The Ultimate Guide to Moving to Norwich

Norwich in Norfolk is not the first place that many people would consider moving to, but the people who do move to Norwich are in for a treat.

Yes, it is a bit off the beaten track, but that is part of its charm.

Residents tend to work and live in the immediate area of Norwich which creates a sense of belonging to a real community, where everyone works to make the city an ideal place to live.

Norwich will offer you all the amenities you need, all contained in a vibrant and compact city.

Highly rated schools, a couple of great universities, some very affordable housing, convenient for the Norfolk Coast, and a robust local employment market make Norwich a very desirable place to move to.

Should I Move to Norwich?

You will soon discover for yourself that Norwich is a hidden gem of a city, but here are our top 6 reasons why you should move to Norwich.

#1 The sense of community

You will certainly be made to feel welcome when you move to Norwich and there is plenty going on to instill that sense of community.

You will find many unique events to get involved in such as the Literary, Beer, Music, and Shakespeare Festivals that are held every year.

#2 Independent and quaint shops

There all the big name shops in Norwich, but it is the narrow cobbled streets that house the shopping gems.

You will be spoilt for choice for interesting and independent shops to explore as well as taste all that lovely local produce.

#3 Quality of life

Norwich can offer you a perfect balance of work and recreation.

Most residents tend to work in or around Norwich, and great schools are local to every neighbourhood, so no long commutes or school runs which gives you more quality time.

#4 Culture

Norwich is a very arty and creative city, couple that with some amazing architecture, great live music venues, and a variety of local festivals, that makes Norwich a true city of culture.

#5 Value for money housing

Norwich offers very good value for money, whether you are looking to rent or buy. And the stunning villages around Norwich will give you even more home for your money.

#6 Coast and countryside

Norwich allows you easy access to some stunning countryside, the beautiful Norfolk Broads, and of course the 83 miles of Norfolk Coast.

So you have the convenience of living in a city with some truly beautiful scenery right on your doorstep.

You may also like to read: How to Decide Where to Live Next. There are some very desirable places to live in and around Norwich so in this guide, we suggest 12 things to consider when choosing an area to move to.

Is Norwich a Safe Place to Live?

Norwich regularly appears in the top 10 of the safest cities in the UK to live, and even the less desirable residential areas are deemed as very safe.

In a survey done by Verisure, Norwich was rated as the 7^th safest city in the UK to live.

A further survey on www.telegraph.co.uk rated Norwich as the 8^th safest University City in the UK.

To see what the latest crime figures are for the specific area you are moving to in Norwich visit www.police.uk

You may also like to read: Choosing Where to Live: Location, Location, Location. In this guide, we look at the pros and cons of living on a main road, a cul-de-sac, by shops, parks, schools, open fields, and by the river.

What is the Average Property Rental Cost in Norwich?

• The average rental cost of a 1-bedroom home in Norwich is £1,010 pcm
• The average rental cost of a 2-bedroom home in Norwich is £1,271 pcm
• The average rental cost of a 3-bedroom home in Norwich is £1,343pcm
• The average rental cost of a 4-bedroom home in Norwich is £1,809 pcm

The average rental costs were taken from www.home.co.uk April 2024

What is the Average Property Price in Norwich?

• The average price of a detached home in Norwich is £417,772
• The average price of a semi-detached home in Norwich is £289,348
• The average price of a terraced home in Norwich is £268,276
• The average price of a flat in Norwich is £167,660

The latest average home costs were taken from www.rightmove.co.uk April 2024

Is Norwich an Expensive City to Live?

According to www.expatistan.com, the average monthly costs excluding rent or mortgage repayments are:

• A single person on average will need £1,707 pm to cover living costs
• A family of 4 on average needs an income of £3,206 pm to cover living costs

Cost of Living in Norwich vs Major UK Cities

According to data from www.expatisan.com here is a comparison of the cost of living in Norwich with other major UK cities

• The cost of living in Norwich is 43% cheaper than in London
• The cost of living in Norwich is 19% cheaper than in Birmingham
• The cost of living in Norwich is 42% cheaper than in Leeds
• The cost of living in Norwich is 40% cheaper than in Liverpool
• The cost of living in Norwich is 10% cheaper than in York
• The cost of living in Norwich is 4% more expensive than in Leicester
• The cost of living in Norwich is 7% cheaper than in Glasgow
• The cost of living in Norwich is 16% cheaper than in Edinburgh
• The cost of living in Norwich is 31% cheaper than in Bristol
• The cost of living in Norwich is 4% cheaper than in Plymouth

You may also like to read: Which is More Important House or Location? In this guide, we suggest 31 things to consider when choosing between a home or location.

