Brighton vs Norwich, make the decision for me?!

[Lovelyhousepig]

AIBU to ask mumsnetters to make the decision of living in Brighton or Norwich for me? Been going round and round and driving ourselves mad! We are quite an alternative family living in Brighton but we can't really afford to live here! Cramped in a small flat, no garden and soon to be 4 children (pregnant with twins). We love everything Brighton has to offer, the overall feeling of the city is brilliant. However, we love Norwich and think we could be happy there. We could afford an actual house and garden, schools seem good and we could both get work there. Is it a no brainer? Any thoughts?! And thank you for any input, can't think straight anymore!

I’m a fan of Norwich! Sounds like you’d like NR4 Unthank Road area to live in, and you might like the N&N arts festival every May.

Yes I think a place where you can both get work, can afford an actual house and a place you like is absolutely a no-brainer :)

I don’t know anything about Norwich really. Brighton I know lots about though! If you like the “alternative” lifestyle, then I’d try and stay in Brighton. You’ll be very hard pushed to find the same atmosphere and tolerance of all the many forms of yoghurt knitting that go on in Brighton in other places. I guess it depends on the type of alternativeness you are subscribing to aswell.

NR4 is a dream 😍😍 Cadge Rd area has a bit of a reputation and areas closest to the university can be a little noisy but further out from UEA there seems to be some lovely family homes!

Living in Brighton would be a dream

Not sure OP could afford to live near Unthank Rd... lots of muggings around there (maybe no worse than Brighton).

Also trust me Norwich is fairly alternative in all sorts of ways especially closer to the university areas!

Norwich is lovely, affordable and diverse. I love it very much.

Norwich without a doubt, visited relatives for the first time a few year back and now we go as often as we can.

Thank you! We aren't into lentil and yoghurt weaving but we are alternative in terms of being a same sex family. Thanks again for all the responses! Just need to grow a pair and decide before these babies arrive

If it helps our budget is 450k

I've lived NR4 8__ for a year now and only heard of one mugging in the middle of the night after a night out - as far as I know crime isn't any worse than any other city except perhaps in targeting students.

Lived in NR4 during/after uni. Honestly the best place I've ever lived. I'd go back in a heartbeat.

Both of these places are super close to my heart and possible relocation options for us. I’d pick to move (back) to Norwich - but be sure to keep lots of Brighton friends for visits back there too 😉

Without being flippant much of Norwich is also super gay 😂 the older generation (And there's lots of them in Norwich) can be a lil backwards thinking) but haven't heard of greater levels of outright homophobia than you'd get anywhere else

Im brighton born and bred. Its fun, its expensive, its an echo chamber.

Unthank Rd. is NR2, iirc. OP has a good budget to work with, at least.

I don’t think of being a same sex family as being alternative! You’re just a family after all. I think Brighton is a safe place for you and your children, and I’d want to be reassured that you will have the same safety in Norwich if you moved there. Can’t you find anywhere for £450k in the outlying areas of Brighton - Hollingbury or Patcham or Hollingdean or out towards Portslade or somewhere?

www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-73399820.html

First hit on Rightmove with your budget, within 3 miles of Norwich. Compared to a tiny flat? No contest.

Brighton

I live in a far more rural part of Norfolk and know lots of same sex parents. None find it unsafe.

Brighton if you love the sea and would go a lot. Otherwise More for your money in Norwich.

Star in Brighton - lots more to do and you can get something for 450k as Isleepinahedgefund says

Have you thought of moving down the coast to Eastbourne? It's great for families, mainly good schools and you'd be 30 mins on the train from Brighton. I can think of 5 same sex families with children the same age as mine.

Thank you! Lots of really helpful replies, much appreciated. We are not keen on the areas we could afford a house for 450k here and also the schools the catchment areas they fall into. Also, personally I dont think, for example, Patcham or Portslade etc have anything like the same vibe (I know, awful word) as Brighton and I know as I have worked extensively in all these areas. I like that in Brighton our family set up is really visible and no we rarely go to the seafront, more parks or outside of Brighton onto the downs etc. Thanks again.

Oh god not Eastbourne...... or Worthing. Not if you think it’s going to be like Brighton. Stay in Brighton or move to Norwich!