To think of moving to Norfolk?

[ShirlyValentine]

Hi, I posted this in 'Chat' a few days ago but didn't receive any responses so I thought I would try my luck here. For many months now I have been thinking of moving to Norfolk. I'm a single mum with a young daughter, almost 3. I'm currently living in Yorkshire, having recently moved here, but am really unhappy here. I can't find a job despite trying really hard, and all my life I have longed to live near the sea. I've been on holiday in Norfolk twice, once to Sidestrand and another time to Burnham Market. I have also visited Cromer, Wells Next the Sea, Hunstanton and Sheringham. I fell in love with Norfolk and can't stop thinking about moving to the Norfolk coast. I know it would be a huge decision and one not to be taken lightly, but my dream is to live in a lovely Norfolk seaside town and I think my daughter would love it too. Unfortunately as I'm on benefits I don't have the money to visit Norfolk to properly check it out at this moment in time. That's why I thought I would ask if anyone who lives in Norfolk or knows Norfolk could kindly advise me on some lovely places to live that are near the coast, that are considered friendly, and also where there are jobs available. It would be a great starting point for me to start looking into into potentially moving there. Thank you very much in advance.

I live and work in Norfolk. I like it here. Coastal areas can be expensive to rent in. There is a high percentage of holiday homes. I know someone who is looking to rent in a village near Hunstanton, has been looking for 6 months and still not found anything.

Have you thought about going on a Sun holiday? Searles at Hunstanton often run them.

I live in Norfolk but not on the coast...I love it...its safe and peaceful and great schools....I live about a 45 min drive from Southwold so easy enough to go for the day.

To be blunt, there aren't many jobs available except for seasonal hospitality or agricultural work - or at least it'll be no more abounding in jobs than Yorkshire is. So, you won't be any worse off than you are now, and you'll be living your dream.

What did you think of Cromer? It's nowhere near as much in the doldrums as it was, and would probably have enough if what you are looking for. And the traffic's not that bad!

The lovely seaside towns, Wells, Southwold etc are very expensive to live. There are lots of rural villages that are lovely but expensive and aren't really served by public transport. The bigger towns Great Yarmouth, Lowestoft etc have a lot of work available during the summer season but it all dries up over winter. Great Yarmouth in particular is becoming rougher, homelessness is increasing and the towns shops are closing rapidly so unemployment is high although it is relatively cheap to live. There are nearby towns and villages like Bradwell, Belton, Caister, Gorleston, Hopton that are more affordable, have nice beaches etc.

There are lots of nice places to live in Norfolk, and the beaches are lovely but unemployment is a real problem as is the transport system, it takes a long time to get anywhere as there are no motorways. if I were you I would decide on a 5 - 10 year plan, work at becoming more employable (you don't mention a job so you may already be in a transferable profession) where you are now your DD s getting older so that you can save up to move and are in a better position to work when you move.

If you can't afford to visit how on earth can you consider moving? How will you actually afford the move?

I love Norfolk. If you are going to go, go now. It’s going to be the next place that the trains make a commuter place I reckon and then everyone will be clamouring to get there.

You will probably find the job situation in Yorkshire far better than here in Norfolk. The areas you mention are all up on the North Coast, aka Chelsea sur Mer, as well as the cost of living you will need a car, the public transport is sparse, few places have the big supermarkets, especially further West. Sheringham has just got a Tesco after years of public opposition.
I think you would be better in Yorkshire but if you're determined to make the move then look at Cromer or Hunstanton on the North coast, if you want to go onto the East coast the probably Great Yarmouth, I choose these because they're bigger and cheaper than other places with more employment opportunities.
You may want to look further inland or Kings Lynn, it would be cheaper but still give you access to the coast.
Remember in Summer the Norfolk coast can be a nightmare, we hardly ever go up there from Easter to the end of September.
Good luck with whatever you choose but do think long and hard.

I would move there in a heartbeat if I could. God I miss it.

If you can make it happen, do. It’s beautiful, peaceful, friendly, quirky in places, green and seems to have a lot more sky than other places. I love it.

