Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Flip

1 2 3

Original poster

To be scared of moving Norwich as a same sex family

72 replies

Worriedmover · 11/04/2018 13:45

I know I probably am being unreasonable but I'm really scared about moving from Brighton to Norwich as a same sex family. Here there are visible same sex families everywhere, for example, we already know of 3 families who will have children in the same class as ours if we stayed here. We are moving to Norwich to be nearer my brother who has lost his wife so we can support him and the children. I really do like Norwich, it's a great place but is it gay friendly? Will there be other same sex families in the school (recreation road) or will we be the only ones? Guess I'm looking for some input so I can be reassured or prepared! We will be fine, I know that, it would just be nice not to be the only ones. Thanks in advance for any replies!

OP posts:

Sciurus83 · 11/04/2018 15:50

Norwich is a fantastic city and very liberal (rest of Norfolk not so much!). As others have mentioned the Golden Triangle (NR2) is a great place to live. I have many a gay friend on Norwich, it won't be the same as Brighton obviously but don't worry yourself. I would move back to Norwich in a heartbeat if I had the opportunity

DancingLedge · 11/04/2018 15:52

Golden Triangle, you'll be grand.

Seniorcitizen1 · 11/04/2018 15:52

On what evidence are you branding a whole city homophobic?

Original poster

Worriedmover · 11/04/2018 16:00

Senior - did you even read any of the thread? At no point have I said I think any of Norwich is homophobic nor is that my worry or my Aibu. My worry is that we will be the only same sex family and that my children will not see their family unit represented at school / in the area. Surely all parents want their children to feel they fit in?!

OP posts:

PrawnBhuna · 11/04/2018 16:01

Norfolk can be racist and backwards when it comes to anything other than “traditional”. But to be fair it’s just a bit insular, many people here haven’t moved with the times and it’s not a very diverse county so people don’t see a variety of cultures, faiths, races or sexualities the way you do in other areas.

Norwich flies the flag for the county though and is as welcoming to all comers as you could wish for. As mentioned the Pride event is a big deal in Norwich and gay couples walk round holding hands as per any other, it’s a non issue essentially to be a family set up like yours.

Good luck with your move, I have a 4y/o so if you want a friendly face for a meet up feel free to DM me.

crisscrosscranky · 11/04/2018 16:03

Nothing more to add but good luck with your move. If you are missing the sea Gorsleton beach is nicer than Gt Yarmouth

Original poster

Worriedmover · 11/04/2018 16:04

Thank you Prawn, really kind. And great to hear so many positive things about Norwich!

OP posts:

ShowOfHands · 11/04/2018 16:05

My mate and her wife and DC live in the golden triangle. Norwich is extremely liberal. I have quite a few lgbt friends in the area.

ShowOfHands · 11/04/2018 16:08

Norfolk is 95% British and 97% white btw.

I know a few same sex couples in my village but nobody who isn't white British.

Spudlet · 11/04/2018 16:09

I worked with more openly gay people in Norfolk - not Norwich, mind you! - than I did in London! We don't all live in the fifties around here y'know . Even us hicks in the sticks.

Happy house hunting in the fine city. I hope you'll be very happy here 😊

LittleLionMansMummy · 11/04/2018 16:11

You'll be fine in Norwich, it's a nice city. It's the rest of Norfolk that's the problem. Especially Diss.

Gemini69 · 11/04/2018 16:17

Norwich is beautiful... so very beautiful... and wonderful shops.. I go down twice a year.. I live in Scotland.. and relish my jaunts down there... you'll love it

crunchymint · 11/04/2018 16:18

Have an older lesbian friend in Norfolk, not Norwich and she would not want to live where she does now and be bringing kids up.
But glad to hear Norwich is fine.

Sparklesocks · 11/04/2018 16:25

Hi OP,
I lived in Norwich for a few years, currently have a friend and her wife living there with their son and they're very happy. There isn't quite the wide, vibrant LGBT community that there is in Brighton but it's a nice place to raise your kids and a lovely city

justaweeone · 11/04/2018 16:30

Welcome to Norwich!
You'll be fine

Fuckingnamechanging · 11/04/2018 16:34

They're there. I think it's simply that same sex couples aren't 'flaunted'. YES! I know that's the wrong word, but I'm too tired to think of one.
They simply live in the community, exactly the same as hetros.

And I agree with Gorleston for the beach. It's like a Norfolk secret. Always feels warmer there than anywhere else!Gorgeous golden sands, and only one end is ever busy.

Welcome to Norwich!

Bear2014 · 11/04/2018 16:40

Sounds like you're doing a wonderful thing, OP. We're a same sex family living in a groovy and liberal part of South London and there are no other same sex families that we know of sending their kids to nursery or school. So there's no guarantee anywhere, apart from maybe Brighton We keep meaning to join a local group or something. Perhaps they have one in Norwich? Good luck!

notsohippychick · 11/04/2018 16:47

I live in the Golden Triangle!!! I’ve made some lovely friends and it’s a lovely little community!

Look forward to welcoming you soon! Xx

Dozer · 11/04/2018 16:54

at a couple of posts, jeez.

No idea about the LGBT or wider community, but IMO the beaches of Norfolk are beautiful!

It’s a lovely thing you’re all doing for your DB and his family.

crunchymint · 11/04/2018 16:56

Fuckingname You mean they are not visible? So straight couples holding hands and kissing is fine, but lesbian and gay couples should not do this?

ElephantsYeah · 11/04/2018 17:11

Just to echo pp, Norwich is a fantastic city to live in. Hope the move goes well and that you and your family will be very happy in Norwich.

sadeyedladyofthelowlandsea · 11/04/2018 17:16

Another MNer in the Triangle here It's a great place to live, I couldn't imagine being anywhere else. There is a certain reputation for Norfolk being insular and closed minded, but I haven't experienced that at all. The Colman schools (infant & junior) are wonderful, with a lot of cultural mix because they're close to UEA so a quite a few lecturers/researchers etc. from overseas send their kids there. The schools have been described as 'socially crunchy' because you get kids from council estates (like mine) sitting next to other kids who live in 8 bedroomed Victorian mansions. Rec Road is a bit of middle class cliche tbh (I'm allowed to say that, I went there)

Norwich might not be quite as loud and proud as Brighton is, it's more of a live and let live type of place. But it's far more diverse than it used to be, and because there are no other cities nearby, it's always got something going on. I can't sum it up any better than this

And welcome to the fine city! I hope you'll be happy here

crunchymint · 11/04/2018 17:19

There is a LGBT parents group for Norwich with a face book group. Just google it. They can probably give you more accurate info than anyone here so far.

fuzzyduck1 · 11/04/2018 17:41

I’d be scared to to move to Norwich full stop!
Lol sorry originally from Ipswich and people are strange up there!

I wouldn’t worry about your situation any more than enyone else moving to another town it’s what you make of it not what other people think

Original poster

Worriedmover · 13/04/2018 10:06

Thanks so much everyone for all the advice and kind words of support! Just got to find a home and get settled now....!

OP posts:

Flip

1 2 3