Moving to Norfolk???

[womanwholivedinashoe]

hello Ladies,

My husband was recently made redundant and we saw this as the ideal opportunity to search for the lifestyle that we've always wanted. We are seriously looking into Norfolk and I have 4 boys 19 (& Autistic), 14, 8 and baby 6 months and need to know where might be best to bring up kids.
I'm a nurse so will be looking for work and hubby said he would do almost (lol) anything for work. We would prefer to live out of a large town, we like the seaside but not a large beach area more quieter resorts. But in the same respect love the countryside too, so generally just a nice area but facilities within a drive for the kids to not get too bored?
Can anyone help??? We are so far considering Acle and Loddon? Shouldham and Marham although they are quite far from the secondary school is there a school bus service that operates?

Many thanks wwlias

[MrsVidic]

Wells next to the sea is amazing, my aunt has a place there, so friendly and accepting. Really down to earth, stunning!

[bronze]

I would look for houses and then see where they are. A lot of Norfolk is lovely so you're spoiled for choice

[MikeOxstiff]

Do you like mustard?

[bronze]

Sorry meant to say for older kids anyone further than 3 miles should get council provided transport

[womanwholivedinashoe]

Mustard?? will it get me accepted into an area if I do? Afraid not though lol but hubby does.
Been to Wells next to the sea and yes it is lovely, we'll probable go for an area that we can drive to the sea so that we are in a nice village, close enough to a town with most amenities and then drivable distance of about 20-30 miles of a large town for work.
I would happily live off the land and raise my chickens lol.
Good to know about school transport as a lot of the villages are quite a distance.
Thanks guys, very much appreciated

[RoseC]

I come from Norfolk (actually Suffolk... [cblush] but on the very border and went to school in Norfolk). My initial response would be that Norfolk is a wonderful place to live as long as you don't crave the hustle of somewhere like London.

I know a lot about Loddon - used to work there - and know many people in the local area who commute to Norwich to work at the N&N Hospital. Frequent buses run through as it's on one of the major routes to Lowestoft, so it has the charm of a village with shops, pubs and a river with boats but is well connected for Norfolk! My school bus pass was sponsored by the council but I think my parents had to pay something. All children get bus travel - it's very common here - but you may have to walk to the bus stop for a way. Norfolk CC have stopped subsidising bus passes for college/sixth form students so that's a big issue for anyone who doesn't live near a good sixth form centre/college. People do travel further for education - I travelled (by choice) an hour into the city each way for sixth form.

Depending on what nursing you do I think there is a lot of scope - I know an awful lot of nurses in hospitals and care homes. As to your DH's job I recommend looking in the EDP jobs online section to get a feel of what is available at the moment (I currently live in the North East so not much help with that).

I had a wonderful idyllic childhood but it can be a lonely place unless you have good transport links. Some public services are also being cut (libraries and crossing patrols spring to mind) so maybe check before you move about the future of local amenities.

I would also recommend looking on the Suffolk side of the border. Bungay and Beccles (for example) have closer ties with Norwich than Ipswich.

This is quite long! I'll give it a think and come back with anything else... feel free to PM me or ask any questions :) The only other thing I can think of is that - depending on where you are now - it may be a bit of a culture shock as people can be a little 'local', for example, my parents are only just considered local after thirty years' of residency! However, although not as open as people from the North, Norfolk folk are very loyal and friendly when you get to know us.

[millie30]

I live in Norfolk. If you want to be near the coast Hopton on sea is quite nice. It's got quiet and non touristy beaches, village amenities and hospital very close. Also only about 5 miles from Yarmouth and Lowestoft for shops etc and about 40 mins from Norwich.

[TeddyMcardle]

I've not heard Wells described as friendly before! What about a little village on the Broads?

[diabolo]

Don't listen to some of the crap you hear about living in Norfolk/Suffolk.

It is a nice place to be with a family, very safe, somewhat "old-fashioned" - but I like that.

It is not the cultural metropolis of the world, but it really is "nice" and "safe". The only downside for me is that it is very "white" and that can be a shock if you are moving from a city.

Dont be judgy about people, take your time to get to know them, and you will be fine.

[womanwholivedinashoe]

Wow thanks so much Rosec loads of info for me there and lots for me to think about, what does EDP stand for?
I've been told by many how long it takes to get accepted into an area as an outsider but i'm hoping it'll be easier on the kids, fingers crossed.
I've been told that as long as we're willing to put things into a village and not keep ourselves to ourselves we should fit in (as long as were not too overbearing) it soounds like a full time job interview.
My kids are all really lovely and polite but we live in an area of 267,000 and you barely know you're neighbours, everyone keeps themselves to themself so as no to cause any trouble :(.
I want my kids to have a good life and that is central to this move, when I had my little man 6 months ago I knew I didn't want to bring up another child here and i've lived in this area since I was 2.
Suffolk I shall look into as well as we will still need to go back to London quite often as my parents are still here (although once settled may convince them of a more relaxed lifestyle).