Have you looked at Great Yarmouth? It would probably get a kicking from most people but I think it is wonderful. There are loads of gorgeous buildings and it is not over developed so plenty of freedom, well that's how I feel when I am there. In the summer it heaves with people on caravan and chalet holidays and in the winter it is dead, but the beach is long and sandy and the houses are cheap. Schools, are atrocious mostly so that might be something to put you off! But, it's half an hour from Norwich which is a decent sized city with a lot going for it. Work wise there will be plenty of care work and minimum wage jobs.
I totally understand the desire to move somewhere else when that thought is in your head but when I have it is always true the grass is not greener. Whatever is making you unhappy, it is often not really the place you're living in. At least, a place cannot make you happy if everything else stays the same.
But do visit Great Yarmouth out of season. The sun holidays cover that area I am pretty sure and they can be really cheap.

Why not look at norwich? Its only 45 minutes from the sea but being a small city should have more job opportunities.

It's quite random and sounds like you're grasping at happy holiday memories because of not liking where you are, which is understandable but I think you need to be more sensible with your responsibilities to your dc and your financial situation. Seriously, of all the places in the U.K., Norfolk is very low on the list if you need affordability and job prospects.

What exactly is it that isn't working out for you in Yorkshire? Are you in a city or more rural? Why did you move there recently? Do you need to give it more of a chance? What kind of work are you looking for? Whereabouts are your friends and family based? If you have to move, wouldn't it make sense to go somewhere you know and where you know people? Perhaps that's not an option, but I really think you need a proper plan more than a wistful dream. And on the face of it, Yorkshire has more going for it than Norfolk sorry to say. Although obviously there's a vast difference between the wilds of north yorks and the centre of Leeds.

The ‘nice’ places that you list are relatively expensive, the more affordable places are away from the coast and more urban. Norfolk secondary schools are poor (although improving) and public transport is dire. If you want affordable and access to large cities then there are a lot closer places to where you are currently.

Sorry, I missed this when you posted but as moving is a kind of long term thing anyway thought you might still be thinking about this. You could do a lot worse than move to Norwich. It's a really great city to live in, especially if you're on a low income. I moved here many years ago as a single parent and have never regretted it.

You can get to the coast really easily from Norwich - if you have a car, depending on whereabouts in the city you live and where you go, you can be on the coast there in 30 mins - an hour. There are trains and fast buses to Cromer, Sheringham and Yarmouth, and you can use the CoastHopper bus to get along the coast itself. Wells is a bit more of a trek by public transport. By living in this lovely city, you might find you have the best of both worlds.

Also look at schools if you have a child. Rural school (dependent on area) can be of a less good standard than big cities and less choice (i’m Sure it depends on area too and probably catchment area for cities makes housing unaffordable)

I think I would prefer to stay in Norwich than kings Lynn due to bigger city and more chance of public transport. Norwich is a nice city.

We absolutely love Norfolk (we live in Cambridgeshire but pretty much on the Norfolk border) and I cannot wait to make the move.

We will be looking at Downham Market and Kings Lynn because there is a direct train to Kings Cross. Houses are so much cheaper in DM and Kings Lynn than Cambridgeshire.

I have lived in and around Norfolk for most of my life, live in one of the towns, work in a school in a neighbouring town and, on the whole, love it here. We are always going to the coast at the drop of a hat, but also to thetford forest, exploring sandringham estate, taking the train to London for the day and often holiday weekends at coastal campsites.

I sometimes find the area quite bleak - particularly in winter - but where I live is peaceful (despite being on a main road), and it takes less than five minutes to get to the kids’ schools. I’m not sure about job prospects - my husband and I, as well as family, have never been without work, but we are all either professionals or skilled workers, iyswim?

Ironically, one of my close friends moved their family to Yorkshire because they hated living here. I occasionally wistfully think about moving (probably a form of escapism!), but know deep down we have it good here, plus majority of family live nearby.

It can be lonely if you have no friends/family here, and you need to be careful you’re not just forming an emotional attachment based on idyllic holidays here - for sure, it has its pluses and minuses just like anywhere else. But I am content here, and can definitely see the appeal xx

Do you have a view on the pedestrianisation of Norwich city centre?

Embrace your inner Alan Partridge.

Did you make the move? I moved from W.Yorks to Norfolk 15 years ago as a single mum and have never looked back.... Central Norfolk is a good place to move to, as it is more affordable and there is more chance of work. The coast is a treat and is great to visit in the winter with no tourists. I recommend Dereham as a good place to live, as more “cosmopolitan”. Coastal towns like Cromer love tourists but not “incomers”. Dereham is also close to Norwich, where there is lots to do if you have a child, and it also has a decent leisure centre for swimming...

Hi i know this was posted a while back but can I ask how did you manage to move? Did you go private rented? Just when we have look on council it says you must have a family connection?

I appreciate your help x