Living in Norwich – A Guide to Life in Norfolk

Are you considering living in Norwich?

Norfolk offers its residents a plethora of appealing factors.

Living in Norwich provides the perfects midground of busy urban living combined with a more peaceful, community-driven rural lifestyle.

Norwich provides an extremely tightknit community.

Residents can work, learn, and enjoy some fantastic activities all within the city.

You do not have to leave the city to find what you are looking for!

With so much to offer, Norwich has built a strong community and sense of identity.

Living in Norwich provides residents with all the amenities you would expect from a city.

The area also boasts some top-notch schools and universities as well as a host of arts and culture spots.

Being in Norfolk, residents also have great access to the beautiful rural locations that border the city.

With so much in its favour, it is no surprise that Norwich continues to be recognised as one of the best places to live in the UK!

The city has been named as one of the best places to live in the UK for the third year in a row by The Sunday Times.

The appeal of living in Norwich is evident, in this article we will take a more in-depth look at what makes Norwich great.

So, if you are thinking of living in Norwich, enjoy our comprehensive guide to life in Norfolk.

Living in Norwich

Once the second-largest city in England, there is a rich history in this cathedral city.

It is important to understand the relative ‘isolation’ of the city.

Norfolk is situated on the North Sea, there are no onward destinations, motorways or high-speed rail services due to its location.

This means that Norwich its various suburbs compel residents to live and work within in the area.

Whilst this may not appeal to everyone, the dependence on the city means there is a fantastic community.

Norwich’s strong community is bolstered by a number of annual festivals.

The Norfolk and Norwich festivals encourage residents to celebrate the regions community-driven roots.

Norwich is also home to the fantastic University of East Anglia (UEA), which was rated as the 30th best university in the UK in the Guardian’s 2020 University league table.

This community of students really adds to the city, giving it an injection of youthful exuberance.

There is also a strong drive towards regeneration in the city.

New developments are popping up throughout Norwich, making great use of neglected land.

Locals enjoy a tranquil pace of life, with a host of heritage and entertainment provided.

The city has numerous medieval buildings to enjoy, adding to the cities charm.

As well as this, there are plenty of independent art galleries and shops to explore.

Quick and easy access to Norfolk’s expansive countryside and coastline only adds to Norwich’s allure!

If you are thinking of living in Norwich there are lots to enjoy and explore.

Best Areas in Norwich?

Understanding where the best areas are within the city is a top priority if you are considering living in Norwich.

As Norwich’s popularity continues to skyrocket, some areas within the city are becoming increasingly popular.

Some areas are managing to create a great reputation not only within the city but also within the whole of the UK!

These are two of our favourite areas in Norwich.

Located to the west and south-west of the city centre, stretching to Unthank Road and Earlham Road, is the ‘Golden Triangle.’

Norwich’s most highly sought-after area, the Golden Triangle has gained great notoriety in recent years.

A sprinkling of modern flats and 1940s semi-detached houses can be found intermingled with the prevalent terraced Victorian properties.

The Golden Triangle provides residents with a charming cosmopolitan environment.

Residents are afforded great access to the city centre and those with families can make use of some of Norfolk’s best schools.

The great community spirit and the appeal of easy accessibility make the Golden Triangle a great place to move to.

Whilst this area certainly caters for families, some of Norwich’s suburbs offer excellent prospects for those with children.

Old Catton can be found 2 miles to the north of the city.

A small village, Old Catton has a population of just over 6,000 residents.

This exclusive area offers a range of modern semi-detached and detached properties.

The suburb is in easy reach of the centre, meaning residents can enjoy all the amenities provided there.

However, Old Catton also allows locals great access to the surrounding Norfolk countryside!

Local walks, parks and shops make this suburb ideal for those looking to balance urban and rural living.

Local children are given the option of three schools and a college, with the option to travel to the city always available!

Property Prices

Living in Norwich has become an ever more desirable option.

Having ranked in The Sunday Times best places to live for three years in a row, the popularity of the city is evident!

With this increased popularity, house prices have been steadily increasing in recent years.

However, Norwich still offers excellent value to those who choose to live here.

According to Zoopla, the current average house price in August 2020 is £272,993.

This represents fantastic value when compared to other top UK locations.

Norwich offers cheaper property prices than Bristol, London, and Brighton, and is around the same price as a property in Birmingham.

As of August 2020, the average price for a house in London sits at £605,437!

This is a staggering difference when compared to the cost of living in Norwich.

With its fantastic Norfolk location, living in Norwich offers easy access to the coast, rural areas and even allows for commuting to London in under 2 hours.

So, what can you expect to pay for different property types in Norwich?

The current average price of a detached home is £338,088, with the average price of a semi-detached home being £240,510.

If you are looking for a terraced home, the average price in Norwich is £219,025, with flats averaging at £159,118.

House prices in Norwich have plunged during the pandemic.

These prices are likely to change over the coming months and years.

Make sure you keep up to date with the current prices if you are thinking of living in Norwich.

Work

Norwich was historically a manufacturing region.

In the past, Norwich’s economy was centred around shoemaking!

Whilst there are still manufacturing jobs in the city, its economy has diversified.

There is a wide range of different job opportunities to enjoy in Norwich.

Job sectors include manufacturing, finance, agriculture, tourism, energy, and the health sector.

The most notable of Norwich’s many industries is insurance, it is one of the biggest insurance hubs in Europe!

Since the 1980 Norwich’s economy has diversified from manufacturing-based to finance and service-based.

