AIBU to move from Nottingham to Mansfield?

[MasterBeth]

Have lived in naice parts of Nottingham (West Bridgford, The Park, Mapperley Park) forever and am now considering our next house move now the kids have all gone.

Am I mad to consider moving to Mansfield? Only 15 miles away, and much cheaper for similar house types. We could pay off our mortgage, get a similar house with a much bigger garden and still live in a sizeable town with a cinema, theatre, town centre market etc.

My partner thinks I’m mad. What’s Mansfield like to live in? Are there any hidden gems in the town centre?

Not heard very positive things tbh, but I guess it depends a lot on where you live in the town, I have never lived there, and I only know the area because I used to work on Nottingham.

Why not a village? All my former colleagues seem to live in nice villages (mainly heading in the direction of Lincolnshire). They seem to be pretty cheap as well, especially relative to somewhere like W Bridgeford.

I think I’d feel really isolated in a village. Nothing to do and everyone knowing my business.

I like the city lifestyle, I just wonder if I can achieve that in Mansfield. Bars, coffee shops, independent places?

It’s a long time since I lived in the area but most people would move the other way round! If you like the areas in Nottingham that you listed, Mansfield has nothing for you!

I agree with your partner. Mansfield is a very strange choice after where you’ve lived in Nottingham. It’s much cheaper for a reason.

City lifestyle in Mansfield? OP you're tripping.

I've moved from a town very close to Mansfield, lived in Mapperley, then a village just outside of (very close to w.bridgford) and I would never ever consider moving back to North Notts.

The schools are not great, crime is much higher and if you think your choice of restaurants and cafes can't be that much different to where you are, you're bonkers.

Obviously, it's your choice. But you get what you pay for. Id prefer a smaller house, outstanding schools and lower crime any day

I wouldn't. They are miles apart in every way. Nottingham is a cosmopolitan, vibrant city. Mansfield is a run-down town with very little going for it. Get the train up there one Saturday, spend an afternoon there and see how you feel about it.

If you've lived in the Park, you'll be very disappointed if you move to Mansfield!

I live in a not so nice part of Notts and even I wouldn't want to live in Mansfield.

Nooo stay in lovely Nottingham! Mansfield is not nice.

I know the area quite well through work and have lived in Nottingham. I really wouldn't do it. In 17 years I've yet to hear of hidden gems. The areas you have listed are the priciest Nottingham has so I'm sure you could cut housing costs without moving all the way to Mansfield. Mapperley rather than Mapperley Park, Sherwood, parts of New Basford, parts of Carton/Gedling and Arnold would all be cheaper than those you list and do have a lot to recommend them and also aren't Mansfield.

Like GurlwiththeCurl, it's a fair while since I lived in Nottingham, but Newark has a nicer feel to it than Mansfield (or did, anyway) and is a similar distance.

I don't know Derby or Grantham well enough to comment and Loughborough is possibly a bit studenty.

No idea how the house prices compare, either.

But if I was moving from West Bridgford/Park/Mapperley Park type areas of Nottingham, Mansfield would not be my first choice!

After living in those areas.of Notts I'm not sure there are many places which won't seem grotty in comparison!

How about long eaton? there are some nicer bits, plenty of nice cafes and much closer to Notts

The only exception I can think of is Southwell, with a really nice cafe culture. It's not cheap mind..

Wouldn't you sooner stay where you are and downsize to pay off the mortgage?

@SquashMinusIsShit

After living in those areas.of Notts I'm not sure there are many places which won't seem grotty in comparison!

How about long eaton? there are some nicer bits, plenty of nice cafes and much closer to Notts

Ehhh, I live there and I wouldn't live here if I could afford better. The high street is dire. Beeston a much nicer option.

I agree Newark and Grantham would be a better bet than Mansfield.

@Waxonwaxoff0 I agree that Beeston is nicer actually, especially with the new cinema opening

Yes, Beeston. Or Carrington?

I’ve only been to Mansfield twice, first time a man ran in a shop grabbed a colleagues handbag and ran off with it, second time two drunks had a punch up next to the car park, and it got quite nasty. So two out of two visits didn’t give the best impression.

You need somewhere like Belper in nearby Derbyshire if you’re looking for a town with a vibe like you’re describing imho.

God bless Mansfield but it’s not a place to live in if you’re used to The Park and West Bridgford, they’d eat you alive.

Belper is nice. I like Ashbourne too.

Move to Beeston. It’s got the new cinema, the tram, Attenborough nature reserve, great bars and cafes (check out chilwell high road too). And a train line straight to London or east midland parkway for the airport.

I don't know Mansfield but what about somewhere cheaper in Nottingham?

Sherwood is really nice.

And actually Bulwell is fine and has some really nice Victorian properties!

I grew up very close to Mansfield and read your OP as looking for ‘hidden germs’. Can’t think how that planted itself in my head.

You live close enough, go for lunch, shopping, and then a drink and a meal out in the evening.

Then imagine yourself in Hockley.

I did just this for work. I lived in Berry Hill quarry and really liked that. Mansfield however, not a great place at all. I wouldn’t do it. I’m back in Wollaton now after the contract ended.

Mansfield , are you mad 🤣🤣🤣 stay put or relocate to somewhere like Newark! Do not under any circumstances move from Mapperley to Mansfield (unless you really have to then choose Berry Hill)