The Ultimate Guide to Moving to Nottingham

When I lived in the East Midlands, Nottingham was the go-to city for events, shopping, and entertainment.

There is just such a vast choice of everything in Nottingham.

Nottingham is a city that has history, culture, affordable housing, great transport links, a couple of universities, some outstanding schools, and easy access to the Peak District.

It seems an ideal city to relocate to.

So what is it like to live in Nottingham and what can you expect if you move there?

In this guide, you will find all the information you could possibly need to help you make a decision as to which part of Nottingham you will move to, how much it costs to live in Nottingham, and how that compares with other UK cities, as well as plenty of other useful information.

You may also like to read: The Pros and Cons of Moving to the East Midlands. There are some wonderful towns and villages surrounding Nottingham and in this guide, we look at the pros and cons of moving to The East Midlands.

Should I Move to Nottingham?

Nottingham has something to offer everyone, no matter what type of home you are looking for or what your lifestyle is like.

Here are the top 7 reasons why you should move to Nottingham.

#1 It is central

Once you live in Nottingham getting to just about anywhere in the UK or abroad is easy.

Nottingham is in the centre of the country, right on the motorway, with easy access to the rail network and an International Airport just down the road.

#2 Affordable housing

Compared to many parts of the UK you will get far more home for your money here whether you are renting or buying.

The price of homes here is below the UK average.

#3 Both the City and the Countryside

Nottingham offers you every advantage of living in a large city but with easy access to some stunning countryside with Sherwood Forest and The Peak District just a stone’s throw from the city.

#4 Plenty of things to do

Art, theatre, museums, a huge range of nightlife, a wide choice of restaurants catering to every taste, plenty of places to shop from high street chains to independent stores, many music venues, and is the home to Trent Bridge Cricket Ground.

#5 Wages are above average

The average salary in Nottingham is above the UK average.

Many top businesses are attracted to Nottingham due to its central location, ease of access to the airport, and affordable property.

#6 Great schools

Nottingham has some outstanding schools as well as two universities.

#7 Caves

Nottingham has over 500 man-made caves under the city which is surely one of the best reasons ever for moving to a new city.

You may also like to read: How to Decide Where to Live Next. Nottingham offers a bewildering number of great areas to live, so in this guide, we suggest 12 things to take into consideration when choosing where to live next.

Is Nottingham a Safe Place to Live?

When I lived in the midlands I would regularly go into Nottingham shopping and for evening events and it never felt threatening or unsafe.

But as with any city, there will be areas best avoided at night, and normal precautions and common sense should be applied, no matter where you live.

According to www.travelsafe-abroad.com  Nottingham is classed as a medium-risk destination, with burglary being slightly higher than the national average.

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

You may also like to read: Choosing Where to Live. Location, Location, Location. Often, where your home is located, even in a good or bad postcode area, can determine how safe you feel. In this guide, we look at the pros and cons of living on a main road, by shops, a park, open fields, a school, or by a river.

What is the Average Property Rental Cost in Nottingham?

• The average rental cost of a 1 bedroom home in Nottingham is £816 pcm
• The average rental cost of a 2 Bedroom home in Nottingham is £1,110 pcm
• The average rental cost of a 3 Bedroom home in Nottingham is £1,414 pcm
• The average rental cost of a 4 Bedroom home in Nottingham is £1,951 pcm

Average rental cost data was taken from www.home.co.uk April 2024

You may like to read: Is Life Better in the Countryside, the City, or the Suburbs? In this guide, we look at the pros and cons of living in the city, the suburbs, or the countryside to help you decide which part of Nottingham you would like to move to.

What is the Average Property Price in Nottingham?

• The average price of a detached home in Nottingham is £382,211
• The average price of a semi-detached home in Nottingham is £236,875
• The average price of a terraced home in Nottingham is £181,497
• The average price of a flat in Nottingham is £158,898

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

You may also like to read: What Type of Property is Right for Me: House, Bungalow, or Flat. In this guide, we look at various types of homes to help you choose which would best suit your lifestyle.

Is Nottingham An Expensive City to Live in?

