What’s Nottingham like?

[Elz58]

We’re researching areas to relocate to. DH and I work from home, so there’s no commute. We want to be within about 45mins of family in Derby.

We’re thinking about Nottingham, West Bridgford specifically (we have a top budget of £800k). What’s this area like to live in? Amenities, leisure centre, library, transport into the town… does it feel pretty safe? We’re into hiking and biking, are there some decent opportunities for this within 30mins ish drive?

We have two kids, DS aged 5 currently in reception class, and DS aged 2. I know the schools in WB are excellent, but would we have any hopes of getting an in year admission for my 5 yo?

Thank you

WB is nice. As are some of the surrounding villages. The rest of Nottingham is meh. I've lived there for 20 years and would love to get out!

I'm from WB and would live there now if I could afford it. My dream house is one of the 5 double bedroom 3 reception Victorian semis that go for about £750k.

Do it!

I love Nottm and have moved back after 25 years in Derbys. So much better here! Always things to do, theatre, Royal Concert hall, Arena, Ice hockey, 2 football teams, International cricket, international water sports centre, fabulous heritage sites, Wollaton park... the list goes on!

I think West Bridgford is overrated personally.

Ruddington is nice, East Leake.. Long Eaton, Sutting Bonnington.. all nice. Plus lots of lovely towns and villages in commuting distance.

With that budget in that area I think you’ll get something really lovely. My dd is in her 3rd year at Nottingham university and she loves it there but the area she lives in (Ilkeston Road, where the horrific stabbings occurred last year) is pretty awful, very rough.

I lived in WB for years-its definitely overrated, very white, middle-class and generally quite smug and a bit 2D. I live I'm Nottingham City now - loads going on culturally and much more diverse.

I moved from London to West Bridgford 20+ years ago and love it here. So much to do for the kids, you are 10 mins from everywhere, swimming, football,.sports clubs, motorpoint arena, theatre. This year we've been to Strictly and panthers both at Ice Arena, Forest at City ground, all a bus ride away. Amazing transport links to City centre, fantastic library in Bridgford. Living here with kids we have had a wonderful quality of life.

In terms if safety, I have always felt safe here.i just hear about bike theft,.as.so many kids and adults have decent bikes. I

The other areas surrounding WB are really nice too, and I would disagree with a PP, there are other lovely parts of Nottingham too,.l Wollaton, Mapperly, Beeston, the Park.

As for schools, yes the popular primary schools that feed in West Bridgford comp are oversubscribed, so I would.suggest renting first and getting a a school place first. However the primary schools that feed into Rushcliffe, the other comp, are all lovely and.maybe not as oversubscribed. DM me if you want further info, as I much experience with the WB school system!

Thank you this is really helpful! It looks like the secondary has four feeder primaries, if I read that right. Are they all quite similar, or have very different approaches / reputations / sizes?

My youngest is due to start school in Sept 2025, so if we end up living close enough to one of the feeder primaries hopefully he might get a place. But it’s my 5 year old we’d have less control over if everywhere is oversubscribed for in year admissions. Although I’m sure the non feeder primaries are great too. I’d love for them to go to the same primary

Tends to be my view on it - but MN I know loves it.

It is an area with issues in terms of schools being oversubscribed as well.
Generally I love Nottingham, although I now live on the county borderline - but like everywhere - there are good and bad bits and some absolutely gorgeous villages as well.

I'd also look over the Derby side of the city (on a crap day - it's likely to take you 45 mins to get around from WB side in traffic - never mind across to Derby) - Wollaton as someone mentioned, bits of areas like Bramcote, Toton... over the county border into the likes of Risley. Long Eaton - I think you'd probably personally want to swerve that one if you're looking at WB... some lovely houses on the outskirts (sat in one now :D ) but the centre has its issues, the schools are meh for secondary, and it seems to have been constant roadworks and traffic jams for about the last year. It suits us though for proximity to transport links and ability for the kids to walk to things they want to do now they're that little bit older.

@Elz58

There are four feeders into West Bridgford Comp. Like anything, everyone has an opinion and most parents only have experience of one. What I would say is that there is a "perception" that Jesse Gray and West Bridgford Infants + Junior are "better", but I suspect it is more because they are closer to the centre of Bridgford with the more expensive house prices and the Victorian and Edwardian housing stock. Heymann and Greythorn are the more newer side of Bridgford and a drive to the centre rather than a walk. At the end of they day, they all feed into the Comp. I am not sure of the form entry as for each school but they are all a comparable size.

If you are wanting to stay close to Bridgford then I would also look at Abbey Road. This feeds into Rushcliffe and there are some gorgeous houses for sale in your price bracket.

I believe as well, that were you to get your youngest into your chosen primary school, and you lived in catchment, and their older sibling was at another primary school as you couldn't get a place when you moved into the area then the older sibling would then leapfrog over anyone else on the waiting list ,as they would be in catchment and have a sibling. You'd have to check the individual school subscription criteria, but I am pretty certain this would be the case, so you would have a good chance of getting both children into same school, albeit slightly long windedly.

Key thing in Bridgford to get into either of the two secondaries - you have to live in catchment and attend a feeder school; if you don't you have no hope of getting in. It sounds awful but if you can stick to that scenario whilst looking where to live you should be OK!

Or there is also the Catholic option with St Edmund Campion which feeds into Beckett ( famous alumni - Mary Earps!!)

Hope that helps, as I said DM me with any questions.