A better life in Norfolk... really?

[LittleRobin112]

We have so many family members who have moved to Norfolk in the last 10 years and a few friends too. They have mostly gone there for a better way of life. Away from the hustle and bustle of the south east where we are.

We're constantly being told how amazing Norfolk is - the countryside, the villages, the coast, Norwich, etc. And some family members are very keen to tell us how crap it is where we live in comparison, knowing that we are settled where we are and wouldn't want to move. Nowhere is perfect (about from Norfolk apparently) but we like where we are. These family members have moved from where we live which although busy and a London commuter area, it's also fairly affluent in parts, a coastal place and with countryside/woodland still accessible nearby.

What is the attraction to Norfolk? Is it the most ideal place to live? Are people happier there? Are there no down sides to it at all?

I don't doubt some aspects of life quality could be better in Norfolk but I've been on holidays there and many family visits over the years and I can't see how it's as incredible as some family members are making out. Maybe they're just showing off or justifying their reasons for moving there? But to be really negative about where we live is just becoming annoying. It's almost like they're now better than us for living in Norfolk, it's so odd.

Any thoughts?

Oh god it’s boring. I let myself be pushed into it by DH. We’re in the middle of nowhere and I don’t drive. Now he’s bedridden too.

Its beautiful and peaceful but also bleak and windy.

We came from South Essex too. I miss it. I miss the transport, the shops, the hustle and bustle. I left the New Forest to move to Essex. I wouldn’t go back there either.

Its a lot cheaper here in Norfolk for property,

I’m thinking should I rent first, but that means wasting money I can never get back and I don’t have that much to spare, plus it’s roughly £1,000 + per month I would need to give it 6 months to truly know if it’s for me, that's alot of money gone for me on my own to part with. So I’m lost what’s best to do but thankyou for your advice much appreciated

If it feels like the wrong decision, it probably is. If it feels like the right decision you'll probably end up making it work.

Ahh that’s kind of you a nice positive post in favour of moving there, maybe I should rent first though perhaps, it’s such a big step on your own

Where’s Woodbridge ?

It's in Suffolk. On the river Deben, about 7 miles from.the coast

So you say “Batshit” and “Angry” because what I say is true and you are offended by someone being honest. It’s an awful place. No anger here, only from you.

How can it be true. Google “Depression statics UK) you’ll find Norfolk is all red. Google “Norfolk is an awful place to live” and you will find the local paper stating that it’s been voted one of the worst most depressing cities to live in. There is a huge class and wealth divide in Norfolk too.

Ugh.

If you google anywhere is an awful place to live then you will get stuff to feed your confirmation bias.

If you are talking about the ONS study which used self reported figures from GP surgeries then you'll find the actual standard deviation is small, and the ONS report directly correlates the incidence of depression with deprivation, background and opportunity. It's slightly elevated from the national average.

If its another legit study then feel free it link it, but it reeks of someone looking to blame where they live for their problems. Everyone gets it, you hate the place.

Just move. You might not find all your problems are solved by seeing the monument in your rear view mirror. If they are, 👍 if not then you need to undertake some serious self reflection.

I feel for you, I really do. You'd be so much happier in Snodland, Erith, or Thamesmead.

PHE data, not ONS. Its like calling Norfolk a city.

????? Perhaps the place just needs to wake up to how toxic it is. Great business analytic word use though. Well done!

I live in Norfolk and there are plenty of positives and negatives for the county.

Personally, all of the North Norfolk seaside is lovely to visit but I wouldn’t want to live there because there’s not as much community and lots of second home owners.

Norwich is great city to visit and live in. It has some lovely boutiques and pubs. It’s got some good arts venues and gigs because of the university. And it’s still affordable to live in a nice house, in a nice area (golden triangle) walking distance from the city centre. For me personally, this is unaffordable in London or Cambridge or Bristol.

I would also say that people who haven’t visited Norfolk in the last ten years would be surprised at how things have changed. Particularly since Covid and the increase in hybrid working, lots of professionals with young families have been moving to the areas with a direct train line to London/cambridge like Kings Lynn. With hybrid working these areas are becoming just a little bit more cosmopolitan.

Norfolk is a wonderful, magical place - to visit, or for a holiday. I would not wish to live there. My husband's business was in Norfolk, a suburb of Norwich, so we spent a fair bit of time up there and, prior to that, spent holidays in places like Wells, Stiffkey, near Holkham Beach with its seven miles of sand and dunes, and visited loads of interesting places. However, it was always good to get back home.

Also, on my street in the past year two couples have moved up from Essex so is clearly very popular with people from there. Don’t know why though!

I live in the Fens. Norfolk is mountainous. 😂

Not dissimilar from most of the Eastern region. It comes from arable farming that's attracted cheap labour from Eastern Europe, mixed with cities known for history, architecture and the arts. Norfolk, Suffolk, Cambridgeshire all have plenty of wealth, and plenty of poverty. Peterborough normally tops the list of worst cities in the UK to live. Cambridge is second only to London for house prices.

Oh dear another negative for Norfolk then, not looking good for a re location then

No, it's not as bad as you are making out.

I moved here from Buckinghamshire 10 years ago , and knew the area fairly well as we used to visit my grandparents in Fakenham and go on family holidays along the North Norfolk coast. Some parts are a bit insular, it can be a pretty slow pace of life, but it is a safe, very beautiful county in places. Norwich in particular is a wonderful place, clean, lively and easily accessible . Healtcare and educational resources seem good too .

I much prefer living here to the fast-paced way of life in the Sourh East, with the less friendly souls.

You sound quite sad, and a bit bitter. I'm sure not everyone in Norfolk is quite as awful as you seem to be making out.

Anywhere can be awful.

I went to university in Colchester, Essex 23 years ago and loved it as a teenager. Went back last year to visit and it was dreadful; tawdry, seedy, run-down. The total opposite of Norwich and my rose-tinted memories of how marvellous it was in mu youth.

Been on holiday a few times. Was very pleasant apart. Its very beige apart from the beaches which were lovely. Loads of Londoners. Would not want to live there

I live in Norwich.

Property prices are obviously lower than London and its suburbs. But salaries in Norwich and Norfolk are dreadful. Lots of jobs just above minimum wage!

I've also come across a lot of racism, although it's very slowly improving.

I always feel it's about ten years behind London in terms of everything, including restaurants etc.

They are OK in parts but Great Yarmouth is the commercialised bit so one expects it to be a bit rowdy and naff. For holidays, Blakeney, Holkham Beach (surrounding areas), Burnham Overy Staithe, Wells-Next-the-Sea and villages are charming places to visit and there are many others. I stress the word 'visit', not 'live' unless you're born and bred to it.