[womanwholivedinashoe]

Very interested in the broads, joined the forum on there to discuss this same thing.

I think everyone has there own idea about areas but until you live in them you can't judge.

Thank you sooooooo much diabolo for the lovely words.

I want old fashioned and safe.

lots of area ideas coming in, this is great better to know areas that locals think are nice.

[MissBeehivingCorgis]

Eastern Daily Press

[TeddyMcardle]

The Broads are beautiful and there are loads of wonderful villages and towns around them.
I think wrt what you've been told, I don't agree. Every town and village is different, it can seem unfriendly but there are lots of friendly places too, just like anywhere else :)

[DontCallMePeanut]

EDP is Eastern Daily Press, the local newspaper. Acle is lovely, btw...

Gorleston is nice, btw, although the beach gets busier during the summer. Add to that, there's the JPH. Also, there's several secondary schools (Although Lynn Grove is the best out of the bunch)

You do find that Yarmouth (the borough Gorleston is in) gets very busy during the summer, but there is quite a bit for kids to do. DS loves the pleasure beach already.

Also, Hopton is well connected, and has a nice quiet beach, and not too far from Lowestoft AND Gorleston. Also, Gorleston is 25 (ish) miles from Norwich, so is also goood for work connections.

EDP jobs page

[RoseC]

Beat me to it MissBeehiving! :)

Your children will be fine :) Children everywhere are just curious about newcomers - particularly in homogeneous Norfolk... we always gave newcomers a friendly grilling

In Norfolk everyone knows everyone else in a small town. If you need to go to London often I recommend somewhere within easy reach of either Norwich or Diss train stations. Others, such as Beccles & Lowestoft, do have links to London but they either take forever or involve changing.

The Loddon area is nice - very pretty, lots of rural roads, lots of places to play and explore. Thetford area has Thetford forest (although it has a train station so my sister has taken bikes on the train before). Everywhere is flat so great for cycling. You get out what you put in in Norfolk but yes, don't throw yourselves in too hard - we have a lot of people from London move to my town and volunteer (very nice people!) but they can put noses out of joint by taking over... established pattern seems to be: turn up for meetings, offer to help and gradually build yourself in :) I don't know Acle that well - hopefully other MNers will be able to balance out my southern-biased view of Norfolk.

[MissBeehivingCorgis]

Gorleston is AWFUL and who ever goes to Lowestoft without the threat of force?

Plenty of work at the JPH especially in A & E with all the overweight pissheads on a Friday night though

Wells is isolated really - pretty but dull.

East of Norwich is good - between Acle and Norwich. Good access to Norfolk and Norwich Hospital. V. quick to Norwich and close to the Broads. Safe and villagy but not isolated.

I love further into the Broads (Hickling, in particular) and north (Aylsham villages), where I live now.

[lilbod]

My aunt lives in dersingham not too near the coast and lovely woodland walks near by me and dh were also looking into moving to norfolk a few years ago but he decided that he would miss his family too much. I'm also s nurse and looked into queen Elizabeth hospital about 15 mins drive away houses ate dirt cheap also which was a big attraction. Hope your search goes well and you enjoy it there.

[poppin]

Shouldham and Marham? OK if you like the sound of Tornado aircraft and next to no facilities for a young family.

[TeddyMcardle]

Thetford forest is beautiful but Thetford itself is rough!

[Swedes2]

Where are you moving from? Is this move to sleepy hollow going to be OK for your teenagers?

[DontCallMePeanut]

Gorleston is LOVELY! (provided you get the right area)

And rather strangely, some people DO like Lowestoft... Although, being a Gorleston girl, I'm not allowed to condone that.

Hmm, East of Norwich, are you referring to Brundall and the other B which I can't remember for the life of me. I sometimes find myself on the bus through Brundall, and kind of daydreaming about moving there.

[millie30]

Blofield?

[knitknack]

I live on the Suffolk/Norfolk borders too, and I teach in a large school just outside of Norwich... I've been here nearly 3 years now (in Suffolk) and my children are SO happy, in the most amazing primary school (outstanding ofsted, but also in my (much more important!) estimation).

Norwich itself is lovely, and a source of often-needed culture, so i'd live somewhere within easy driving distance if I were you.. somewhere like Wells would be a bit too far 'out in the sticks' for us, but it might be perfect for you!

Don't go ANYWHERE near Lowestoft!

Good luck!

[DontCallMePeanut]

That's the one, Millie. Thank you :)

[womanwholivedinashoe]

thank you x