How Much Does it Cost to Move to Norwich?

How much does it cost to move a 1-2 Bedroom home to Norwich?

Because each home move is different, the best way to get an accurate removal cost estimate is to request one from a number of different removal companies.

Must do: Get a home removal cost estimate for free.

But, excluding packing costs, you can expect to pay on average the following home moving costs when hiring a reputable removal firm to move you to Norwich.

• Moving from London to Norwich costs on average £1,520
• Moving from Birmingham to Norwich costs on average £1,590
• Moving from Leeds to Norwich on average costs £1,610
• Moving from Liverpool to Norwich costs about £1,740
• Moving from York to Norwich costs about £1,625
• Moving from Leicester Norwich to costs about £1,520
• Moving from Glasgow to Norwich costs about £1,950
• Moving from Edinburgh to Norwich costs about £1,945
• Moving from Bristol to Norwich costs about £1,725
• Moving from Plymouth to Norwich on average costs £1,885
• Moving from Cardiff to Norwich on average costs £1,780

On average expect to pay about £275-£475 for a professional packing service for a 1-2 bedroom home.

You may also like to read: How much is the average cost to move a 1-2 bedroom home? In this guide, we compare the cost of moving a 1 or 2 bedroom home yourself versus the cost of hiring a good removal company to do it all for you.

How much does it cost to move a 3 bedroom home to Norwich?

• Moving from London to Norwich on average costs £1,655
• Moving from Birmingham to Norwich on average costs £1,725
• Moving from Leeds to Norwich on average costs £1,745
• Moving from Liverpool to Norwich on average costs £1,875
• Moving from York to Norwich on average costs £1,760
• Moving from Leicester to Norwich on average costs £1,655
• Moving from Glasgow to Norwich on average costs £2,085
• Moving from Edinburgh to Norwich on average costs £2,080
• Moving from Bristol to Norwich on average costs £1,860
• Moving from Plymouth to Norwich on average costs £2,020
• Moving from Cardiff to Norwich on average costs £1,915

On average expect to pay about £450–£950for a professional packing service for a 3 bedroom home.

You may also like to read: How much is the average cost to move a 3 bedroom home? In this guide, we compare the cost of moving a 3-bedroom home by yourself versus hiring a full-service removal company to do all the hard work for you.

Which are the Best Areas to Live in Norwich?

If you are thinking of moving to the Norwich area, here is a neighbourhood guide, with some of the best places to rent or buy a home.

#1 The Golden Triangle

If you want to be easy access to the city centre and all its amenities, the train station and the University of Anglia, whilst living in a cosmopolitan area, then the Golden Triangle is for you.

There is a great mix of Victorian terraced homes, as well as 1930s-1940s semi-detached houses, and some modern flats.

Plantation Garden and Heigham Park are great places to go to just relax or for a game of tennis.

The area also boasts some of the best schools in Norwich.

#2 Costessey

Just 5 miles from Norwich city centre Costessey has five local schools, local parks, doctors and dentists, and a selection of local pubs. It is considered a low crime area.

#3 Cringleford

Just 20 minutes by car or bus from the city centre, Cringleford has easy access to the A47 and A11.

There is one primary school, a doctor’s surgery, shop, local park, vets and various local clubs.

Cringleford is a very low crime rate area.

#4 Thorpe St Andrew

Just 15 minutes from the city centre by car or via the half-hourly bus service.

There is a Sainsbury’s supermarket, post office, a café and several pubs in this low crime village.

There is a sixth form school as well as a primary and nursery school.

