One of the best parts about living in
Nottingham is that you get the best of both worlds. The city maintains a nice balance between an urban metropolis and the English countryside. You still get to live a fairly cosmopolitan lifestyle all while you stay close to the country's more rural charms. So to truly experience this fabulous mix, you'd do well to settle down in the best suburbs of Nottingham. From the family-friendly Lenton to the hip and young Mapperley, these are some of the finest neighborhoods for anyone to live in Nottingham.
Arnold
Let's start this list with Arnold, a historic suburb just northeast of the city center. Its proximity to the
central neighborhoods of Nottingham already makes it a popular residential district, especially since it's only a short bus ride away. Though it also tends to get lively here, Arnold still evokes a small-town vibe that's a lot more serene than the city center. Families will love it here too because the area has many great local schools and it's an entirely safe district.
Source: Wikimedia Commons/ ClemRutter
Beeston
Beeston is technically a separate town from Nottingham altogether, but because it's so close to the city, it's widely considered a suburb instead. Though it has its fair share of hustle and bustle too, it's still more of an
English countryside town, somewhat similar to Arnold which is an actual outer suburb of Nottingham. But what truly connects Beeston to the city is the prestigious University of Nottingham. This world-famous school is located closer to Beeston than to Nottingham, so much so that many students and staff live here instead of in the city. Thus, this makes the town an unmistakable part of the bigger metropolis.
Source: Flickr.com/ Roland Turner
Hyson Green
It's almost weird to consider Hyson Green part of the Nottingham suburbs because it's a very distinct district with a notable local economy. If the area was bigger and located farther from the city center, it could definitely count as a separate town altogether, ironically even more so than Beeston. Nevertheless, Hyson Green is still a residential neighborhood of Nottingham best known as having the largest ethnic minority community in the city. Its international residents provide the area with a cluster and clash of cultures, resulting in countless small businesses.
Source: Geograph Britain and Ireland/ John Sutton
Lenton
Like Beeston, Lenton is known for its proximity to the University of Nottingham. The area houses some of the school's campuses, most notably the Jubilee Campus. Hence, Lenton tends to draw in students and staff of the university. The former love living here because the neighborhood has some of the more affordable
luxury rentals in Nottingham. It's easy for them to stay near the school without spending too much on rent and other living expenses. What's not to love?
Source: Flickr.com/ Shamraze/ Nuhaize
Mapperley
No talk of the best suburbs in Nottingham is complete without mentioning Mapperley. If you're planning to
move to Nottingham and you ask locals where you should live, a lot of them will likely say Mapperley. Located northeast of the city center, this hilltop suburb maintains a nice balance between a lovely residential neighborhood and a lively city district. It has its own commercial scene, complete with indie shops and cool restaurants, but for the most part, the place is all about family homes, student apartments, and the like.
Source: Geograph Britain and Ireland/ David Hallam-Jones
Nuthall
Despite its admittedly funny name, Nuthall is one of the most historic suburbs of Nottingham. The famous Wollaton Hall, a
Downtown Abbey-like English manor, is located here, which already proves just how historic the place is. Today, Nuthall still serves as a provincial-like village complete with timbered houses, small shops, local businesses, and more. It's perhaps the most traditional out of all the Nottingham suburbs on this list, specifically as a residential district for families to settle down in.
Source: Geograph Britain and Ireland/ Alan Murray-Rust.
Ruddington
Located south of Nottingham, Ruddington is arguably the most pleasant suburb in Nottingham. It's the quintessential English town, offering a fabulous combination of refined countryside homes with a lively commercial district filled with traditional pubs, small shops, local businesses, and more. Though it's close to the city center, you practically don't need to go there when you live here. Ruddington has everything you need to live a quiet life in Nottingham, especially if you can work from home. If not, then the only reason you'll need to go to the city is to work.
Source: Flickr.com/ RuddingtonPhotos.co.uk/ Howard Greville-Giddings
Sneinton
Sneinton is part of what locals consider the “Creative Quarter” of Nottingham. In other words, this place is a hipster haven in the city. You might think that this makes it more of a city district but it's far from it. Though it's a hangout and home for writers, designers, artists, bohemians, and the like, it remains a largely residential neighborhood just west of the city center. Some families even live here, especially since the area has a couple of great schools on offer.
Source: Wikimedia Commons/ BazzaDaRambler
The Park
Yes, this Nottingham suburb truly is named 'The Park.' Contrary to what you might assume, this place isn't just one big park nor is it the greenest part of the city. Other areas have more green spaces than The Park, especially since this district isn't too far from the city center. So what about it makes it one the best suburbs in Nottingham? Its affluence. Period homes and historic manors make up the residences in this neighborhood, many of which are home to the wealthiest residents of the city. If you want to live like you're part of the 1% (and you could actually afford to), this is where you'll want to live.
Source: Flickr.com/ Steve Cadman
West Bridgford
Finally, there's West Bridgford, a smaller town located south of River Trent. Though it's technically a separate town in Nottinghamshire, it's close enough to the bigger city that it's widely considered a suburb instead. It helps that the vibe here is similar to the more residential central districts of Nottingham. The place has grand Edwardian and Victorian homes, its town center has an electric commercial scene, and there are many good schools nearby. Families won't have any problem living here, even if the parents work in Nottingham.
Source: Geograph Britain and Ireland/ Kate Jewell.
If you want to live in Nottingham, consider settling down in the city's best suburbs. These peaceful districts offer a quiet oasis from Nottingham's busier city center, so you can still get the best of both worlds here.