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

• A single person on average will need £818 pm to cover living costs in Nottingham
• A family of 4 on average needs an income of £2,782 pm to cover living costs in Nottingham

Cost of Living in Nottingham vs Major UK Cities

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

• The cost of living in Nottingham is 31% cheaper than in London
• The cost of living in Nottingham is about the same as in Birmingham
• The cost of living in Nottingham is 28% cheaper than in Leeds
• The cost of living in Nottingham is 26% cheaper than in Liverpool
• The cost of living in Nottingham is 12% more expensive than in York
• The cost of living in Nottingham is 30% more expensive than in Leicester
• The cost of living in Nottingham is 16% more expensive than in Glasgow
• The cost of living in Nottingham is 5% more expensive than in Edinburgh
• The cost of living in Nottingham is 14% cheaper than in Bristol
• The cost of living in Nottingham is 18% more expensive 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 a house or a location.

How Much Does it Cost to Move to Nottingham?

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

Obviously, each home move is different, and the only way to get an accurate removal cost estimate is to request one from reputable removal companies.

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

But to give you a rough idea, excluding packing costs, you can expect to pay on average the following home moving costs when hiring a professional removal firm to move you to Nottingham.

• Moving from London to Nottingham costs on average £1,535
• Moving from Birmingham to Nottingham costs on average £1,410
• Moving from Leeds to Nottingham on average costs £1,450
• Moving from Liverpool to Nottingham costs about £1,510
• Moving from York to Nottingham costs about £1,465
• Moving from Leicester to Nottingham costs about £1,370
• Moving from Glasgow to Nottingham costs about £1,830
• Moving from Edinburgh to Nottingham costs about £1,830
• Moving from Bristol to Nottingham costs about £1,555
• Moving from Plymouth to Nottingham on average costs £1,745

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 costs of moving a one or two bedroom by yourself and when hiring a removal company.

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

• Moving from London to Nottingham on average costs £1,670
• Moving from Birmingham to Nottingham on average costs £1,545
• Moving from Leeds to Nottingham on average costs £1,585
• Moving from Liverpool to Nottingham on average costs £1,645
• Moving from York to Nottingham on average costs £1,600
• Moving from Leicester to Nottingham on average costs £1,505
• Moving from Glasgow to Nottingham on average costs £1,965
• Moving from Edinburgh to Nottingham on average costs £1,965
• Moving from Bristol to Nottingham on average costs £1,690
• Moving from Plymouth to Nottingham on average costs £1,880

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 hiring a removal company versus trying to move a 3-bedroom home by yourself.

Where are the Best Areas of Nottingham Live in?

Thinking of moving to the Nottingham area?

Here is a Nottingham neighbourhood guide with the best places to rent or buy a home in the Nottingham area.

#1 West Bridgford

West Bridgford, although having some of the highest property prices in Nottingham, is a very desirable part of the city to live in.

Excellent schools and great local amenities tend to push up prices.

There are plenty of open green spaces here such as West Bridgford Park and West Bridgford is the home of sport with Trent Bridge, The City Ground, and the National Watersports Centre right on your doorstep.

There are many good pubs and restaurants in the area although for even more choice the city centre is just a short stroll away.

#2 Beeston

Beeston is popular with people who want easy access to Nottingham centre, just 3 miles away, but who also need to commute to Loughborough or Derby.

The area has many golf courses, great pubs, and restaurants, and there is a deer park too.

Beeston is a fairly quiet area of the city and is a preferred home for postgraduates at the University of Nottingham which borders Beeston.

Close to the M1, easy access to the city, a good range of local shops and plenty of leisure activities make this area a good choice for families too.

#3 Stapleford

Stapleford has some very good schools, there are 3 universities no more than 30 minutes away, and the M1, East Midlands Airport, and great rail links are right on your doorstep.

It is a very rural part of Nottingham with the Erewash Canal and River on the border of the town.

#4 Ruddington

Ruddington is a beautiful village just 5 miles outside of Nottingham.

It has a few shops, a village hall, a community centre, pubs, a couple of museums, schools, and a steam railway.

Homes here tend to be cheaper than in West Bridgford but is still conveniently situated to get easily to the city.

