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Original poster

thinking of moving to Norwich (NR3) anyone know the area?

114 replies

SweetBeadieRussell · 06/10/2010 11:02

We're looking to move from the sticks to the city next year, to be closer to the amenities/ schools/ pubs/ etc. I think Norwich is great, generally speaking, (we tend to go there mainly for shopping etc at the moment) but have no idea what its like to live in.

After consulting Rightmove, NR3 seems to be our best bet; lots of smallish terraced houses within our budget/ walking distance to the city, some good primary schools nearby. Reminds me a bit of the area I grew up in, so I'm hoping it'll be the right place to raise our growing brood!

In fact it seems so right for us i'm wondering what the catch is. Anyone around who can fill me in on what it's really like round there? Is it very studenty? Are lots of the houses empty, cos I'm hoping to get away from that (we live in a very touristy, second homey bit of Norfolk) is it the kind of place young families tend to settle, or is it very transient? cos we're hoping to find somewhere with a bit of community spirit really...

OP posts:
Original poster
SweetBeadieRussell · 06/10/2010 16:07

you've just described my dh's idea of heaven - he's pretty antisocial for a teacher! What made you choose such splendid isolation if you don't mind my nosiness?

OP posts:
ShowOfHands · 06/10/2010 16:15

I adore isolation. Love it. It's quiet. We wake up to deer on the lawn and there's a barn owl in the field opposite. There are all manner of animals here. I am quite antisocial but I do like the country. It's been brilliant. This morning we've been blackberrying and collected fallen leaves. Seen not another soul.

But I don't drive, dd needs to start pre-school and then actual school in Sept. Family will be closer and we are renting atm. If we are going to buy, we have to start somewhere else. We'll be back to the country asap.

ShowOfHands · 06/10/2010 16:17

Nowt wrong with Swaffham really. It has a permanent travellers' site which puts people off a bit.

Schools are good (not the Swaffham ones but the other ones nearby aren't oversubscribed so we can choose). It's a market town so there's everything we need but not too busy. Family local. Lots of new developments on the outskirts. Outstanding nurseries, near the coast, near enough to the city for a visit, is quite up and coming, good facilities for families. It's not bad. And it's a short term measure.

systemsaddict · 06/10/2010 16:21

My family all live in NR4, it's nice, maybe a bit pricey though? and they all seemed happy with Coleman Rd primary. I on the other hand was brought up in the wilds of North Norfolk and ran away as soon as I could! splendid isolation didn't suit me at all!

4madboys · 06/10/2010 16:27

we have bought in nr4, depending on which side of ipswich road you buy on, its cheaper!

we are technically on the not so nice, side, but only just and it is still a nice place to live.

we basically live on the tuckswood estate, it has all its road names named after robin hood, so there is robin hood road, maid marion road etc, try googling them there are some for sale near me and the prices are much more reasonable depending on your budget.

we paid £130k for ours, well the bank did! anyway its a 3 bed terrace and we have good sized garden out front and back and live in a nice quiet cul de sac so the kids can play oout :)

if i could do links i would try and find some for you, but i cant Blush

if you are looking by postcode mine is nr4 6bg, hope that helps you see if there is anything available :)

Fimbo · 06/10/2010 16:41

If you only need two bedrooms I would go for something like \link{http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-28025977.html\this}. It is near Waitrose,villagey, there is bus that comes that way and more about 10 mins walk away, near a garden centre with a good coffee shop, close by to parks etc. You could walk to the city but it would take about 30 mins

4madboys · 06/10/2010 17:13

thats near to the school that my boys to go :) ^ and i shop in the waitrose, plus go to a lovely toddler group nr it once a week.

if you were prepared to live on the 'cheaper' side of ipswich road, as opposed to Eaton, which is more expensive there is a house for sale on my road, not in the cul de sac tho, it is on rightmove.co.uk it is three bedroom, has space for two cars on driveway out the front, end terrace, there is lots about once you start to look, i shall see if i can find some links!

4madboys · 06/10/2010 17:23

ok here is the one i found on rightmove, they have others, it just depends on your budget and what you are looking for etc, but just to give you some ideas :)

www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-30575297.html

there and that is my first go at a proper link! hope it works......

4madboys · 06/10/2010 17:23

oh wahey, go me! Grin

4madboys · 06/10/2010 17:24

btw i think they are pricing that a bit high! have seen others similar go for less, so am sure you could knock them down a bit Grin

ShowOfHands · 06/10/2010 17:31

I was in Tuckswood yesterday! Had been to Aldiss/Homebase. I don't know the area well. There's a drivethru MacDonalds on a roundabout. And, er, a big school.

Fimbo · 06/10/2010 17:38

My dh thinks it is bizare having a coffee in the middle of a bedding department (Aldiss) Grin

ShowOfHands · 06/10/2010 17:51

Isn't it?

The Aldiss in Norwich is a hotbed of intrigue you know... I have gossip. Involving the bed department. And, er, staff. Who are married. Not to each other.

