Living in Norwich
Jobs in Norwich | Pictures of Norwich
Norwich is known as the capital of East Anglia and is a loveable, no-nonsense
kind of town much like its resident national treasure, St Delia. And as a
cultural centre it is firmly on the map. The establishment of the University of
East Anglia has helped to keep the city on its toes, fresh with new ideas and as
vibrant, cosmopolitan and forward-thinking as any other city. The city has
succeeded in shaking off it's slightly fuddy-duddy image and has become an
attractive place to live and work.
Getting around Norwich
If you will be travelling by car along the A47 from the direction of
Kings Lynn or Great Yarmouth, you will be pleased to know that it won't be too
long before the single-carriageway will be widened. This stretch of road is
notorious largely due to the weight of agricultural vehicles that travel along
it, turning what should be a 20 minutes journey into much more. And despite its
relative size in contrast to many largest cities, Norwich is still prone to its
share of congestion. So best to take advantage of one of the six Park & Ride
services in operation.
Local train lines run straight into Norwich Thorpe Station from stations along
the Great Yarmouth, Lowestoft and Sheringham and Cambridge routes.
Norwich is served by many bus operators including Anglian, First, Konectbus,
Norfolk Green and Sanders. Norwich bus services are well organised and regular.
The main bus station is centrally located at St Stephen's street.
And if you are feeling fit, Norwich's flat and aesthetically-pleasing
surroundings make it a popular choice for commuters opting to cycle into the
office.
Eating, drinking and shopping in Norwich
When it comes to spending your hard earned cash shopping, there are few
places in Britain that will be more willing to bleed you dry. Ranked as one of
the ten best centres for shopping in the country, Norwich can more than hold its
own against some of the larger city centres.
The Mall and Chapelfield shopping centres are within walking distance of each
other in the heart of the city centre and have more than 150 stores between
them. And coupled with the high street shops in and around the London Street,
Gentleman's Walk and Castle Street areas, Norwich has all the leading department
stores and retailers that you expect in a city, including John Lewis, Debenhams
and House of Fraser.
Elsewhere, you can take a wander along Elm Hill, Norwich's most famous medieval
cobbled street, which has a number of independent and quirky shops. Whilst the
Norwich Lanes and Timberhill house an eclectic mix of boutique shops set against
a background of narrow alleys and beautiful historic buildings.
And if you still have some cash left in your wallet after all that shopping and
you fancy a bite to eat, Norwich has a more than 140 restaurants
to choose from. Given the fact that there is a significant student
population in the city, there are plenty of good value eateries, cafes and
restaurants.
The Elm Hill, St Benedict's, Tomblands and St George's areas of the centre are
your best bet for the pick of the bunch, whereas the nearby suburbs of
Sprowston, Hoveton, and Acle are good alternatives if you are looking for
somewhere less chaotic.
But Norwich's real forte is its pubs. It is claimed that the city has a
different pub for every day of the year which - as anyone who has attempted a
pub crawl around the city can testify – is probably very true. What is for
certain is that Norwich has the highest number of pubs per square mile in the
UK; health officials may be in despair but drinkers may feel like they are in
paradise. And if you have a particular penchant for real ale, a number of pubs
serve a host of locally brewed tipples – all are conveniently within walking
distance of most offices…perfect for a swift half at lunchtime.
Again, the areas around Tombland, Prince of Wales Road and through to the
Riverside complex which is adjacent to Norwich railway station, offers a variety
of pubs and clubs serving until the wee small hours. This area also doubles as
the main clubbing sector of the city.
And if you are looking for something to do at the weekend that doesn't involve
saying the words Same again , Norwich's status as one of the UK's
leading tourist destinations means that there are a number of places to go and
while-away a few hours. The Cathedral, Castle Museum & Art Gallery, Dragon Hall,
and The Forum are all worth a visit at some point.
Main residential areas
And here's the rub: property prices are ever-increasing in this neck of
the woods. A typical one-bedroom flat will cost around £95,000, whereas anything
bigger will set you back at least £135,000 for a two-bedroomed house upwards.
Without question the place to rent or buy is the ‘Golden Triangle' between
Ipswich and Newmarket Roads , or as close to it as you can possibly get, with
its huge detached Victorian houses and the decadence that goes with it. But
unless you have a cool £400k+ to spend on a property, then the next best place
is towards the university, or north round the cathedral.
Elsewhere, Riverside has apartments good for the station and perfect for those
on incomes hovering around the national average.
Norwich has 1,500 historic buildings within its walled centre. The city has been
regenerated and transformed in the last decade and is now on the brink of
unprecedented growth, with more than 35,000 new jobs and 40,000 new homes to be
created in greater Norwich (the city and surrounding area).
If you're thinking of moving to the area, take a look at some of the current
property available to buy or let in Norwich.