You may also like to read: How to Find New Housing Developments. If you are looking for a new-build home in Nottingham but are not sure where the latest developments are then you will find this guide invaluable.

Moving to Nottingham Alone

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

Here are some essential things to know when moving to Nottingham 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 Nottingham. Useful websites for finding rooms to rent in Nottingham include: 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 all about Nottingham city life.
• meetup.com has plenty of local groups to join so that you quickly find new friends and get to learn all about living in Nottingham.
• Consider volunteering in your spare time, it is a great way to meet new people and help the local community at the same time.

You may like to read: Is Retiring the City a Good Idea? In this guide, we suggest 16 reasons why Nottingham would make a great city to retire to.

Living in Nottingham as a Student

If you have been accepted as a student at Nottingham or are considering becoming one, then this section is for you.

There are two universities in Nottingham

• University of Nottingham 
• Nottingham Trent University

Nottingham is a great place to come and study.

The universities are well respected, there is plenty of culture, history, live music venues, shopping, bars, clubs, and cafes.

There are plenty of sports facilities and venues, as well as some stunning countryside for outdoor adventures if that is your thing, right on your doorstep.

Nottingham even offers free buses between campus and the city centre.

First-year students are almost guaranteed accommodation on campus.

Students looking for off-campus accommodation tend to head to Lenton as it is between University Park and Jubilee campuses.

Beeston, Dunkirk, and the city centre are also popular student rental areas.

This Facebook page is specifically for students looking for accommodation in Nottingham.

There is lots more information that you will find useful about living in Nottingham as a student at the University of Nottingham Student Unions website. 

You may also like to read: Everything You Need to Know About Moving to College In this guide, we offer some tips to make moving to college or university cheaper and easier.

Moving to Nottingham with Family

Nottingham is a great city for families as there is always so much going on, there are some great schools, plenty of parks, easy access to the countryside, and a very good public transport service.

Some of the preferred areas that families head for are:

• West Bridgford
• Gamston
• Beeston
• Wollaton
• Mapperley
• Gotham
• Toton
• The Park

And as parents, you will want to know about healthcare in Nottingham so visit www.nhs.uk to find local doctors, dentists, healthcare specialists, and hospitals.

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

You may also like to read: How to Find Your Forever Home. In this guide, we look at the pros and cons of choosing a home to be your forever home.

Which are the Best Schools in Nottingham?

There are some great schools in Nottingham and here are the top-performing schools:

Top 5 Best Performing Primary Schools in Nottingham

• Lawrence View Primary and Nursery School NG16
• Kinoulton Primary School NG12
• The Flying High Academy NG19
• Aubrey Road Primary School NG2
• Newlands Junior School NG19

Top 5 Best Performing Secondary Schools in Nottingham

• The West Bridgford School NG2
• Rushcliffe School NG2
• Carlton le Willows Academy NG4
• Toot Hill School NG13
• The Garibaldi School NG19

Top 5 A-Level Performing Schools in Nottingham

• Magnus Church of England NG24
• Arnold Hill Academy NG5
• West Nottinghamshire College NG18
• The Kimberley School NG16
• The South Wolds Academy and Sixth Form NG12

You may also be interested in visiting www.schoolguide.co.uk which allows you to compare local schools in Nottingham.

Is There Much Employment in Nottingham?

Nottingham offers some great employment opportunities and has a diverse job market. And being so centrally located it is easy to commute to other major towns and cities within the Midlands and London if you so wish.

The top 5 employers in Nottingham are:

• Boots UK Ltd
• Pendragon PLC
• Wilko
• Staffline Group
• Experian

The full list of the top 200 employers in Nottinghamshire is compiled by Nottingham Trent University.

Nottingham is home to some rapidly expanding companies. The full list of the top 50 fastest-growing businesses in Nottingham can be found at www.business-live.co.uk.

Top 5 Fastest-Growing Companies in Nottingham

• SDL Property Services
• Newincco
• Myunidays Ltd
• Highlight Horticulture Ltd
• Aero Fabrications Ltd

These sites will help you to find employment in Nottingham and are regularly updated with all the latest job offers in Nottingham.

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

What Are the Best Ways of Getting Around Nottingham?

