Thoughts on Norfolk

getmore4less

Back in the day they use to say Norwich the city with a different church for every Sunday and a different pub for every day of the week. 

Great place if you can move your life there but it is a long way from everywhere else.
Travel used to be a lot worse before all the A11 upgrades it was a long haul into Norwich.

Back in my days a night out in Norwich was not complete without a Zaks from the caravan.

We visit most years have connections, still not keen on the journey but love it when there.

DayDreamerandGeneralWaster

We went on holiday to Great Yarmouth about 10 years ago. One of those Sun ones. 

The highlights were a yob waking in front of our car then giving us the finger and a barefoot bride walking down the promenade with a bay of chips.

There's a reason it's cheap. 

TonyJ2021

Having lived in Norfolk for past 32 years, can agree with what most have said above. Taking out the demography of Great Yarmouth, it is very tired and run down. The town centre, similar to Lowestoft, is losing its appeal as the recognised high street chains are fast disappearing from the area and moving into the retail parks. Although, Yarmouth market has a couple of very decent fish and chip stands + mushy pea stall, which is a must whenever you're there!!. Diss is a nice little town and would be a good recommendation in terms of affordability and transport link into London. It's also only 20 minutes into Norwich or 25 to Ipswich for your local needs. Anything on the 'A11' corridor between Norwich and Attleborough has seen dramatic price increases in the last 8-10 years. However, Wymondham and Attleborough both lovely towns and 15-20 minutes into Norwich or an hour to Cambridge by train. 

I live in Wymondham and couldn't see myself moving anywhere else. Excellent transport links with the A11 and trains/buses, as mentioned above. Some lovely rural footpaths and nature walks, with plenty of history to explore. Lots of local shops in the town centre, but also 3 larger supermarkets too. One of those places that just has that bit of anything and everything. 
On the downside, lots of housing developments (currently 5 sites on the go, some in their infancy) and the social infrastructures around the town hasn't increased. Dentists no longer accepting patients even on their waiting lists. Schools at capacity, having had plans for 3 schools by different developers, only to then see houses built on the additional land instead. Doctors surgeries at breaking point and so on. 

Feel free to ask any other questions - will keep an eye on this post 

toneyh

We’re in the process of moving to Diss from down south, close to Gatwick. We found the house we’re buying back in January and despite having holidays in north Norfolk, had never been to Diss but it looked nice, although we were in lockdown at the time we drove up to do the viewings. Had a wander around the town and it does have some character.
So far from what I’ve read, Diss seems to be ok, we chose it as we will need to come back fairly often to see family, but we wanted to buy somewhere and pay off the mortgage, after being made redundant last year. 

We love Norfolk and Suffolk and are really looking forward to spending more time exploring East Anglia.
It’s a leap of faith but so far and assuming we do actually complete, it seems we have made the right decision!

Any tips on the area are welcome.

FreeBear

toneyh said: Any tips on the area are welcome.

Don't feed the bears

Bressingham is always worth a visit, but the main road can get clogged up with traffic when there is a special event on.

Durban

Norwich , Wymondham and Attleborough - excellent and good transport links
Yarmouth , Thetford , Watton avoid
KL - ok
North Norfolk lovely but expensive and not such good transport links
Diss - ok  - good transport links

borkid

toneyh said:

We’re in the process of moving to Diss from down south, close to Gatwick. We found the house we’re buying back in January and despite having holidays in north Norfolk, had never been to Diss but it looked nice, although we were in lockdown at the time we drove up to do the viewings. Had a wander around the town and it does have some character.
So far from what I’ve read, Diss seems to be ok, we chose it as we will need to come back fairly often to see family, but we wanted to buy somewhere and pay off the mortgage, after being made redundant last year. 

We love Norfolk and Suffolk and are really looking forward to spending more time exploring East Anglia.
It’s a leap of faith but so far and assuming we do actually complete, it seems we have made the right decision!

Any tips on the area are welcome.

Diss has a Corn Hall which puts on a mix of shows I think they also have film nights , before covid anyway.

GDB2222

Durban said:

Norwich , Wymondham and Attleborough - excellent and good transport links
Yarmouth , Thetford , Watton avoid
KL - ok
North Norfolk lovely but expensive and not such good transport links
Diss - ok  - good transport links

I'm in Sheringham, North Norfolk, right now, and, frankly, it's great.  For me and my wife, and we love walking, which is great round here. Plus, we're retired.

If I were a teenager, it would drive me up the wall. 

scoot65

Ditzy_Mitzy said:

It's also next to Caister, so weekends tend to bring scores of ex and wannabe mods on chrome spattered Lambrettas.  

I've been to Yarmouth many times over the years when it was one of venues for the yearly  National Scooter Rallies.  Sadly not been there for a while....... still got my scooters though!!    

andy444

Norfolk has an appalling public transport system, so frankly if you not able to drive then you are at a disadvantage about where you'll be able to move to which is near a railway line.

As already stated, avoid Great Yarmouth. The nearby towns of Caister and Gorleston are nice and it's just about walkable from Gorleston to Yarmouth station.

Sheringham is a good shout as it's a desirable coastal town and you can take the train to Norwich and then to London from there.

Attleborough is reasonably nice place if want something more inland.

Norfolk is a big county so it slightly depends what sort of thing you're looking for.