We’ve previously listed the best places to live in Nottingham.
These cover areas for students, young professionals, families and the retired.
In this article, we thought we’d delve deeper into the 5 best places for families to live in Nottingham.
Each location has been selected for its safety, quietness and access to good schools.
Things for families in Nottingham to consider
Demographics
According to the most recent census (2021), Nottingham’s population is 323,700. This makes it the 15th largest city in the UK.
Its population is younger than that of other parts of the country. This is partly due to its large student population (it has two universities).
It is also due to a 6.8% increase in the number of children under the age 15 between the 2011 and 2021 censuses.
However, like most of the UK, it’s population is growing older. The number of people aged 65+ increased by 6.9% between 2011 and 2021.
Crime
In 2023, Nottingham’s crime rate was 117 crimes per 1,000 people (vs. the UK national average of 85 per 1,000 people).
However, most cities in the UK have relatively high crime. And Nottingham is the second safest major city in the UK.
Within Nottingham, there are also safer and less safe areas, too.
Education
In recent years, educational standards in Nottingham have not been high relative to the rest of the country.
It ranks fourth from the bottom in the national GCSE rankings. Only 44.6% of students achieved five good GCSEs in 2023.
However, it does have a range of post-16 higher education institutions, including:
- The Central College Nottingham was formed in 2012.
- The New College Nottingham (NCN)
- The Confetti Institute of Creative Technologies
- Bilborough College.
And three universities:
- University College Nottingham
- Nottingham Regional College of Technology
- University of Law.
Best areas for families to live in Nottingham
Beeston
Situated southeast of Nottingham, Beeston is a peaceful haven that families love. The laid-back atmosphere greets you as soon as you enter this leafy suburb.
Although it’s only a few miles from the city centre, it has a friendly village feel. But that doesn’t mean nothing is going on here.
Beeston has its own high street full of big-name stores and quirky independent businesses. It has all the amenities you need without having to venture into the city.
If you need to travel, Nottingham’s award-winning public transport system will keep you from waiting long. Buses run 24/7 throughout Beeston, and there are electronic signs at most bus stops.
If you miss your bus into town, glancing up at the sign will tell you how many minutes away the next one is. This is a real plus for family members commuting to work or school.
Beeston also has a tram stop that connects with the city and its own train station. With trains constantly stopping by, you’ll have no problem getting about if you need to travel outside the city.
If you prefer cycling, you’ll find no shortage of cycle paths throughout Beeston, including a path alongside the nearby River Trent that runs through Nottingham.
As the home of Boots’ national headquarters and close to major employers Queen’s Medical Centre and the University of Nottingham, Beeston offers ample job opportunities. Its town centre is also a bonus for those looking for local work.
In terms of housing, much of Beeston is made up of detached and semi-detached housing.
According to Rightmove, the average house price in the last year was $278,733. This makes Beeston houses more expensive than the average in Nottingham, which sells for £246,762.
However, you can still expect to find excellent value in Beeston, especially considering the low crime rates, closeness to QMC Hospital, and many open spaces.
It’s a great middle ground between the other places on this list. You can feel confident that it has everything your family needs for a safe, happy, and fulfilling lifestyle.
The Park
One of Nottingham’s most beautiful and serene places, it’s hard to believe The Park is only a few minutes’ drive away from the city centre.
Once upon a time, this area was Nottingham Castle’s deer park. It’s now a private housing estate with a palpable sense of history.
To this day, the street lights run on gas. The sturdy, Victorian-style houses are large, with expansive gardens and driveways. There are two spotless gardens in the middle of the estate.
The average house price in The Park is £351,683, making it one of Nottingham’s most lavish areas. But houses here invariably justify their cost.
As one of the smaller areas on our list, The Park is light on amenities and public transport.
If you need a bus, it’s only a few minutes’ walk to Castle Boulevard or Derby Road, where buses are almost constant and will take you in or out of the city.
Easy access to these major roads also makes driving in and out of this suburb easy without encountering congestion.
It’s an almost entirely residential area, with little reason for people to pass by, so it’s always quiet and clean.
The Park is trendy for families and retirees who desire a slower-paced neighbourhood.
It has an independent nursery on its doorstep, and is a stone’s throw from Nottingham High School, consistently rated as the best school in the East Midlands.
Wollaton
Wollaton is a place you don’t want to overlook. It’s a beautiful part of Nottingham, best known for its famous Wollaton Park.
The suburb and the Park are a match made in heaven. Both are spacious, green and welcoming.
As a resident of Wollaton, you can expect a quiet life detached from the hustle and bustle of Nottingham’s exciting city centre.
It’s an incredibly safe area, and locals think of it as a paradise. Houses cost an average of £332,100, and there’s a mixture of classic Victorian and modern properties.
From Wollaton, it’s easy to pop into the city. Like most areas in Nottingham, Wollaton makes full use of the city’s excellent public transport system. Whether you need to get into the city for work or pleasure, you’ll only need to take a short trip.
Its schools include Bluecoat Wollaton Academy, a secondary school rated “Outstanding” in all categories by Ofsted. Several preschools and nurseries are also located in the area.
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West Bridgford
West Bridgford is another exceptional suburb that should be on your radar as a potential place to move your family.
With such a strong demand for housing in this area, it may be a challenge to get your dream home. But with some luck, you’ll quickly see why West Bridgford is Nottingham’sNottingham’s most popular location.
In addition to Premier League football club Nottingham Forest, West Bridgford is home to the world-class Trent Bridge Cricket Ground. With so much live sport within walking distance, it’s a perfect place for families who like days out.
There’s plenty more on offer besides that, though. West Bridgford also has a town centre with a wide variety of shops, pubs, and restaurants. You’ll also find no shortage of green spaces and children’s play areas here.
One of the best things about West Bridgford is its access to excellent schools. Two secondary schools, The Nottingham Emmanuel School and
The West Bridgford School are nearby. There are also many primary schools and nurseries in the area.
It’s safe to say West Bridgford can offer something to all family members.
Although properties are priced at £384,100 on average, this covers a wide price range from £150,000 to properties exceeding £1,000,000.
Plenty of affordable homes in West Bridgford and its surrounding areas continue to improve to meet its high standards.
Mapperley
It’s no wonder many young families choose Mapperley when buying their first home. This charming area ticks all the boxes for happy family life whilst offering affordable housing.
Running through Mapperley is the lively Woodborough Road, a microcosm for the rest of Nottingham.
It has all the necessary amenities, including supermarkets, pharmacies, hairdressers and restaurants.
However, on either side of this main road are the quiet family neighbourhoods with various houses of different sizes and new builds.
In typical Nottingham style, many streets sit beneath a canopy of overhanging tree leaves.
Families can feel confident that hospitals and dentists are within close proximity. Nottingham City Hospital is on the edge of Mapperley.
What’s more, Nottingham’s significant recreation ground is within walking distance.
The Forest Rec Ground provides ample space for picnics and outdoor family activities. It is also the site of the annual Nottingham Goose Fair.
Regarding schools, The Wells Academy, which is rated “Outstanding” by Ofsted, and many primary schools are accessible to Mapperley residents.
Commuters will be impressed by the constant flow of buses through Mapperley.
For those who drive to work outside of Nottingham, there’s easy access to the A60 and M1, which connect to Sherwood Business Park, the home to many of Nottingham’s top employers.
