Quality of Life
North East England has an enviably high quality of life that perfectly matches the ambitions of the area to be one of the best places in the world to live and work.
It is an area with a tremendous reputation for welcoming companies from around the world and nurturing their growth and success. A forward-looking economy, harnessing some of the most advanced technologies in the world, is being rapidly developed in an area described by the Lonely Planet Bluelist as “the most exciting, beautiful and friendly region in the whole of England”.
To add to this acclaim, the North East’s capital Newcastle has been transformed into the greenest city in England, according to the annual rankings of the Forum for the Future. This carries out one of the UK’s most comprehensive sustainability audits.
The Forum’s study highlights how the city’s communal effort to create cleaner, brighter surroundings, including improvements in air quality, extending green space and the biodiversity of public parks, and raising life expectancy have contributed to its triumph. It is an achievement that is increasingly to be found in all the North East’s cities and towns.
North East England enjoys some of the lowest commuting times in the UK because of its excellent transport links. This also makes it easy to access the diverse mix of city, countryside and coastal attractions that contribute so much to the quality of life.
The cities and main urban areas lie within easy reach of what is widely regarded as a nature lover’s playground. A third of the North East is, for example, designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Its stunning moorlands, coastline, river valleys, lakes and forests are a paradise for walkers and outdoor sports enthusiasts.
The Northumberland National Park and Kielder Water - now a unique leisure resort created around one of the largest man-made reservoirs in Europe - offer a rich diversity of wildlife and visitor experiences.
This remarkable environment is complemented by a fascinating depth of history and heritage. Two World Heritage Sites - Hadrian’s Wall and Durham Cathedral and Castle - are found in the North East. And there is a wealth of other castles, historic houses, museums, gardens, and attractive market towns, picturesque villages and sublime rural retreats.
The North East has all the right ingredients for businesses and people to excel. A new generation of talented professionals is being drawn to the region, attracted by the quality of life and growing opportunities for personal growth and career progression. And the area’s five universities and 24 further education colleges, drawing students from across the UK and around the world, are adding to the pool of talent.
When they settle in the area - as two thirds of students now do - they can rely on some of the finest healthcare services to be found anywhere, as well as a competitively priced housing market that brings home buying readily within their reach.
At the earlier stages of education the North East has some of the lowest pupil to teacher ratios in the country. There is a superb range of state and private schools with rising levels of educational attainment.
The clean, healthy environment and glorious countryside, extensive career opportunities, vibrant city culture, and remarkable leisure and lifestyle offerings, help to make North East England the envy of much of the world.
