Newark in Notts... pros and cons!!

[needmysleep]

Have been looking at properties around Newark which I quite liked the look of but what's it like actually living there?
I know trains to London are pretty quick which is important for work but how easy is it to get to other areas
Also have 2 teens so need a good college and senior school?
Is there enough to do for young people?
Is it a nice place to live?

I've lived just outside Newark for about 13 years - I moved here from London and at the time it was a bit of a culture shock, like going back in time. I found it very white and quite insular. I'd say it's changed and improved since then and I'm reasonably happy here, although we won't be here forever - even after all that time, I don't really feel I fit in and I don't think I ever will. It's a nice enough place to live but it's just not for me long term.

Pros:

• good transport links to get north/south - fast train to London, York, Leeds and Scotland, and the A1 is also good to go north/south (although avoid on a Friday when it's nearly always at a standstill)


• pretty town centre, with marketplace and some nice independent shops


• a few nice attractions - the river, the castle, Sconce Park is lovely. There's also the Civil War museum


• Waitrose, a big new M&S foodhall, and a reasonable choice of other supermarkets


• good mix of houses - some lovely big, old ones in town, and newer builds further out (eg Fernwood and Middlebeck). You can get a lot for your money here.


• loads of gyms and a big, fairly new sports centre with pool. There's also a massive YMCA with a great choice of sports facilties about to open, including a climbing wall, and lots for young people planned


• there's a theatre and cinema


• there are lots of lovely villages around and some nice countryside too, if a bit flat


• transport to the east and west can be slow at times, both train and road - Lincoln and Nottingham are generally OK but further afield places can take ages to get to


• some of the mainstream shops in town have closed down


• there's a lot of new housing estates popping up - and no new facilties to support them (eg doctors etc)


• althought there is a small hospital with urgent care centre, the main ones are at Mansfield and Lincoln, both quite a drive away


• it's a long way to the sea


• it's a very Tory area - a really safe seat

I don't have children so have no direct experience of schools here but from what I know, the secondary schools are improving, having always had a bad reputation. Lots of parents choose to send their children out of town from Year 7, with the grammar schools in Grantham a popular choice as well as the Minster School in Southwell and William Robertson in Leadenham. There seem to be buses provided for most of these schools. There's a big sixth form college in town that is part of Lincoln College I think.

Hope that helps a bit!

I have family living nearby. They like it and I agree with livesinnewark's points.

The biggest drawback for them has been schooling at secondary age - some lovely primaries but many send their kids into Lincolnshire for the grammar schools at KS3 (think nearest in Grantham).

Con: Anagram of 'wanker'

Thank you ! That's all very useful... I'm wondering if it would be better to head out towards Lincoln .... the school and college needs to be good .... any pros and cons to Lincoln ??

I don't know Lincolnshire very well. Lincoln is a pretty city but there is a lot of deprivation. The coastal areas do not have good reputations. If you are willing to look slightly further afield than Newark itself then, say an 8-10 mile radius, what about one of the neighbouring market towns with better schools. Southwell is very popular I think, and Bingham. It is a shame Newark schools are so poor for secondary as it is a lovely town with a lot to recommend it.

Lincoln is great! The colleges and universities are doing well. Plenty to do, beautiful city.
There are plenty of different areas surrounding the city many of which are highly sought after.