Moving to Norwich

[Kinny1]

Hi there, I want to move to Norwich as I've been a few times and love the arty, culture, gigs etc and think it'd be a great place to live. I want to buy somewhere within walking distance of the city centre, or if too expensive then at least within cycling distance. Is it safe to walk around in the evening? I'm scared coz I won't know anyone at first (and therefore nobody to ask for insider information!) and don't want to move to a house which I then find is in an unsafe area. I literally know nothing about living in Norwich at all! Can anyone help? Best areas to look in? Hopefully I'll be able to join a book club, or a poetry group as I write poetry, to make a few new friends for starters. Any other suggestions for 'arty' events would be welcome! Thank you!

[guineapiglet]

Very envious of you, it is a fabulous City, I grew up near by and love going back to visit. Like most places it has its good and bad areas, - the Earlham Road side is very studenty as that's the side where the UEA is, lots of shops and pubs etc. I am sure those with more up to date knowledge will help you out, as we lived in outlying villages. If you don't have a car, make sure you aren't too far from the station if you need to get about up to the coast, down to London etc, it is a big county to travel around and transport links aren't great. The UEA has plenty of social stuff going on, lots of theatre in the City, and arty stuff at Wensum Lodge and Art School, plus great cinemas too.

Hope it all goes well for you, hope someone local can help.

[Kinny1]

Thank you! No I don't drive, so will need to bear that in mind, tho for day-to-day life, I'm hoping to be 'self-contained' within Norwich itself, and become absorbed in city life and be able to walk most places. Thanks again!

[Misty9]

Hi there. We moved to Norwich two years ago and finally bought our own place and moved in last week! And we rented 3 places in between, so have gotten to know it fairly well
I desperately need to get to sleep now but will post again tomorrow or the wkd with tips :)

It's a great city!

[CacklinCrochetKate]

Stay away from UEA, its a n awesome uni, I went there, but houses on that side of the city are so much more expensive

Probably irrelevant as too far from city centre, but keep out of Bowthorpe, everywhere else is perfectly safe at night

[5madthings]

i live in norwich. am a 20min walk from.town centre. its fine and yes you can walk in evenings, i regularly go running in the ebenings.

am part of a norwich mnet group.on fb, pm me and i can add you on fb?

the 'golden triangle' is the more expensive bit.

i live off ipswich road. the othet side is more exoensive, hence why we chose the side we did.

[Kinny1]

Thanks everyone, really appreciate your comments so far, and Misty9 I'll look out for your info, thanks for taking the time. I'm not on fb at the mo but I'll think about it as it sounds a good way to hook up with people once I move.

[Kinny1]

I've been looking online at properties, are there any good areas in NR1 I should concentrate on, the prices seem a bit cheaper.

[lljkk]

renting or buying? North is better than south in general, Kinny. I assume you're single?

[Kinny1]

Thanks lljkk yes I'm single. Which parts of north are best? Are there any to avoid? I'm looking to buy but depending on how quick my house sells I might rent to bridge the gap. I'm liking the sound of the golden triangle but not sure i can afford it. Are there good areas just outside? Still safe / walkable into the centre? I'm tying myself up in knots! I'm planning a visit to norwich in the next couple of weeks, so anymore info from anyone on all areas in general would be great. Thanx

[lljkk]

I just meant north within NR1.
My gut feeling is that it varies a bit by street within NR1. Some fine, others tatty. Street view could be your friend.

Overall for Norwich, I would only blanketly avoid Earlham & Larkman estates & Mile Cross. Did you pm 5madthings? I think she can give you better advice than I can.

[Misty9]

Hiya! Sorry, had visitors this weekend so couldn't get on to post. We live in nr1 just off Ipswich road (on the right hand side as you head into town) and we love it. Just moved here recently and town is walkable in 20mins but easy to get to the main roads out of Norwich too.

We did live right in the golden triangle for a while (renting) and whilst the location is amazing, with shops and bars nearby, it's VERY studenty. A few friends have actually bought and then moved away due to problems with student properties next door/nearby, and parking is often an issue too with nearly all on street parking in narrow roads. Apparently you want to avoid too close to Dereham road side of the area.

We looked north of the city and you do get a lot more for your money; we liked a place on st Clements hill, but the area was unknown to us and just didn't have the feel we like. Also our friends are all around here, so we didn't go for that area. But walkable to town from most parts of it (uphill on return!) and good parks and schools nearby (for the future!).

We've also lived in Thorpe st Andrew, East of the city, and it's a lot quieter with a more suburban feel and wasn't really for us.
Friends live in hellesdon, but again it's not really us and feels quite suburban. Traffic can be an issue in Norwich, so think about where you'll be working and what commute you might have. I'd say a major disadvantage of living outside the city would be getting into it on a daily basis if you have to!

