thinking of moving to norfolk...any advice on area

[prampusher]

hello we've been thining of moving to Norfolk. We live in London and want more space and fresh air. Any tips from anyone who lives there please? I know it's a big place but we are thinking of being near the sea depending on how much money it costs to buy a house...

The road network in Norfolk near to the sea is not that great (takes ages to get anywhere as mainly non dual carriageways and traffic build up can be chronic in the height of the summer season). Will you still be working and commuting to London? What age are your children? What's your budget?

North Norfolk, most of Norfolk near the coast, really, is a long way from London + rest of Britain. I only say that because make sure you dont' mind the extra travel time to go see family or anyone else you left behind in London.

I live in one of the market towns in north norfolk + there are people who moved here expecting to routinely commute to Ipswich, London, Cambridge, every day. Madness I'd say, but I guess if you are used to commuting in London then 3+ hours a day in a car/train just to go to work seems normal.

It's sleepy here, crime is relatively low. I read things on MN about lifestyle + want to laugh because it would be considered preposterous + silly out here in the sticks to live like that (for most people).

very much depends on where you are going to work.

The North Norfolk coast can be very expensive because lots of people buy second homes up there.

What sort of ball park figure are you thinking of ? Town, village or country ? Within commuting distance of private schools (few and far between round here) or happy to take what you get with local state schools ?

Want to commute back to London regularly for visits - if so maybe stick to the southern part of the county.

My DH works from home (bonus I know) so we are lucky not to have to think about commutes... we would I think rent first and rent out our place before making a decision to buy. It seems awful that people are buying places and putting up the prices but I guess that happens in lots of places. We often go to Cornwall for holidays and I know this has happened down there. I suppose what I have been thinking about is what sort of reception new people get? I was born in London and have been here all my life. When we went up for a visit I found people to be really friendly but I'm feeling nervous about fitting in and that sort of thing... you are so much more anonymous in London that it's the reverse and you can live next to people without knowing them at all.

My DS is under 1 so schools are a little way off but still it's something to think about as time is flying by... we'd definitely go for state school as we don't have the money or the inclination for private schooling (though I'm sure they are v. good - this is just something we agree on because of our own state school experiences which were excellent for the main part). On that note are there lots of good nursery facilites??

I guess I must do a lot more research into all this but it always helps to get local info such as what you said about roads and traffic Limbodancer. Wouldn't have occurred to me but now I know.

What about Suffolk? This property is on the outskirts of Southwold which is a lovely costal town with a superb pier and beach and not at all tacky in fact very popular with Londoners for holidays. It also has a couple of designer clothing shops and a gorgeous deli! You can also buy freshly caught fish from the harbour.

if you want to commute regularly to Cornwall for holidays then go somewhere in the south west of Norfolk near the A11 - otherwise it will add at least an hour to your journey just to get through Norfolk (I live in south Norfolk and it takes an hour or more to get to most of the north part of the county).

Nurseries are pretty hit and miss I think - some places have very good ones and some none at all.

As far as mixing with the locals - much the same as any other rural area - as long as you don't try and tell them how to live their lives (and complain about the smell of farming activities and lack of paths and streetlights ) you should be fine. Many parts of Norfolk have lots of incomers now - many from the London area - because historically it has been cheaper here (although prices have gone up a lot in the last few years).

Southwold

blimey limbodancer that's a lot of room for your money! I haven't thought of Suffolk though a friend is moving to a village there so perhaps we will extend our search...

I'm getting all in a dither about where to move to actually. I started the want to move out speech about 10 years ago and then one thing led to another... I was even thinking about going to Oz (most of my family are there) but complicated in terms of employment.

I think a trip to Suffolk is in order.

Throckenholt, would I dare! Do incomers really put their noses in like that! Tisk how cheeky! Personally the more pongs the better. I'm sick of filthy traffic and rubbish (but I guess you get this everywhere!) We wouldn't go to Cornwall for hols any more I don't think as the Norfolk coast is gorgeous...

Still lots to think about and both of you have got me thinking ... Whitstable is also on our list but I'm not sure that it's 'wild' enough if that makes sense...would be interesting to hear from people who live there too. So many places so hard to make a decision. I guess the best thing is to make a list of wants and to try and work out if that place will fulfill it. Dull dull dull (I'm not a keen list writer)
Actually friends of ours stuck a pin in a map and struck with Nottingham. That's not my style though now I'm thinking it might be the easiest option!

ps. excuse the epic!

This is the other end of the scale - LOL! Holiday home anyone? Good luck whatever you decide to do. I live in South Norfolk and am an "incomer" and have never had any problems - feel free to CAT me if you want to talk more.....

Hi, I live just north of Norwich, but was born and brought up around Sheringham/Cromer. If you're thinking of the North Norfolk coast then these are much quicker to get to than the Wells/Burnham areas further north. Sheringham is the more upmarket of the two, but West Runton (halfway between Cromer and Sheringham) is lovely. It has a good village feel, several shops, a good pub, couple of hotels and miles of beach. It also has rail links to norwich (about 45 mins) which connect to the Liverpool Street service (about 1.45 hours), so it should take less than 3 hours to get into London. My DP drives to London at least once a week, and it takes him 2.5/3 hours, depending which part he's going to. If I were you, I'd look for a house in West Runton or Sheringham. It's a lovely place to bring up children. Local people can be a bit "shy", but there are so many people who have moved in from elsewhere that it really isn't an issue any more. Let me know if you want any more info, as I could talk about Norfolk for hours!