#5 Taverham

Taverham is just 5 miles, or a 20 minute car journey from Norwich and has a very low crime rate. There is a junior and infant school, two state infant schools and a private preparatory school. There is a library, church, pub, and recreation centre within the village.

#6 Drayton

Just a 20 minute car journey from Norwich city centre. Drayton has a junior school and an infant school. It is a very low crime rate area. Within Drayton are a post office, bank, doctor’s surgery, and a Tesco superstore.

#7 Sprowston

Just 15 minutes or 2 miles, from the city centre, Sprowston is a low crime area with an infant, junior and high school. There is a selection of local stores and a retail park.

#8 Old Catton

Only 2 miles outside the city of Norwich, Old Catton has a population of only 5,000. Old Catton is a low crime rate village with two infant schools, a junior school, and a specialist college.

#9 Hellesdon

Just 10 minutes from the city centre and close to the airport, Hellesdon offers three infant schools, two junior schools, and a high school.

There is a good mix of local independent stores as well as an Asda superstore nearby.

You may also like to read: Is Life Better in the Countryside, the Suburbs, or the City? There is plenty of choice when it comes to nice parts of Norwich to move to. In this guide, we look at the pros and cons of living in the city centre, in the suburbs, and in the countryside.

Moving to Norwich Alone

Are you thinking of moving to Norwich alone, perhaps as a student or for work? Is Norwich a good place to live for single people?

Here are some essential things to know when moving to Norwich as a single person.

• Consider renting a room in a shared house, or flat sharing, if you want to save some money, get to know the area, and make instant friends in Norwich. Useful websites for finding rooms to rent in Cardiff include: www.gumtree.co.uk, www.spareroom.co.uk, or www.nestpick.com
• Join local social media groups to find out all the best places to go and get the low down on Norwich city life.
• www.meetup.com has plenty of local groups to join so that you quickly find new friends and get to learn all about living in Norwich.
• Consider volunteering in your spare time, it is a great way to meet new people and help the local community at the same time. www.voluntarynorfolk.org will give you some great ideas.

You may also like to read: Is It a Good Idea to Retire to the City? In this guide, we share 16 reasons why Norwich would be a great city to retire to.

Living in Norwich as a Student

If you have been accepted as a student in Norwich, or are considering studying in Norwich, then here is some essential and useful information for you.

What Universities are in Norwich?

• University of East Anglia
• Norwich University of the Arts
• City College Norwich

What’s Norwich like for Students?

Norwich has a surprisingly varied nightlife with plenty of bars, nightclubs, restaurants, and cafes.

There is a good range of shopping with two shopping centres, as well as a number of independent shops in Norwich Lanes.

In 2023 Norwich was reported by Natwest to be the 6^th most affordable city for students studying in the UK.

Norwich gives you the best of both worlds.

A city with plenty to do, including a dry-ski slope, many cultural attractions including art galleries, six theatres, a Norman castle, two Cathedrals, over thirty medieval churches, and easy access to the Norfolk Coast and some beautiful countryside.

London and Cambridge are easily accessible by train too, with London about 2.5 hours away and Cambridge less than 1.5 hours away.

Each year there is the Norfolk and Norwich Arts Festival in May and the Norwich Beer Festival in October.

Best Places to Live in Norwich for Students

Norwich is a compact city with a great bus service so you can pretty much choose anywhere to live within Norwich and still be within easy reach of your university.

The Golden Triangle, Unthank Road, and Earlham Road areas are very popular with students but your university will be able to give you lots more useful information.

www.homerunstudentpad.co.uk is owned and run by the UEA Student Union and has the largest student accommodation listings in Norwich.

You may also like to try these websites for student accommodation in Norwich:

• www.accomodationforstudents.com
• www.freshstudentliving.co.uk
• www.warehomesforstudents.com

You can discover all the hidden gems of Norwich listed for students at www.edp24.co.uk

Many students choose to stay in Norwich when they finish university and there is a growing range of businesses that are keen to take on graduates.

UEA has a careers service that offers lots of useful advice and resources for students and graduates looking for work in Norwich.

You may also like to read: Everything you Need to Know About Moving to College. In this guide, we share tips for making moving to college or university easier and cheaper.

