Moving to Lincoln or Nottingham?

[mallowa]

I'm a LP with a small budget and want to buy a house (max £110 - 120k) within a very small budget! Lincoln and Nottingham both look to be affordable and both sound nice enough. I can't really go any further north than this, I'm in the South East at the moment and don't want to be too far from family, but am open to other locations within reach.

I have one DD age 7 and no relatives or friends in either location! And not even been to visit yet.

But need to afford a house and this is all I can come up with for now. I don't drive so can't live rurally and want to be somewhere there are amenities and enough stuff to do nearby (hence wanting to live in a small city or larger city rather than a boring town).

What do you think? Which would you go for? Any other locations that might work?

[Horsemad]

I'm in Lincs, it's lovely! Lincoln is a really nice city. 🙂

[Permanentlypuzzled]

The Bailgate area is the only half decent part of Lincoln and that would be out of your budget.
The uphill part of Lincoln is OK.
The rest is a shithole.
“The most brute and beastly shire in all the ream”. Henry viii
I’ve lived here all my life.
Like all Lincolnshire people I’m terminally apathetic.
HTH.

[raffle]

Bailgate is only half decent?! There are lots of lovely parts of Lincoln! Your description surprises me @Permanentlypuzzled

[Chocrock]

I lived in Nottingham back in the 90's. I still have friends there and visit often its a great city!

[Serena1977]

Lincoln is nicer in my opinion.

What about the lincs/notts border eg Retford, Worksop, Gainsborough. Lovely villages and close to south Yorkshire eg Sheffield. Retford is also on the main train line 90 mins to London and just off the A1 and near M1.

That budget would easily get you a nice 2 bed terrace.

[custardbear]

West bridgford is the best place to live in Nottingham (watch location location location as even Kirsty and Phil rave about it).

There are a few new estates in Wilford Lane and Edwalton which have great bus and tram (Wilford Lane) links.

It's a great school area too with two great secondary schools (Rushcliffe abd West Bridgford School) - I was quite shocked some of the houses were within your budget because it's such an expensive area

Personally I'd chose either of the above because of the schools, it's close to the city for work, two huge universities and hospitals - what's your job?

I'll try to attach some links - houses go quickly though ...

Good luck

[custardbear]

Hornbeam Close, Edwalton, Nottingham
www.rightmove.co.uk/new-homes-for-sale/property-82450645.html

[custardbear]

Re the above, check it out as some of whAt I mentioned above may be shared ownership

[mallowa]

thank you all! Some great points here.

What I am keen to do is avoid being in a dull town or depressing suburb - I know it would drive me mad.

Luckily I work from home so it makes it easier to go where I want to!

I'm also hoping to buy a full property than to do any share to buy or anything like that. So my max full budget would be around £110 - £120 absolute tops.

[Lovingitinlockdown]

interestingly I've lived in both places. Nottm is a bigger city with a lively buzz to it but this is reflected in the house prices. You would struggle to live in a decent area with the budget you mentioned and this could be a big determining factor for you if you were looking at schools etc. Lincoln is less lively/cosmopolitan but it has improved over the years since the university was built. You will get more house for your money in Lincoln.

[Waxonwaxoff0]

I live in Nottingham, born and bred. I love it here but be careful - there is a reason it's affordable. Many areas are very run down and crime ridden especially around the city centre. The nicer central areas like West Bridgford will be out of your price range.

I live in the outskirts about a 30 minute drive from the city and my 2 bed house cost £100k. Happy to advise on any particular areas you are looking at!

[Waxonwaxoff0]

Edwalton will not be possible on that budget, the link PP posted is shared ownership.

[MonsteraDeliciosa]

My DS lives in a village 15 minutes from Lincoln. It's really nice, good amenities and quiet. Oh, and cheap! Lincoln is nice in the centre, lots of shops and historic area.

I don't know Nottingham

[HebeJeeby]

I know both Nottingham and Lincoln. Lincoln has lots of charm up Steep Hill by the cathedral and castle with some great independent shops. The main part of the city centre is like any other with lots of chain stores etc... Nottingham doesn’t have as much charm but is definitely by far better for shopping.

Both cities have nice and dodgy parts but Lincoln is better value for money in terms of house prices. I live in a small village about 30 minutes from Lincoln and there are so many pretty villages within this distance. Navenby is one that springs to mind. LSST school is outstanding and highly sought after and is in Lincoln. Out where I live are great schools Grammars (we have the 11+ Here but the Comps are good too). I prefer Lincolnshire because it’s smaller, has a cosier feel, people are friendly and will chat to you and the roads aren’t congested.

[mallowa]

thank you everyone so much. Just wondered about the weather in both places - I'm used to the South coast - will it be vastly different?

[PervyMuskrat]

Public transport in Nottingham is excellent, especially as you don’t drive.

[W3dontdoduvets]

It’s def colder. I speak from experience. Umm, Lincoln thinks it’s a friendly place but it’s not really. The shops are crap, the bail area isn’t all that it’s cracked up to be, yeah, not a fan.

[porcelinaofthevastoceanss]

I’ve lived in both places OP - grew up in Lincolnshire and moved to Nottingham in my 20s, and will be moving back there in the future. Spent my teenage years desperate to move to Nottingham, however I would quite happily live in Lincoln now, which contrary to another poster is absolutely not a shithole! Both Lincoln and Nottingham have their dodgy parts like every city. I have extensive knowledge of where you shouldn’t live in Nottingham and am quite happy for you to
DM me. Nottingham has more going on culturally and better shopping, Lincoln is smaller and has a charm that Nottingham lacks.

[porcelinaofthevastoceanss]

Meant to say - Nottingham is far friendlier than Lincoln! Weather is ok - far less rain than the NW.

[Twospaniels]

Have you looked at Newark? About 16 miles south of Lincoln and a very lovely little market town. Right by the A1 if you need to drive south, and also on the mainline railway only 1.5hrs to central London.

[8elate8]

Nottingham city is really not nice. Loads of homelessness, drug addicts and crime in the city centre, I wont take my daughter as I dont feel safe.
West bridgeford is nice but pricey i think

[CraftyGin]

I think the nice parts of Nottingham are very pricey. We lived there for a while a few years ago - rented in the Park, and planned to buy in Chilwell (I think, just along from Beeston?). The prices were not much cheaper than Surrey.

[Toddlerteaplease]

I live in Lenton, Nottingham. I love. Transport links are great. But it's very expensive because if it's location. West Bridgford and Edwalton are nice but way out of your price range. Avoid St Anne's, Aspley, Bullwell, Radford, Hysom Green.

[CraftyGin]

I also have to say that my DD's first choice uni was Nottingham. However with the A-level grades cock-up, she ended up at Swansea, and I was relieved.

When the grades were adjusted up a few days later, she was no longer interested in Nottingham.

[Toddlerteaplease]

Actually I'd look at Leicester. It used to be Nottingham's poor relation. Bit actually the city centre is really nice and really good shopping now. It's left Nottingham far behind. I was Leicester born and bred.