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?

It is surely the worst possible place in all of Nottinghamshire.

It's got some strong competition from Sutton and Kirkby

Southwell isn't going to be cheaper than most of Nottingham, if that's the OPs reason for moving.

I absolutely wouldn't live in Mansfield, even if the house was free, but in terms of crime Nottingham doesn't have much to boast about. For example, in April, Carrington, Mapperley, New Basford, Old Basford, Highbury Vale, and Top Valley (less surprisingly), all reported more crimes than Mansfield.

I really wouldn;'t move to Mansfield. It isn;t nice. I agree Newark is quite nice and is cheaper. Bingham is nice but it's not as cheap as Newark (but the schools are a lot better).

Southwell definitely has what you are looking for but is as expensive as Bridgford, maybe more so.

in April, Carrington, Mapperley, New Basford, Old Basford, Highbury Vale, and Top Valley (less surprisingly), all reported more crimes than Mansfield.

Crime reports and crime occurrences are different things. In nicer areas, people will report things that, in Mansfield, would be ignored or accepted as one of those things.

Mansfield has a lovely Poundland. Saw a bloke outside it having a fight - he had a Swastika tattoo…

I’d stay put, or as someone suggested try Beeston. Wollaton is lovely too.

OK. I kind of thought that might be the case. Thanks for your input everyone.

The worst part of living in Newark is the dreadful traffic problems. “Newark Friday” is well known for standstill traffic. And every time there’s an accident on the A1 the town centre grinds to a halt. Add to that a level crossing in the town centre, where the barriers are often stuck in the down position, masses of new houses without the infrastructure (schools, doctors etc), the MP being Robert Jenrick, the sad look of the town centre (particularly since M & S closed).

Re Bulwell, parts of it are fine, it's cheap, nice Victorian properties and a quick bus or tram into the city centre of Nottingham. It was recently featured by Phil and Kirsty.

The OP wants to pay off her mortgage and be close to the city. I don't believe schools are a concern anymore? I don't think she wants a village?

I stay there with family sometimes and have always thought it okay. Yes it's not what is considered to be a "nice" area.

@Orf1abc

in April, Carrington, Mapperley, New Basford, Old Basford, Highbury Vale, and Top Valley (less surprisingly), all reported more crimes than Mansfield.

Crime reports and crime occurrences are different things. In nicer areas, people will report things that, in Mansfield, would be ignored or accepted as one of those things.

I think that comment rather falls down at Top Valley Aside from being a massive assumption too.

Nottingham has had major crime issues for years. I'd much rather live in Nottingham than Mansfield, but let's be realistic about the high crime rates.

Re Bulwell, parts of it are fine, it's cheap, nice Victorian properties and a quick bus or tram into the city centre of Nottingham. It was recently featured by Phil and Kirsty.

Yeah they wanted Long Eaton and they took them to Bulwell! 😂

Mumsnet snobbery out in force tonight...

I feel for the mums from Mansfield - and Bulwell!

Beeston or Hucknall are lovely places. Some suggested long eaton above. Please don't 😨😨 I lived there for 2 years and honestly it's grim

@YawnyOwl

Mumsnet snobbery out in force tonight...

I'm not a snob at all, I'm a single mum on minumum wage. It's not snobby to know that somewhere is a shit hole and you wouldn't want to live there.

@YawnyOwl

Mumsnet snobbery out in force tonight...

Why is reality 'snobbery'? Mansfield is deprived and has poor public health and social outcomes. It's sad as it used to be a thriving market town, but it isn't snobby to acknowledge the reality. It's the same for many Nottinghamshire/Yorkshire ex-pit villages

https://www.nottinghampost.com/news/local-news/20-areas-mansfield-ashfield-ranked-4633780

The health of people in Mansfield is generally worse than the England average. Mansfield is one of the 20% most deprived districts/unitary authorities in England
In Year 6, 22.9% (275) of children are classified as obese, worse than the average for England. The rate for alcohol-specific hospital admissions among those under 18 is 37.
This represents 8 admissions per year. Levels of GCSE attainment (average attainment 8 score), breastfeeding and smoking in pregnancy are worse than the England average.
The rate for alcohol-related harm hospital admissions is 875, worse than the average for England. This represents 945 admissions per year. The rate for self-harm hospital admissions is 294, worse than the average for England. This represents 305 admissions per year. Estimated levels of excess weight in adults (aged 18+) and smoking prevalence in adults (aged 18+) are worse than the England average.

https://fingertips.phe.org.uk/static-reports/health-profiles/2019/e07000174.html?area-name=mansfield

The reputation of Long Eaton is far worse than it actually is! Yes it has its bad bits, as most places do, but on the whole fine. Not posh but fine! However, if you are looking for somewhere that has lots to do then Long Eaton is not it. I think you’ll struggle to get that vibe in post places having already lived in the city and West Bridgford

Most*

@Featherfox

The reputation of Long Eaton is far worse than it actually is! Yes it has its bad bits, as most places do, but on the whole fine. Not posh but fine! However, if you are looking for somewhere that has lots to do then Long Eaton is not it. I think you’ll struggle to get that vibe in post places having already lived in the city and West Bridgford

I live there, it's not great but it's better than Mansfield it's just run down and the high street has been neglected. It's just a bit "nothing-y."

Can't you but a smaller house in West Bridgford?

I'm with your partner btw. I grew up in an ex-mining town like Mansfield, you're better where you are.

Instead of the suggestion upthread of going there on a Saturday, try a wet Wednesday.

No, its a dump. There are some nice houses around the town, but the town its self is horrible. I only go there if I absolutely have to, same for Sutton and Kirkby (as suggested by pp).

It’s not snobbery. Mansfield is a socially deprived area full of socially deprived people.

Also, as pp said, it is sad because it used to be a half decent town.

Yeah they wanted Long Eaton and they took them to Bulwell! 😂

I watched one once where they wanted West Bridgford and Kirsty and Phil took them to Sneinton, just a couple of roads over from St Anns 😂