Best Places to Live in the East of England 2024

Рет қаралды 1,959

19 күн бұрын

Ever wondered where to move to in England or where to live in the UK for quality of life? Perhaps you're over fifty and looking for a place to retire or settle that suits your lifestyle.
Well I've gone to scout our these places so you can get a better idea of what area might suit you. Today I'm looking at the east of England, and the counties of Suffolk, Norfolk, Essex and Cambridgeshire and giving you a peek at what life is like in the best rated towns.
Because I had just the same issue when I decided to move back to England and I looked at the Best Places to Live edition in the Sunday Times for ideas. Today I'm going to look at the recommended towns and cities and give you my first impressions!
For your house hunting visit I can recommend this lovely 17th century cottage in Coddenham that you can book through the Airbnb link below. Tell Harriet that Tessa sent you!
tinyurl.com/msk2f8tr
Let's go and find that perfect place for you to call home!
Looking for more?
GUIDE TO LIVING IN THE UK FOR UP TO 6 MONTHS
www.hipoverfifty.com/shop/
HOW TO MOVE TO THE UK
Find out here.
Pop over to HIpoverfifty.com to find out more.
THE BRITISH LIFESTYLE
www.hipoverfifty.com/a-britis...

Пікірлер: 54

@peterjones6640 6 күн бұрын

I have lived in Norwich for around 30 years, before that (apart from University) , I lived and grew up in London for 40 years. I would suggest that you have down played Norwich a bit. Places in the country are fine in the summer but can be a bit grim in the winter. Although a 1 hour 50 min (approx) to London by train there are quite a few commuters. The key thing about Norwich though is almost everything is here, 3 cinemas ( including an arts cinema with another one on the way), an in city shopping mall ( there are actually two although one is very empty), but the other has a decent range of shops ( the entrance is just up from Marks and Spencer), two main theatres two universities, museums and art galleries and it is very walkable. There is a Waitrose ( but it’s just outside the city) and other retail parks on the edge of the city. The city also has a number of parks. Sheringham and Cromer, nice places to visit but a bit remote to live in( in my opinion).

@Sophie.S.. 16 күн бұрын

Norwich is beautiful - so much to discover. One of my favourite cities.

@999CeeBee 11 сағат бұрын

I live in Wivenhoe so was pleased to see you included us - it's really a great place to live! (btw - Harwich, which isn't far away is pronounced "HARRICH' not 'HARR-WICH' ;-)

@annasutton8078 16 күн бұрын

Norfolk, my county and Norwich my city. I lived abroad for 17 years and like a homing pigeon, I returned. Love, love, it.

@HipOverFifty 16 күн бұрын

Ah that's lovely to hear! What do you most like about Norwich?

@krissyg7026 16 күн бұрын

I’ve lived in Norfolk all my life and wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.

@patrickh8727 16 күн бұрын

And me😊

@carolineskipper6976 16 күн бұрын

Having lived in Norwich for 4 years whilst at university(many years ago), I would say it more than earned it's motto of 'A Fine City'. My sister-in -law chose to retire there about 10 years ago, and has had no difficulty in forging a great cultural life for herself, and great new friendships as a single woman over 50!

@HipOverFifty 16 күн бұрын

That sounds like a great recommendation. I found everyone I met to be helpful and friendly!

@rogerhardy6306 16 күн бұрын

You underplayed the charm of Norwich. Next time you go, wander round Elm Hill (opposite the cathedral from Tombland), one of the best preserved Tudor areas in the country. Also. wander along the river from the station; King Street opposite the station is the oldest part of the city and worth a look.

@HipOverFifty 15 күн бұрын

As I said first impressions… 😎

@neilhayz1555 16 күн бұрын

Norwich is in a lot better shape than most of the cities where I came from, but the best thing about the area are the villages. We live mid way between Norwich and Yarmouth on the Broads and it’s a slower more peaceful way of life. I do most of my shopping in Wroxham where the parking is free, and the views of the Broads are part of your every day. There is incidentally a big Portuguese community in Norfolk - no idea why!

@HipOverFifty 15 күн бұрын

Appreciate your input! 👍🏻

@woodencreatures 16 күн бұрын

Saffron Walden is a gorgeous medieval town full of 800 year old buildings. I did a bit of work round there and it's lovely. The surrounding countryside in Hertfordshire is gorgeous too

@HipOverFifty 16 күн бұрын

Thanks for sharing!

@creightonjason 16 күн бұрын

I worked for a housing ass there, a disproportionate amount of tenants hung themselves......

@papayne 17 күн бұрын

Thank you. Making popcorn 🍿 now 😊

@HipOverFifty 16 күн бұрын

You’re welcome 😊

@educatednumpty71 16 күн бұрын

Harwich is pronounced Ha-rich, we don't pronounce the W. And you're right, it isn't at its best, in fact, I doubt it ever did have a great time. If you like a drink though, in old Harwich you're never more than a three minute walk from twelve places to get a drink. One of which is the Alam pub which used to be the home of the owner of the Mayflower.

@HipOverFifty 16 күн бұрын

We went to a very nice Thai restaurant in Harwich and it's a shame its not lived up to its history. Oh well.

