Retire to Tyne and Wear
Tyne and Wear is a vibrant region that features lively, modern cities, rolling green countryside, and rugged coastal beauty. Whether you’re looking for sandy beaches, quiet countryside villages, or bustling cities, you’ll find something to love here.
Local retirees enjoy:
- Stunning coastline in Tynemouth and Whitley Bay to Seaburn and Roker, ideal for seaside walks and a spot of fish ‘n’ chips.
- Rich local history and culture, with many museums, galleries, and theatres in Newcastle and Sunderland.
- Plenty of green spaces, like Rising Sun Country Park, Saltwell Park, and walking trails around the Penshaw Monument.
- If you're looking for an active retirement full of diverse things to do, explore our properties in Tyne and Wear.
6 retirement developments in Tyne and Wear
Newcastle Great Park | Newcastle upon Tyne
Retirement Living- Properties 51 available
- Bedrooms 1–2 beds available
- Shared ownership available
Clothier Manor | Newcastle Upon Tyne
Retirement Living- Properties 2 available
- Bedrooms 1–2 beds available
- Shared Ownership 50% example share/50% rent £162,500/£373 pcm
Elderton Place | Whitley Bay
Retirement Living Plus- Properties 1 available
- Bedrooms 1–2 beds available
- Rent from £3,900 pcm
Herriot Gardens | Sunderland
Retirement Living- Properties 2 available
- Bedrooms 1 bed available
- Rent from £1,355 pcm
Jarrow | Jarrow
Retirement Living- Properties 51 available
- Bedrooms 1–2 beds available
- Shared ownership available
Seymour Court | South Shields
Retirement Living- Properties 3 available
- Bedrooms 1–2 beds available
- Rent from £1,250 pcm
Explore places in the Tyne and Wear area
Retirement living in Tyne and Wear
If you’re looking for a retirement full of coastal beauty, city-style convenience, and welcoming communities, Tyne and Wear could be your ideal home.
Activities for retirees in Tyne and Wear
Tyne and Wear offers endless entertainment opportunities, from Newcastle Castle to the iconic bridges of the quayside, and includes an impressive range of shopping, theatres, restaurants, and bars in the major cities.
- Explore local history at Tynemouth Priory and Castle, which has a history dating back over 2,000 years. Likewise, Victoria Tunnel in Newcastle invites you to step back in time with a guided tour of this Victorian marvel.
- Visit the beach at Roker and Seaburn, with plenty of classic seaside attractions and fresh seafood.
- Visit Herrington Country Park for walking, cycling, and boating routes, or take a trip to the Washington Wetland Centre to meet otters and flamingos.
Enjoy an active retirement in Tyne and Wear
While the cities in this area are spectacular, moving to Tyne and Wear also gives you plenty of access to rural and coastal walking trails, as well as community sport teams to help you stay active.
- Sports - Golf is a widely enjoyed pastime, with Tynemouth Golf Club, Wearside Golf Club, and Boldon Golf Club offering the opportunity to get out, make friends, and perfect your swing.
- Nature - Enjoy coastal pathways from Tynemouth to Roker, or visit parks like Jesmond Dene in Newcastle and Saltwell Park in Gateshead, where you can walk, picnic, or birdwatch with ease.
- Wildlife - Explore the Northumberland Coast National Landscape, where you may spot puffins, seals, and dolphins out at sea.
Arts, culture, and community in Tyne and Wear
Tynemouth and Wear is home to a rich industrial heritage, thriving artistic community, and plenty of theatrical performances - as well as a welcoming and accepting atmosphere that’s easy to settle into.
- Theatre - Newcastle Theatre Royal is known for captivating performances of drama, opera, and ballet, while Sunderland Empire Theatre also hosts comedy and family-friendly shows throughout the year.
- Galleries - Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art is a leading art space in the UK, while the Laing Art Gallery in Newcastle hosts more traditional collections.
- Festivals - get involved with the local community at events like author talks and craft circles at local libraries and bookstores, coastal events in South Shields and Whitley Bay, and the North East International Film Festival.
Transport links and connections
The Tyne and Wear area offers comprehensive travel opportunities, whether you enjoy long drives through the stunning scenery or prefer to rely on public transport.
- By car - Tyne and Wear is very well served by A roads, with the A1 giving access to both Edinburgh and London.
- By bus - Buses run regularly throughout the region, with the Metro system connecting Newcastle, Gateshead, North Shields, South Shields, and Sunderland.
- By rail - Newcastle Central Station, Sunderland, Heworth, and Chester-le-Street provide rail connections to major stations like London, Edinburgh, York, Durham, and Leeds.
Homeowner testimonials: telling it like it is
We believe we create great places to live. Beautiful award-winning retirement apartments in brilliant locations with thoughtful, reassuring, services on tap and a thriving friendly community on the doorstep.
But what do people living in our communities think? We regularly ask for feedback on everything from the sales and moving in process to the lifestyle and services. Here’s what our homeowners have to say:
Had it not been for OPSO and McCarthy & Stone, our options would have been significantly less. I think this may have left us stuck in a property which was having a negative impact on our wellbeing.
Norman and Moya, homeowners, Elderton Place
Browse by Retirement Living services
Our retirement developments offer differing amenities and assisted living services. Choose from two options to find your perfect fit.
Retirement Living
Low-maintenance independent living for people aged 60 and over, with a House Manager on-site and a friendly community on the doorstep.
Retirement Living Plus
Independence combined with assisted living for people aged 70 and over, including an Estate Manager, on-site restaurant and optional personal care.
McCarthy & Stone community news from Tyne and Wear
Retirement living in Tyne and Wear FAQs
There are lots of variables that make this a difficult question to answer, but one simple tip is to multiple the amount you’d like to live on every year (say £24,000) by 25 (in this case the answer is £600,000). That is the amount you’d need to save. However this figure doesn’t consider things like your annual state pension, benefits, tax, or the equity you might hold in your home. Ask McCarthy & Stone about it’s flexible retirement property options.
Yes, Tyne and Wear is known for its excellent public transport system. In particular, the Metro connects key settlements like Sunderland, Newcastle, Gateshead, South Shields, North Shields, and Whitley Bay.
Main hospitals in Tyne and Wear include Sunderland Royal Hospital, Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle, South Tyneside District Hospital, and Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Gateshead. GP surgeries, dental practices, pharmacies, and opticians are all available throughout the region for day-to-day support with your wellbeing.
Tyne and Wear is a small but populous county situated at the mouth of the rivers Tyne and Wear in North East England. It is bordered by the North Sea, County Durham and Northumberland. It consists of the boroughs of the City of Sunderland, Gateshead, Newcastle upon Tyne and North Tyneside and South Tyneside.
There is something to please everyone in this strikingly individual county, from historic buildings aplenty, including Newcastle castle and Arbeia South Shields' Roman Fort that guarded Hadrian’s Wall, to stunning beaches, seaside towns and coastlines – including Roker and Seaburn near Sunderland and Whitely Bay. For a spot of art and culture visit the Angel of the North in Gateshead or soak up the attractions and nightlife in Newcastle.
Browse our retirement homes by city and county
Search for the best places to retire in the UK by selecting a city or county to explore.
