Tell Me More about Norfolk - Living There

[vixen1700]

Thinking very hard about moving from London as we're starting to get on a bit, I'm 60 this year and Mrs.Vixen is ten years older and we both want to enjoy a quieter life.

We enjoy visiting North Norfolk, and now we've started looking at getting somewhere there.

Spoke to an agent in Wells at the weekend and he suggested Fakenham and after looking, there are some nice bungalows with garages & parking with ample sized gardens there for around the £300k mark.

Mrs.Vixen spoke to her God-daughter's husband today as he's from Norfolk and mentioned King's Lynn and after a quick look, there seem to be nice places there at around the same budget.

Our secenario means we would probably still come back to London at least twice a month to stay for a day or so to do things liks vist my mother in the care-home, occasional days working and generally keep an eye on the house here.

But Norfolk would be the main home.

So what's it like living there?

I know there are certain conveniences I would have to compromise, but they are things we've thought about and to be honest, the pros are outweighing the cons now.

Over to you.

[JSP440]

I'm from Norwich and live in Thorpe End which is small village/suburb on the outskirts of the city itself.

Was the suggestion of Kings Lynn for real? it's a night and difference to the small villages of north Norfolk.

We love Wells, and would love to live closer, but life commitments etc.

If budget permits id suggest a small village around Holt, its lovely. Access to a lovely option of coastal towns and Holt its self is nice.

[Bonefish Blues]

General point, not specific to Norfolk, but noting the comment about Kings Lynn vs villages. We're at a similar point in our lives & no longer want to live in a village because as later life starts to intervene it'll be too limiting, so will be looking at small/medium sized towns.

[vixen1700]

I know, I wondered about the mention of King's Lynn too. Think it may have been about transport links, having a station and that.

Yes, the appeal of jumping in the car and having the North Norfolk coast fifteen minutes away does appeal.

The agent we spoke to did say that a village like Binham for example may be too much of a difference for us coming from London (very small, one pub etc.) and recommended Fakenham.

Holt does sound nice.

Edited by vixen1700 on Monday 29th June 13:10

[DFNorfolk]

JSP440 said:

I'm from Norwich and live in Thorpe End which is small village/suburb on the outskirts of the city itself.

Was the suggestion of Kings Lynn for real? it's a night and difference to the small villages of north Norfolk.

We love Wells, and would love to live closer, but life commitments etc.

If budget permits id suggest a small village around Holt, its lovely. Access to a lovely option of coastal towns and Holt its self is nice.

I live Norwich too and whilst Kings Lynn is improving it’s not somewhere I’d choose to live but parts are good to visit such as Tuesday/Merchant market place.

I returned here about 10 years ago, and I have just turned 60, but I do find it too sedate and it hasn’t changed dramatically in the last 20 years and it never feels that it will. As far as North Norfolk goes it does have the nickname “Chelsea on Sea” for good reason.

Maybe look more towards Sheringham or Cromer as I think you’d get more for your money and they’re ok places to live. They both also offer better access to Norwich station as I believe there are regular trains from both.

[B'stard Child]

Lived in Norfolk for 40 years

Downsides

Transport links (No Motorways)

Upsides

Pace of life is glacial
Property costs outside of citys or large towns are good value
Roads can be fun provided you steer clear of the main ones
Coast is no more than an hour away from anywhere

Sat went to Holkham for a beach walk - main drive parking was full and overflow car park was 2/3rds full

Once onto the beach you wouldn't know it