Roads around here seem nice (e.g. Trafford rd, grove walk, lyndhurst rd, hall rd) and friends live off city road in a cul de sac which is nice. A lot will depend on your budget though - a 2 bed terrace in the golden triangle will set you back at least £180k while round here houses are more over the £200k mark...

Hope that helps! And good luck :)

[Kinny1]

Thank you so much Misty9 that helps a lot, I appreciate it! The Ipswich road area is sounding good, I'm going to take a closer look.

Looking at property prices, I'm wondering if I should have a back up plan because I think the golden triangle might be too expensive. So looking further south / south west, I've heard that Lakenham would be worth avoiding, but I don't know what area is classed as Lakenham. Can anyone help? And does anyone recommend Bracondale? I'm still thinking of somewhere that I can safely walk around to and from the city centre in the evening, not to studenty, maybe an area which is being redeveloped??

I know my questions probably sound random, bit like my brain!!!

[lljkk]

Bracondale & Lakeham both have good & bad bits. The only truly avoid bits are the areas I mentioned before, and even they aren't that ridiculously unsafe at night.

I once got jumped (almost mugged? raped?) at 6pm in the Golden Triangle (The Avenues). That was... 1993? So no area is perfectly safe.

[lljkk]

sorry just saw bit about redevelopment... I am thinking maybe near Anglia Square (just north). But some of it is tatty, and not the nicest walk into centre.

[5madthings]

Oh godi wouldn't want to live near Anglia square!!


Anywhere off ipswich road, hall roadroad of Queen's road is OK, what size place are you looking for? Also up by the train station/past the train station is OK, lots of new flats etc there.

[guineapiglet]

Hi - me again. Have some good friends who live in the area of Quebec Road, Ella Road, so just down near the river - very quick walk into the City. I guess it depends on whether you work in a particular place or not and which part of the city you need to get to. - it used to be quite a good city to cycle round ( I used to live in the area lljkk was attacked - and used to cycle to city centre from there). Outlying areas like Thorpe St Andrew are nice, also Eaton, Cringleford etc. If I could move back to the City Centre the area around Pottergate is lovely ( and expensive!!)Lots of redevelopment in the riverside area but not sure what it is like to live there. Bracondale area is also lovely. You need to think about where you need to be/get to etc, as public transport is a bit hit and miss!
Good luck!

[Kinny1]

Thanks everyone, that's all so useful. I can't wait to visit soon to check out some of the places. Regarding work, I work from home so don't have to commute. My move is so I can spoil myself in all the arty stuff, and walking or cycling most places, which is why I'm so particular about safety. Nowhere is 100% safe, but inside information from people who know the area is sooooo useful. The only trouble is each time I get more info it gets me asking more questions lol

I'm looking for a small house (rather than a flat) 2 or 3 beds older style if poss.

I am still interested to know where the area known as Lakenham is. I've read that it's a place to avoid but can't say I know exactly where it is!

[Bigfingers]

Hi OP stumbled on this thread - I would say Lakenham takes up much of the area between Hall Road, and Bracondale - but the nearer you get to the city centre, as that triangle narrows, the more pleasant it becomes, so there are some quite desirable terraced roads close to Queens Road and Bracondale. HTH!

[Kinny1]

Thank you!

[Retroformica]

N.O.R.W.I.C.H = Knickers off and ready when I come home.

I have no idea where that originated from? Probably a comedy sketch in the 90's?

[swATI06]

Hi there
I will need some advice where to buy house in norwich?????
we are moving to norwich because my husband got the job in norfolk and norwich university hospital. We have 7 week old baby and looking for buying a house in area which have nice and friendly nursery , good private primary and secondary school. Can someone please suggest the area which is the best area to raise a child in norwich and near hospital????

[swATI06]

Hi there
I will need some advice where to buy house in norwich?????
we are moving to norwich because my husband got the job in norfolk and norwich university hospital. We have 7 week old baby and looking for buying a house in area which have nice and friendly nursery , good private primary and secondary school. Can someone please suggest the area which is the best area to raise a child in norwich and near hospital????

[Togan]

Hi guys, could you share your opinions regarding the area I should choose to move on Norwich area. We have 2 teens and looking for a quiet place but not boring one, close enough to the schools. Both drivers. We want particularly safe areas as moving from Northampton ( sorry, not a safe place to raise up the children). We are currently in between Thorpe St Andrew and Blofield.
Any suggestions is welcome
Thanks

[Gladimnotcampinginthisweather]

Retroformica I saw Alan Bennett saying it, but no idea if it originated with him.