Where would you move to if you were us?

[kellogssquareofkrispierice]

Hey all.

Hope you can help! We are looking to move our family away from London within the next 3 years. ATM we are thinking Norwich way. If you were us, what areas would you look? Here are are likes/wants/needs:

1. Needs to be within a half hour motorbike ride of the Intu Chaplefield (essential)
   
2. Would like to also be within 30-40 minutes of a nice beach
   
3. Have children that we need to put through primary and secondary school
   
4. Ideally a 4 bed house with a large garden
   
5. Budget is probably around £253k but has the potential to be up to £353k
   
   Thank you in advance :)

[NorwichMumbler]

Hi Kellogssquare!

If you want to be within reach of beach and Chapelfield then you'd probably be best North/East/South of the city. Nice areas on these sides include Sprowston & Thorpe St Andrews, where you're quite likely to find something within budget.
Check out norwich.mumbler.co.uk for loads of great parent info and there's a Norwich Mumbler chat group. We've actually had quite a few people join because they're moving to Norwich and have asked the (lovely & friendly!) group for tips etc

Norwich is a fab city to be with a family, so much going on - you won't regret it!

[MondieBee]

Golden triangle with that budget. Without a doubt. Right side of town for Chapelfield. Lots of beaches are within 30 to 40 minutes of really anywhere in Norwich. I guess 4 beds and a large garden may push you top end of budget. Not sure as I rent in a crap part of town but I'm sure 300k would do it. Good schools in the area too.

Look around the areas around The Avenues, College Road, Unthank Road, Newmarket Road, Earlham Road.

[lljkk]

Can a person get a 4 bedr house with large garden in GT with that budget? That's news to me. And the catchment secondary isn't great.

I would have thought Thorpe St. Andrew, OP.

[Lenl]

DPs parents just sold their nice 4 bed big garden hall entrance terrace off college road for just over 300k.
Depends if they are looking at private schools too. Thorpe st Andrew has pockets of nice areas. Wouldn't be 100% sure of a 3p min drive to chapelfield at rush hour either

[TeddyIsaHe]

I'd be looking out of the city, there isn't a hope in hell of a 4 bed for your budget in Golden Triangle or similar. North City is lovely, Spixworth is really nice and not too far out.

Villages outside of Norwich another good bet, the Reepham Road means you can be in the city within 20 minutes, just depending on traffic to get to Chapelfield. The main plus point of this is that the primary schools are decent, but if you can get into the catchment area of Reepham High School you're onto a winner. The school is rated good, and the attached 6th form is outstanding. I can personally vouch for how excellent it has been.

Aylsham is another idea - very easy to get into the city, one road and you're there. Good high school although I don't have personal experience. Has enough amenities to make it possible to not have to go to the city for everything. Plus 20-30 mins away from beaches on the Cromer Road. Tons of new housing has been built recently, so you're in with a good chance of finding something in your budget.

[lljkk]

I live close to Aylsham, I wouldn't say it was close enough to INTU for OP. There are graceless villages south of Aylsham on A140 that are probably still too far.

[TeddyIsaHe]

I think being on a motorbike might make all the difference. Certainly never going to make it by car! But even in rush hour being on a bike takes that time right down. Or maybe I'm just being really optimistic!

[lljkk]

A140 is not a great road for overtaking in any vehicle. Single carriageway almost entire route (windy, dips, 30mph villages). Must be at least 5 miles from airport to INTU, on some of the busiest narrow roads in Norwich. OP could aim for Sprowston, though.

[Misty9]

We're in nr1 in an area off Ipswich road and about 20min walk to city whilst still being 30mins to nearest beach (great Yarmouth) and bit further for nicer ones. Our 3 bed semi is now worth 350k plus, so you may struggle on your budget as property prices have really gone up in norwich. Primary schools good but no secondaries on norwich are particularly great currently I've heard. We might have to move for high school.

Wymondham is other option as could probably do intu in 30mins on a bike. Not sure on distance to beaches but good schools.

[MyMiddleNameIsLaura]

Out on the A146 might be a good bet. Loddon is a lovely town/village with good schools and nice pubs. It's around a twenty minute (thirty at busy times) journey. Good bus service into city. Southwold, Gorleston and other eastern beaches about half an hour away. New housing development near doctors surgery.
Otherwise try Brooke on the Bungay Road from Norwich. It's a nice village and maybe a bit closer to Norwich.