Moving to Norwich with Family

Norwich is a great place to bring up a family because of the very low crime rate, great schools, easy access to the Norfolk Coast and countryside, plenty of local green spaces, and good employment opportunities.

There are plenty of child-friendly cafes and restaurants such as Café Bar Marzano, and you will find a great range of high street and independent stores.

There are many cultural and historical events and places of interest to visit, and there are some great family-friendly festivals.

When it comes to deciding where to move to in Norwich with family, you really cannot make a poor choice.

Norwich is a very safe city and most areas are family-friendly.

But here are our top areas for a family to move to in Norwich:

#1 Cringleford

Cringleford is renowned as a family-friendly area of Norwich.

With great local amenities including a community centre offering a wide range of activities from toddlers Karate to Zumba for adults.

There are a couple of pubs, vets, and a couple of supermarkets, a doctor’s surgery, a park, and various social clubs.

There are buses every 10 minutes, as well as many cycle paths that go directly to the city centre.

#2 Eaton

Eaton is a very desirable suburb of Norwich with a distinct village feel.

It has the highest concentration of thatched buildings in Norfolk and even has a thatched church.

Eaton has a very popular park with a boating lake and miniature railway, ideal for families to relax in.

#3 Thorpe St Andrew

Just a couple of miles from the city centre, Thorpe St Andrew is on the banks of the River Yare.

There is a good range of local amenities including pubs, a supermarket, post office, grocery stores, and restaurants.

Thorpe St Andrew School is a mixed secondary school for 11-18 years old.

#4 Golden Triangle

Often referred to as the ‘Notting Hill’ of Norwich, the Golden Triangle is very cosmopolitan and appeals to families, professionals, and students.

There are many parks, restaurants, and you are right in the centre of Norwich here.

The area is considered very safe and a great area to bring up a family.

To find out all you need to know about healthcare in Norwich visit www.nhs.uk to find local doctors, dentists, healthcare specialists, and hospitals.

www.tripadvisor.com  lists these as the top 5 family-friendly restaurants in Norwich

• Namaste Village
• Café Gelato
• New Sole Plaice
• Alchemistra Coffee Co
• Donnelli’s Pizzeria

Read on to find out which are the best schools in Norwich.

You may also like to read: Where to Live to Avoid Climate Change in the UK. One of your concerns about moving to Norwich may be because of the rivers and the impact that climate change will have in the coming years. In this guide, you will find a useful interactive map that shows how climate change will affect the UK in the next few years.

Which are the Best Schools in Norwich?

Norwich has some very fine schools, but here are the best of the best as listed by www.compare-school-performance.service.gov.uk

What are the Top 5 Primary Schools in Norwich?

• Henderson Green Primary School NR5
• Seething and Mundham Primary School NR15
• St Francis of Assisi Catholic Primary School NR2
• The Free School Norwich NR1
• Garvestone Community Primary School NR9

What are the Top 5 Secondary Schools in Norwich?

• Ormiston Venture Academy NR31
• Notre Dame High School NR1
• Hethersett Academy NR9
• Sherringham High School NR26
• Long Stratton High School NR15

What are the Top 5 Best A Level Results Schools in Norwich?

• Wymondham College NR18
• Thorpe St Andrew School NR7
• Wymondham High Academy NR18
• Sir Issac Newton Sixth Form Free School NR2
• Reepham High School and College NR10

You may also be interested in visiting www.compare-school-performance.service.gov.uk which allows you to compare local schools in Norwich.

Is There Much Employment in Norwich?

Norwich offers some diverse employment opportunities including manufacturing, engineering, finance, food and agriculture, health and life science, energy, and tourism.

Norwich is one of the biggest general insurance centres in Europe and one in every three employees in Norwich works in business or finance services.

At the Norwich Research Park, you will find Europes largest concentration of food, health, and environmental research centres. In the next decade, the NRP is expected to create 5,000 new scientific industry-related jobs.

If you are looking for a job when you move to Norwich these are some useful websites to help you:

• www.justnorfolkjobs.co.uk
• www.totaljobs.com
• www.jobsite.co.uk
• www.reed.co.uk

What are the Best Ways of Getting Around Norwich?

