Areas to live?

**tidal** · 05-09-2009, 01:46 PM

Hi all

Hopefully you can give me a bit of advice. I am thinking about applying to Nottingham - I currently live in London with Husband and child and plan to do the GEP. I know absolutely nothing about Nottingham and have been looking at potential areas to live in. We have been looking further out - i.e Ruddington or between Derby and Nottingham. I don't mind having to drive up to 45 mins or so as perfer to have nice area to live and relax in, particularly after living in London!!!
Anyone have any advice on travel times, traffic/congestion, nice areas, areas to avoid etc

Thanks!

Tidal

**clemette** · 05-09-2009, 04:48 PM

I can only tell you about Nottingham, which is where I live. The nicest areas (with good primary schools) within Greater Nottingham are Beeston, Bramcote, Wollaton and West Bridgford, although neither are cheap to live in. Ruddington is lovely and about as far out as West Bridgford but not on a direct road link to Derby. Beeston and the neighbouring small towns of Bramcote and Wollaton are on the A52, the link road between Derby and Nottingham but my sister (who lives opposite me and commutes to Derby each day) tells me it will take me up to an hour to get to Derby Hospital (about 12 miles away) each day at rush hour, so West Bridgford/Ruddington could be another twenty minutes on top of that.

Nice semi-rural villages between Nottingham and Derby include Risley and Borrowash.

As for areas to avoid, St Ann's/Sneinton/Radford are cheap but not so nice.

If you see anywhere you like, feel free to ask and I will let you know the inside info.

HTH,
Sam (Nottingham born, bred and returned to as a postgraduate - happily raising my children in Beeston)

**tidal** · 14-09-2009, 02:41 PM

Thanks very much Sam! Tnat is very useful. We are thinking of moving near Derby, either Littleover area or Smalley/heanor/oakwood/Ilkeston

We are planning to go up maybe next weekend - if I am able after the GAMSAT!!
Thanks so much for your help

Tidal xx

**clemette** · 14-09-2009, 03:06 PM

Don't know anything about Smalley or Oakwood, but do know that Ilkeston/Heanor have a pretty strong BNP-voting contingent to their population. Also, neither of those are "closer" in terms of driving into Derby.
Good luck with the GAMSAT and the house-hunting.

**rustyblueyez** · 14-11-2009, 03:14 AM

Derby is not too bad but will be a bit of a culture shock from London. There is very little to do particularly if you are used to a little culture. (I moved from Oxford).
clemette is right about the BNP contingent but it's also gathering pace in most of Derby.
If you do decide to live in Derby for convenience then Mickleover and littleover are the nicest areas.
If you're only planning on living in Derby for the convenience of being close to uni bear in mind that you only spend 18 months in Derby, after that you'll have to go all over between Nottingham, Derby, Mansfield and lincoln.
Good luck with the house hunt.

**R2B** · 16-11-2009, 04:04 AM

littleover and mickleover are the best areas. Plenty of great primary schools, and if you can get in the catchment for littleover school your kid is pretty much set.