Fimbo · 06/10/2010 17:54

Mmm this wouldn't be the mysterious Matthew who doesn't actually work there if you have a complaint but lo and behold is there the very next time you roll up....

Hassled · 06/10/2010 18:01

Blimey, I was in Aldiss only Sunday having a wobble over a leather sofa (couldn't bring myself to go for it. My inner snob turned out to be too loud a voice to ignore) - I wish I'd known it was a hotbed of romantic intrigue and shenanigans. I wish I'd bought it now if only to have had reason to complain and meet Matthew.

We need a meetup. I feel a meetup coming on. Who's brave enough?

ShowOfHands · 06/10/2010 18:02

Matthew sold me a mattress. Grin

But no, not him.

What was your complaint? The extortionate prices or the predilection for sofas your granny would love?

4madboys · 06/10/2010 18:04

oh thats across the other way, i live near ipswich road side of tuckswood, but i sometimes take the kids over to the pet shop to kill half an hour and pick up bits from homebase.

but on on the otherside of tuckswood, ie the ipswich road side there is notcutts garden centre, which has a lovely pet bit and a cafe and a big camping shop and also a farm shop, i go there a lot for veg etc and again let the little one look at the pets and have a coffee etc, great for a rainy afternoon!

the big school you talk about is Hewett school its a high school, its meant to be ok, but we didnt like it when we looked around and CNS on Eaton road has a much better reputation and just seemed much friendlier etc.

school wise there is Eaton primary, tuckswood primary (it may be called something diff actually) lakenham primary and cavell primary where the sure start centre is also based.

other schools you could get a place in are Bignold, its near the city centre but lots nr me go there and also colman primary :)

Eaton park is close by, the university has nice grounds and Earlham park to walk around, lovely in the summer :)

Heigham park is very nice, but very busy and there is a park just off Ipswich road also very nice, and as its hidden away it tends to be quiet Wink

shopwise from where i am its easy to get to tesco or sainsbury or waitrose and there are some local shops as well, a post office, hairdressers, chip shop, co-op etc and there are the garages which are open late (the tescos is a 24hr one)

there are private schools close by as well and also a montessory and a steiner school, so PLENTY of choice :)

4madboys · 06/10/2010 18:04

oh thats across the other way, i live near ipswich road side of tuckswood, but i sometimes take the kids over to the pet shop to kill half an hour and pick up bits from homebase.

but on on the otherside of tuckswood, ie the ipswich road side there is notcutts garden centre, which has a lovely pet bit and a cafe and a big camping shop and also a farm shop, i go there a lot for veg etc and again let the little one look at the pets and have a coffee etc, great for a rainy afternoon!

the big school you talk about is Hewett school its a high school, its meant to be ok, but we didnt like it when we looked around and CNS on Eaton road has a much better reputation and just seemed much friendlier etc.

school wise there is Eaton primary, tuckswood primary (it may be called something diff actually) lakenham primary and cavell primary where the sure start centre is also based.

other schools you could get a place in are Bignold, its near the city centre but lots nr me go there and also colman primary :)

Eaton park is close by, the university has nice grounds and Earlham park to walk around, lovely in the summer :)

Heigham park is very nice, but very busy and there is a park just off Ipswich road also very nice, and as its hidden away it tends to be quiet Wink

shopwise from where i am its easy to get to tesco or sainsbury or waitrose and there are some local shops as well, a post office, hairdressers, chip shop, co-op etc and there are the garages which are open late (the tescos is a 24hr one)

there are private schools close by as well and also a montessory and a steiner school, so PLENTY of choice :)

Merrylegs · 06/10/2010 18:05

SofH - tell! Tell! My money's on Keith.

4madboys · 06/10/2010 18:06

i have NO idea how that ended up posting twice!

anyway i have never met up with anyone from mumsnet, but have from other parenting forums (cough) BMC

anyway i would be interested maybe :) x

4madboys · 06/10/2010 18:06

we bought a sideboard from aldiss! but i know nothing of the staff intrigue Grin

ShowOfHands · 06/10/2010 18:10

My mother works for Aldiss (Fakenham).

I am saying no more about the scintillating and intriguing behaviour of the staff.

Pets At Home is weird. It's an odd mix of stark/depressing but with cuddly animals. They used to have giant rabbits in there. Wonder why they don't anymore.

Notcutts is brilliant! I like the café.

Do you know, I've driven hundreds of miles across the country to see MNers, I've never met up with a Norfolk MNer. Weird.

4madboys · 06/10/2010 18:12

yep the cafe is lovely, i had my lunch there on saturday! and they now have all their xmas decorations out, so the kids LOVE looking at all that tatt i mean stuff Grin

Merrylegs · 06/10/2010 18:16

I was also in the Norwich Aldiss yesterday! And Homebase! Seems like we have already had our meet up -

only Nobody Knew....

Tootiredforgodtyping · 06/10/2010 18:21

NR4 is great. The village we live in has a real community feel ad we can walk to school all the local groups and bus in to town.