North East England

Imagine living in a lively city by the sea, where you can experience surf, sand and a West End show all in the same day. That city is Sunderland. 

With plenty of career opportunities at the cutting edge of digital media and motor manufacturing, along with a wide range of housing, good schools and entertainment in abundance, Sunderland offers an exciting new life.

The city is fast becoming a digital centre of excellence with organisations like Codeworks, which supports the new media sector, and Sunderland Software City.

As home to Nissan, Europe’s most efficient car plant, Sunderland has become a hub for research and development in the car industry. It has also spawned global brands such as Berghaus, which still has its HQ there.

"Living in Sunderland, every weekend is different. Watch Sunderland play at the Stadium of Light, stroll along the award-winning beaches or take in a West End show at The Empire Theatre."

After work, there's plenty of ways to unwind in the City. How about a live glass blowing demo at the National Glass Centre followed by lunch overlooking the river? Take a walk down the redeveloped marina complex, see emerging and established artists at the National Gallery for Contemporary Art or visit Sunderland Museum and Winter Gardens, which offers a green oasis in the city centre. Sunderland has also been chosen as a host stadium for England s 2018 World Cup bid.

Adrenalin junkies can try watersports at Sunderland Marina Activities Centre or get their kicks snowboarding at Silksworth Sports Complex. And the annual Sunderland International Airshow is a great family day out, regularly attracting over a million visitors over the weekend.

From tree-lined avenues in the upmarket conservation area of Ashbrooke to the modern developments in Penshaw and Shiney Row, you’ll be spoilt for choice when it comes to housing.

Those with teenage children can benefit from first class teaching that produced the best A-level results amongst North East state schools in 2009. Higher education is available at Sunderland University, which has both city and coastal campuses plus strong links with industry and business.

Sunderland is a well connected city too. It’s easily accessible from the A1 and the A19 and is linked up to the rest of Tyneside via the Metro system.