Moving to a new city is never an easy decision, with so many things to take into account. You want to be sure that where you’re moving will be safe, have plenty to do and if you’re moving with a family – have good educational facilities.
Nottingham is a very popular city for people to move to from elsewhere in the UK. Its central location makes it very convenient for getting to other major cities in the UK and its mix of great culture, shopping, schools and affordable property, make it a very attractive place overall.
Today, we’ll be taking a look at some of the main things Nottingham has to offer people relocating to the city as well as some of the best areas to live in the city.
Let’s start by looking at some of the best reasons to move to Nottingham.
Why move to Nottingham?
Nottingham Town Hall
- Education – If you have kids and you’re planning to move to Nottingham, then you’ll be glad to know there are many excellent schools throughout, including primary schools, secondary schools, private schools and colleges. There are multiple primary and secondary schools in Nottingham that have been rated ‘Outstanding’ by Ofsted.
- Shopping – As far as Shopping goes, Nottingham provides you with everything you could want, from large retail chains to smaller, independent stores. Victoria Centre is the city’s main shopping complex and is home to 120 shops and services.
- Interesting culture – Culture is another area where Nottingham excels. There are many excellent things to see and do throughout the city, including Nottingham Castle, Stonebridge City Farm and Wollaton Hall to name just a few.
- Affordable property prices – One of the main things that makes Nottingham an attractive place to move are its affordable property prices. There are many different types of houses and apartment complexes throughout the city, both to rent and buy, with most areas being very affordable to live in.
- Work opportunities – There are many excellent work opportunities available in Nottingham too. There are a huge number of businesses throughout the city, whether you’re looking for office work, financial positions or retail.
- Well connected – Another great thing about Nottingham is its very well connected with other parts of the UK. Not only is it centrally located but it’s also nearby the M1, making it very convenient to get to other major cities in the UK, including London, which is around a 3 hour drive away.
Best places for affordable property
- St Ann’s West – St Ann’s West has some of the most affordable properties in Nottingham, with many detached and semi-detached houses available as well as apartment buildings.
- Forest Fields – Forest Fields is another location in Nottingham where the property is very affordable. It has a number of local schools as well as a church and multiple shops and restaurants, so it’d be a good place to move for families.
- Sneinton – Sneinton is a suburb in the southwest of the city that has plenty of affordable property, whether you’re looking to rent or buy. There are many sites of interest there and it has excellent transport links to other parts of Nottingham.
Best places for things to do
- Hockley – In the heart of the city centre, Hockly is surrounded by great bars, music venues, boutiques and restaurants. The Broadway Cinema is right on your doorstep too, so if you’re a film lover, you can’t go wrong. If you want to live in a vibrant area with plenty going on, Hockley would make an ideal choice.
- Wollaton – Wollaton is another part of Nottingham that offers a lot of things to do for residents. As well as having its own library, there are also many excellent shops and pubs there. It’s very easy to get to the city centre, either by car or bus and would make an excellent place to live for both families and young professionals.
- West Bridgford – Just a mile from the city centre, West Bridgford is an area of Nottingham with a lot to offer, including a sports centre and great parks as well as many excellent shops and restaurants.
Best places for safety
- Keyworth North – According to police crime numbers, Keyworth North is one of the safest areas to live in Nottingham. The property prices are quite high here compared to the rest of the city, so this is worth taking into account.
- Dunkirk and Lenton – Dunkirk and Lenton is another safe area to live in Nottingham, with low overall crime rates. It’s known as being a very popular town with University students although it’s a suitable and welcoming area for all types of people.
- Beeston – Beeston is an area that’s seen a big drop in crime numbers over recent years and is now quite a desirable area to live. The property prices are higher than average for the city but cheaper than areas like Keyworth North.
Best places overall
- Beeston – Beeston is one of the best areas to live in Nottingham for a few reasons. Firstly, it’s in a very convenient location for getting to the city centre, located just 3 miles away. It’s also home to many great amenities including a number of superb bars and restaurants.
- Arnold – Arnold is one of the largest towns in the county of Nottinghamshire and has its own library as well as a swimming pool and theatre. It’s also a very safe area and the property prices are reasonable for both houses and flats.
- City centre – The city centre of Nottingham has many excellent flats to rent and buy and you’re close to everything you’d need from shops to bars, restaurants and cinemas. Although the crime rates in the city centre tend to be higher than some of the quieter surrounding areas, that doesn’t mean it’s necessarily unsafe and you’ll never be short of things to see and do.
Cultural highlights of Nottingham
- Theatre & Royal Concert Hall – The Theatre & Royal Concert Hall is one of Nottingham’s most impressive buildings and hosts all types of musicals and plays throughout the year.
- Nottingham Castle – Nottingham Castle is right up there with the city’s must-visit attractions. It dates back to 1068 and is one of the most historic buildings in the UK and has a fascinating history to learn about.
- Stonebridge City Farm – Set in the heart of Nottingham, Stonebridge City Farm is an urban farm that’s open to the public every day from 10am to 3pm and has a range of animals to see, including rabbits, goats, meerkats and pigs. It’s free to visit and a perfect place to come with kids.
- Sherwood Forest – Sherwood Forest is known around the world thanks to the folklore character, Robin Hood. The forest is more than 1000 acres in size and sees many visitors from around the world each year. As well as the forest itself, there’s also an art and craft centre, making it a great day out for the family.
- National Justice Museum – Located in the Lace Market, the National Justice Museum is one of Nottingham’s must-visit attractions. The building itself was the city’s former court and jailhouse and there are many fascinating exhibits to explore as well as displays about Robin Hood. If you’re at all interested in crime and punishment, then you could easily spend hours here.
- City of Caves – City of Caves is one of Nottingham’s most unique offerings. It’s home to the largest group of caves in the country, including the mammoth Mortimer’s Hole, which lies directly below the castle. Admission costs are very reasonable and kids under 5 get in for free, so it makes for a perfect family day out.
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I’m Paul Smith, Founder and Director of HouseMoveHelper. I have a great love of business, marketing, the wilderness and love to travel. You can learn more about me here.