@peckelhaze6934 17 күн бұрын

I live in the city of Colchester. Just 18 miles from the coast, direct trains to London, and expanding very quickly. All these towns mentioned are very attractive.

@HipOverFifty 16 күн бұрын

You are very well placed. Convenient to London and the coast!

@juletaurus 17 күн бұрын

I lived in the U.K near Brum only a few years as a married person. I want to go back so badly to stay. It's not so easy. My former brother in law lives in Alveley. Love that village.

@HipOverFifty 16 күн бұрын

My parents met in Brum. Haven't spent any time there myself, but hopefully you can find a way to return.

@catherinewilkins2760 16 күн бұрын

Sheringham, just up the road from me. Flooded with tourists in summer, Cromer a Victorian watering hole (Victorian tourist attraction) lovely in summer, but takes the brunt of north wind in winter. Quite happy living in the area, I don't mind the Royal family visiting their holiday home at Sandringham, good neighbours. (lol)

@HipOverFifty 16 күн бұрын

Sorry I didn't make it up to Sheringham, I'm sure it's lovely. Glad you have Sandringham nearby... nice to have good neighbours!

@CollectiveWest1 16 күн бұрын

Interesting survey. Norwich used to be one of the most important cities in England in Tudor times. CJ Sansom wrote a novel about Kett's rebellion there called 'Tombland', if you want to know more of the history. Cambridge is expanding massively and is packed at weekends and bank holidays. Essex is an underrated county which has lovely countryside (including some close to London).

@glenn5328 16 күн бұрын

But the accent of Essex folk……….yuck!

@HipOverFifty 15 күн бұрын

Thanks for your feedback. As a relative newcomer, I’m always fascinated by how some historic cities have grown into the modern age some better than others.

@shaunfarrell3834 16 күн бұрын

With reference to towns looking hollowed out, you are hear at one of those historic moments when the structure of society is in flux, changing and no one is quite sure how it will turn out. Shops are disappearing in many high streets as people shop more and more on line, which impacts things like caffès, restaurants and pubs as they have less incentive to visit the town centre or come in from the countryside. How any of our town centres will look in the future we none of us can be sure. Also, traditionally we do not tend to “hang out” in outdoor venues in the way that is common in both the USA and southern Europe.

@shaunfarrell3834 16 күн бұрын

I hate spell checker, hear was here but for some reason the bloody machine in its almighty wisdom changed it!

@HipOverFifty 15 күн бұрын

I do agree that a lot of shopping is done online I personally prefer to shop in person, and I appreciate the towns that have been able to keep their character going. One of my favorite towns, Lewes has had a lot of shops closing and it’s a shame but I disagree about hanging out. I think the café culture here is much stronger than in the US.

@Frazpas 5 күн бұрын

Bury st Edmund’s is missing.

@jjsmallpiece9234 16 күн бұрын

Living in the flat land swamps

@dalejarvis2126 17 күн бұрын

Bring back the retiree visa, please.

@HipOverFifty 16 күн бұрын

It doesn't make sense that they don't want solvent citizens, best sort to have really.

@dalejarvis2126 16 күн бұрын

@@HipOverFifty Maybe after the elections this fall ..

@willswomble7274 16 күн бұрын

In my 72 yo opinion, West is definitely best, from Cornwall, Devon, Wales, Cheshire, Lancashire, The Lakes, Arran, The West Highlands to Harris! With the exceptions of Edinburgh (if you love hoards of foreign tourists, and are seriously rich) and a bit of Yorkshire (avoiding York, it's hoards of tourists, and are wealthy). The East is definitely colder and dryer if that is a priority, the West generally much more attractive, beach and countryside wise. The East of England is these days very 'diverse' as you put it, thanks to Ryanair in part; I'd take out plenty of life insurance, they plead insanity generally so aren't punished by our pathetically weak justice system. Warning, online surfing by complete strangers for house location isn't everything.

@HipOverFifty 16 күн бұрын

The west is lovely but I'm beginning to wonder if it doesn't get more than it's fair share of rain ....or is that just this year! lol

@itguru2037 12 күн бұрын

Is 400k pounds like 525k in us dollars? Do I have to pay cash for my house in England?

@peterjones6640 6 күн бұрын

You don’t have to pay cash for a house in the U.K. but if you are not resident in the U.K. ( resident in the tax sense) then you may find it difficult to get a loan from a U.K. bank or building society.

@michaelj3282 16 күн бұрын

Northumberland, but don't tell anyone...

@HipOverFifty 16 күн бұрын

Beautiful beaches!

@michaelj3282 16 күн бұрын

@@HipOverFifty Tad cold and they speak a different language up there LOL

@johnmccaig9727 16 күн бұрын

Are you completely mad. Norwich is a fantastic place, the population by the way including its suburbs that are classed as in Norfolk County is about 250,00. A medieval city ( number two after London in those days) much superior to either York or Chester. You really don’t know what you are talking about.

@creightonjason 16 күн бұрын

Its an amazing place, one of the best in the country.

@HipOverFifty 15 күн бұрын

Each to his own! Glad you enjoy it 😄