Nottingham is an excellent place to live.
But where in the city best suits you?
Fortunately, you have a variety of options, each with unique benefits.
In this post, we’ll break down some of the best areas in Nottingham to live for your needs.
Overview of living in Nottingham
Demographics
Nottingham is the UK’s 15th largest city, with a population (as of the 2021 census) of323,700.
Its population is currently younger than average due to its two universities and a 6.8% increase in children under 15 between 2011 and 2021.
However, the population of those aged 65+ also grew by 6.9% in the same period.
Crime
In 2023, Nottingham’s crime rate was 117 per 1,000 people, higher than the UK average of 85.
However, most cities in the UK have higher than average crime rates. And, in fact, Nottingham is the second safest major city in the UK.
Education
Educational standards in Nottingham have been relatively low, with the city ranking fourth from the bottom in national GCSE rankings, and only 44.6% of students achieving five good GCSEs in 2023.
However, Nottingham offers a range of further education institutions, including three universities.
House pricing
Nottingham has a range of affordable and expensive areas.
According to Rightmove, the average property prices in Nottingham are:
- £179,020 for a terraced property
- £235,975 for a semi-detached property
- £385,901 for a detached property
Best place to live for families: Sherwood
While many areas in Nottingham suit family life, Sherwood is our pick because it offers an affordable, safe, and friendly place for families to live.
The namesake of Nottinghamshire’s famous forest, Sherwood is barely a mile north of the city centre.
Residents commonly describe Sherwood as a pleasant, quiet area with a welcoming vibe.
It wasn’t commonly considered one of Nottingham’s most exciting areas.
But that’s all changed in recent years. Locals rave about the Indian street food at Rikshaw, the Crimson Tree’s home-cooked menu and Rakki Rakkas’ Turkish flavours.
There are many more unique places for food, drink, and essential amenities.
For fitness lovers living in Sherwood, there’s The Gym, a high-rated and affordable gym that opens 24 hours a day. SeveralYou’ll places of worship and the Nottingham City Hospital are nearby.
There are many primary schools in the area and two secondary schools, Nottingham Academy and Nottingham Free School.
The latter was awarded a Good rating by Ofsted this year.
The Sherwood Community Centre offers a variety of daytime and evening activities for children and adults. Within a 5-10 minute walk down Mansfield Road is the Forest Recreation Ground, which is popular with families and hosts outdoor sports, fairs, and play areas.
In 2023, the average price for a property in Sherwood will be £ 235,879. Terraced houses are the cheapest on average, at £183,325, with detached properties costing £404,836.
Although we’ve chosen Sherwood as the best place for families due to its all-around appeal, we’d be remiss not to mention Wollaton as another great location.
It’s the place to live if your priority is to live close to an excellent school. Local Bluecoat Wollaton Academy is rated Outstanding in all areas by Ofsted.
Snobe.co.uk ranks it as the best school in Nottingham and the best Church of England school in Nottinghamshire.
However, Wollaton is less affordable than Sherwood, with an average property price of £357,301 over the last 12 months.
West Bridgford is also a great place to raise a family. Considered one of the safest areas in Nottingham, West Bridgford has excellent schools and many green spaces.
It doesn’t have the trendiness of other areas, so it may not be everyone’s cup of tea. And as a popular area with a big reputation, prices are much higher than the Nottingham average.
Rightmove’s average house price was £396,420 last year.
Best place to live for a city lifestyle: Lace Market
The Lace Market in Nottingham city centre is known for its distinctive look and historic feel. It was once an indispensable part of the British Empire’s lace industry.
But beyond its red-brick Victorian aesthetics, its location makes it ideal for city life. Everything Nottingham has to offer is on the doorstep of the Lace Market.
Transport links are plentiful, with the train station just a 5-minute walk away and bus and tram stops nearby.
Local favourites Annie’s Burger Shack and Happy Dough Lucky are mere steps away, as are other fantastic eateries. All the unique shops of Hockley are also right around the corner.
Young professionals or anyone looking for somewhere to live in the city centre could do much worse than the Lace Market.
Although sometimes noisy at night, it’s a safe area with charm and history.
In 2023, the average price of a property in the Lace Market was £151,511, most of which were flats. Rent costs in the Lace Market vary, but the average is about £900-£1000pcm.
Are you looking to move to a different part of Nottingham? Our cash house buyers could be your ticket to a quick and easy sale.
Best place to live for students: Dunkirk & Arboretum
Students are arguably the backbone of Nottingham’s impressive economy. With over 60,000 students setting up camp in the land of Robin Hood, their presence is certainly felt.
When it comes to housing, students usually keep themselves to a select few pockets of the city.
We recommend two places if you’d like to live in private accommodation rather than in university halls.
For Nottingham Trent University students, Arboretum is the best option. It’s just a few minutes’ walk to the student union and the city campus.
There’s a real buzz here, and there’s always something going on. It’s the place to be for Trent students.
Dunkirk should be your top pick if you’re a student with an eye on the University of Nottingham.
More of a student bubble than Lenton, Dunkirk has the significant benefit of being just a few minutes away from the main campus.
Rent for students in both areas can vary anywhere from £50 to £200+ per week.
It’s always best to thoroughly research what’s on the market and try to arrange your accommodation well in advance.
You’ll find everything from one-bedroom apartments to 6-bedroom shared houses in Dunkirk and Arboretum.
Best place to live for commuters: Beeston
Beeston always tops lists as one the best places to live in Nottingham because it’s got just about everything.
Even though it’s a town in its own right, many people see Beeston as a part of Nottingham due to its short 3 ½ miles distance to the city centre.
The large suburb still has its distinctive character and feel and is more relaxed than the frantic city centre.
Overall, it’s a town that suits all types of people: families and retirees, but particularly those who need to commute to work.
This is thanks to Beeston’s easy access to the M1 and its railway station, which links nicely with Leicester, London, and Birmingham.
Beeston also has a wide variety of cycle paths and fully utilises Nottingham City Transport’s excellent bus network.
Buses run throughout the night, and most bus stops feature live electronic timetables.
Regarding house prices, Beeston properties have an average price of £301,267, according to Rightmove.
It makes it one of the more expensive areas in Nottingham but still lower than in-demand suburbs like Wollaton and West Bridgford. Of course, there are bargains to be had anywhere.
With some luck, you could snatch up your ideal Beeston property for less than you expected to pay.
