Retford, Notts - does anyone know it?

[CatAndHisKit]

Considering Retford along with couple of other places in East Mids, which have a good train link

But what's it like? I've been to Mansfield not too far and it's not my thing, too sleepy (no station so maybe that's the reason). Also like the look of the park n REtford, but is it nice of gets antisocial behaviour etc? I'd need to be close to the station.
How about amenities, supermarkets - I don't think many in town but is there a good connection to any good retail centres?
TIA!

I personally wouldn’t live there, sorry

Thank you all - yes, sounds like Retford is off the list.
Lincoln still on but yes, I'm debating the transport links, NotMe - business side is very local vintage upcycling related so yo ucxan imagine how good is the area) ut I do like to travel around - I never considered it before due to lack of London link first of all but it does now have several trains a day - but still not sure if it will get on my nerves travelling anywhere else London is a fortnightly n average trip but would prefer a better link to Sheffield).
I think I should now comsider Sheffield but the myriad of suburbs is baffling! On a budget too but don't want a rough (or an extremely steep) area.

Mansfield's ok and would suit some, but not on my list.

Sheffield - check out Nether Edge, Walkley and Broomhill. All close-ish to town, not too pricey and have some life to them. Nether Edge is upcycling central - Antiques Quarter is there, flea market etc.

thanks, Standstilling - I do like the area around Ecclesall rd and Abbeydale, but Nether Edge has gone up in price unless a small ex-rental. Walkley cheaper - will have a look, is it quite nice?

I looked at Walkley years ago so might be out of date, but then it was nicer then Hillsborough but more affordable than the really nice areas. Some v steep roads!

Check out Woodseats, Beauchief side too

Newark is ok but also Brexitland and the town centre is increasingly on the slide.

I’d go for Lincoln or Sheffield unless you’ve got the money for a nice country pile.

Check out Dronfield - a decent sort of place and has a station. Property def less expensive than SW Sheffield. Or drive into Chesterfield for London trains.

Ooh, and Norton in Sheffield too.

I know you said Retford is off the list but have you been? We moved from london to Retford nearly 5 years ago, the Train line was a big factor in our decision making too my husband initially commuted every day, which was a real slog. yes it’s not particularly diverse but very few towns around here are, the surrounding villages are lovely, like others have said but they are even less diverse than Retford.
It’s an old market town, so like all old market towns of a similar size there’s plenty of coffee and charity shops, there’s several nice bars and restaurants. For bigger shops it’s Meadowhall d bit Lincoln and Sheffield are a similar drive timings wise. I’m not a huge fan of meansfield, Southwell is very lovely but much much more expensive.
Like everywhere there’s nice and not nice bits but we’ve been very happy here and I’m pleased we move.
Also not everyone voted for brexit!!

Sorry for many a typo - baby is very restless and attempting to Mumsnet and settle a 2 year old clearly isn’t working!

To be honest I think that Retford is likely not a great fit for you; the things I like are not things that suit you.

@hexagon friendly rivalry 😂

Retford is a nice town. Its like anywhere you have good and bad points. Ive lived here my whole life and never had an issue.

Beeston is nice and has a direct train to London St Pancras

Nothing wrong with Retford, go and check it out for yourself.

I’m confused. You can catch the train from Beeston straight to London St Pancras. It has excellent transport links.

I can’t believe there is nothing house wise in Newark?? What were you looking for?

You really need to go and spend a few days looking around these places.

What kind of a person are you? Country /town? Do you like hills/Forrest/not really a country person? Etc

Honey I didn't say there is nothing in Newark at all - I meant in my budget and a walking distance to the Northgate station (main attarction is its train links in all directions!). I'm a town person who does like to have access to proper parks / green spaces.

Enderman I didn't consider Beeston as I didn't know it (but though it was a very small town) and nobody mentioned it so far on my two threads. It was between Newark, Lincoln and possibly Retford where I@ve never been hence asking). I'll have a look.

just hada look - Beeston is a Nottignham suburb and expensive compared to the other places mentioned, could get a nicer house elsewhere for my downsizer's budget.

Hi OP, sorry I don’t know Grantham as such, just thought with the quick train times to London it may be worth a thought. I do know the surrounding villages are very pretty, Vale of Belvoir area and prices can be expensive but vary quite a bit depending whether you’re in Lincs, Leics or Notts.
Agree with others that Southwell area is nice too.

@blahblahblah12345......ok, the only good thing about Worksop is the road to Retford 😂

Didn't want @CatAndHisKit to think we were a bunch of infighting yokels, some of us are normal.

@blahblahblah12345......ok, the only good thing about Worksop is the road to Retford 😂

What's your budget (if you don't mind mentioning?) OP?

When we moved to the Midlands, we basically chose where to live by the map. We had certain criteria in regard to family, workplace, affordability, transport links. We literally drew a boundary and house hunted in it.

We ended up near a rather ordinary small town in North Warwickshire (probably not unlike Retford) but actually once we got to know the area there was a lot to like in and around. The convenience of being able to get everywhere we needed was worth it.

@hexagon... I've never heard it called a friendly rivalry before 😂 it has a mcds too so thats 2 good parts of worksop 😂

haha enjoying the rivalry banter!

NOtMe yes sometimes you just go for a place and learn to love it - but risky, a matter of luck.

augustus I had a look at Grantham but it's too far south from where I want to be - good for london but not for other things I thikn I mentioned. I think Newark is similar and better in some ways.