Sunderland is a city located in the county of Tyne and Wear, in the North East region of England. Situated to the south of Newcastle and Gateshead, Sunderland is a popular place to reside due to its wonderful mix of green spaces, city living, and coastal scenery. Sunderland is positioned around the winding River Wear and acts as one of the most important ports in the country. The city has an industrial heritage that has experienced a range of economic boosters, including shipbuilding, coal mining, and glass production. Heading out of Sunderland's booming city centre, residents and tourists are treated to unspoiled beaches with a seafront that is renowned for its smart promenades and golden sands. Properties in Sunderland vary with late 19th-century homes, large executive homes, thatched cottages, and desirable beach-front properties. The average property in Sunderland costs around £150,000, which is much lower than the London average of £550,000, which gives families with less of a budget a chance to buy a new home.
A fantastic outdoor scene is available around Sunderland, with the coastline and seafront being a major part of city life, and having had more than £7m invested in improvements to the area. Some of the most popular landmarks are the Roker Pier, Souter Lighthouse and The Leas, and Hylton Castle. There are many cultural attractions for residents and tourists to enjoy also, some of which are the Stadium of Light, The Empire Theatre, and the Sunderland Museum & Winter Gardens.
Sunderland is among the top 10 most unsafe areas of Tyne and Wear. The city has a 42% higher crime rate than the rest of the North East and a 41% higher crime rate than the England, Wales & Northern Ireland overall figure.
Residents have a great selection of parking options to use across Sunderland. Short-term parking can be accessed at the likes of St Mary's Car Park, Sunniside Multi Storey Car Park, and Bridges Car Park, which are all available at an hourly fee. Those in need of long-term parking can secure spaces online via JustPark, Parkopedia, and Yourparkingspaces, for either a daily or monthly fee.
A good mix of nightlife venues are offered in Sunderland, where residents can find bars, nightclubs, restaurants, and pubs. Some of the most popular venues to visit include 7even Nightclub, Independent, and Gatsby. Those in need of a change of scenery can find even further nightlife options by traveling to the nearby areas of Newcastle Upon Tyne or Middlesborough.
Families have an impressive 16 ‘Outstanding’ Ofsted-rated schools to choose from within Sunderland. Some of the highest-rated schools include Bexhill Academy, Fulwell Infant School Academy, and Grange Park Primary School. For students in need of higher and further education, they have the nearby options of Sunderland College, Tyne College, and the University of Sunderland.
Many green spaces are available to both dog walkers and adventurers living in Sunderland. Some of the most scenic parks to visit include Mowbray Park, Roker Park, and Barnes Park. As well as having a wonderful choice of local areas to discover and explore, pet owners are also lucky to have a variety of properties that are likely to be suitable for both themselves and their furry friends.
Sunderland train station is mainly served by the Northern service where residents can access direct and connecting trains to a number of destinations. Some of the most popular towns and cities reachable from Sunderland include Newcastle Upon Tyne- 22m, Middlesborough- 57m, Leeds- 2hrs 13m, and London Kings Cross- 3hrs 38m. The nearest airport to Sunderland is Newcastle International Airport, which is reachable by car in 37 minutes via the A184. Buses and coaches also serve the are for local travel.