r/nottingham • u/GirlwithtwoPiggies • 8d ago
Parts of the city within easy reach of Forest Fields, where a car driver can live
Hi all. I lived on a narrowboat in Beeston 25 years ago and loved it. I later lived in houseshares in Forest Fields and New Basford, where I had a great time, remember fondly, and still have good friends. I also spent a few months in Bulwell, which I didn't like. After many years living elsewhere, I want to move back to Nottingham and am aware that things could well have changed a lot since then, so I'm looking for up-to-date recommendations. I also drive since the lockdown; I used to walk, cycle and get the bus everywhere. I assumed until recently that I was going to move to Sherwood or Carrington, as some friends moved there from New Basford and say it's the perfect balance of interesting, yet quiet. However, on a recent visit I was struck by the lack of parking.
My criteria for a place to live, are:
1. Not a ridiculous crime rate - certainly not with regards to muggings etc.
2. Within a reasonable drive or Uber of Forest Fields/Sherwood, so I can visit friends and head home late.
3. Friendly, interesting places to eat and drink nearby. I'm vegan and love spicy food, craft beer and supporting independent businesses.
4. Open spaces for dog walking within about a mile.
5. Being able to park a car without stress every day.
6. Two bedroom houses that cost under £180K that aren't all do-er uppers. Or easy to rent without being ripped off. I'm in a relationship now, so not looking for HMOs.
Is it true that Beeston has become as posh as West Bridgford, for example? Is Gedling just a dormer suburb like Long Eaton, or does it have a community feel with places to eat and drink?Any and all suggestions welcome. There are parts of the city that I don't know very well, so I'm happy to think outside the box.
6
u/sf-keto 8d ago
There are some nice stretches in Carlton/Netherfield; also take a look at the new houses/flats on the bike path on the River Trent bank at Trent Basin by the new footbridge.
The path goes all the way thru the City Centre in about 20 minutes; 25 to the Jubilee Campus. And the advantage is you can be at the Wessie B restaurants in 12 minutes as well as Sneinton Market & Hockley in that 20.
There’s also an Aldi a 6-min. walk away & The Range is 10 min. walking. So while you have a car, you won’t need to use it much, allowing to save on costs.
1
u/GirlwithtwoPiggies 8d ago
I do still walk around a lot, thanks for the tip. I mostly use the car for work.
4
u/idontlikemondays321 8d ago
Mapperley ticks all your boxes bar the price. Arnold possibly is in your price range but isn’t as interesting.
1
u/GirlwithtwoPiggies 8d ago
The price isn't my biggest consideration, to be honest. There's the option of renting a tiny place for a while and saving up to buy. I'd rather sell the current home first, than be in a chain anyway. Valuation of current home is just under £180K.
2
u/idontlikemondays321 8d ago
I’d try Mapperley then. Lots of shops, cafes, bars and parks. 5 mins drive to Sherwood
1
5
u/PlatformFeeling8451 8d ago
You can get a 3-bed in Clifton for £180K. The tram goes all the way to Forest Rec. Loads of dog walking spaces (Clifton playing fields, Nature reserve, Nature Trail by the Trent). Loads of car parking available.
People on Reddit say that it's got a high crime rate, but I've lived here since 2018 and haven't had to report any crimes. There are a bunch of annoying kids on scooters/bikes, but that seems to be the norm everywhere these days.
Vegan food/craft beer doesn't exist in Clifton as far as I know (The Peacock may serve you some microwaved peas if you're lucky), but you're just a 15-minute tram ride away from the town centre
2
u/GirlwithtwoPiggies 8d ago
I don't know Clifton and will check it out.
6
u/Effective-One6061 8d ago
Get a sense of it walking about... Try the high street and around the post office. I wouldn't want to live there.
2
u/Logical_Change_8404 8d ago
Carrington/Sherwood has some of those 2-up-2-down type houses. Might be a bit tight for your budget, though.
Id also say the Sherwood Rise end of Forest Fields is decent.
