Norwich vs more rural location

[Misty9]

Appreciate any input from those who know Norwich and Norfolk/Suffolk.

We currently live in rented near Unthank Road in the estate-agent-named 'golden triangle' area. Which we love, location wise. However, our budget to buy would only really get us a small terraced Victorian house with too many compromises for me personally. Namely, third bedroom off second (not always the case though), usually downstairs bathroom, and especially the small galley kitchens.

So, we are pondering the surrounding villages/towns but are a bit worried we'd be going for house over location...a no no in property hunting terms I think. We relocated to Norwich a couple of years ago so don't know it that well in terms of nice areas etc.

Where else in the near vicinity to Norwich would we get:
Access to good parks
Nice community feel
Good schools (ds is 21mo but this move would be for 5-10yrs hopefully)
3/4 bed Semi or detached property with large living space and room for home office (garage or study) and off street parking
Not an estate location

Or would we ultimately regret not being as central as we currently are? I'm a sahm and dh works from home, so I in particular utilise local amenities (sure start centres etc) but this could change if I start working.

Help!

[ShowOfHands]

I used to live East of the city in Thorpe St Andrew and then in Postwick and there are a lot of areas round there that are just lovely. Close to the city, excellent schools, good parks, broads nearby.

I think South of Norwich might suit you too actually. Further out to Long Stratton sort of way. Or again a bit further out but Wymondham/Hethersett area is nice.

Don't be tempted by moving North of the city. You'd regret it.

I love Unthank Rd btw. When I lived East of the city I cycled to the UEA for work every day and spent a lot of time pootling round Unthank Rd.

If you could win the lottery at any point, I'd recommend Newmarket Rd.

[JulieAnderton]

Sorry, can't help with your particular location, but will watch with interest as I am in a similar dilemma in a different area.

[Misty9]

Ooh, I'd love Newmarket road or Unthank road come to that!
Thanks for the heads up about north city - we had thought about it a bit, but decided it must be cheap for a reason..

We lived in Thorpe st Andrew before here. Lovely and quiet but no decent parks near us (though a group of parents has formed to try and address this) and just didn't have the...feel..we like.

Interesting about south of the city though.

[Misty9]

It's tough isn't it julie ? It's the old house vs location, but how many compromises are too far for the house part??

Oops, forgot budget - around £250k but could possibly stretch a bit higher for perfect house..

[ShowOfHands]

We lived in Thorpe St Andrew when dd was born and I know what you mean. We moved further east when she was 8 months old for a better community, bigger parks etc.

We still live in Norfolk but about 25 miles away from Norwich. I really miss it.

[ShowOfHands]

This sort of thing?

[ShowOfHands]

In Long Stratton

[Misty9]

I can see you love property searching as much as I do
Both of those are a bit modern for us probably.. We like a period feature or two :) thank you though.
Musker McIntyre seem to be the agent with the most houses I like the look of.

Just don't know about choosing house over location... Anyone else done this successfully?

[ShowOfHands]

Oh thank God, I hate modern houses.

I chose a house over location. I left an area I adored to buy a house which had enough space for us, we could add value to and wasn't a new build. I would never have chosen to live in the town I live in if there was a straight choice. The big things were right though. Local parks, good schools and good transport links to family. Plus the right house. And actually, it has worked. The location has grown on me rather. As I've made friends and dd has made friends, it's just become home.

[Misty9]

Interesting. Thank you show. Am I allowed to ask where you live?

I'd better get off to bed. Job interview tomorrow - which may help decide location for us, temporarily at least!

[ShowOfHands]

Oh good luck for tomorrow! See what you mean about Musker McIntyre. This place in Diss is marvellous. There's a MNer in Diss who says it's lovely.

I live out Swaffham/Necton way. It's really not all bad here.

[Misty9]

Thank you show - I got the job :) very torn about taking it (see my thread in AIBU) but that's by the by here.

We've now started looking at what we can get if we stay around this area...so I think we're both becoming quite attached to this lifestyle! Generally all terraced houses though and that's something we're not keen on continuing with.. Argh!

Anyone else a norwich/Norfolk expert??

[GigiDarcy]

Live in Norfolk at moment, from north to south. Currently living about 10 miles south and contemplating moving again for work. Off out in a min but feel free to PM me, I will out myself otherwise I think!

[GigiDarcy]

Sorry, meant lived all over Norfolk almost, from city centre, north and south rurally!

