A seaside town in the north of England is becoming a national property sensation as its housing market booms – with homes starting at just £38,000.
With its charming beach and a vibrant quayside lined with trendy bars and eateries, North Shields is really coming into its own.
Revitalisation efforts from both developers and the local council are catching the eye of property moguls and house hunters alike, propelling the town into Rightmove’s top ten “property hotspots”.
North Shields secured ninth place on the list as local property prices jumped by 6.9% in 2024, outstripping the more moderate 1.4% average price growth seen across Great Britain.
Here, the average asking price for homes has climbed from £231,533 in 2023 to £247,479 in 2024, but savvy buyers can still snag deals, like a two-bedroom maisonette with starting prices around £38,000 on Rightmove, reports the Express.
Express.co.uk took a trip to the burgeoning coastal gem to hear what locals and business owners think about their town’s newfound popularity.
Marcello Di Mascio, a 54 year old who runs an ice cream shop right by the picturesque beach, lives in the adjacent town of Cullercoats. A bachelor without children, Marcello has spent 16 years in the ice cream trade, originally driving a van before setting up his kiosk.
According to local business owner, “I just think people have discovered that it’s a nice area. A lot of people from down south think Newcastle is a dump. But they have been buying up here and are pushing the prices up. It’s close to the city and close to the sea, so you get the best of both worlds. You have also got the countryside within half an hour.”
Mr Dr Mascio praises the local transport links, noting the convenience of the Metro station in North Shields with its swift 10-minute connection to Newcastle city centre. The growing trend of remote working seems to be having an impact, as he observes: “A lot of people used to go to London to work – and now you don’t have to be in London. Why be there? I’ve definitely noticed more of a variety of people. There are more people from outside – either on holiday or living here. It’s gone all posh and more gentrified.”
Pauline Thompson, a 63 year old housewife, enjoys her frequent visits to North Shields, often accompanied by her two year old Cockapoo, Betty. Mrs Thompson, who resides in Wallsend and has three adult children and nine grandchildren, shares: “It’s so relaxing and calm. I have come here in rain, in storms, with sand blowing in my face – but I love it. I have seen lots and lots of change – it’s amazing. There has been a lot of investment. And in the warmer weather it’s heaving.”
North Shields Fish Quay, having received over £20m of combined public and private investment, is now a hub of activity with swanky new bars, eateries, and an array of smart new apartments popping up.
Retired engineer and local enthusiast Peter Carr, 72, spoke highly of the area as he walked his two year old Romanian rescue dog, Lana. As a retired engineer living in Monkseaton, the divorced dad of two and grandad revealed that North Shields Fish Quay draws international tourists due to its cruise liner stop.
He reminisced about the nightlife: “I like the front and I like the Fish Quay – it’s quite lively at night time and there’s always something going on. Lots of dancing and singing. It has really changed in recent years and become more gentrified. I often meet Norwegians who ask where they should go.”
Yet not all locals share this positive outlook. Thomas Conway, 37, a fishmonger at Seaview Fisheries on the Fish Quay and a Meadow Well resident, expressed disappointment, noting shuttered businesses: “Most of the businesses have shut down – the tapas bar has closed.”
Conway, sharing his home with girlfriend Rhodelyn Cortez, 34, a carer, criticised local council interventions suggesting they hampered business: “People were driving into Tynemouth. Three years ago this area was thriving.”
He’s adamant that given the chance, he’d “buy in the Philippines” instead of investing in North Shields.
Bedford Street, the town’s high street, tells a different story of decay with shuttered shops and a rundown vibe.
Florist Gurjeet Singh, 44, owns New Bella Rosa Flowers on this main drag and has been serving the community for a decade. A resident of North Shields, with his wife Tannu Kaur, 35, and their kids, he hasn’t felt the buzz of a housing surge.
A stark example of stagnant prices, Mr Singh recounts: “I had a house here that I bought in 2008 for £115,000 – I sold it in 2019 for the same price.”
Despite being at the heart of local commerce, the florist notes no uptick in customer demographics it’s the same old crowd, lifelong residents for the most part.
He remarked: “I haven’t really noticed a difference in visitors or people buying houses here.”
Yet, theres a fondness in Mr Singh for his hometown; he enjoys “likes everything” especially the “peace and quiet”.
Loyal patron Elsie Robinson, 81, appreciates the local camaraderie since moving from Newcastle 12 years ago. The retired charity shop worker, mum to seven and grandmother to 24, asserted: “I think it’s the people – they are more friendly.”
However, Michael Turnbull, 53, a painter-decorator and father of three, paints a grim picture of the future.
The divorced dad laments: “I don’t think it’s an area that is improving – we have got nothing now.”
Mr Turnbull paints a grim picture of the town, highlighting issues such as shop closures, drug and alcohol problems, unemployment and antisocial behaviour. He also points out a stark divide between the quay area and the town centre, with beer prices soaring to over £5 on the seafront while remaining at a modest £3 on the high street.
He lamented: “It’s full of drug addicts up here.”
Mr Turnbull further stated: “It needs a cash injection from the government.”
Meanwhile, Andrew Boast, a property expert and founder of SAM Conveyancing, offered his perspective on the skyrocketing property prices, suggesting that the town is reaping the benefits of significant regeneration efforts and its coastal charm.
He observed: “The transformation of the Fish Quay has made the area more desirable, attracting both homebuyers and investors looking for an affordable alternative to nearby Tynemouth while still enjoying the benefits of seaside living – a much-desired location that is an increasingly hard property market to get into.”
“Thanks to improved transport links and a mix of period homes and modern developments, North Shields has seen a surge in demand, establishing itself as a rising property hotspot,” he added.
However, he did offer a word of caution to those considering jumping on the property bandwagon.
He warned: “Ultimately, while rising prices can indicate a good investment opportunity, buyers should also consider long-term factors such as employment prospects, future development, and whether demand in these areas is likely to remain strong.”
“The best investments are not just about short-term gains but about choosing locations with sustainable growth potential, and not every town or city will end up like London.”
