Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Property/DIY

Join our Property forum for renovation, DIY, and house selling advice.

Original poster

should I move to Bath or Norwich......any one could help?

60 replies

dither72 · 26/05/2014 20:26

Advise on Wether to Move to Bath or Norwich......any one could help?
(1 Post)
Add message | Report | Message poster
dither72 Mon 26-May-14 19:26:52

I have been trying to relocate from greater London in search of a better quality of Life. I have job offers in Norwich and Bath. I can't decide which one I should go for. Anyone have any experience of either or preferably both. I like the ease of living in small cities but prefer town life to rural life. Most interested in cultural activities and a liberal environment. Keen to meet some new friends. Many thanks if anyone can help.

OP posts:
LaurieFairyCake · 26/05/2014 20:29

Bath

Norwich is very nice but very middle of nowhere - there's only Norwich

Bath is easy to access wales, West Country, London

ajandjjmum · 26/05/2014 20:29

Bath - for the reasons above!

LaurieFairyCake · 26/05/2014 20:30
Hassled · 26/05/2014 20:32

Ahem. Norwich is not in the Fens.

However, it is in the arse-end of nowhere.

LaurieFairyCake · 26/05/2014 20:32

Don't move to Wisbech Wink

LaurieFairyCake · 26/05/2014 20:33

Well it's very fen like

i may be drunk

Original poster
dither72 · 26/05/2014 20:46

Does anyone know what Bath is like. I am gathering no one is for Norwich which is what I was thinking as it seems quite far away from everywhere.

OP posts:
PluggyMug · 26/05/2014 20:47

Bath - as above, nice as Norwich is (a Fine City!) it's pretty far away from anything else. Obviously depends where you're from/have friends and family, but it's nt well connected.

Bath is beautiful, manages to feel both far away and near to London. It is v well connected by the m4 and rail and reaching Bristol, Wales, and the south west all feels manageable. That said, properly is not cheap.

Are the jobs different at all?

Original poster
dither72 · 26/05/2014 20:51

thanks same pay, more or less the same jobs so really a matter of location.

OP posts:
dottyaboutstripes · 26/05/2014 20:58

Norwich is fantastic but it really is far away from anywhere else. Would be cheaper than Bath though if that makes a difference?
And no, not in the Fens!

Original poster
dither72 · 26/05/2014 21:02

I'm more interested in the place rather than the prices. I was wondering if anyone new what Bath is like in terms of atmosphere. Is it old/retired people or are there younger people (i.e middle aged 40 like me!)

OP posts:
5madthings · 26/05/2014 21:07

There are lots of Norwich mnetters!

Its nice, I came to uea for uni and stayed, you can get to London in under two hours on the train.

The beaches are great, Norfolk is a lovely place.

I like Norwich as its big enough, has all the shops etc but it's not too big.

It's a really nice place to raise kids imo.

There is a Norwich local board and a Norfolk page on Fb.

We have a mnet Norwich Fb group.

Bath is also nice, it just depends what you are looking for!

webwiz · 26/05/2014 21:09

DD1 went to university in Norwich and has now stayed there for work. Rent is affordable and she has the advantage of being in a city but is near to countryside and the beach. She visits friends in London frequently and is about an hour and a half from us (will be less when the A11 upgrade is finished) I think she has a very good quality of life on a graduate starting salary!

DD2 is at university in Bath - it is a beautiful city but the traffic makes me want to weep and it is expensive to live there.

It depends what things are important to you.

Buscake · 26/05/2014 21:14

I grew up in bath - it is now very posh and very expensive with most people middle aged or older (so it seems, apart from the students). I guess this is because they are the ones who can afford to live there? House prices are crazy, parking in town is expensive and difficult (bus gates), and it gets totally full of tourists in the summer. However it has some really lovely pubs, shops are alright and Bristol is v near for bigger and better ones, lots of lovely restaurants too. It is well located to some really fantastic countryside, not too far from Wales/London/Bristol and I love the community spirit you get from all the local rugby supporters :)

I've been to Norwich a few times as well, it doesn't have as much going on I don't think and seems quite far from anywhere else. At least if you need to get out of bath for a change of scene it is easily done. There are also plenty of cultural goings on in bath throughout the year eg music festivals/arts festivals/Christmas markets etc. hope this helps you in some way

Original poster
dither72 · 26/05/2014 21:14

i think i earn enough to live in both. So i guess I am wondering if Bath is a interesting and as beautiful as the tourist websites suggest. When you look up the official website you get the impression its the most beautiful city in the UK. Thanks

OP posts:
Solasum · 26/05/2014 21:16

Bath is a beautiful city. I grew up there and there are lots of great schools, and things for children to do. My elderly parents love living there too. There are enough unis etc to mean there are lots of club nights etc if you are that way inclined.

Although it is just under 1.5 hours by train to London, an offpeak return fare is £70 :s

I think that in the absence of school age kids it might be hard to meet likeminded people. But then again I have never tried.

It is quite an expensive city to buy or rent on. Happy to advise on areas etc if you would like.

Original poster
dither72 · 26/05/2014 21:18

Thanks what do you mean by very posh? I have lived in Cambridge which I loved. Is it posher than Cambridge. Is it a pleasant place to live in and meet new people. Thanks for all your help i am currently favouring Bath so far.

OP posts:
Fairylea · 26/05/2014 21:19

Norfolk is wonderful. Relocated here 6 years ago from south London. Lived in London 26 years but would never go back... norfolk has taken my heart :)

Having said that... It is rural. Proper rural. And norwich is the only main place for miles and miles. It is great for children though. Teenagers not so much... public transport beyond awful generally especially to get outside of Norwich.

We live in Diss and love it.

Solasum · 26/05/2014 21:19

What do you count as interesting?

Solasum · 26/05/2014 21:23

I would say Bath is very pleasant. People living most central places seem to me to be almost exclusively white, gently-spoken Southern born and raised university educated types. Radio 4 in city form. Not as intellectual a crowd as in Cambridge. If you are after anything resembling diversity, you will not find it in Bath.

Solasum · 26/05/2014 21:24

Would your job be in the city centre?

nannyj · 26/05/2014 21:24

I would def say norwich. I've done the move from London to here last year and you still get the buzz of a city but it's a quieter pace of life which I defniately needed.

We even have a Jo Malone shop now ;-)

Original poster
dither72 · 26/05/2014 21:25

Yes well I suppose I am white university educating and listen to radio 4 so may suite me.

OP posts:
Original poster
dither72 · 26/05/2014 21:25

educated

OP posts:
nannyj · 26/05/2014 21:26

You do need to be in or near Norwich though I would say or it may be too much of a shock!

Swipe left for the next trending thread