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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To move to Norfolk although I’ve never been

157 replies

mioz · 15/07/2021 14:19

Been thinking about moving for ages and ages, was made redundant last year so deciding to just go for it. I’m gravitating towards Norfolk but need some help narrowing down potential areas. Needs to be suitable for a young family (2 boys under 3), with parks/cafes/shops and maybe a high st within walking distance. Good travel links also if possible. Anyone have good knowledge of Norfolk and can help me?

OP posts:
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Original poster
mioz · 15/07/2021 14:22

Other possible locations are Ely in Cambridgeshire

OP posts:
millymollymoomoo · 15/07/2021 14:22

Norfolk generally does not have good transport links !

Why Norfolk ? And where from ?

moita · 15/07/2021 14:25

I love Norfolk but wouldn't live there: transport links are abysmal, schools aren't brilliant and although your children are young now I think it's a boring place for teenagers

Ely is lovely.

Original poster
mioz · 15/07/2021 14:25

@moita

I love Norfolk but wouldn't live there: transport links are abysmal, schools aren't brilliant and although your children are young now I think it's a boring place for teenagers

Ely is lovely.

Do you know Ely well? Could you recommend some areas?
OP posts:
Original poster
mioz · 15/07/2021 14:26

@millymollymoomoo

Norfolk generally does not have good transport links !

Why Norfolk ? And where from ?

From ashford, Kent
OP posts:
FedNlanders · 15/07/2021 14:26

You defo need to visit.

reannneeee · 15/07/2021 14:28

First of all, you definitely need to spend time there before deciding.

I wouldn’t. Have a look at the Fens instead. Similar terrain to Norfolk and some lovely little towns (Stamford in Lincs for example) but not as awkward.

EdithWeston · 15/07/2021 14:28

Yes, visit.

Include Aylsham in the places you visit - nice little town, easy reach to both the coast and to Norwich

MrsPelligrinoPetrichor · 15/07/2021 14:30

I love Norfolk, we go at least 2 or 3 times a year. My dream is to have a second home there.

No way on God's green earth would I last more than a month there if we were there permeability! Look at the schools as until recently I think all the schools were in special measures, you need to drive everywhere and teens would get bored fast and up to no good.

Sorry if that offends anyone who lives there!

Original poster
mioz · 15/07/2021 14:30

Thanks, was planning a visit once we knew which areas to look for?

OP posts:
MrsPelligrinoPetrichor · 15/07/2021 14:31

You have to spend some serious time there, out of season too before deciding.

reannneeee · 15/07/2021 14:32

*other areas of the Fens

Manzanilla55 · 15/07/2021 14:34

I agree that transport links are shocking. I wd personally never live too far from a motorway. Norfolk and Suffolk though charming and pretty are really in the back of beyond. I know this as I grew up in Suffolk. They are great for visits though esp Norwich as there is so much to see and do in the city.

cloudysummerday · 15/07/2021 14:37

It depends what you mean by good transport links really.

We live in norwich and there are train and bus links and we have the a11 south and a47 east and west.

Public transport generally in Norfolk is probably not great though and getting anywhere from north Norfolk will take a while.

I don't think it's true that the schools aren't good. As anywhere you'd need to look at the specific schools where you decide to live. My dc are in an ofsted outstanding secondary and an ofsted good primary.

Norwich itself is a really lovely city and Norfolk is generally very lovely and relatively empty of people so probably fairly chilled compared to lots of places. It's also a very dry county!!

Roselilly36 · 15/07/2021 14:38

We have relocated to Norwich and absolutely love it, we live outside of the city centre, really convenient, lots to do, and fantastic beaches. Our DS’ are adults so we didn’t have education to think about. Great value property. No regrets, but yes, too big a decision to make without visiting, we did a lot of research online first, they came up to look at potential areas. We had been to Norfolk & Suffolk before and stayed many times on holidays etc, but choosing somewhere to live is an entirely different matter. Good luck OP.

EdithWeston · 15/07/2021 14:38

Around Diss would be another area to look at

Original poster
mioz · 15/07/2021 14:45

@Roselilly36

We have relocated to Norwich and absolutely love it, we live outside of the city centre, really convenient, lots to do, and fantastic beaches. Our DS’ are adults so we didn’t have education to think about. Great value property. No regrets, but yes, too big a decision to make without visiting, we did a lot of research online first, they came up to look at potential areas. We had been to Norfolk & Suffolk before and stayed many times on holidays etc, but choosing somewhere to live is an entirely different matter. Good luck OP.
Which area do you live in?
OP posts:
Original poster
mioz · 15/07/2021 14:45

@EdithWeston

Around Diss would be another area to look at
We have family friends in Diss who say it’s lovely!
OP posts:
LittleTiger007 · 15/07/2021 14:47

Don’t move anywhere without visiting. I live in a village in Suffolk and there is zero public transport, Norfolk is the same. You need to go to a town for parks, cafes shops. There are many lovely such towns in Norfolk but I would visit. Some small towns are very cliquey and you are not a local until you’ve lived there for 20 years. There are lovely places, beautiful places and it’s worth checking out: but always visit first for a week or so.

LittleTiger007 · 15/07/2021 14:48

I agree parts of Doss are lovely with a pretty town centre with cafes and a gorgeous park plus a nice indoor play centre for small kids. Plus there are some lovely day trips from there in all directions

LittleTiger007 · 15/07/2021 14:49

Diss*

LittleTiger007 · 15/07/2021 14:52

Moving from Ashford, Kent you will be amazed at how much less traffic there is in Norfolk. You should get more house for your money too.

bloodywhitecat · 15/07/2021 14:52

Have lived in Ely (almost, lived in a village very nearby and worked in Ely), now live very near Diss and visit Norwich often. I wouldn't chose Ely, transport links are poor, the A10 is a bloody nightmare.

starbrightstarlight8888 · 15/07/2021 14:53

@MrsPelligrinoPetrichor

I love Norfolk, we go at least 2 or 3 times a year. My dream is to have a second home there.

No way on God's green earth would I last more than a month there if we were there permeability! Look at the schools as until recently I think all the schools were in special measures, you need to drive everywhere and teens would get bored fast and up to no good.

Sorry if that offends anyone who lives there!

All the schools in Norfolk were in special measures? Hard to believe. I live in Norfolk. I've never lived anywhere else so have nothing to compare it to.Grin
MegBusset · 15/07/2021 14:54

Norwich is a fantastic place for families. Parks, cafes and shops galore, both independents and the big names. Tons of culture and history. Some really good schools - like most places you'll want to pick and choose your area. Family central is the 'Golden Triangle'. If you don't want to live in the city itself there are outlying towns like Wymondham which are very popular.

What's your budget?

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