Moving to Suffolk / Norfolk

[XmasElfOnTheShelff]

I had no idea where to post this so please direct me if needed!

we are looking to move to either Suffolk or Norfolk in the next few years. We want to use the time in between to visit regularly and get a good feel of some towns / villages but I don’t know where to start!

we do not want to be coastal, which helps bring cost down. Budget is around 550k. Ideally detached, with land (doesn’t have to be massive, but we don’t want to hear the next door neighbour’s screaming kids like they’re in our garden or barking dog for example). That said I don’t want to be the only house for miles, it would creep me out. But maybe a quiet lane with a few houses on.

ideally near a river for walks and canoeing.

we love the idea of a British village, not too quiet but old school - a butchers, greengrocers, post office and a pub. We would like to be able to walk a lot locally, and still have food shops delivered! Not worried about take always or anything like that.

within a 30 minute drive of a golf course would be good too.

any ideas?

Look at Hadleigh in Suffolk. I lived there for a short while when my ex was posted nearby. Lovely countryside and historic little town. Good drs, friendly people, pretty high street with deli, traditional butchers etc. You’re within a drive of all of Suffolk and Norfolk but still close to Essex border so London isn’t a million miles away which we found great for still feeling connected.

Lowestoft is a dive.

Yes very true! Bungay too, but much less!

Lowestoft old town is a dive you are right there but you get a lot of house for your money and there are nearby places which are nice. I'd happily live in Oulton Broad or Carlton Marshes, I'd love one of the Fishermen Cottages overlooking Pakefield beach, especially on an atmospheric dark and stormy night.

Possible alternatives that again I never visited much or knew well are Halesworth, which has a train station and is closer to Southwold, and I always liked the look of Loddon, which has the advantage of being much closer to Norwich. We tended to head for the coast or Norwich rather than local towns for days out.

Ah yes, Halesworth is on the list for a visit in 2025! Thank you 😊 Absolutely obsessed with Minsmere and Dunwich Heath, so all within driving distance for a day there!

In Norfolk, Aylsham is a thriving market town with good bus links to Norwich and to Cromer on the coast. Lots of lovely independent shops and places to eat.

If you are wanting more rural than that, then have a look at Aldborough (in Norfolk - not to confuse with Aldeburgh in Suffolk). It's a lovely village with a big green, pub and village store.

It is and it isn't - if you appreciate the outdoors it's fantastic. I run most days, walk the dog on the beaches, the parks and the woods, go kayaking on the sea, broads and rivers and have a pleasant life.

I previously worked in the shittier aspects of the town (homeless housing etc) I know that side better than most, and the town centre is deteriorating but I am still really happy living here!

We are going to do the same. I have lived in Essex all my life and hate it now, can't wait to move to Suffolk, whenever I visit I feel I've come home. Woodbridge and Beccles are my favourite areas but tbh I'm simply happy anywhere in Suffolk, except for Ipswich!

Good luck wherever you end up.

@Jyoio there are masses of new build houses in & around Loddon now.

That doesn’t surprise me!

Absolutely the same here! Feel lost when we leave Suffolk. Also love Beccles. Do you have anywhere in mind? Good luck!

Take a look at Hingham it's a quiet little gem with nice country walks. I’ll also throw Diss into the mix as a wild card I had a surprisingly lovely lunch n day out there and it was nicer than I remembered but then it was just a day. Beccles deserves a mention. I still dream of living on the Norwich Cathedral close but I suspect those houses cost more than a royal's ransom. Norfolk and Canada have both changed since then. Still a nice place definitely one of the better places in the UK. You've got a nice budget you'll find something. Detached is best if you can

Oh dear, I can't stand all these new builds sprouting up in those monstrous estates. I understand we need more homes, but honestly some of them look like they've come straight out of a video game, just plonked there without a care. There's no charm at all, and driving through them is an absolute nightmare! Very narrow and sharp corners not good for kids playing out

I like Diss. It is a market town with a lake and has a great auction house with an auction every Saturday morning.

If money were no issue then it would be Woodbridge for me, I've loved it since I was a child but I also have a soft spot for Bury St Edmunds and my DD loves that area too.
We have a touring caravan so will spend the next few years visiting all of Suffolk until we find the right area for us.

Sounds perfect! Good luck!

I think when I was a nipper Diss had a bit of a rough reputation, but maybe that is a false childhood memory. I don't know, but I found it charming when I visited. A bit like Norwich before the 2000s. We went to the Corn Hall Cafe and there was a couple of charity ships, nice church, small food market and we passed a butchers

Bury St Edmunds has a lot to offer but housing estate after housing estate cramped together being thrown up too.

I've recently visited burnham market and it was lovely. Old pubs, shops, village pond etc. I don't know if you'd get what you want for your budget or if it's too close to the sea.

Lots of shops shutting in Halesworth...

Aylsham
Reepham
both market towns with shops, butchers etc. and lovely long walks from your front door.

Holt has been mentioned- it’s very busy, expensive ‘2nd home owner type shops’ more upmarket than Aylsham or Reepham.

North Walsham has been mentioned ~ this is the cheapest of the 3. Cheap shopping and housing. Unfortunately known locally as a bit downmarket. Sorry can’t think of another word. Shops include QD (like Poundland) just a bit scruffy. People tried to get a Wetherspoons there. Although the actual houses and buildings are nice. It’s a confusing one!!

I live in south Norfolk. I dislike Burnham Market, it’s very snooty. The various market towns in both counties are generally lovely. I have a soft spot for Bury St Edmunds. Woodbridge too, but expecting it’s £££. Norwich is a great city, Ipswich less so. Travel times are an effort from Norwich if you want to go elsewhere in the UK.

Thanks re Halesworth shops. I wonder how Bungay is for shops and community. Another visit is in order.

It's not known as Chelsea On Sea for nothing

Expensive. Lots of second homes