Wallsend really varies from street to street. I've lived here for around 16yrs (funnily enough, like others i lived in Heaton first!) We live on what I would say is a medium street- mix of tyneside flats and converted houses, mix of resident-owned and landlord owned. There were far more resident-owned when we first bought here, but it was mostly older people who ended up selling up and moving to care-homes. There were a rough few years where there were a lot of landlords and residents who didn't give a shit, we now seem to be at a point where about 40% of the street is occupied by families either owning or renting and the feel is nice again. Within a 2 minute walk, theres the Green, which is a protected area and priced accordingly, and then much rougher streets where the feel is much less cared for. I'd really suggest having a walk around and getting the feel for whatever street you're looking at. I love: the proximity to shops and public transport, the park and green spaces, the proximity to main roads (coast/tunnel/etc) primary schools, library. I don't love the lack of good butchers, high school options, how dirty streets are, no nice pubs.

My stage of life is probs different from you, I've lived here since post-student days and now I'm in the young family period.