Castles, open fields of lush greenery, and the sweet air of the English countryside. These are just some of what makes the city of
Nottingham so charming. It's far from the very urban hub that is the UK’s capital city, London. Nottingham has still preserved its nostalgic charm and old-world sophistication alongside its various forays into the modern world. It's why so many people are choosing to live here too. If you thought London was the only place in England where people from other countries relocate to, think again. Nottingham is slowly becoming a popular place for expats. And if you're one of them, here's a guide to help you out!
What is Nottingham, England Known For?
Beyond its
English countryside charms and the ever-beautiful Sherwood Forest, Nottingham is most known for Robin Hood. The legendary hero remains a constant figure in literature today, continuing to inspire writers and readers alike with his fascinating folklore. He's even become a major influence in politics too, especially since his own narrative was that he robbed the rich to help the poor.
Why Move to Nottingham?
There are many great reasons to move to Nottingham. Some of the best ones include
- The city has beautiful history and heritage
- The countryside is nearby
- A healthy mix of urban energy and suburban peace.
- Relatively low living costs
- Low crime rate
- It's a sustainable city
- An electric nightlife scene
Overview of Nottingham
Nottingham currently has a population of around 807,000, making it one of the most populated cities in the UK. The city is right at the center of England's Midlands region, located about 110 miles (180 kilometers) north-west of London. Considering its geography, Nottingham sees all four seasons throughout the year. Its hottest month is usually July, which has an average temperature of 17°C (62°F). On the flip side, its coldest month is January, which has an average temperature of 3°C (37°F).
Is Nottingham, England a Good Place to Live?
Definitely! Very rarely will you see a city that offers the best of both worlds. It’s a lively metropolis with a lot of urban energy but it’s also fairly near the countryside, where you can feel the rural charms the moment you step away from the center of the city. On top of that, Nottingham also boasts affordable living costs, a moderate crime rate, lots of culture, great artistry, and more.
What to Do in Nottingham, UK
Though many regard it as less exciting than London, there’s still a lot you can
do in Nottingham for a day. A main highlight is to see the city's castles and manors. Nottingham Castle is even one of the country's most famous fortresses and a definite must-see in the city. Wollaton Hall, on the other hand, is a stunning Tudor manor that is one of the
many great English mansions in the countryside. The place looks straight out of “Downton Abbey” with its ornate design and old-world grandeur. You can also hang out at The Old Market Square and do a bit of shopping, explore Sherwood Forest and pretend to be Robin Hood, or even venture off into the Nottingham Caves for a more thrilling adventure.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Getting Around Nottingham
Nottingham's public transport is quite efficient. Even as one of the biggest cities in the UK, it's fairly easy to get around here. You can take the train, for instance, to get to where you need to be. The tram system is popular too, especially among tourists. The city's buses go on various routes as well, making it virtually impossible that you won't get to your destination via public transport. Especially if you buy a Robin Hood card, Nottingham's main transit pass that will let you access all the public transport systems in the city.
How to Get Around Nottingham
As already mentioned, you can get around Nottingham via the train, trams, buses, or even by bike. When all else, you can always use a
transportation app too. Luckily, Uber, the most popular ride-hailing app in the world, operates in Nottingham. It's become just as popular a way to get around as taking a taxi or the other public transport systems.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Where to Live in Nottingham
One of the first steps to relocating to Nottingham is choosing a place to stay. There are many
neighborhoods in Nottingham, each more different than the next. You must choose the area that most fits your lifestyle, that's convenient for you, and of course, is also a good neighborhood. Beeston is a popular area. It's close enough to the Nottingham City Centre, has a lively commercial district, and it's fairly easy to commute from here. Wollaton is another beloved part of Nottingham. It's largely residential and home to numerous fine schools. As such, Wollaton is also among the most suitable neighborhoods for families.
Where Not to Live in Nottingham
As there are many good neighborhoods in Nottingham, the city also has a handful that you're better off avoiding. Or rather, you're better off living someplace else. A good example is the City Centre. It's a great place during the day, full of hustle and bustle and a whole lot of liveliness. At the same time, however, the area has a high crime rate. St. Annes and Meadows are two Nottingham neighborhoods that most locals would advise that you avoid as much as you can. They're practically a world away from the peaceful districts in the city.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Living Costs in Nottingham
England may be a wealthy country but it's not necessarily reflected in all the cities here! Sure, as its capital, London is the most expensive city in the country and one of the costliest in the world, but it's not exactly the same as in cities like Nottingham. Needless to say, the
living costs in Nottingham aren't as high as those in the British capital. The average cost of living here is £1,660.00. It's still pretty pricey compared to other cities in the world, but it's by no means as expensive as London.
Is Nottingham Expensive to Live In?
It's safe to say that it's in the middle. As already mentioned, Nottingham is far less expensive than London but it's in no way a cheap city too. Let's take a look at the common rental fees for a
luxury apartment in Nottingham, for instance! You can rent a nice flat for a minimum of £700.00 to a maximum of £1,300.00 per month. Those figures aren't bad in the grand scheme of things!
