Hi guys, This may be a bit premature, but my marriage looks like it could be over soon and if that does happen, I may look to leave Swindon, and the only place I would like to move to is Norwich. So my questions really are, what is employment like in Norwich at the mo, I work in Pensions, and earn average wage. I would need to buy a cheap place, so ideally 2 bed flat but 1 beds considered (I have two kids that would come visit!) but would like to stay away from the dodgy areas. Every city has the rough areas, that one wants to live in, which ones would I want to avoid and which areas should I look to? Any help or advice would be appreciated. Not looking for sympathy or sarcasm, just trying to plan for the worst.
Hi swindon, so sorry to hear of your problems! My advice would be to take on a short-term rent (say 6 months) to give yourself the chance to have a look round for yourself! Other peoples opinions may be very different to yours, and most letting agents also offer properties for sale so you could kill two birds with one stone! Whatever the outcome, I wish you the very best of luck!
Hi SY, from my limited experience of living within the boundaries of the city I would imagine that a 'cheap' property will see you in a pretty undesirable area such as Lakenham, Half Mile Cross or the likes. I moved away from Norwich about 8 years ago, just after the city saw a huge boom in property prices - I sold a 3 bed semi house after 18 months of buying it for £92,000 - I bought if for £46,000 (Get in ) I dread to think what the prices are like now. What is for near certain, is a nice area is going to be quite a bit more expensive. New Costessey is nice and you may find something up that way. There is a newer residential area to the far east of the city but again I think maybe too expensive. If you can afford to commute it may be worth your while having a look around some of the local villages or towns.
Sorry to hear of all this upheaval in your life, swindonyellow. The 'golden triangle' - mainly between Unthank Rd and Earlham Rd, is popular/trendy, ideal for students as it's on the west side of the city, nearer to the UEA. Expensive, pro-rata, as a direct result of all this. https://maps.google.co.uk/maps?hl=e...=uk&ei=N_3SUO3jLM7I0AW40oHYBg&ved=0CDYQ8gEwAA A better bet would be the roads leading off Magdalen Rd, towards the north side, but still walkable to the city centre. Similar properties but more reasonably priced. https://maps.google.co.uk/maps?hl=e...=uk&ei=N_3SUO3jLM7I0AW40oHYBg&ved=0CDYQ8gEwAA As Thai said, best to avoid (either because they're rougher or a long way out - or both ) Mile Cross, Heartsease estate, West Earlham/Larkman estate, and parts of Lakenham and Harford. This is purely a personal take on it, based on the criteria you listed. No offence meant to anywhere in Norwich - possibly the finest City in England I lived and worked in Lakenham for several years, ideally placed for Carrow Road!
I vouch for Cromer's advice - off Magdalen Rd and between Spencer St and Silver Rs there is a "ladder" of terraced steets (Silver Street up to Bell Road) which are a short walk to the city, close to the amenities, safe, and pretty quiet. Good pubs nearby. Usually places for sale/rent on each street.
Well, there are pretty awesome flats right here. Drinks at your place before the game sounds good to me. please log in to view this image
Given your profession we obviously have Norwich Union plus Marsh who both seem to have pretty high staff churn. North City is, as previously posted cheaper and I reckon you could pick up a 2-bed Norwich terrace around Silver Road for £115k - £130k depending on location and how well-presented it is. The areas Cromer said to avoid are spot on but even then it is not as if you would be living in Beruit or Kabul if you decided to save the pennies and move there. South city and around the A47/A11 channel will be more expenisve as you have access to UEA and the two hospitals as well as an easy commute to Cambridge - an hour on a good day if you live in one of the villages south of the city which would be an option for you. If the kids will stay with the ex then proximity to the good schools in this area is not an issue for you. whatever you decide good luck.
Another area to consider is streets around Kett'Hill/Gas Hill some reasonably priced terraces to buy/rent (Pub nearby shows NCFC away games). Estate agents to avoid - Abbots, William H Brown. Emplloyemn prospects are fair considering the state of the economy. Good Luck!!
Swindon I hope it never comes to it, but if you do need a place what about 1/2 hour or so outside Norwich? I bought a really nice 2 bed in Toftwood for £114,000 but there are some for a bit less and it is a nice area.
Guys, thanks for all the advice, I will certainly use it if it comes to it. But sincerely hope it doesn't.