Today, around 33% of residents are employed in the business or financial service industry.

There is also a huge focus on research!

Norwich Research Park is home to Europe’s largest food, health, and environmental research centres.

The Research Park is a significant contributor to the local economy, with 5,000 additional scientific-related roles expected to be created in the coming years.

If you are considering living in Norwich, be sure to search for your dream jobs at Indeed, Reed, or  Jobs24!

Driving in Norwich

If you are thinking of living in Norwich, it is important to know what driving in the city is like.

Norwich currently has a one-way system implemented in many parts of the centre.

Whilst this does not make for the quickest travel, it goes a long way to reduce some of the rush hour traffic.

There are also a number of pedestrianised sections in the city.

Pedestrianised roads certainly add to the calm nature of Norwich but may add a few minutes to your commute.

Norwich does not have a motorway network serving the city and its residents.

However, the A11 to Cambridge and London has been made into a dual carriageway.

The drive to London takes just over 2 hours, meaning the capital is never too far away.

As well as this, the A140 connects Norwich to Cromer to the north and to Ipswich to the south.

The nearby A47 navigates the city from King’s Lynn to Great Yarmouth, allows easy city-wide accessibility.

There is also the ongoing construction of the Northern Distributor Road.

This will give residents access to a dual carriageway, connecting the city to Norwich International Airport and beyond.

Navigating the City

Whilst Norwich’s relative isolation may make travelling to nearby areas a little tricky, the compact nature of the city means there are several great ways to get around!

Walking is a great option due to the relatively compact nature of the city.

You should be able to reach most destinations on foot!

Whilst this may take a little longer than some of the alternatives, it is a great way to see the city.

Who knows, you may find your new favourite cafes, shops, or parks on one of your walks!

Cycling is another great option.

Again, this is a great way to explore the city.

You should easily be able to get to your destination on a bike!

The city is very bike-friendly, there are several cycle routes to cater for all of the bike enthusiasts.

A number of different bus services provide public transport to Norwich.

Be sure to check out the Norfolk Government page to find out fares and bus times.

It is also recommended to review health and safety procedures that may be in places during the pandemic, these can be found here.

Norwich also provides residents with access to a local airport if you have your sights set on a destination that is a bit further afield.

Located around 15 minutes outside of the city, Norwich International Airport offers domestic and European flights.

Links to Amsterdam airport also allow an additional 1,000 worldwide destinations.

Check out the Norwich International Airport website for more information on getting to and from the airport.

Direct international flights can be accessed at London Luton and Stansted Airports, both of which are around a two-hour drive.

Schools in Norwich

Norwich provides families with a great choice of local schools.

The city is home to 103 schools and colleges.

These cater for all students from primary school age all the way up to sixth form and college.

All these schools sit within a 5-mile radius of the city, meaning there is a great school for every student!

Of these 103 schools, 23 have achieved the coveted ‘Outstanding’ review from Ofsted!

The wider region of Norfolk also ensures a high level of education.

Across the region, there are currently 71 schools with an ‘Outstanding’ report from Ofsted.

The top-rated primary schools in Norfolk include:

• Coltishall Primary School
• Henderson Green Primary School
• Cringleford CE VA Primary School
• Dickleburgh Church of England Primary Academy

12 secondary schools in Norfolk have received ‘Outstanding’ reports.

For secondary school students looking to study in Norfolk consider some of these top achieving institutions:

• Ormiston Venture Academy
• Notre Dame High School, Norwich
• Wymondham College
• Hethersett Academy
• Ormiston Victory Academy

Shopping

If you are thinking of living in Norwich, you will be please to know that there are plenty of choices when it comes to shopping (well, maybe you are not so pleased!)

The city is, in fact, one of the UK’s top 20 shopping locations!

Norwich city centre is home to two shopping centres.

Both into Chapelfield and the Castle Mall provide locals with all of the big-name retail brands.

Regional flagship stores in the city include John Lewis, Marks and Spencer, Debenhams, House of Fraser and Primark!

For those looking for more niche and unique items, Norwich has you covered.

Be sure to check out Norwich Market!

This is the largest open-air market in the country and has a range of fantastic items to buy.

Head over to Norwich.gov for more information about opening times of the market during the pandemic.

If you aren’t a lover of markets, the Norwich Lanes, the Cathedral Quarter and Magdalen Street offer some boutique shops.

These locations are perfect for lovers of vintage, collectables, art and fashion!

For even more information about shopping in Norwich check out the VisitNorwich website.

Ready to Start Living in Norwich?

Are you thinking of living in Norwich?

Whether you want to explore the stunning Norfolk countryside, enjoy the strong community spirit or soak up some of the region’s history, the city has something for everyone.

And, with a variety of fantastic locations and an array of different properties, there is undoubtedly a home for you!

GoodMove will make your move to Norwich an easy and stress-free process.

We take great joy in ensuring everything runs smoothly and flawlessly, helping you to settle into your new home right away.

As well as our competitively priced removals package, we can also offer extra services such as temporary or long-term storage facilities should you need them.

GoodMove cover all areas of Suffolk, Norfolk and Essex and our friendly estimators can call round at a convenient time for you and strategically plan your move to perfection.

During these unique times, GoodMove are also offering a new video survey service.

Using our new technology, we can gather all the information required to assist with your move, from the comfort of your home!

Video surveys will help you save valuable time and preserve the best safety levels.

To find out more about how we could get your dream move to Norwich or any other location underway do not hesitate to call us on the number listed above.

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