Is Nottingham Cheap to Live In?
No, it's not. It's a fairly affordable city compared to the major cities in the world, but it's not cheap at all. You'd still need to earn a lot to live a comfortable life here.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Employment in Nottingham
With a current 4.2% unemployment rate, the
UK's job market is fairly stable. It has long recovered from the Covid-19 pandemic and now enjoys a notable 75.5% employment rate. When relocating to Nottingham, you'll also need to find a job here—that is, if your current job hadn't relocated you there in the first place—and since the city is fairly big, it's not too difficult to find new employment here.
Nottingham Employment Rate
Nottingham currently has an employment rate of 65.3%, which is more proof that you still have a good chance to
find a job here in the city. Though it doesn't have as varied and expansive a job market as London, Nottingham is still a place with many job opportunities.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Education in Nottingham
If you're moving to Nottingham with your entire family, finding a school for your kids would be one of your many concerns. But is it truly something to worry about? Not exactly! There are numerous
fine international schools in Nottingham. There's the Lovell House Infant School, the Nottingham Academy, and The Nottingham Emmanuel School, to name a few. And let's not forget about the University of Nottingham too! When your kids get older, they can go to one of the most prestigious educational institutions in the UK.
Is The University of Nottingham a Good School?
Without a shadow of a doubt, yes! The University of Nottingham is one of the UK's finest educational institutions. It's right up there with London's top universities and perhaps even the Ivy League schools in the US. It's currently among the top 100 of the QS World University Rankings and consistently ranks in the top 20 for various UK-based entities, including The Times Higher Education World University Rankings and The Complete University Guide 2024.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Nottingham Health & Rehabilitation
Thanks to the NHS, the UK's national body that runs the
British Healthcare system, once you become a resident of the country, you'll get access to all sorts of healthcare services. The country boasts a universal healthcare system that lets all residents get treated and be given adequate care. You are encouraged, however, to get private medical insurance on top of your public coverage. This then gives you access to the best private hospitals in the country, specifically those in Nottingham, as well as the finest private healthcare practitioners.
Nottingham Hospitals
Healthcare is perhaps the least of your worries when you move to Nottingham. There's more than a handful of
great hospitals in Nottingham. They include the Nottingham City Hospital, the Nottingham University Hospital, the Maternity & Hospital Hotel, and Park Private Clinic, to name a few. They provide the necessary care and proper treatment for illnesses, ailments, and health problems. So don't think that you can't get to a nice hospital just because you're not in London. Nottingham has its fair share of them too!
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Safety in Nottingham
A major reason why you ought to consider relocating to Nottingham is that the city isn't all that dangerous. Is it the safest city in the world? No! But it's definitely not as dangerous as many major metropolises out there, even compared to London. The
crime rates in Nottingham are quite moderate. Its general crime rate is just 58.00% while its rate of increasing crimes is only 58.86%. These rates aren't bad in the grand scheme of things. You can easily avoid danger as long as you're aware of your surroundings.
Is It Safe to Live in Nottingham?
For the most part, yes. As already mentioned, Nottingham's general crime rate is 58.00%, which is just moderate.
How Safe is Nottingham?
To be more specific, Nottingham's safety rate is currently 67.79%, which is fairly high. Sure, it could still use some improvement, but it's high enough for the city to be considered generally safe.
Is Nottingham Safe at Night?
Unfortunately, Nottingham's safety rate drops to 39.44% at night. It's almost a 50% drop from its safety rate during the day. It just goes to show that you truly need to be careful and aware of your surroundings when you go out at night.
Source: Wikimedia Commons/© David Skinner
Taxes in Nottingham
The moment you move to Nottingham legally, you're automatically required to pay taxes to the UK government. That's how the
British tax system works! In fact, even before settling down here, as long as you've already become a tax resident—meaning you spend about half of the year in the country—so you won't be able to escape this obligation. As with other countries, the income tax rate you get depends on how much you earn per year. The higher your gross salary, the higher your taxes. It's as simple as that. Though, regardless of whether you're a resident or not, you still have to pay the country's VAT, which has a flat rate of 20%.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Relocation Tips for Nottingham
Before you settle down, here are a few tips worth following when relocating to Nottingham.
- Set up a
local British bank account. Even better if you can do it before you get to the city.
- Buy a SIM card from a
local British mobile network for your phone.
- Buy a Robin Hood transit pass as soon as possible.
- Memorize the route you'll be taking regularly.
- Learn the local social customs to
not be rude in the UK.
- Make friends and build a strong network.
- Know where the nearest ATM machine is from your place.
Source: Wikimedia Commons/© Gillry09
You really ought to consider moving to Nottingham if you can. Though relocating to this city isn't easy, the process is simple enough if you learn about the basics and more about the city with the help of this guide!