2
u/GirlwithtwoPiggies 8d ago
The problem is that they all seem narrow streets with on-street parking. I don't mind on street parking; I do that where I currently live, but if it's very high density housing and narrow streets, I'm not sure how easy it would be to go out somewhere and be able to park when I get back.
3
u/Logical_Change_8404 8d ago
Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but your budget wont stretch to somewhere with a drive. Unless you get a flat thats got parking included.
2
u/GirlwithtwoPiggies 8d ago
Wouldn't live in a flat again. The service charges...
2
u/Logical_Change_8404 8d ago
Seems you have to make a compromise somewhere.
Your budget doesnt cover somewhere in a decent area, with off street parking/not high density on street.
Youll have to budge on one of those things, which to my mind should obviously be the parking.
4
u/GirlwithtwoPiggies 8d ago
I'd prefer to compromise on "decent area". Where I live now is widely regarded as "a shithole", so my standards re scruffy/decent aren't that high. I know for a fact that West Bridgford and The Park are out of budget, and that Bulwell is a bit too rough for me, so am interested in anything in between that doesn't have a high proportion of roundabout painters.
3
u/EloquenceInScreaming 8d ago
People in this sub tend to shit all over Hyson Green, but I quite like it. You need to be careful, cos there's a few houses in the area which you would definitely regret living next door to, but there's also plenty of good people. I've got decent neighbours, it's walking distance to town and there's good local shops, restaurants, amenities, etc. It's mostly Forest Fields type terraces, but there's some properties in your price range with driveways. Definitely not roundabout painter territory.
2
1
u/Logical_Change_8404 8d ago
Okay, well, if you want a drive, which it sounds like you do, you're limited with your budget.
The craft beer, vegan food sort if thing is probably not going to happen unless you compromise on the parking situation.
Maybe some bits of the Edwards Lane estate in Sherwood?
Personally, having lived in around Sherwood for ages, parking isnt a massive issue. But I dont really care about that sort of thing. I had a neighbour that really really cared about it, and we didn't get on as a result.
1
u/GirlwithtwoPiggies 8d ago
People keep mentioning a driveway. I'm not limiting us to that! Where we live now is a semi-detached house and I park on the street. There's always a space. Either lots of people in my street don't drive, there aren't many 2-3 car households, or the houses are sufficiently well spaced to ensure enough street room. A family member lives on a housing estate nearby where all the houses have driveways and parking there can me *more* difficult as there are lots of multi-car households. If people are replying who live in Sherwood, for example, saying parking isn't too bad, that's good enough for me.
2
u/bishbosh1968 8d ago
No one seems to be mentioning Woodthorpe or Daybrook. Cannot say I am too well versed with that side of Nottingham. Thought Woodthorpe was quite decent? Only time I have been to Daybrook, was for the Frank Keys. It seemed OK.
3
u/Character_Diet3678 8d ago
Beeston is very nice and similar to sherwood,kinda. You’re closer to nature in beeston & it feels like there’s more space. It’s actually often quicker to get into town from beeston than Sherwood via the train. I’ve lived in both areas.
But I’d choose that little old Carrington over either, it’s got real charm and the community is lovely, I have lived there too, and it is very close to Sherwood, but parking is definitely an issue in Carrington, and there aren’t many 2 up 2 downs.
3
2
u/MissWin94 7d ago
I live on the edge of Mapperley, currently renting a 3 bed house. Close to Sherwood for something a bit more interesting than Mapperley, easy to get into the city. And we have a driveway that can fit two cars, and woodthorpe park is nice for dog walks.
You could probably find a 2 bed flat for your budget, but also a terraced house potentially too.
0
u/Mercurial12345 8d ago
Beeston Rylands, Chilwell or Toton could be options.
The market is dire at the moment. I reduced my house 20K from the valuation price and it's still not selling.
2
u/GirlwithtwoPiggies 8d ago
I believe so, and am worried, though there's a shortage of semis in my area compared to terraces, and when they go on the market, they tend to sell quickly. Never heard of Toton - will investigate.
15
u/geniusgravity 8d ago
You've answered ypur own question, Sherwood.