Much like any other city out there, living in
Nottingham comes with its own set of pros and cons. Overall, the city is a beautiful metropolis that combines the UK's lively urban energy and the English countryside's rural charms. There are only very few cities out there that give you the best of both. Hence, some of you might find it unsuitable for your lifestyle. If you prefer to live in a bustling big city, the British capital might be for you. But if you like a little slice of the countryside, consider settling down in Nottingham.
Pros
Embrace British Culture
If you think London is the pinnacle of British culture, think again! The capital city only features one (maybe two) side of the country's culture. Nottingham offers another. Home of the legendary Robin Hood, English history and culture reign supreme here. Go check out places like Nottingham Castle, Hardwick Hall, Wollaton Hall, and more. They're a peek into what the country was all about, what it went through over the years, and what its identity is, even to this day. If you're
moving to Nottingham to revel in the country's fascinating culture and history, this is the place for you.
It's Easy to Get Around
It's worth noting that while Nottingham is a city, it's not exactly a big city. By comparison, Nottingham's surface area is only 28.81 square miles while London’s is 607 square miles. It's not even close! Nevertheless, it remains an urban metropolis and one of the best parts about its size is that it's easier to get around.
Nottingham's public transport is already efficient, but commuting from place to place to easier since many of the districts—and even nearby towns—aren't too far from each other. In turn, taking public transport minimizes your living expenses too!
The English Countryside is Nearby
Arguably the best part of living in Nottingham is that you'll be close to the
English countryside. To say that the UK's more rural areas are beautiful is an understatement. The country has some of the most breathtaking woodlands, valleys, coasts, and more. As already mentioned, the nearby forest is said to be where Robin Hood and his merry band of thieves hid from the corrupt Sheriff of Nottingham. While there's no proof that the legend and even Hood himself were real, it still says a lot that the woodlands here are part of a well-known fable. It makes the place even more fascinating and enchanting.
Cons
The Crime Rates are Not Low
Unfortunately, this city is far from the safest place in the UK, much less the world.
Nottingham's crime rates aren't exactly high, but they're undoubtedly not low either. Currently, its general crime rate is 59.01%, which is mid-range but leans more on the high side. It's the same for its rate of increasing crimes too, which means the city hasn't done enough to make it safer here. So if you're keen on moving to a place with low crime rates, you might be disappointed with Nottingham. The silver lining, however, is that the city is generally safe.
The Living Costs are High
Do you know what's also high here? The cost of living! While it's not exactly as expensive as London, the
living costs in Nottingham are far from low too. A single adult spends approximately £789,40 here on top of rent. A family of four, on the other hand, spends about £2,664.80 per month, also on top of rent. And how much does it cost to
rent a luxury apartment in Nottingham? A minimum of £600.00 to a maximum of £1,700.00 per month. These aren't exactly small figures, are they? To live comfortably in Nottingham, you need to earn at least £2,415.09 per month.
Fewer Job Opportunities Here
So it's pretty clear that you'll need a high-paying job to live a comfortable life in Nottingham. Unfortunately, that leads to another big con about moving here—a smaller job market. Nottingham may be an urban metropolis, but the job opportunities here are far fewer than those in London. This isn't to say that you can't get a good job here. It still has a fairly stable job market and you could always work from home too. With that said, it's bound to be extremely competitive here and
getting a job in the UK is already fairly complicated as is.
If you're considering moving to Nottingham, it will help if you know the pros and cons of relocating here. Overall, Nottingham is a great and beautiful city, but there might be some stuff about it you might not find suitable for yourself.