• Walking: Nottingham is an easy city to walk around and if you also enjoy walking in your leisure time here is a list of great walks in the area.  If you like to take a stroll during your lunch break then check out these short strolls around Nottingham.
• Bike: Nottingham is easy to bike around and even has its own bike hire scheme. It only costs between £1-£4 a day to hire a bike. Find out more at www.transportnottingham.com . You can also find cycle maps of the city and lots of useful information about cycling in Nottingham here.
• Tram: You can get from one side of Nottingham to the other in about 8 minutes by tram. Many of the city’s Park and Rides are serviced by the tram system as are the main shopping areas, leisure venues, and tourist attractions. You can view timetables, plan your journey and buy tickets at www.thetram.net
• Bus: There is a frequent bus service throughout Nottingham and a free inter-campus bus service for students. Find out more about the bus service in Nottingham at www.travelinewestmidlands.co.uk
• Car: On-street parking between 2000hrs – 0800hrs is free in Nottingham but there are also a large number of car parks, and a map showing their location can be found here.
• Electric Car Charging Points: For a map and list of all the electric vehicle charging points in Nottingham visit www.transportnottingham.com
• Park and Ride: Nottingham has a number of park and ride sites that have free parking. You can view a map of the locations of all the park and rides in Nottingham here.
• Car Club: Nottingham is part of the Enterprise Car Club which allows members to use a car without all the expense of actually owning it. You collect and return the hire car to designated places around the city. You can find out more about the scheme here.

What is There To Do in Nottingham for Free?

Nottingham has plenty to keep you occupied in your spare time and some of the things on offer are free to do!

What can you do for free in Nottingham?

• Kelham Hall and Country Park: Open all year, you will find plenty to keep you occupied in 44 acres of grounds.
• Woolaston Hall and Deer Park: Home to Nottingham’s Natural History Museum and also Industrial Museum this is a great place to visit. The hall appeared in the Dark Knight Batman Film as Wayne Manor.
• Greens Windmill: A great day out for everyone, but especially kids who will love this place.
• Goose Fair: Held for more than 700 years, this funfair, with over 100 attractions, brings visitors from all over the UK.
• Sherwood Forest: Great for a day exploring trails and the historic forest of Robin Hood. There is also an arts and crafts center which is worth visiting.

You may also like to read: The Pros and Cons of Moving to the Countryside. Nottingham is blessed in that is surrounded by wondersful countryside and many people choose to live just outside the city. In this guide, we look at the pros and cons of living in the countryside and 6 things to consider before making that move.

The Best of Nottingham

If you are moving to Nottingham you will probably be overwhelmed with the number of things to do, including the great restaurants, bars, and clubs.

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

Top 5 Restaurants in Nottingham

These are the top 5 rated restaurants in Nottingham as ranked by www.tripadvisor.com

• Restaurant Sat Bains NG7
• Revolution Corner House NG1
• Hungry Pumpkin NG1
• Calcutta Club NG1
• Pistachio NG3

Top 5 Pubs in Nottingham

www.designmynight.com lists these 5 as the top bars in Nottingham

• The Hockley Arts Club NG1
• Be at One Nottingham NG1
• Marco Pierre White Bar and Grill NG1
• Brewhouse Nottingham NG2
• Pitcher and Piano NG1

Top 5 Clubs in Nottingham

www.nottinghampost.com lists these as the top 5 night spots in Nottingham.

• Coco Tang NG1
• Pryzm NG1
• Rock City NG1
• The Bodega NG1
• Rescue Rooms NG1

Top Local Nottingham Removal Firms

There are some great removal companies that can help you with your home move to Nottingham.

Finding top-rated local removal companies to move you to Nottingham is an important step to experiencing a stress-free home move. It is vitally important to choose your removal company wisely and to take the time to thoroughly research them before hiring their services.

You may also like to read: How to Pick a Good Removal Company. The Ultimate Step-by-Step Guide. Choosing the right removal company to help you move home is so important that we have created a step-by-step guide to make the process easier for you.

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

And 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 easier, cheaper, and safer.

Good luck with your home move to the wonderful city of Nottingham.