Areas around Port Talbot are nicer though. Whereas Saltburn, Stockton, Darlington and Hartlepool are absolute luxury compared with Middlesbrough. We liked Darlington, Stockton has some superb pubs and a decent centre, Hartlepool has the quay and Saltburn has some great coastal scenery around it e.g. Staithes and traditional coastal town itself.
No excuse for living in Middlesbrough unless you really are struggling in life.