Moving To Norwich or Norfolk from London

[Aliv]

Hi everyone, my husband is possibly being relocated to North Walsham. I've been a working mum in London for the last 10 years and have children aged 4 and 4 months. We're thinking of either living in Norwich (so my husband will commute and I can possibly come into London if needs be) or more rurally. Other than the Golden Triangle - which other areas are family friendly, with good schools, housing etc? I realise this is a tall order, but having only visited Norfolk a couple of times, I have no idea where to start! We will be visiting to have a good look round, but again, any advice welcome. Many thanks ;)

I live in Thorpe St Andrew, and this area (a suberb/town on the east of Norwich) would be convenient for North Walsham and Norwich train station. It's a nice area and the schools are fairly good. Alternatively, north Norwich would also be convenient for North Walsham - Sprowston or Old Catton, but not all parts of those are that nice and I don't know about the schools. Dussindale is a very popular estate of new housing in Thorpe, and not that expensive. It has a new school, which has only been open a year.

I wish I could help but have always been a Golden Triangle person - an area I would recommend but pricey property-wise.

DH says that Old Catton is nice. The problem with that side of the city is that you have airport traffic. If you wanted rural then Coltishall is lovely.

I am golden triangle too daaarlink.

But I would say it's difficult to find decent places in North Norwich- don't get caught in Mile Cross.

I believe Thorpe St Andrew is nice. Sprowston is all 1970's bungalows if that's your type of thing.

Blimey it's a small world

Hi there. Definitely don't live in North Walsham, it's really got nothing go for it. If you want somewhere nice that's still a small town then Aylsham is good. It's about 10 miles from North Walsham and would avoid commuting in city traffic. It has a good mix of shops round a market square, some good pubs and restaurants and is on the bus route into Norwich if you need to catch trains to London and don't want to take your car in. Most of the primary schools in the area are pretty good, but Aylsham has a good High School, as does Reepham. Old Catton and Spixworth are under the flight path into the airport, so probably best avoided. Coltishall is a lovely village, and also Wroxham has some lovely houses with views of the Broads and a rail link to Norwich. Let me know if you want any more info, as I live locally.

Definately Golden Triangle, good schools, close to the city, decent shops/parks/playgroups etc.
Thorpe St Andrew is very nice too, though possibly a bit suburbun?

Cringleford, Keswick and Hethersett are good for out of Norwich locations that are only 5min drive or on bus route. They have great schools.

Thorpe End and Thorpe St Andrew all good but I don't really know that side of the City that well.

Wroxham and Hoveton are nice with good schools. Easy for Norwich and quite close for the beach. We're now SE of Norwich, and it's lovely. There's a nice little school and good walks. The bus to Norwich is sporadic.

We left London a year ago. Frankly I don't miss it at all!

Trowse is just on the edge of Norwich - lots of lovely parks and playgrounds.

My husband got a new job and we moved to Norwich in May....we decided to rent and get to know the Norwich before buying again, a good idea in the current housing market and there are plenty of nice houses to rent at the moment. love being close to the city centre, lots to do

The golden triangle is a lovely part to live in. There are lots of nice villages south of Norwich though I suppose that's not too convenient for north walsham.

I moved to Hethersett from Scotland 7 years ago and love it. The local school latest Ofsted is outstanding.

We looked at loads of areas (rented first right in the city - in Magdalen Street ) first. But Hethersett came out top. There is everything you need here including Tesco Express without having to venture into the city all the time, 2 nice pubs, florist, clubs for children etc etc. I don't drive but there are 4 buses an hour to the city if need be. It's only 5 miles outside Norwich and the park and ride is good too.

Are you sold yet?

Little Melton is another nice place - probably more villagey with one shop and a pub. Good school too.

Hethersett is not far from the A47 which you could cut across to get to N Walsham. We go that way to get to the Norfolk coast

I live in North Walsham (perhaps I'm part of what's not going for it ) and I would HATE to commute to Hethersett each day (personally). Plan on 50 minutes each way for commuting. Yuck. The B-road to get out here is titchy.

Now Coltishall, that's a nothing going for it place (parts are pretty, but poor public transport, too small, and besieged by traffic).

I think North Walsham is a lovely place. I like that there is a market, and that it is close to the sea. The area round about is very pretty and it's not totally devoid of culture!

Hi everyone, thank you so much for all the tips. We are still waiting to find out what happens with his job, so as soon as I know I will be in touch with some of you for more pointers! Big thanks again xx

Cringleford has a very good school.
So does Stoke Holy Cross, which accepts children from Shotesham which is a really beautiful village, still close to Norwich by car via shortcuts.
I think Brooke has a good school too, and that's a very friendly village, with a lovely pub (King's Head/Arms) too.
I personally aimed for villages to the south of Norwich, since they're easier for London access.
I used to live in the golden triangle which was very friendly, but dh got OTT panicky about subsidence and on-road parking.
Don't know too much about North Walsham, although I know someone who lives in Panxworth, nearby, which is pretty, but v small.

Where are you, threestars? I cycle through Stoke on my way home and our local pub is the one in Shotesham! DD has just started going to the local school, which is a short walk away. I like it round here, but it's annoying that there is no local shop and no local pub any more.

Although we've now moved out of the city until a year ago we were in the Eaton/Cringleford area and would def recommend - also good access to the bypass.

Trowse, Brooke and Brundall are also nice.

Slightly south of Norwich but again fab access to the bypass you have Hethersett and Wymondham - not sure what age your children are but Wymondham has prob the best non-public schools in and around Norwich (and is where i aim to be living by the time our children are of that age )

Since we too are moving from London can someone tell me whether the Golden triangle is actually within Norwich itself or outside, and whether it's largely terraces or whether there are detached properties too.Are we talking rolling fields nearby or local parks ?! we've not been there and are looking to rent near the hospital and have a taster of something quieter. I was imagining it might be a bit like Chiswick ?! THANKS

The Golden Triangle is an area within the city itself. It's probably a 10/15 min walk to the city centre. Lots of terraces, although some bigger houses. No rolling fields, but some parks. Probably get better value for money by living slightly further out. Cringleford/Eaton are on the south side and are very popular. Best high school around is in Wymondham (south of the city) and is in itself a nice market town.

Trowse is lovely. It has good local child care too (here)

Just to clarify - Wymondham College (best non-fee paying school)is not the same as Wymondham High School! The College is actually in/near the village of Besthorpe, which is between Wymondham and Attleborough. It is mainly bording and day places are extrememly fiercely coveted and assessed mainly on proximity to school. So, unless ur going to be very nearby, forget it.

Wymondham itself is pleasant but probably commuting distance too much?