sport
It is important to stay healthy and get regular exercise regardless of your location. That's why the The Great North Run is so well-attended; with over 55,000 runners taking part each year, the run is one of the most iconic half-marathons on earth.
Football also has a significant presence in the North East. From Premier League titans like Newcastle United and Sunderland AFC to big clubs like Middlesborough FC, Darlington FC and Hartlepool United, there's no shortage of football on offer here. Cricket fans can head to Durham County Cricket's Riverside ground while the Newcastle Falcons should satisfy avid fans of rugby.
There's plenty to see and do in the North East, offering an overwhelming quality of life. When are you going to make the move?