Northampton or Nottingham?

[KingMorty]

If you could live in one of those places - which would you pick?

Would proximity to extended family/hometown persuade you to live in a less desirable place? Is it better for kids to be close to grandparents or live in an area with more attractions?

Lots of questions there - thinking out loud!

Happiest years of my life spent in Northampton great place or was 25 years ago

Nottingham.

Proper city. Lovely centre. Nice suburbs. Theatres, universities, galleries, teaching hospital, etc.

Comparatively affordable for all the above.

Yeah I'd choose Nottingham, but do be careful over which areas as some are absolutely awful and some are beautiful. It depends how much you'd see your family, it's got to be good for you 24/7 though.

Northampton doesn’t have a great reputation on this site.

What part of northants? I grew up there and never thought about moving back. Now expecting dc3 and thinking about it to be closer to family.

I grew up in Northampton and it's ok. The town centre is dull and barely any decent shops left. Most people would visit Milton Keynes for shopping etc. There are some lovely places to visit and things to do with kids though. Never lived in Nottingham but have visited there. I imagine there's probably more there for kids and it's a better atmosphere in the centre.
It depends which is closer to family though if that's what you'd prefer.
My LG is 8mo and we now live in Cornwall but all of our family are Northampton/Leicester/Dunstable way so we don't get to see them often

I'm from Northants and have also lived in Nottingham. I vote Nottingham!

Nottingham for me too. Grew up in Northamptonshire and my mum is still there. She says the town is dire now with very limited shopping. But they're not very far apart and you can easily live near the M1 so visiting family and friends is easy.