Calling Norfolk people

[Yesitsdyed]

Parents are retiring and thinking about Norfolk (dad was born there but hasn’t lived there since he was a teen).

They need to be nearish a railway station as mum doesn’t drive these days.

Where is nice? It’s a huge county and I’m sure like everywhere some bits are more desirable than others.

Thank you.

North Walsham is a smaller town in Norfolk. There is a small high street with various shops, hairdressers, cafes and charity shops. We also have a costa, Waitrose, Lidl and Sainsbury’s. It’s a growing town as lots new builds coming in. It’s quiet and relaxed. Some nice parks, new eco outside gym. There’s a lovely restaurant just opened for evenings. Lots of bus routes and a train station. 2 gyms also with pools. Like you say it’s a big county and people can say good and bad points about anywhere. I like North Walsham as there are a lot of people trying to make things better. We have cinema in the park, fun days, fairs, pantomimes, shows and farmers markets.

Thank you Creas35.

Its general knowledge that everyone retires to Cromer. My parents did. Its very well geared up for the older generation.

Yes anything Cromer (town can be very busy in summer), North Walsham, Sheringham Way. Holt is nice too.

I think around that general area seems to be popular for older people. Cromer is ok but like you say it’s really busy in the summer months and it’s more touristy. Holt is lovely but an expensive place to live and eat.

Much of Norfolk is a long way from a hospital. This can be very difficult once frailties start, not just admissions but outpatients appointments and visiting. Sheringham is a long slow road from the N&N, Holt worse and with no station. My ILs are old in N Norfolk and this aspect has been a nightmare.

Have a look at diss. It's in South Norfolk on the Suffolk border.
No where near the sea but has good rail and bus links.

We live in Downham Market, West Norfolk. This town is full of older people who have retired here, though plenty of younger families too. Lots of people commute to Cambridge and London from here.

45 mins from coast, 90 mins to king's cross. Local hospital is king's Lynn which is about 25 mins.

Brexit voting and conservative. I think the only liberal area in Norfolk is Norwich, which is a great little city.

Sorry, to be clear I meant people commute to Cambridge and London by train. Coast is 45 mins by car to old Hunstanton which is lovely.

Wymondham (pronounced Windham lol) and Attleborough are nice little towns that have train stations, lots of local shops/amenities and are only about 20 to 30 minutes from Norwich. Properties can be on the expensive side though...

Wymondham has a station and is not far from Norwich. A lovely, historic town with good facilities, a lively community and not as remote as some of the coastal 'retirement' spots. Good bus links too.

Great minds igotdemons 🙂

I wouldn't choose to retire to North Norfolk, having seen older relatives struggle as they aged. It really is very remote and poorly connected. Health care, in particular can be difficult to access and as friends age too, visits will diminish. My aunts in central Norwich had far happier and sociable old ages. And were endlessly on day trips to the coast etc. with their Saga lout pals.

Some lovely towns recommended here. Just wanted you to check the train lines/stops. For example Diss has a fast intercity service in to Norwich - but Norwich station is on the opposite side of the city to the hospital.

I think I'd look at bus routes and cost of taxis to the hospital as well if getting there is a concern.

It's a beautiful part of the world.

I would also say retire near Norwich. All amenities are a bus ride away, including the hospital. Cromer is a train or bus ride away too. There is a hospital, but its routine. The big stuff you'd be sent to the N & N. I really like Attleborough and Wymondham too.

Access to hospitals and healthcare is a good point. A lot of places have small community hospitals which provide a lot of care and do small procedures.

I would also suggest near to Norwich, the N&N is great hospital, but being further away at the coast for example, wait times can be 40mins+ for an emergency, even with local ambulance stations.

Is she ok with buses or does it have to be a train? If she can access the city reasonably quickly you can get pretty much everywhere (with changes) from Norwich station.

I would suggest Wymondham too. Train station, buses into Norwich and near the hospital. There are about 4 taxi companies in Wymondham too.
Lovely little town plus a Waitrose, Morrison's and Lidl.

There are some nice villages surrounding Norwich with good bus services. Poringland for example has supermarket, doctors, community centre, farmer's market, library etc and is only about 4 miles south of the city with very regular buses into the city centre. It's also near enough so in an emergency a taxi to the hospital would be doable.

Personally though I think you can't beat Norwich itself. Brilliant city (I live right in the centre so maybe biased!)

I agree that you can't beat Norwich itself, but failing that a town/village just on the outskirts such as Wymondham or indeed Poringland. Really even central Norwich feels 'village-y', but if you want a lot of land then you may have to go a bit further out.

God I miss Norwich!

I live very close to Diss....its a nice safe area....stay away from Thetford...Gt Yarmouth and Kings Lynn.

Thank you all so much. We have a lot to research. Dad wants space to do up a couple of cars so I don’t think the city will work. Hadn’t thought about hospital access. Buses or trains are fine. Added bonus if getting into London where we are can be done without driving.

Thanks again.

Wroxham is another nice place 20 mins from city centre. Busy town centre and beside the river is lovely. Doctors in town and places to eat. There's a roys for shopping.

Wymondham is a nice place with a well connected train line; Diss, Attleborough, Norwich itself..

The hardest part is the train connection as not everywhere has a train line and some that do have an infrequent service ... thinking about East Harling

How about Kings Lynn?

I live on the north side, so dont know much about the other side, but you don't have to go that far out to get space. If I was to move to Norfolk again, I probably would go to the South side, just because it cuts off half an hours' travel to get onto the A11. Wroxham is lovely but is completely rammed in the summer.

Norwich is lovely, but the bus service isn't great. You'd want to check specific bus routes carefully with locals, and look for somewhere within reasonable taxi journey to hospital or other essential services.