[guineapiglet]

Hi - I grew up near Wymondham, and still have friends and family in Norfolk, you are very lucky, its a great county, I miss being nearer to the sea terribly,. The area of Norwich where you are is gorgeous and very convenient for the City, we have friends in Eaton Rise, Cringleford and out at Acle, and there are good schools in all these places. Wymondham is a lovely market town and all schools there are considered very good to my knowledge. I guess it depends on what kind of lifestyle you want, urban or more rural, where you are constantly travelling to get anywhere and to amenities, whereas where you are now you have them on your doorstep. Its a long way off, but I hadn't realised what a nightmare secondary schooling is in some parts of Norfolk, with no 6th forms at many of the High Schools, and kids having to travel into the City from some distance ( or places like Yarmouth and North Walsham ) - so places which may seem convenient now may become less so as the kids get older. Personally, I would love to live in Norwich where you are !!!

[guineapiglet]

PS the Thorpe area of Norwich is lovely and there is mixed housing there, mix of new and old, just a different side to the city to what you are used to.

[GibberTheMonkey]

Another who moved within Norfolk a lot (even managed Suffolk) were currently in Holt but used to be in (out of actually) North Tuddenham (completely outs self)
That was brilliant we were very rural and felt like it was the middle of nowhere but actually was really easy and quick to get into Norwich or even Dereham if we wanted to. Would live there again like a shot if it wasn't for other factors

[redwellybluewelly]

I chose house over location. As in we live to the North of Norwich and I'm quite interested as to why the whole area has been written off. We have some gorgeous parks and allotments, its cheaper to buy, and fast access to the coast.

Community feeling isn't quite as it is on the golden triangle side, but to be fair that area does have a much more transient population and heavily student/UEA dominated. We've moved a young family to a suburb but neighbours two doors each side are fabulous, over the road too they've said hello, schools a tad hit and miss but recently been hearing not so great things about the much celebrated recreation road and eaton schools.

Wymondham and Hethersett are ok, quite a bit of modern building, some better quality than others, I liked Stoke Holy Cross too.

[justaweeone]

I lived in the golden triangle before we had children.Loved the feel of the place and was so handy for the city.Just before I had my Dd we relocated to a Buckinghamshire town and lived within walking distant to the town.We then moved back to Norfolk after 7 years but this time settled for a village about 25 miles south of Norwich.I love the village we live in and it is really handy for the A11.When we moved back to Norfolk my Ds was 18 mths old and the main thing I did miss was being able to pop out to the shops,etc without needing to use the car.
Eight years on Dd is now a teenager and we now have the the new challenges of ferrying her friends who all live in rural villages!
I would suggest Wymondham ,pretty market town,great schools,some nice period houses,handy for A11/A47,leisure centre,regular bus service to Norwich to name a few.
Another thing to consider is where you need to get to for work and also what budget you are looking at.
Good luck,feel free to pm me if you need extra info.

[outtolunchagain]

We used to live in the Golden Triangle ,feeling really nostalgic now!
Currently in Suffolk but still hanker for Norwich some of the time .I think as city locations go its hard to beat and I really missed the ability to walk everywhere when we moved .

On your list I would say Wymondham if you really want to move out

[PerditaMcLeod]

Loddon and the surrounding villages are very nice. About 20 mins SE of Norwich ring road on the A146 to Lowestoft. Lovely place- good sense of community and excellent schooling. Lovely part of the county. I lived round there for a while and it really is very nice. I also lived in Norwich (Earlham Road) for a while- am an ex-UEA girl

[Norfolkbumpkin]

I have just returned to live in Mulbarton which is where I'm from, but have also lived in Bergh Apton (near Poringland), and Wymondham (on two different occasions). Bergh Apton is beautiful, quiet and has its fair share of old houses. It was fantastic until I had my first dd, I then found not being able to drive a pain as the village has no shop, baby & toddler group etc. I've recently moved away from Wymondham. I found it a real struggle to make friends there, and the new development we were on was dead during the day as everyone was at work, and everyone kept themselves to themselves. I remember Wymondham from how it was when I was a teenager, and unfortunately some things have never changed. It's quite a sizeable town now, and still has its fair share of vandalism, drunks, druggies. Two years ago I took dd into the public toilets in the centre and someone had kindly left their just picked up prescription of methadone etc in one of the toilets... I love the community feel of Mulbarton and have made new friends in such a short space of time. I also have friends in Cringleford, Keswick and Eaton. They all sing praises of their communities/schools too.

[Misty9]

redwellybluewelly not sure if you'll see this, but I would love to pick your brains more about north of Norwich..

We've started looking around st Clements hill/woodcock road and some of the houses are gorgeous; so spacious and MUCH more for your money than the 'golden' triangle. Great schools apparently too.

So...what is it like?! We have no idea what north Norwich is like and it would be great to hear it from someone who lives there not just the owner of a house I looked round, who may have a vested interest in me liking the area

Any newbies to this thread topic are also very welcome

[justaweeone]

I didn't think the catchment secondary schools were that great but I may be wrong.

[Misty9]

I don't know either, but ds is only 21mo so it's likely we'd move again by the time he goes to high school. The infant/junior schools are outstanding apparently..?