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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

A better life in Norfolk... really?

390 replies

LittleRobin112 · 14/11/2022 11:53

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?

OP posts:
Thread gallery
6
mrshoho · 05/09/2023 14:41

Mum198000 · 05/09/2023 14:39

And Norwich is a lovely safe city.

Yes it is very lovely.

Mum198000 · 05/09/2023 14:54

In lockdown is when I realised how lucky I was to live here. Caring community setting up help packages, lovely outdoor spaces with all the room in the world. There’s something to be said for knowing your neighbours in times like those. People baked bread, stopped veg from gardens and passed along eggs when shops were short. I sat in my garden in the lovely summer we had in 2020, under the trees listening to bird song and nothing else. I was very grateful I wasn’t stuck in a high rise flat with only a balcony.

Mum198000 · 05/09/2023 14:55

Swopped not stopped.

at49 · 05/09/2023 15:11

Oh no. We are looking to retire there. Well me mainly as DH will still have overseas commitments. I’d found a lovely little place in Cromer.

Labbingtons · 05/09/2023 15:23

LittleRobin112 · 14/11/2022 19:11

I think my family think we're odd for being happy to live in Essex, even though that's where they've come from. Would anyone else prefer Essex to Norfolk or is it just us?

I know Essex can have negative stereotyping too but I just don't think it's as bad as family are making out I comparison to Norfolk.

I grew up in Norwich and now live in a posh commuter village in Essex. Life here is quite like living in a posh north Norfolk village. I prefer living in Essex at the moment because it’s convenient for work in London, has better schools and our community is great. In the long term, I’m not sure.

But given the choice between Norwich and any town in Essex I’d take Norwich any day. And I feel a bit sad that I had such a great experience growing up in Norwich and my kids won’t have that. Even now, we often choose the Theatre Royal over local shows, and dived a lot of time heaving into London or Cambridge for culture.

Portugal1963 · 05/10/2023 05:51

Hello thinking about moving up to North Norfolk asap from London. Can anyone give me advice on Rackheath please. I've heard it's getting bigger more houses being built. Is there much to do there etc
Thanks

Poniesandrainbows · 05/10/2023 06:35

Portugal1963 · 05/10/2023 05:51

Hello thinking about moving up to North Norfolk asap from London. Can anyone give me advice on Rackheath please. I've heard it's getting bigger more houses being built. Is there much to do there etc
Thanks

Rackheath isn't north Norfolk. Its just east of Norwich (part of the growth triangle). Its a lovely village though and does (like you say) have a lot of new houses being built. It has a good chip shop but the pub closed.

Roselilly36 · 05/10/2023 09:20

Norwich is a wonderful place to live, do it if you can. We moved from the south coast, best decision ever.

aveline161 · 05/10/2023 12:57

Lancrelady80 · 14/11/2022 21:07

*Lived in Norfolk for most of my life.

It is backwards. It is slow. There is hardly any crime. There is zero glamour or sophistication or much culture/diversity. It's beautiful, especially northern coastal areas.

Career prospects are bugger all. Lovely place to raise younger children though**

Throw in dire public transport and a hospital with 4 of 7 operating theatres shut due to risk of the roof caving in - literally, it's currently held up by a gazillion props- and that's Norfolk to a tee.

Lots of good, but lots of negatives...much like everywhere else, really!

Which hospital are you talking about exactly?

TwinsAndTiramisu · 05/10/2023 21:39

That would be the Queen Elizabeth in King's Lynn. Literally held up by struts.

I think it's the QE...come to think on it, the James Paget in Yarmouth is horrific as well.

Damnloginpopup · 05/10/2023 21:48

MistyGreenAndBlue · 14/11/2022 12:09

Insular is an understatement.

I knew someone who warned me that "Norfolk is full of cunts"

He was right. I assumed he exaggerated, but he really didn't.

Obviously not all Norfolkians are like this.

Show quote history

That sounds like Andy 😁

Halstead · 07/10/2023 08:59

Portugal1963 · 05/10/2023 05:51

Hello thinking about moving up to North Norfolk asap from London. Can anyone give me advice on Rackheath please. I've heard it's getting bigger more houses being built. Is there much to do there etc
Thanks

Rackheath is having HUGE amount of housebuilding at the moment … it’s unrecognisable from even 3 years ago.

Nice enough but not a lot there other than that…

Plus points - close to the NDR (Northern bypass) which gives quicker access to other areas in North Norwich, the A47 and A11.

Close to the city and the Broads.

There are nicer places that tick those boxes in my view (although I’m not a fan of rambling identikit new build estates, I will add).

Sallyingon · 07/10/2023 09:25

We had a very sunny week there a few years ago..I loved the beaches and the broads and Norwich. I would definitely put it on my move to list. Particularly Norwich itself. There were some 60s style flats next to the river which I particularly liked the look of

ItsjustaWee · 07/10/2023 10:06

Norfolk is beautiful and we would love to live there. You can tell it’s becoming popular as somewhere to live, it’s getting more and more expensive. I know lots of people who have moved from Suffolk/Cambridgeshire as it’s not too far to be able to commute or see family regularly.

Currently, we keep getting out bid by cash buyers

jnh22 · 07/10/2023 10:23

i lived in Norwich. I hated most things about it & moved out as soon as I could.

i have no desire to return.

piscofrisco · 07/10/2023 10:37

People do bang on about Norfolk I find. I sort of nod along but I've never been that impressed with it. The sea is cold and muddy brown, the coast line is eroding and not that pretty. And I know a lot of people that have moved there and found the locals to be a bit unwelcoming. Norwich is nice enough. And Wells next the Sea I suppose-maybe Burnham market. But I'm not a huge fan. See also Suffolk for me.
I prefer Devon, Cornwall, Dorset for coast and Derbyshire for everything else!

QuizzlyBears · 07/10/2023 10:43

I’m not sure it’s Norfolk’s fault that you didn’t check the tide times 😏

QuizzlyBears · 07/10/2023 10:44

QuizzlyBears · 07/10/2023 10:43

I’m not sure it’s Norfolk’s fault that you didn’t check the tide times 😏

This was in response to the pp who complained they went on holiday and the ‘tide was out all day’ - my quote fail 🙈

HashBrownandBeans · 07/10/2023 10:49

We love the north Norfolk coast. Hoping to relocate that way in 5 ish years

Lancrelady80 · 14/10/2023 13:41

Yes, the Queen Elizabeth hospital in King's Lynn. Built with large quantities of RAAC which are well past expiration!

Goid news is that now the government have agreed to fund a "new" hospital, which will go on the site of the current car park. Can't remember the plan for cars. Loads of building work going on up there at the moment.

greengreengrass25 · 14/10/2023 13:42

I loved going there. Would happily move there

I live in London suburbs and it's not great

Pearldiamond8 · 29/12/2023 16:14

Seriously!! I’m trying to get away from those

Pearldiamond8 · 29/12/2023 16:15

Is Norfolk really the place to move to for a single lady in her early 60s looking to socialise and make new memories

Youcannotbeseriousreally · 29/12/2023 16:22

It’s like anywhere, nice bits and rubbish bits.

houses are cheap though!

mylittkeitalianhome · 29/12/2023 16:29

I’m from the borderlands of Suffolk and Norfolk, but went to school in Norwich. If I were to return to the UK, I wouldn’t live in any other city other than Norwich…unlike most places, it just keeps on getting better and better with a ton of indie shops, medieval streets, theatre, friendly people and reasonable house prices. South Norfolk is lovely too!