• Walk: Norwich is a compact city and easy to navigate on foot. There are a number of walking routes that have been produced so you can get to know your new city. They are available for download at www.norwich.gov.uk
• Bike: Norwich is an easy city to cycle around with plenty of bike-friendly routes. You can find cycle routes and maps, as well as more information about the bike share scheme at www.norwich.gov.uk
• Bus: View route information, maps and ticket prices at www.norwich.gov.uk
• Car: To see maps for car parks in Norwich, or to see if the area you want to move to needs a residents parking permit visit www.norwich.gov.uk
• Car share: Norwich has a car share scheme which gives you easy access to a car without the need to own one. You can find out more about the scheme at www.cowheels.org.uk
• Norwich International Airport: Just 15 minutes from the city centre and you will be at Norwich International Airport. For information about Norwich International Airport visit www.norwichairport.co.uk
• Trains. Services to London (journey time about 2.5hrs) and Cambridge (journey time about 1.5hrs) run every 30 minutes. You can find out all you need to know about Norwich railway station at www.nationalrail.co.uk

You may also like to read: How to Find New Housing Developments. In this guide, we share a number of resources so that you can find out where new developments are being built, when the next phase of a development will be released, and you can even search for developments by certain builders or by criteria that is important to you such a seco-friendly homes.

What is there to do in Norwich for Free?

Norwich has plenty of things to do to keep its residents and visitors occupied in their free time.

In fact, there is even a site that lists all the free things to do in Norwich by date. You can find it at www.freestufftodoinnorwich.co.uk

Top 5 Things to do for free in Norwich

• Elm Hill: With cobbled streets and Tudor buildings, unique shops, art galleries and cafes, Elm Hill is the most famous street in Norwich and well worth spending some time in.
• Country and Eastern: A collection of art and treasures from the Far East housed in what was once a Victorian Skating Rink. Find out more from their website.
• Norwich Cathedral: Go on a free tour of the cathedral, which runs every hour between 1100-1500hrs. You can learn more about Norwich Cathedral on its website. 
• The Forum: Open 7 days a week The Forum hosts many free exhibitions, activities, and events year-round.
• Eaton Park: 80 acres of historic parkland to relax in and enjoy the year-round events and attractions. Eaton Park has its own website with plenty of useful information.

The Best of Norwich

When you move to Norwich you will probably be overwhelmed with the number of things to do, the great restaurants, bars, and clubs.

So here is our top 5 of the best of Norwich.

Top 5 Restaurants in Norwich

These are the top 5 best-rated restaurants in Norwich as ranked by www.tripadvisor.com

• Saporita Norwich
• Revolution Norwich
• Namaste Village Norwich
• Bure River Cottage
• Timberhill Bakery

Top 5 Pubs in Norwich with a Beer Garden

www.norfolkmag.co.uk lists these 5 as the top bars in Norwich that have a beer garden.

• The Plough, St Benedicts Street
• The Georgian Townhouse, Unthank Road
• The Playhouse, St Georges Street
• The Ribs, Wensum Street
• The Black Horse, Earlham Road

Top 5 Clubs in Norwich

These are arguably the top 5 nightclubs in Norwich

• Mantra Club and Lounge
• Bar and Beyond
• Popworld
• Mojo’s Norwich
• The Waterfront

Top Norwich Removal Firms

Luckily there are some great removal companies that can help you with your home move to Norwich.

Finding top-rated local removal companies to move you to Norwich is an important step to experiencing a stress-free home move.

It is vitally important to choose your removal company wisely as all removal firms are not equal, unfortunately.

You may also like to read: How to Pick a Good Removal Company. The Ultimate Step-by-Step Guide. In this guide, we take you from start to finish through the process of choosing the right removal company for your home move.

• Find great local Norwich removal firms here.
• Find a local removal company to move you to Norwich here.

No doubt you will have many more questions regarding your home move, so be sure to visit our resources section where you will find a wealth of useful information to make your home move to Norwich easier, cheaper, and safer.

Good luck with your new life in Norwich.