Moving to a new area of the country is a major life event, however it presents itself. For most people, the opportunity to start a new life somewhere emerges after graduating from university and entering the workforce proper; from here, young professionals are able to seek out the best possible opportunities in new locations and consider the best place to build a life.
There are various factors involved in such a decision, but some factors have become more important than others in recent years – and decision-making has become much harder for young professionals as a result. Indeed, while London was once a primary choice for fresh graduates and young professionals alike, the still-present cost-of-living crisis has made the capital unaffordable and even undesirable a place to relocate to.
As such, many are casting their net a little farther in search of the most lucrative place to set down roots. There are myriad places that fit the bill, but the north-east of England is arguably one of the most promising places to consider moving to. Specifically, Newcastle is a city with growing prospects as a destination for both professional and personal development. But why, exactly?
About Newcastle
Newcastle is a riverside city in the north-east of the UK, built out from the banks of the River Tyne. It started life as a Roman settlement instituted following the construction of the first bridge crossing the Tyne, but the name Newcastle was given after the Norman Conquest in the 11th century.
It is a relatively small city, with a population of just over 300,000. However, it is a fast-growing city, and one which has outstripped the overall population growth of the UK with a 7.1% population increase over the past decade – indicating significant growth and potential.
Newcastle is a particularly compelling place to move to at the moment, not in the least due to its affordability as a place to live. Rent averages in the North East are significantly lower than the national average, sitting at around £609 pcm (per calendar month) and nearly half the UK average of £1143 pcm.
Earnings and Costs in Newcastle
These rental savings make it much easier for young professionals to afford other ancillary-yet-key provisions with regard to their living situation. In costlier places like London, simply surviving can be more expensive than living comfortably; in cheaper cities, tenants can afford renters insurance to minimise the cost of property damage.
Of course, average salary also plays a key part in the affordability of a city. Newcastle’s average salary has been suggested to be in the region of £27,000, which again sits above the national average. This makes Newcastle a winning option for young professionals hoping to maximise their savings.
A City to Live In
But these factors alone do not make a city worth living in. There are numerous variables that impact the ‘liveability’ of a city, with culture and nightlife leading parts of the equation. Newcastle has always been a thriving cultural hub, with independent music venues and popular craft beer establishments propping up the night-time economy. Newcastle is a fun place to make connections, as well as a lucrative place to grow professionally.
